Belmont Dirt Jumps

[T Grimble]

Several months ago I noticed that somebody started building dirt jumps on the McLean property in Belmont. These are located on the side of the fire road as you climb the hill from the Star Market. The dirt jumps are between 3-4 feet high and have substantial gaps 3-4 feet or more between take-off and landing ramps.

This is a real problem! NEMBA has been working with the town of Belmont for 4 years to maintain access to this piece of property. We have intense opposition from a small but very influential group of abutters to the property. The dirt jumps that were built are vandalism. Besides digging up the trail to build the jumps, they also cut down at least one large tree. Stunts in this area have been a problem for years.

I am not convinced that the dirt jumps were built by mountain bikers. They are very tall, very steep and the gaps seem too large for bikes. The way they strung together it seems that it would be hard to gain and then hold enough speed to do the full run of jumps. Not saying that these couldn't be ridden by a bike but I would say they could only be ridden by somebody with a lot of skill. I don't know who built these but I would not rule out motorcycles.

At the most recent Land Management Committee I took it on the chin for the entire mountain bike community. Those opposed to mountain bikers using the property had the ammunition they needed and they did everything they could to rub our (my) nose in it. I did my best to defend our position by pointing out that NEMBA can not be held any more accountable for the actions of a group of kids who do stupid things in the woods then the AMC can. If kids do stupid things on bikes we are asked to account for their actions. If they walk into the woods and do stupid things nobody points fingers at the hiking groups. Apparently my point was not strong enough. The local reporter who was present clearly did not pick up on it and has publicly blamed all mountain biker for the vandalism. He also stated that they do not believe motorcycles were involved event though I clearly pointed out in the meeting that it was likely but not certain that they were. Attached is a copy of his article. I will need to draft a letter to the editor now in response.

Here is what you can do. I am getting tired of defending idiots. It is time for them to take responsibility for their actions personally so that the rest of us don't have to. I need to know who is responsible for this. If anybody sees anything unusual in Belmont including people building stunts or using these dirt jumps, contact me. Mountain bikers are a frequent user of this park and can be a crucial set of eyes and ears but only if the information gets to somebody who can do something with it. If you know something, drop me a line. tg@gbnemba.org

Tom Grimble

[handlebars]

heres your answer.

http://www.bustedspoke.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=12243&highlight=belmont+djs

[edge]

Perhaps NEMBA should create an overview post of what they do for the freeride community on BS.
Maybe get AE to make it a sticky for a while.
It might put things in perspective for the rouge DJ builders. Maybe, might, maybe not. Hell, it's worth a shot. Might even get some more members.

eYelling at these kids isn't going to accomplish a damn thing. That much I do know.

I'm not sure of what the NEMBA position is on DJ parks but it is a growing sector of the sport so let it be known. That is unless there is no position in which case, forget everything I've said.

damnsp

[splat]

heres your answer.

http://www.bustedspoke.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=12243&highlight=belmont+djs


some times, I really believe we are our own worst enemy

[Geoff G.]

I think that it's kind of funny that someone was finally busted for something they posted on bs hahaahahaha Oh well, dozza should be fleeing the country as we speak. ;D

[slapheadmofo]

I think the whole thing sucks. :(

You'd wish there was enough room for some kids to be able to have a good time on their bikes. I mean for chrissake, there's a newspaper article about a few piles of dirt in the woods. ::)

On the other hand, there's been plenty of discussion on BS about the consequences of unauthorized building. This may be a much needed wake-up call. Hopefully it works out okay for all parties.

[truckboy]

So what happened here? Looks like the perp edited his post to cover his tracks. Is nemba off the hook? Do these abutters now relaize that the vandals are their neighbors' kids?

[handlebars]

So what happened here? Looks like the perp edited his post to cover his tracks. Is nemba off the hook? Do these abutters now relaize that the vandals are their neighbors' kids?


yes, dozza edited his post to delete his story about building them and the pictures of him. he is still most definitely the cluprit, and from the looks of it, he was alone in building them, but not riding them. ive done some preliminary searching, but i havent found any further information about dozza's exact location or a real name. i can show you his bike, its this, and its fairly unique. its all ive got, but its a start.

if anyone sees someone riding this bike in belmont, this is your vandal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/domwright1/DSC00537.jpg

[slapheadmofo]

So I guess suggestions to step up and take responsibility are falling on deaf ears huh? Maybe it's time to turn up the heat a little. >:(

As I remember, there was more than one person involved

[urname]

http://www.hcor.net/postp287446.html#287446

have a look at this, maybe you shouldnt just be looking for Dozza?

[truckboy]

Looks like they cleaned up there pretty well too. I don't want these guys to get in trouble, just don't want all off-road bikers to lose access to Belmont. What really chaps my ass is the abutters getting the idea that nemba is in there building dirt jumps.

[riding123]

are you kidding me! how lame can you guys be first of all handlebars stop trying to suck suck up and get a life, you are alll over reacting ive never been there but i do know a lot of information about them being a BS regular and i also know that they've been there for a long time. Trying to find out info about dozza!!?? cause he made a post about belmont getting a picture of his bike how much of a wine ass can you be holy crap, sorry this is just plain out stupid, i understand the trespassing thing and the liability thing but this isnt how you handle it. I dont want any little xc guys trying to butt their noses into this, and 3-4 foot gaps? 2 foot high jumps! wish i could tell you about the 6 foot tall 20 foot gap jumps we got over here. CALM DOWN oh my god your going to ruin our sport!

