Coillte Trails - Stay at Home

Tenzor07

Practice your social distancing at home..

Hi all. Daithi de Forge here. Responsible for Coillte's MTB trails. As you will have heard by now, please stay at home. Don't go out tomorrow on the trails. As soon as this is over we will be building trails again as hard as we can. But for now, nothing. Thanks. Daithi.

Tenzor07

Someone who lives down near most of the trails in Wicklow posted this on MTB Ireland FBK:

All the "mountain bikers" driving around wicklow with bikes hanging off the backs of your cars, you are taking the dorking piss , we will be banned from cycling altogether because of stunts like you!!

bogmanfan

Absolute idiots. As a community we rely on the authorities turning a blind eye to some activities. Last thing we need is to put a target on our backs. Just jump on the turbo or go for a run.

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Someone who lives down near most of the trails in Wicklow posted this on MTB Ireland FBK:

Peter T

If they bought a van or estate we wouldn't have this problem :rolleyes: (On a more serious not 10 lashings should be handed out to anyone caught)

Tenzor07

Peter T wrote: »

If they bought a van or estate we wouldn't have this problem :rolleyes: (On a more serious not 10 lashings should be handed out to anyone caught)

Ha! Well it's gotten ridiculous over the last 5 years or so, to see lads driving big Land Rover SUV's with €8,000+ MTB's with coil shocks and 170mm forks to go "Shred Ballinastoe"

Peter T

Keeps the second hand market topped up nicely though:D

Curiousness99

I live within 2kms of 3 rock mountain and have been out biking and with the dog a bit since the lockdown, staying within 2kms of the house out of principle, there way too many bikers around to be living that close.

Gives all mountain bikers a bad name, especially groups of lads

Enduro

Curiousness99 wrote: »

I live within 2kms of 3 rock mountain and have been out biking and with the dog a bit since the lockdown, staying within 2kms of the house out of principle, there way too many bikers around to be living that close.

Gives all mountain bikers a bad name, especially groups of lads

Several bigger groups today (3 or 4), plus one or two motocrossers who seem to be taking advantage of their new "freedom" to rip the place up. I'm personally not at all bothered by people stretching the elastic band on the 2km front, but it's just stupid to be grouping up.

In contrast, nice to see several obvious father/son pairings out on the bikes though.

smacl

Curiousness99 wrote: »

I live within 2kms of 3 rock mountain and have been out biking and with the dog a bit since the lockdown, staying within 2kms of the house out of principle, there way too many bikers around to be living that close.

Gives all mountain bikers a bad name, especially groups of lads

Very few residences within the 2K area when you look at it, and what percentage are likely to by MTBers? Sounds very much like people taking the píss.

mad turnip

smacl wrote: »

Very few residences within the 2K area when you look at it, and what percentage are likely to by MTBers? Sounds very much like people taking the píss.

Must be strictly doing runs of dreamtrack, sending the canyon gap I'd imagine.

Tenzor07

Enduro wrote: »

Several bigger groups today (3 or 4), plus one or two motocrossers who seem to be taking advantage of their new "freedom" to rip the place up. I'm personally not at all bothered by people stretching the elastic band on the 2km front, but it's just stupid to be grouping up.

Same, I don't mind seeing one or two solo spinners around the hills, typically you won't see anyone apart from the odd walker, horse rider or long distance runner..

But it's the groups!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

As for the MX'ers, they park up the vans at a well known pub carpark in South.Dub and then blitz up the trails, god help the person who gets in their way...

Curiousness99

Enduro wrote: »

Several bigger groups today (3 or 4), plus one or two motocrossers who seem to be taking advantage of their new "freedom" to rip the place up. I'm personally not at all bothered by people stretching the elastic band on the 2km front, but it's just stupid to be grouping up.

In contrast, nice to see several obvious father/son pairings out on the bikes though.

Went for a short spin yesterday, heard at least one muppet on Motorcross or scrambler alright, some of them are total a holes, they shouldn’t be surprised if they come across a flying rock if they’re driving recklessly when there’s people about including kids *and mine in particular*

Enduro

Curiousness99 wrote: »

Went for a short spin yesterday, heard at least one muppet on Motorcross or scrambler alright, some of them are total a holes, they shouldn’t be surprised if they come across a flying rock if they’re driving recklessly when there’s people about including kids *and mine in particular*

Yeah, that was actually what was annoying me the most. So many family groups out trying to enjoy the outdoors (possibly newly discovering it) on a bank holiday, with one or two gits making an unbelievable racket and not exactly safety conscious either (I had one speed pass from them).

