What is it with people riding stuff straight on the spruit.

[Samurai Pizza Cat]

Well, that makes a strong case for the council .

Taken out of context.

 

The "you" in that sentence is anybody who has no respect for other trail users.

 

If "you" do not like the fact that some "spruit fairy" spent his time and money improving a trail, do not ride that particular section. Do not use any of the new lines, only use the trails that existed 10 years ago. No one is forcing you to ride these sections.

[Barry Stuart]

You're all kind of right. Nobody has the right to tell anyone how to ride on public land where stuff is built illegally. If you do choose to ride the stuff that other people built for the enjoyment of all in such a way that destroys it you're a bit of a knob.

[jcza]

Its the holiday season so every day is Friday  Unbelievable

[Odinson]

And if I come and do donuts on the pavement outside your house and eff up the flower beds that you spend every Saturday watering, how happy will you be?

 

Have some respect, that's all anyone has asked.

 

I agree - all trail users should respect and be courteous to each other. 

 

But the OP related to people "riding stuff straight on the spruit" and you wanted to pass judgement on those people and label them unskilled. What I'm saying is that you don't have that right and you can't enforce what lines are ridden - but if you don't understand that, then maybe we should get you one of these outfits and then you can chase after riders on the Spruit who do "ride stuff straight". 

 

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[Wyatt Earp]

Taken out of context.

 

The "you" in that sentence is anybody who has no respect for other trail users.

 

If "you" do not like the fact that some "spruit fairy" spent his time and money improving a trail, do not ride that particular section. Do not use any of the new lines, only use the trails that existed 10 years ago. No one is forcing you to ride these sections.

Is the "you" in this post me now ?

I ride lines, I actually have no issue with being able to stay on the trail, I also tend to slow down for runners and people walking their dogs, I also believe in trail etiquette and make way for oncoming cyclists as opposed to "owning the track I am on"

 

I also have great respect for the fairies that build these trails as much as others should have respect for us and the efforts we put in when they come and ride in our neighbourhood.

 

Now if the "you" was not me, then best you find these guys who destroy the efforts being put in and bring them to task, and by the way.......good luck with that.

 

Until now the only vibe I can pick up from this thread is that "noobs" and "beginners" have no right to try their hand at anything to try and improve their skill and ability, those same "noobs" and "beginners" that mean more to me than some arrogant Strava chaser (That was for you Nolipoli)

[Wyatt Earp]

You're all kind of right. Nobody has the right to tell anyone how to ride on public land where stuff is built illegally. If you do choose to ride the stuff that other people built for the enjoyment of all in such a way that destroys it you're a bit of a knob.

So true, very similar to believing that a totally new to mountain biking would understand exactly what to do, that also tends to make one a total knob .

[Barry Stuart]

So true, very similar to believing that a totally new to mountain biking would understand exactly what to do, that also tends to make one a total knob .

Yup the Spruit is absolutely crowded with lots of little brand new daisies on their velocipedes accidentally bumping over the lines off the main trail. It couldn't possibly be anyone else, like more experienced guys that like the off line trails but couldn't be bothered to take the corners so they just crunch over the berms (couldn't do that on a 26er because they don't roll obstacles). Whatever reality you need to create to make you right dude. As you admit you hardly spend time on the Spruit so having actually spent quite a bit of time building, picking up litter and witnessing this first hand I think I'll stick with my initial judgement on this one but thanks for chiming in with your theory on it being all down to new riders to the sport.

[BenGraham]

I think we went completely off topic here. The OP had a issue with people who would rather change a trail, than learn how to ride it properly. This is a "improve your skills" rant and maybe a "respect other riders and the trail" rant.

How did it end up with " You do not own the trail, so shut your trap" ?

The sidewalk in front of my house is council property, but I'll have a big issue if you do not have the driving capability to stay on the tar and drive over the bit of garden I have there...or dumb your garbage there.

Is it to much to ask CYCLISTS to respect other cyclists, walkers, commuters and the trail which they did not build or help maintain?

A self confessed " Spruit Rat".

Wow. I'm astonished at how far this has gone. My little rant seems to have turned into a massive mud slinging fest. Truth is I never professed to any ownership and I also never professed to be some sort of amazing rider. Neither did I suggest that the spruit was this uber tech amazing place I simply asked if anyone else felt that it wasn't right to ride a handbuilt trail in a way that damages it and leaves it worse for the the next guy.

 

In the climbing community there are similar debates and it has been established that the decision lies with whoever did the first ascent. Unfortunately mtb trails are in a constant state of evolution and it seems uncommon for people to keep track of the builders but I carry over some of my reverence and respect for trail builders from that paradigm.

 

Having just done the enduro one at hakahana I got to see what was possible when trail builders work together and I for one was really impressed and just felt it was worth reminding people that if there's a bend in the single track it was put there for a reason. I will continue to moan at corner cutters when I see them because perhaps no one did the first time they did it and now they think it's acceptable. rant over, feel free to continue slinging mud at each other but I'm moving on with my life.

