Mountain Biking - Does anyone else deal with trail vandals?

One of the trail systems down here is constantly having obstacles destroyed or moved. Be it an anchored log in the middle of the trail, or a bridge built over over the split of a tree trunk, to even a teeter. Some think its some LAME-O biker that just can't ride over the stuff. I think it might be kids or even some tree huggers. Just wondering if anyone else deals with this crap? What steps have helped deter such behavior?

BooBy Traps.........

A) not much, it's probably kids. Some of the stuff they do around here is amazing.

B) land mines

One of the trail systems down here is constantly having obstacles destroyed or moved. Be it an anchored log in the middle of the trail, or a bridge built over over the split of a tree trunk, to even a teeter. Some think its some LAME-O biker that just can't ride over the stuff. I think it might be kids or even some tree huggers. Just wondering if anyone else deals with this crap? What steps have helped deter such behavior?


We have fallen logs and other natural obstacles constantly being removed. We think it is ''Lame- O'' bikers to use your expression. How to stop it? If you see them doing it try to talk to them. I have no other recourse without resorting to violence, which won't solve anything really.

Other trail vandalism has mostly to do with motorbikes ruining the topsoil and quads turning tight singletrack into 2 lane highways. Illegal yes, but again, unless you want to get into a fight, what can you do besides talk to them and the authorities?

Slightly off topic, on the other side of the coin...

There is one trail system around where I live that has one loop of singletrack that is one way traffic only, the downhill section has a bunch of drops so it's not climbable. I rode it for the first time this year a couple of weeks ago and discovered some horribly made "north shore" bridges where no bridge is required and jumps built into the trail. Now the trail is not ridable up either way, I was tempted to tear down all this crap, but I refrained. I'm sure the trail builder will remove it when he sees it.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that some obsticles are good, others are bad. Not black and white.

We have fallen logs and other natural obstacles constantly being removed. We think it is ''Lame- O'' bikers to use your expression. How to stop it? If you see them doing it try to talk to them. I have no other recourse without resorting to violence, which won't solve anything really.

Other trail vandalism has mostly to do with motorbikes ruining the topsoil and quads turning tight singletrack into 2 lane highways. Illegal yes, but again, unless you want to get into a fight, what can you do besides talk to them and the authorities?

I guess the problem is catching em in the act. You think a sign at each entrance/exit would work?


As for the moto's guess I am lucky, the only others that use the trail are walkers (more like lost disc golfers). This trail system is clearly marked that horses are not allowed, and at the entrance of the park moto's are not allowed.

I wonder if it's some well meaning biker who finds a log or something 'blocking' the trail, and removes it thinking everyone will be grateful :p

I guess the problem is catching em in the act. You think a sign at each entrance/exit would work?


As for the moto's guess I am lucky, the only others that use the trail are walkers (more like lost disc golfers). This trail system is clearly marked that horses are not allowed, and at the entrance of the park moto's are not allowed.

The signs work. A system marking difficulty, distance and elevation keep the newbs away before they are ready. :)

what? don't you have guns in texas?

i'd camp out and wait for the culprits.....

Report the vandalism to the land manager. Carry your camera. If you see the vandals take their photo. Most trail systems around my town are city property. With enough reporting of the vandalism- patrols step up. (not much- but more than none at all)

You could establish a bike patrol. That's usually the most effective deterrant.

Slightly off topic, on the other side of the coin...

There is one trail system around where I live that has one loop of singletrack that is one way traffic only, the downhill section has a bunch of drops so it's not climbable. I rode it for the first time this year a couple of weeks ago and discovered some horribly made "north shore" bridges where no bridge is required and jumps built into the trail. Now the trail is not ridable up either way, I was tempted to tear down all this crap, but I refrained. I'm sure the trail builder will remove it when he sees it.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that some obsticles are good, others are bad. Not black and white.

My question is who is the vandal? When I read the original post, I was wondering if the vandal is the one taking down the trail "toys" or the ones putting them up. I have to deal with teenage badgers building tank traps on local trails all the time. They are constantly putting in these huge jumps across trails where they don't have permission. Maybe this is the case with this trail. Building a lot of tricks in the middle of a trail without permission can ruin the trail for everyone pretty quickly.