Enduro

mad turnip wrote: »

Must be strictly doing runs of dreamtrack, sending the canyon gap I'd imagine.

There are loads of young lads doing exactly that! Fair fecks to them.

Tenzor07

Enduro wrote: »

Yeah, that was actually what was annoying me the most. So many family groups out trying to enjoy the outdoors (possibly newly discovering it) on a bank holiday.

Were all these family groups locals I wonder? ....:pac:......:pac:.....


One thing a lot of people(not you Enduro) don't realise is that the MX'ers were all over 3Rock long before walkers and MTB'ers arrived, so if people stick to the main fireroad trails when walking it's usually fine.

Curiousness99

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Were all these family groups locals I wonder? ....:pac:......:pac:.....


One thing a lot of people(not you Enduro) don't realise is that the MX'ers were all over 3Rock long before walkers and MTB'ers arrived, so if people stick to the main fireroad trails when walking it's usually fine.

I did the bone shaker on a bmx more than 35 years ago and first cycled up to fairy castle on mountain bike more than 20 years ago

All I’m saying is I’m old...

Don’t agree about mxers being around before walkers.

I try to be live and let live generally but some mxers are just plain dangerous whereas others are either ignorant or indifferent to the fact they’re negatively impacting others enjoyment

I’ve seen a solo mxers doing the upper metro relatively slowly late on a Friday evening when I have been pretty much the only other person around, doesn’t bother me but was up one busy weekend with two of my kids and three muppets came speeding up behind us on one of the single track trails, that’s plain stupid, needless to say after a few attempts to get past me(I wasnt very obliging) they fooked off somewhere else..

I think a lot of mountain bikers don’t realize that walkers were there Way before them and mountain biking is a relatively new phenomenon for older walkers, Imo nothing to be lost giving walkers a wide berth, particularly if you are somewhere that technically you shouldn’t be

Met someone I know recently and a mountain biker played chicken with him when he was running along sleepers up djouce/ white hill; it nearly came to fisticuffs. I cycle up there the odd time in the summer late in the evening when it’s dry, if we ever come. Across a Walker we stop and dismount or hop off the boardwalks, just seems common sense to me at least

Tenzor07

Curiousness99 wrote: »

I did the bone shaker on a bmx more than 35 years ago and first cycled up to fairy castle on mountain bike more than 20 years ago.Don’t agree about mxers being around before walkers.
I try to be live and let live generally but some mxers are just plain dangerous whereas others are either ignorant or indifferent to the fact they’re negatively impacting others enjoyment
I’ve seen a solo mxers doing the upper metro relatively slowly late on a Friday evening when I have been pretty much the only other person around, doesn’t bother me but was up one busy weekend with two of my kids and three muppets came speeding up behind us on one of the single track trails, that’s plain stupid, needless to say after a few attempts to get past me(I wasnt very obliging) they fooked off somewhere else..
I think a lot of mountain bikers don’t realize that walkers were there Way before them and mountain biking is a relatively new phenomenon for older walkers, Imo nothing to be lost giving walkers a wide berth, particularly if you are somewhere that technically you shouldn’t be
Met someone I know recently and a mountain biker played chicken with him when he was running along sleepers up djouce/ white hill; it nearly came to fisticuffs. I cycle up there the odd time in the summer late in the evening when it’s dry, if we ever come. Across a Walker we stop and dismount or hop off the boardwalks, just seems common sense to me at least

MX'ers have been up around 2/3 Rock for 30+ years, however, I'm not making any excuses for irresponsible behavior, i've had my run in's with lads on motorbikes up at Ticknock and have have been physically threatened by them too so i'm all for reporting dangerous riders, and would report them to either the Gardai or Coillte.

I should have prefaced walkers by saying "casual". There's been an explosion in the popularity of walking in the last number of years, usually by groups in bright Yoga pants and brand new shiny trainers.

As for your mate running along the Boardwalks, there's 2 sides to every story, there's plenty of people walking and running who believe no one should travel by bike where they run or walk.

8valve

Enduro wrote: »

In contrast, nice to see several obvious father/son pairings out on the bikes though.

Spotted a middle aged father and teenage son having a pootle around the village yesterday, both pulling sychronised wheelies...there's hope for the world yet!

Gerry

I'm well aware that walkers were there walking the mountains before bikers. I always give way and get out of their way on designated walking trails. That doesnt excuse the attitude that a quite a few of them have towards mountain bikers, I can remember one woman completely ruining the buzz as we got to the summit of djouce and were just sitting around recovering and taking in the view.
There is this feeling that we are treading upon their domain. Most walkers are fine though!

