Freeriding

[AA]

Check out the IMBA info on freeriding

http://www.imba.com/resources/freeriding/

[radair]

Some really good info here. I thought the cover of the latest trail news was stunning (allegedly a 'secret' trail built by the photographer & friends):

[AA]

If that is an illegal trail IMBA better do their homework in the future.

This (freeriding) is a big issue in advocacy as far as I'm concerned. There is a whole generation of Mt bikers coming up now that dont know anything but the freeride angle of the sport. I lurk over on the bustedspoke forum (post infrequently) and the average user over there is college age or younger. In general the younger mountain bikers dont want long loops of singletrack, they want stunts and drops. Freeriding isnt going away so I am glad that IMBA is so proactive in addressing the situation.

How's this for a radical idea, each Mass state park that allows mtbiking can have a "freeride zone" perhaps an acre or 2 full of stunts, bridges and drops and the like. Concentrate the freeride crowd into an area, allow building and digging so people dont go off on their own building wherever they feel like it.

Who else has an opinion? anyone..... anyone....Bueller?

[MrsCouch]

That's an interesting proposal AA! I think, however, that there would definitely need to be some sort of education for these riders/builders, or oversight of the area. For the parks to agree, there would definitely need to be assurances that the stunts would be:

- constructed safely (this means the stunt won't erode, rot or cave in after use)
- built using man-made material or dead fall (no nailing to LIVE trees)

Having said that, I still have doubts that parks would be eager to embrace the idea, given the potential liability. Some of those North Shore style stunts have some pretty nasty consequences.....

MrsCouch

[AA]

Sure there are a million potential issues associated with freeride areas. however I think without places to ride, the younger freeriders will just build wherever they feel like it. The illegal random building is what is going to cause access issues for all of us.

How do the horse people get away with adding the jumps to pubic land (like at great brook)? There is obviously inherent danger in getting a 1500 lb animal into the air.

[nembabill]

The horse analogy is a good one. Obviously the equestrians had to get permission to build their "stunts".

And the fact that they did could be used as an argument for a different kind of 'stunt'.

>>>>>>>How do the horse people get away with adding the jumps to pubic land (like at great brook)? There is obviously inherent danger in getting a 1500 lb animal into the air.

[Tim]

As new landowners, NEMBA is going to have to face those exact issues at Vietnam. I suspect at least some bikers took NEMBA's ownership to be a one way ticket to stunt heaven - it's gonna be interesting. I know that a committee has been formed to look into it; anyone have any news on its progress?

Tim

Horse "freeriding" is generally percieved as an ancient established sport, and it's user group brings $$$, sophistication and a great deal ol local and extended political clout. As opposed to the perception of a diverse group of young MTB freeriders just off an inner city skate park tour. Supervision, liability control (a big one including injury risks, insurance costs, lawsuits, scocial perceptions ect) and all with what benifits to the State Park system? at atime when it appears they wish not to take on any further financial or physical liabilities. Much easier to "just say no". Man made "stunts" on public property bring on a whole percieved liability structure that many are reluctant to accept. Just remember what it takes to get a skatepark of any consequence approved and contructed. Not that these things can't be accomplished in the public forum, but considerable time, persausion, cash and planning are required. Also i feel that many MTB's young and old would prefer the "stunts" to be dispersed througout the length of a trail system. More interesting and fun but logistically carries with it other problems and considerations. But that is what i'd like to see. My $.02

If that is an illegal trail IMBA better do their homework in the future."

It's also a wonderment to see much of the rickety left over illegal stunts located on illegal trails when Vietnam is portrayed in many of it's "advertisements"

[C.P.]

As new landowners, NEMBA is going to have to face those exact issues at Vietnam. I suspect at least some bikers took NEMBA's ownership to be a one way ticket to stunt heaven - it's gonna be interesting. I know that a committee has been formed to look into it; anyone have any news on its progress?

Tim


I spoke with a commitee member last week. Its real basic - there's a lot of work involved in relationship building - and it takes lots of time to do that.

I hope this is accurate - but PK can correct me if I'm wrong...

Currently the commitee is focusing on laying the groundwork for long term relationships with our abutting land owners. NEMBA sees this as priority number 1. This is required to sustain mtn biking in our land since our piece is primarily surrounded by other land masses. Without full support for non motorized use recreation from those abutting land owners, (IE trail plan and trails a for us to ride on to get to our piece) and clear understanding of our intent for the land we own - we will lose out on a larger opportunity to continue riding all the rest of the land and associated trails legally.

Along with that, I understand there's some additional preliminary work that's being done - NEMBA found some biologists to do some research to better understand the vernal pools and associated water routes that cross the land. With this info, we can better plan a trail system that has a chance with ANY critic.

After that - NEMBA will have a chance to start planning the trail system in our land - hopefully with an understanding from abutting land owners that we will access our land via theirs etc etc.

Once those items have been completed - which could take this entire season - we then get to bring in the shovels, pick axes, rock bars and start building, fixing, planting etc - but don't expect that to happen until next season the earliest.