The vandals are taking out the man made obstacles "toys". Some of these are put in to keep erosion down. The system is next to a bayou, yet there are spots were water naturally pools. Its these sections that bridges are put in. I just joined up with the group that is maintaining the trail. This group also works with the Park staff and county on keeping the trail open.

a) well labelled area
b) contact information on the sign explaining who to call if they have concerns with stunts
c) add a "girl' line. Shore and whistler do this well. You add a secondary line that beginners can do without concern.
d) Do a brief explanation of the trail. At the beginning of river it is labelled black with a sign commonly representing "stunts" its a pic of a teeter. In that sign it also explains briefly it is a swamp, stunts are there to go over water holes etc and that there is constant work being maintained to keep the trails from bad water runoff etc.

Seriously these are all keys to keep newbs out and if they go in they still have a way around stuff. :)

Hey SpiderMike are you talking about Jack Brooks Park? I do believe I'm local to you... Last time I went there (back in February), the very first bridge you hit was out, but we assumed it got damaged in a storm or something. Maelstrom, this place already has a "girl" line actually. The trail splits in some places and the easy line is marked with blue arrows, the hard with red. Additionally, you can choose to bypass certain parts of the trail entirely if you prefer, as they are all linked. The so called "Playground", which has all the teeters and stuff, splits off from the trail and rejoins it later, so you don't even have to go through it if you want. I don't think it's kids or tree-huggers here though... I've only seen one person walking a dog once. Other than that, I've only seen mountainbikers on the bike trails, though I don't go there too often.

Hey SpiderMike are you talking about Jack Brooks Park? I do believe I'm local to you... Last time I went there (back in February), the very first bridge you hit was out, but we assumed it got damaged in a storm or something. Maelstrom, this place already has a "girl" line actually. The trail splits in some places and the easy line is marked with blue arrows, the hard with red. Additionally, you can choose to bypass certain parts of the trail entirely if you prefer, as they are all linked. The so called "Playground", which has all the teeters and stuff, splits off from the trail and rejoins it later, so you don't even have to go through it if you want. I don't think it's kids or tree-huggers here though... I've only seen one person walking a dog once. Other than that, I've only seen mountainbikers on the bike trails, though I don't go there too often.

Yeah talking Jack Brooks. I'm talking about stuff like on the Homestretch, and playground. Some talk about over on Hell2 or Juggurnaut I think.

We got alot of renegade trails here..The park for a while was considering shutting down the mountain biking untill MMBA stepped up its efforts to perserve what trails are there. I always talk to people when i see them takin **** down or building where they shoudnt. I love the fun stuff, but the trails arent for me only so i need to respect that others are going to ride them as well...

And landmines would work well.. :rolleyes:

For all yall talking of landmines or such.... I think this would have less legal recourse. Been temped of getting one for the next time my inlaws invite me to go play paintball. http://www.addictedtopaintball.com/store-products-Grenades,-Landmines--Bazookas-Claymore-Mines-PBM14-The-PBM-14A1-SENTINEL-Mil-Sim-mine-is-a-claymore-style-mine._7438687.html

Thats amazing, I need one of those just to have fun with, to bad it costs so much..

That thing is awsome! Oh ya, back on topic; some ass keeps destroying the jumps down one of my local trails. The jumps are a part of the trail, there's enough room to ride around it so I don't really think it's other bikers.

The vandals are taking out the man made obstacles "toys". Some of these are put in to keep erosion down. The system is next to a bayou, yet there are spots were water naturally pools. Its these sections that bridges are put in. I just joined up with the group that is maintaining the trail. This group also works with the Park staff and county on keeping the trail open.

Sorry to offend but I have to deal with the opposite problem of people putting these giant holes in the middle of everywhere so that they can jump their BMX's over them. I've also had hikers erect baricades across trails (even concrete ones) to keep bicyclists off open trail systems.

I hate people that dig holes in trails for jumps. Go find your own freaking trail :)

I've also had hikers erect baricades across trails (even concrete ones) to keep bicyclists off open trail systems.
Amazing what a little Semtek or C4 will do to a concrete barrier.

To the Patriot Act goofballs: it was a joke relax

One of our more technical trails was featured in a couple of magazines a few years back. After that, it was no longer a secret and it's now constantly in a a state of disrepair. Here in SoCal, it seems everyone can afford a nice bike. But the skills required to ride those bikes are often absent.

On this specific trail, the switchback section was narrow and sketchy. But it was a real challange until some unskilled riders decided to avoid the switchbacks and just ride straiight down the middle cutting their own trails.