Wanderer78

Gerry wrote:

I'm well aware that walkers were there walking the mountains before bikers. I always give way and get out of their way on designated walking trails. That doesnt excuse the attitude that a quite a few of them have towards mountain bikers, I can remember one woman completely ruining the buzz as we got to the summit of djouce and were just sitting around recovering and taking in the view. There is this feeling that we are treading upon their domain. Most walkers are fine though!

I think some walkers can be arseholes, and some mountain bikers are arseholes to, we constantly have walkers in mind when designing trails, it's worked resonably well so far, with few incidents

Gerry

For sure, definitely would agree there. It's hard to factor in to trail design completely though, a lot of metro 1 "skyline" is very fast and there are a lot of nearly blind corners, walkers do go onto it though, which is a recipe for disaster.

Tenzor07

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I think some walkers can be arseholes, and some mountain bikers are arseholes to, we constantly have walkers in mind when designing trails, it's worked resonably well so far, with few incidents

When on 2 wheels you can usually spot the snarky walkers who may be looking for a chance to give you some grief...

I've also come across Mtb'ers who ride down trails as if they were at an Enduro world cup race on the badly made trails they build which cross fireroads where people typically walk...

I think the bottom line is people are a*holes no matter if on foot or bike.

Tenzor07

Gerry wrote: »

For sure, definitely would agree there. It's hard to factor in to trail design completely though, a lot of metro 1 "skyline" is very fast and there are a lot of nearly blind corners, walkers do go onto it though, which is a recipe for disaster.

V hard to put a MTB trail onto the side of the hill closest to probably 100,000+ people without adequate signage, I know there's a few little signs but they are easy to miss.

Plus the fact that the trails are nice and smooth and look like a lovely place to walk, who wouldn't be curious...

Some more rock gardens and gap jumps would make it a bit more of a MTB trail...

Curiousness99

Coilte contractors are working on metro upper at the moment, as well as blocking off some of the ‘downhill’ trails off it they’re smoothing some of the very few rocky bits on it, it’ll be like a walking trail by the time they’re finished with it

Curiousness99

Agree there is no need for the us and them attitude, some people are just tossers regardless of whether on foot, a bike, mxer or in a car. I run, walk and cycle around the mountains mostly solo, other times with kids, the dog or in small group of lads. In my experience no point going looking for confrontation and it just ruins everyone’s day, had a run in with the same walker a few times early in the morning who was obviously has nothing better to be fo*king doin but generally most walkers are fine. If your walking it can be disconcerting if someone on a bike come too close or too fast especially with younger kids, which I don’t think some younger people get

Thing is people remember the encounter with the asshole on a bike who nearly ran them over rah there than the 7 or 8 bikers who have them a berth and people tend to tar us all with the same brush

Lemming

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Some more rock gardens and gap jumps would make it a bit more of a MTB trail...

... and you'll still get walkers on them. Happens not in-frequently here in Sheffield given the sheer volume of riding trails (mostly official & sanctioned) surrounding the city, although every other ride over the last few weeks in particular. Trails with rock gardens, drop offs, berms, table tops, rollers, etc. - even a dual slalom track - and you'll still have people/dogs/prams trying to wander onto them.

What the last few weeks has shown me is just how oblivious, inconsiderate, and/or generally just lacking in observational and situational awareness most people are. More depressingly is the reaction of some folk when explained politely that they're on a [designated MTB] trail, and in some cases the most unwise/unsafe parts to be given people cycle down those parts at speed, some folk just don't give a sh1t and continue.

It's not so bad if you're on a straight section with decent visibility, or an uphill climb (unless they refuse to move but tbh that's rare), but it's when you're on downhill sections and turn a corner to find a family with a pram, or a dog walker with a dog on a 20ft leash strung across the trail in front of you that just makes me wince at the thought; it gets into "Grab the brakes and pray" territory.

But what can you do? "Be nice, say hi" and be aware of what's going on around you so you can try not to have an accident because someone else is an ignorant/blind/inattentive plank.


Edit: just to be clear, I am talking about actual sanctioned MTB trails, not shared trails, bridleways, or unofficial MTB trails.

