Trail gravel application

[Muddy Ground]

Here in Surrey either the NT or Surrey CC have started to cover our trails with deep black gravel / crushed stone. This stuff is just horrid, looks crass and is not in keeping with the area at all. I'm not happy so have started to chase down who and why did this - they could surely find another means to satisfy trail access and limiting erosion yet encourage MTB / Horese / foot use. Has anybody else here chased this subject down with the authorities and effected a change of heart?

This is my initial letter:


Dear Sir / Madam, Freedom of Information Act request. today I used my mountain bike to cycle up the NDW to Reigate Hill. From Gatton Park there are two routes up; one fairly flat the other a muddy, rooty section. This section is a favourite amongst the mountain bike set as it provides for a challenging yet fun climb up. Yet today I noticed that somebody has decided to cover the entire section with deep crushed black stone. Not only is it out of keeping with the area and so looks crass, it has meant that mountain bikers have been denied one of the more interesting climbs and descents in the area. I would be grateful for information as to the following: 1. Why was a decision taken to cover the area in such a material. 2. Which cycling bodies were consulted over this issue. As an aside I have just come back from a week’s cycling in North Wales where I used the Forestry Commission area at Coed y Brenin. Here several diverse groups are catered for, yet at the same time the authorities have embraced mountain biking and have created challenging and ecologically sustainable routes. They also blend in well and enhance the natural view of the landscape. Why has the National Trust not adopted such means to encourage mountain biking? Many thanks in advance, MG

 

[Angelfishsolo]

, Freedom of Information Act request. Today I used

 

[deaksie]

it won't stay like that for long - it will soon bed in and you won't notice it anymore. seriously, you'll be surprised how soon it mashes up

 

[Muddy Ground]

It's just crass though. One day you've a nice trail, bit of a challenge, the next all of a sudden you've 10cm depth of crushed granite for the whole length of it. I'll be surprised if the sheer volume that they've added will bed in quickly. Surely with a bit of effort they could have devised a much more appropriate solution? We've very few areas of exposed roots that you can ride around here, so it was nice to get some practice in. I appreciate that the horse riders had trouble, as did the pedestrians, but there's a parallel path to it that is of crushed stone with excellent drainage for the whole length. Literally next to it. To my mind it's just a smack in the face for mountain bikers.

MG

 

[deaksie]

yeah I know, we had one around here where they put massive lumps of hardcore all down it - really annoying for a bit, but it gets lots of use, and you wouldn't know what I was complaining about now.....

 

[Muddy Ground]

How long did you sulk for? I'm still miffed 5 hours later.

MG

 

[deaksie]

oh, bout a week!

I do sympathise honest

 

[Zoiders]

Top tip.

Trails like that don't stay in one piece, they have to have road stone added to them at some stage if they get muddy and erode with use.

If it irks you so much get off your backside, go out with your club or a group interested in the upkeep of the area and start whacking down the worst bits with a shovel and tamper, if not then don't have a go at the council or NT. I am also guessing these are shared use routes that horses and walkers use as well, not just MTB trails, at this time of year it's also important that fire roads and the like are well engineered enough to transport fire fighting vehicles.

 

[Muddy Ground]

Sorry? I have to go and buy a shovel, or donate my time, to maintain trails that I have paid for through various taxes? I'm a working stiff; I don't have the time to go out and do this stuff. It's a struggle sometimes to get 2 hours of a Sunday to go out for a spin, and often I fail. I understood that's what taxes were for; to efficiently maintain land for the common good. Am I not allowed to enquire as to the reason certain work was carried out?

You are a distraction Sir.

MG