I've since been down this trail and its' been rerouted several times to the point it has become unrecognizeable. One consequence of this type of behaviour is this provides hiking and equestrian groups the evidence they need to eliminate bicycle access to these trails. Park rangers are becoming less sympathetic and the only thing keeping bikes alive around here is the fact that a small percentage of cyclists are still out there volunteering for trail maintenance.
Otherwise, I'm convinced we'd be locked out by now.

We deal with trail vandals all the time.

The worst though, there is one trail that has a 6' drop to sand. Under the sand some one had put 8" wood stakes. Luckly enough a rider road around this drop and when he walked to check it out he found the stakes. about 10 of them all pointed up and angled towards the drop. They moved them. In the next week they appeard again. This time it happend between runs. As the riders past this spot they whent by a couple of hikers near that area. On the next run down a rider who does not do drops did a ride around and found the stakes. The hikers were no where to be found but the stakes have not appeard since.

:beer:

squeegy, bottom of G at 8? Ring a bell ;)

We HillBilly's call 'em "Weekend Warrior's".... They can never evolve into real MtnBiker's because they only ride on the w/e, thus stunting their growth in the sport. BUT.... You'll never hear them admit that, just watch for the follow-up posts here to prove my point.... They get real defensive when the TRUTH is brought forth.

"Nuf Said....

BooBy Traps.........
Heh Heh He said Booby!
http://img16.echo.cx/img16/7599/beavis19lc.gif

Amazing what a little Semtek or C4 will do to a concrete barrier.

To the Patriot Act goofballs: it was a joke relax

Concrete trails, not barriers :rolleyes: . Somebody built barriers out of every piece of downed timber they could find over about 1/2 mile of bike path and the dirt trails that run along them. Put one down every 75 feet or so. I was kind of impressed by their dedication.

I hate people that dig holes in trails for jumps. Go find your own freaking trail :)

It's like living with giant praire dogs, just not nearly as cute! Half way expect them to pop up over the edges of their holes when you ride by.

We deal with trail vandals all the time.

The worst though, there is one trail that has a 6' drop to sand. Under the sand some one had put 8" wood stakes. Luckly enough a rider road around this drop and when he walked to check it out he found the stakes. about 10 of them all pointed up and angled towards the drop. They moved them. In the next week they appeard again. This time it happend between runs. As the riders past this spot they whent by a couple of hikers near that area. On the next run down a rider who does not do drops did a ride around and found the stakes. The hikers were no where to be found but the stakes have not appeard since.

:beer:
HOLY ****! That's nuts, if someone did that drop they could have been really seriously injured! :eek:

Concrete trails, not barriers :rolleyes: . Somebody built barriers out of every piece of downed timber they could find over about 1/2 mile of bike path and the dirt trails that run along them. Put one down every 75 feet or so. I was kind of impressed by their dedication.

He who has the MOST dedication ultimately wins. I would suggest organizing a formal "trail group" and doing maintenance "en masse".

We HillBilly's call 'em "Weekend Warrior's".... They can never evolve into real MtnBiker's because they only ride on the w/e, thus stunting their growth in the sport. BUT.... You'll never hear them admit that, just watch for the follow-up posts here to prove my point.... They get real defensive when the TRUTH is brought forth.

"Nuf Said....

Beginner trails ...

I think the MTB community needs to realize the need for easy trails that STAY that way. This is where the newbies and faint of heart should ride.

This is an issue of communication and good planning. The "advanced" riders cannot turn every stretch of trail into technical singletrack. "Advanced" sections within a trail system should be confined to isolated loops off an "easy access" trail system. The tourists can get the easy tour. The hardened can dive into sketchy neighborhoods for the "hard core" experience.

We HillBilly's call 'em "Weekend Warrior's".... They can never evolve into real MtnBiker's because they only ride on the w/e, thus stunting their growth in the sport. BUT.... You'll never hear them admit that, just watch for the follow-up posts here to prove my point.... They get real defensive when the TRUTH is brought forth.

"Nuf Said....

Have you seen the ads for the Dukes of Hazzard movie? They are using the term "Thrillbillies".

As for weekend warriors, that is just one term. Down here I've heard this a lot of this "Those darn cross training roadies".

Concrete trails, not barriers :rolleyes: .
We call concrete "trails" sidewalks.:D


I've also had hikers erect baricades across trails (even concrete ones) to keep bicyclists off open trail systems.
By the syntax of your statement it's pretty easy to see how someone could misinterpret your meaning. I just figured you had some hardcore jerkwads with a lot of time on their hands blocking trails.