Gerry

Yep if anything the more built nature of the coillte trails makes it more obvious that it's an mtb trail . For unofficial natural trails theres nothing to be said anyway..
Regarding upper metro, I'm not surprised that it's being worked on. For an official trail it's quite chunky, some parts are quite easy to go otb.. and it's best tackled at speed. So I'd say it's easily the toughest trail that coillte have and given our claims culture not surprising they'd want to tame it a bit. As for other trails off it, some of those will ultimately be under the ownership of GAP soon as they are buying some of that land. Not sure if upper metro has to go through that land actually so that may be a part of the current works

Curiousness99

Gerry wrote: »

Yep if anything the more built nature of the coillte trails makes it more obvious that it's an mtb trail . For unofficial natural trails theres nothing to be said anyway..
Regarding upper metro, I'm not surprised that it's being worked on. For an official trail it's quite chunky, some parts are quite easy to go otb.. and it's best tackled at speed. So I'd say it's easily the toughest trail that coillte have and given our claims culture not surprising they'd want to tame it a bit. As for other trails off it, some of those will ultimately be under the ownership of GAP soon as they are buying some of that land. Not sure if upper metro has to go through that land actually so that may be a part of the current works

I’ve heard of a few people who pollaxed themselves at ticknock and it was their first time ever mtb’ing so makes sense I guess to make some of the main trails easier. One of my regular detours has been blocked too so I might have to manufacture a More subtle new one...

I’ve been noticing a few trails that people are making more obvious too, cruagh, crone etc. The more obvious a trail is the more likely someone will block it! Don’t be cutting branches away people just so the first drop in is a bit easier

Wanderer78

Curiousness99 wrote: »

I’ve heard of a few people who pollaxed themselves at ticknock and it was their first time ever mtb’ing so makes sense I guess to make some of the main trails easier. One of my regular detours has been blocked too so I might have to manufacture a More subtle new one...

I’ve been noticing a few trails that people are making more obvious too, cruagh, crone etc. The more obvious a trail is the more likely someone will block it! Don’t be cutting branches away people just so the first drop in is a bit easier

we ve realised this the hard way. we try make our first drop in almost impossible for riders now, it generally scares most away, and makes it a lot of fun for us, but in saying that, we ve also gone too far also, almost causing some serious crashes

nak

A lot of people living in the housing developments at the bottom of Ticknock Hill. There were several mountain bikers and runners in my block who would head up there a few times a week. Moved a couple of months back and miss having the trails on my doorstep.

Curiousness99

There one or two drops ins I used walk in, partly an age thing mostly and bad experiences of being out of action for a while

I was around ticknock earlier today, saw a lad trail building on a main walking route, said nothing but is just going to accelerate action by coillte to block more trails imo

Wanderer78

Curiousness99 wrote:

I was around ticknock earlier today, saw a lad trail building on a main walking route, said nothing but is just going to accelerate action by coillte to block more trails imo

Some lads are as thick as **** when it comes to building, ffs

Tenzor07

All this talk of MTB'ing when I've not been off-road for a month

Wanderer78

Tenzor07 wrote: »

All this talk of MTB'ing when I've not been off-road for a month

we went out around the city today on the bikes, it was surprising good fun

gnarbarian

Wanderer78 wrote: »

we went out around the city today on the bikes, it was surprising good fun

It can be fun to explore your town/city on a bike.
I found a few little "features" around my town like steps and greenways etc.
Something I haven't done since I was a bmx kid was I bombed down a big steep field where I live, such fun! (dont worry the field is technically part of public land)
I found a few nice gravel paths less than a km from me, my town is built on a hill so some gravel sections are quite steep.
Also the coastal areas around here are nice for some xc, some parts that are still accessible under lockdown are quite techy and challenging!
Anyone else getting creative with getting you offroad fix around where you live?, would love to hear!

Curiousness99

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Some lads are as thick as **** when it comes to building, ffs

A year or two ago some young lads started building a trail across my neighbors land, knocked down an old stone wall(probably More than 100 years old), I have permission to cross the land but ended up finding myself nearly guilty by association

I guess its mostly naivety but doesn’t do any favours for mtbers

Tenzor07

Some guys doing trail repairs (authorised by Coillte afaik) had their tools stolen by someone when the guys went to look for them this morning.

Now as the carparks are closed the guys have to carry them up on their bikes, which isn't easy trying to carry heavy/awkward to carry tools so they would of had to have made multiple trips to get everything up there...

Whether these tools were taken by concerned local residents who may have spotted the guys cycling up with tools on their backs, or someone out cycling the trails is yet to be determined, or probably won't be.

Curiousness99

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Some guys doing trail repairs (authorised by Coillte afaik) had their tools stolen by someone when the guys went to look for them this morning.

Now as the carparks are closed the guys have to carry them up on their bikes, which isn't easy trying to carry heavy/awkward to carry tools so they would of had to have made multiple trips to get everything up there...