Remember, with a piece of land we call our own - a bunch of new challenges come to fruition - like any poor trail plan or poorly managed relationship or understanding will be quickly critisized by any land manager were trying to align with in another park system. IE we dont want to have land managers from other mtn biking domains pointing to our land as a reason NOT to allow mtn biking in theirs!

If that is an illegal trail IMBA better do their homework in the future."

It's also a wonderment to see much of the rickety left over illegal stunts located on illegal trails when Vietnam is portrayed in many of it's "advertisements"


I would think that IMBA's attempt to help mountain bikers incorporate "freeriding" into their areas in a safe and environmentally friendly way without ruffling feathers would be seen as a positive step in the development of mountain biking.
Why fixate on the negatives? Why not see this as a step forward?

[saltybawls]

As far as "legal" freeride areas or zones on public property all I can say is: liability, liability and liability. Will never happen in my opinion.

[T Grimble]

Never say never.
In a small way, this has already taken place at Lynn Woods. The new trail above the ball field is an attempt to focus freeriding in one area of the park to limit the building of unauthorized trails in more sensitive areas. Granted the stunts are all natural and it may not be as advanced as what some are looking for but it is legal and sanctioned. Look at the example on the IMBA site in Florida. I think AA is on to something.

[johnbryanpeters]

Don't jump to conclusions. I have at least one secret trail - on my own land.

J

[saltybawls]

Never say never.
In a small way, this has already taken place at Lynn Woods. The new trail above the ball field is an attempt to focus freeriding in one area of the park to limit the building of unauthorized trails in more sensitive areas. Granted the stunts are all natural and it may not be as advanced as what some are looking for but it is legal and sanctioned. Look at the example on the IMBA site in Florida. I think AA is on to something.



I was of course referring to man-made structures on public property. The things I have seen them doing up in the northwest are simply amazing and from a public servant's perspective an open invitation to litigation especially in our neck of the woods where lawsuits are as common as politicians on the take (I'm from RI so trust me I know).

[Mt.A TODD]

I see many new “legal” freeride opportunities on the horizon for New England's riders. We are a crafty bunch and it’s only a matter of time.



Salty Balls
Cocktail

Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Vodka
2 oz Orange Juice
Fill with Grapefruit Juice
1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
1 pinch Salt

Directions
Salt the rim of a Collins glass. Fill with ice, pour vodka along with the OJ. Fill the rest of the glass with grapefruit juice, and float midori melon liqueur on top.

[CTYankee]

FYI, there is a freeride park being built in Woodbury, CT at the local ski mountain. Will open May 15th. The CT chapter is planning on having a tent there. I plan to be there taking tons of pictures and will help out when I can. If anyone else wants to go and help I think I can swing some 50% off coupons from them (or free? don't quote me on either but I have some extras he sent me I can give if he doesn't). He's really eager to work with NEMBA to promote his place and to promote NEMBA to the freeriders out there.

[CouchingTiger]

I agree that it can happen. If enough kids tell enough active and influential parents that they've just gotta have a freeride park, it will happen. Who'd have though that public skateparks (or bike parks or BMX tracks) would ever happen, yet they do. Arguably they have very similar liability issues.

I think that we'll probably see the whole "freeride" thing go in a privatized direction vs. a public one though. Look at the enormous success of Whistler. They are nearly doubling the size this year also. We just need "the right" resort here in the NE to embrace that.

I think that Attitash may very well be our best bet. My reasoning is as such. The North Conway/Bartlett area already has a strong biking and general athletic community. It also has excellent ammenities; nightlife, bars, restaurants, shopping and lodging. The resort has good access as is a strong wintertime performer (isn't running broke already). They have also aligned themselves as a very progressive DH MTB area and already have some FR terrain/stunts with plans to add more.

We'll see what happens. I truely expect that if the popularity of "freeriding" amoung young kids increases that we will see public parks with some stunts showing up. People will eventually get sick of kids hucking off loading docks and down staircases and assume that a small investment in a park will hide the unsightly mess.

-Couch

[3Kona1Maineiac1]

I am one of these freeriders... and i have a lot of bridges and other stunts built in my backyard. Some of my friends have stuff built in the wood areas and the trees around their houses. This summer, i hear from bike shops, that attitash is going to be the place to be. I hope so... but for the state park, public property issues, i would rather just continue building stuff around my house and my friends houses. And dont get me wrong, i do enjoy the occasianal cross country ride. If stuff was built on public property, i think there would definetely have to be some sort of release form or whatever. I would check out the trail, see if i like it or not, add my input about how to make it better and prolly not ride it again. I enjoy building stunts right on my property so i just walk out the door and ride... and with this, i have the freedom to build what i want and how i want to build it. I can make my trail however i want it to be like. And, i dont have to worry about angry store owners that dont like us riding on their loading docks. So, i am just happy with the way things are going for me right now... as for other freeriders, im not so sure... but my trail is pretty sweet.... so thats my input... i just wish it would stop raining...