[Nayr]

I think the point is and the question asked, was why do people ride lines straight... simple answer is you have no control over the situation and while there are straight lines maybe the rider just decided to ride a different line that day, got to the section and decided they couldn't do it, so rode it straight. Also take into account that these riders possibly don't understand the efforts that have gone in to building things, sometimes people don't take these things into consideration not because they're douches but maybe just because they're not 'educated' in trail etiquette. But my suggestion would be if you see someone taking a wrong line maybe educate them, take some time out and have a chat, i'm sure they would appreciate it... the only way to get people to buy into anything is to make them appreciate it...

 

I don't believe it has anything to do with Sravanaughts as the lines you speak of are not the fastest anyway...

 

edit: and while i'm at it slow down for grannies and dog walkers, and share the 'ownership' of the spruit...

[nolipoli]

Is the "you" in this post me now ?

I ride lines, I actually have no issue with being able to stay on the trail, I also tend to slow down for runners and people walking their dogs, I also believe in trail etiquette and make way for oncoming cyclists as opposed to "owning the track I am on"

 

I also have great respect for the fairies that build these trails as much as others should have respect for us and the efforts we put in when they come and ride in our neighbourhood.

 

Now if the "you" was not me, then best you find these guys who destroy the efforts being put in and bring them to task, and by the way.......good luck with that.

 

Until now the only vibe I can pick up from this thread is that "noobs" and "beginners" have no right to try their hand at anything to try and improve their skill and ability, those same "noobs" and "beginners" that mean more to me than some arrogant Strava chaser (That was for you Nolipoli)

 

 

I agree - all trail users should respect and be courteous to each other. 

 

But the OP related to people "riding stuff straight on the spruit" and you wanted to pass judgement on those people and label them unskilled. What I'm saying is that you don't have that right and you can't enforce what lines are ridden - but if you don't understand that, then maybe we should get you one of these outfits and then you can chase after riders on the Spruit who do "ride stuff straight". 

 

 

 

Are you two on drugs?

Please go back and read the whole thread and show me the part that I was judgemental towards "noobs"? Wyatt, you can even go an check the message thread between us.

 

This is not about "Noobs" or "unskilled riders". It is not even about who owns the trails.

 

This is about people who have no respect for the trail or the people that built them.

 

edit: and Wyatt, if you are trying to call me an arrogant Strava chaser, then you clearly are clueless. You know nothing about me, as a person or a cyclist, and your chip on your shoulder is steering you off course.

[patches]

Sometimes the Spruit owns me

[Wyatt Earp]

Yup the Spruit is absolutely crowded with lots of little brand new daisies on their velocipedes accidentally bumping over the lines off the main trail. It couldn't possibly be anyone else, like more experienced guys that like the off line trails but couldn't be bothered to take the corners so they just crunch over the berms (couldn't do that on a 26er because they don't roll obstacles). Whatever reality you need to create to make you right dude. As you admit you hardly spend time on the Spruit so having actually spent quite a bit of time building, picking up litter and witnessing this first hand I think I'll stick with my initial judgement on this one but thanks for chiming in with your theory on it being all down to new riders to the sport.

 

 

I ride there more than you would like, have been doing so for many more years than what you would imagine.

[Wyatt Earp]

Are you two on drugs?

Please go back and read the whole thread and show me the part that I was judgemental towards "noobs"? Wyatt, you can even go an check the message thread between us.

 

This is not about "Noobs" or "unskilled riders". It is not even about who owns the trails.

 

This is about people who have no respect for the trail or the people that built them.

 

edit: and Wyatt, if you are trying to call me an arrogant Strava chaser, then you clearly are clueless. You know nothing about me, as a person or a cyclist, and your chip on your shoulder is steering you off course.

I am actually very glad you answered like this, shows how badly you misunderstand the conversation.

I was referring to the "noobs" and "beginners" in my post, trying to educate you with the fact that I actually try and help people grow to become better riders .

[nigelhicks]

Not to get drawn into the mud slinging match, but here are some options for the builders/spruit fairies etc to think about.

 

If you dont have permission to build and the trails are illegal then you cant really complain if they are altered. HOWEVER - the guys altering them by riding off line on a FREE trail are Knobs in my book .... This however only stands true if all trail options are provided for new and experienced riders ... If no B or C lines are provided then I can fully understand the riders riding around an obstacle ...

 

BUT - the OP's comment was not about obstacles, but CORNERS! And people straight cutting a corner!

 

This is done to either save time or is just carelessness as if you ride a bike, no matter your skill you can take a corner! .... Fine no one "owns" the trail and if its a big open grass field you can ride where you want - but this seems to be blatant! ... and it doesnt just happen there but everywhere!

 

So the fairies may consider (with approval of council of course) placing choke points and corraling features to contain the riders to the trails and produce flow rather than straight lines as per IMBA regulations.

 

 

 

 

[Wyatt Earp]

 

 

If you dont have permission to build and the trails are illegal then you cant really complain if they are altered. 

Thanks Nige, what I have been saying summed up in one simple sentence .

[Guest notmyname]

I hope the fairies don't stop building because of this thread. It would suck if people turned the spruit into a drag strip of dirt.