Whether these tools were taken by concerned local residents who may have spotted the guys cycling up with tools on their backs, or someone out cycling the trails is yet to be determined, or probably won't be.

Ffs

I saw their wheel barrow the last Few days as they moved along the trail, you’d want to be reasonably determined to be robbing stuff from up there and you’d want to have been on the trail to see their stuff

Wanderer78

Tenzor07 wrote:

Some guys doing trail repairs (authorised by Coillte afaik) had their tools stolen by someone when the guys went to look for them this morning.

***** if deliberate, we have debated whether to leave some basic tools on site, but I'd be concerned about theft and them just getting wrecked from the weather, we drag them in all time, using the wheelbarrow at times. The forest we work in isn't too bad though, you're never too far from the car, the main hill can be a bit of a **** with the barrow though

WAPAIC

Slightly surprised at how much conflict some of you manage to find up Ticknock. I walk and bike up there regularly with no problem. It's effectively an urban park, we all have to share even if we're on an MTB track and someone dragged their kids up for a look. The more we're seen to be capable of sharing, the less problems there will be. Slow down, make space and eye contact, say hello, smile. I love having a chat with some old lad who admires my bike and I get to pet his dog. Go easy.

Curiousness99

WAPAIC wrote: »

Slightly surprised at how much conflict some of you manage to find up Ticknock. I walk and bike up there regularly with no problem. It's effectively an urban park, we all have to share even if we're on an MTB track and someone dragged their kids up for a look. The more we're seen to be capable of sharing, the less problems there will be. Slow down, make space and eye contact, say hello, smile. I love having a chat with some old lad who admires my bike and I get to pet his dog. Go easy.

I’d be up there a lot mostly on the bike or walking and agree 100% the vast majority of people are fine. I’ve only ever once had words with a walker (same one more than once) and he obviously had a major problem with bikers.

I chat to people and always give walkers a wide birth if I am somewhere I technically shouldn’t be.

I was on foot once when Iwas nearly been ridden over once by two lads coming down from fairy castle as if they were in a downhill World Series.

So those instances are very much the exception

A bit of cop on goes a long way e.g. Don’t go in groups along walking trails when the places thronged with walkers, stop if you’re on a real narrow walking trail or you come across people with kids,older people etc

Bot1

So Ticknock is now within 5km for me. Is it possible to cycle up there tomorrow?

maddness

Bot1 wrote: »

So Ticknock is now within 5km for me. Is it possible to cycle up there tomorrow?

Same for me, I assume so and will give it a go.

prunudo

I'd imagine so, the forests have still been open once they were within your 2km.

WAPAIC

There were road closure signs at Taylors and the bottom of Ticknock Rd over the weekend. No idea why but I'd imagine it reflects the limited parking up there and the problems experienced in the initial lockdown phase.

fatbhoy

I think all the forrest carparks are closed; at least, Ticknock's is.

You can cycle up though.

Curiousness99

fatbhoy wrote: »

I think all the forrest carparks are closed; at least, Ticknock's is.

You can cycle up though.

CP Closed yesterday at least

i wonder when they are planning to reopen them?

Was way more people around yesterday, earlier adopters of the 5km ish limit I’d say

Btw: Can’t wait for the 20km limit, I’ll be crone bound first thing

Alkers

Outside the 5km for me, if it gets to 10km I'll be straight back out on the bike assuming the trails are open. Please keep us posted how they are.

Curiousness99

Just got a text from a pal, car park still closed at ticknock, trails pretty dry, crusty dry in places

Lemming

Curiousness99 wrote: »

Just got a text from a pal, car park still closed at ticknock, trails pretty dry, crusty dry in places

Corners are going to be loose if the trails are bone dry so don't go railing them lads; I planted myself on a local blue-grade (yep .. :pac:) trail last weekend because I let my concentration lapse and gouged the crap out of my right arm to the extent I'm now on antibiotics. A corner I've done a hundred times in the weeks previous, and several times that particular day already. Front wheel slid and down I went; was like sliding on a cheese grater. Only takes being unlucky once. And that's a trail I know well and is about 3km* from where I live so I could get home easy enough.

Anyway, the point is even with the eased restrictions on distance, don't go f*cking nuts on the trails as mistakes still happen, even on trails you might consider sedate or not otherwise a challenge or risk.

#noCarNoGnarNotFar


* Before anyone starts jumping up and down like an over-excited alcoholic being told the pubs are now open again, I don't live in Ireland so not under 2km restriction

Peter T

I'm still short 5km till I get to my local trails so have to hang on another bit