A dirt jumper, a downhiller and freerider rip it up!


you're not 5 years old remember that

[slapheadmofo]

Now that there is a funny post.
And it works on so many levels!

;D

[truckboy]

are you kidding me! how lame can you guys be first of all handlebars stop trying to suck suck up and get a life, you are alll over reacting ive never been there but i do know a lot of information about them being a BS regular and i also know that they've been there for a long time. Trying to find out info about dozza!!?? cause he made a post about belmont getting a picture of his bike how much of a wine ass can you be holy crap, sorry this is just plain out stupid, i understand the trespassing thing and the liability thing but this isnt how you handle it. I dont want any little xc guys trying to butt their noses into this, and 3-4 foot gaps? 2 foot high jumps! wish i could tell you about the 6 foot tall 20 foot gap jumps we got over here. CALM DOWN oh my god your going to ruin our sport!

A dirt jumper, a downhiller and freerider rip it up!


you're not 5 years old remember that


It's about illegally making stuff on land that's tenuously available to off road bikers to begin with. Tom Grimble, this thread's author got himself torn a new anus while representing nemba to the Land Management Committee. Here's a quote:
"Those opposed to mountain bikers using the property had the ammunition they needed and they did everything they could to rub our (my) nose in it."

That's the point, not the size of the jumps. Make that stuff on your parents' property, not MacLean Hospital's.

Who "ruin(s) our sport", us whiney xc riders or bmx/dj riders who build illegal stunts on private land, leading to all biking being illegal on said property?

Like I said before, I don't want anybody getting in trouble. It just pisses me off that the guy doing the right thing is getting porked by the "friends of" Nazis over this, and it will lead to "no bikes" signs going up.

[handlebars]

are you kidding me! how lame can you guys be first of all handlebars stop trying to suck suck up and get a life, you are alll over reacting ive never been there but i do know a lot of information about them being a BS regular and i also know that they've been there for a long time. Trying to find out info about dozza!!?? cause he made a post about belmont getting a picture of his bike how much of a wine ass can you be holy crap, sorry this is just plain out stupid, i understand the trespassing thing and the liability thing but this isnt how you handle it. I dont want any little xc guys trying to butt their noses into this, and 3-4 foot gaps? 2 foot high jumps! wish i could tell you about the 6 foot tall 20 foot gap jumps we got over here. CALM DOWN oh my god your going to ruin our sport!

A dirt jumper, a downhiller and freerider rip it up!


you're not 5 years old remember that


no son, im not 5. i am however pretty pissed that this clown built jumps where they clearly were not legal, and he clearly did not have permission, and its probably going to cost ALL mountain bikers access to this property, and quite possibly other property. land access is a very, very tricky subject. if one landowner shuts down bikers, other land owners take notice, and they start restricting or eliminating access because they dont want the liability of stunt building on their property. you dont seem to understand the liability and risk a landowner takes when opening their property to cyclists. they are taking a HUGE financial risk, all it takes is one person to get hurt and sue the landowner and that person could very well lose everything they have. when people go and build jumps, that risk skyrockets. while the jumps (i saw the pictures, no they arent that big) are probably no sweat for most riders, all it takes is one person who cant ride them to hurt themselves, and decide to sue. having dirt jumps, stunts, log rides, ladders, etc on a property is perfect lawsuit fodder for any lawyer with half a brain. they represent an "unreasonable' danger to trail users. its not a chance- its happened. if dozza and his friends, and whoever else built these cost trail access for hundreds, if not thousands of riders in the area access, then i hope he gets caught and i hope he gets punished. and i hope this is enough for tom to take to the landowners and have them reconcider closing the property. if you have anything besides insults to answe, id be glad to hear it.

[bdee]

I dont want any little xc guys trying to butt their noses into this, and 3-4 foot gaps? 2 foot high jumps! wish i could tell you about the 6 foot tall 20 foot gap jumps we got over here. CALM DOWN oh my god your going to ruin our sport!

A dirt jumper, a downhiller and freerider rip it up!


you're not 5 years old remember that


What's funny is that if Belmont is shut down for all riders it'll be the "little XC guys", (as you so eloquently describe anyone who doesn't ride like you), who will work their asses off to try to regain access. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're young and stupid and try not to insult you personally, but seeing as how your first post here probably managed to insult around 3/4 of the people who saw it I'm not going to try that hard. Get over yourself and the tough guy freerider crap and STFUAR. Last time I checked unbridled stupidity and shitty attitudes were ruining our sport faster than people that try to repair and improve relationships with land managers and build trails.

[priss]

Breaking rules is wrong. That must first be understood. I wonder if everyone understands the mindset at play with the dirt jumpers in question.

Riding xc at Belmot is allowed.
Building and riding dirt jumps is not.

Well lets say I don't care about xc. I like to build and jump. So screw the rules I am going out and doing as I please.

You say because I have done so they are going to make xc riding against the rules now. But changing the rules to restrict xc does not make it any harder for me to go in and build and jump, it only makes you xc guys have to break the rules just like i have to.

I havent the words to make any argument work against such pure logic. That is a difficult thought process to overcome, but not to outgrow. The only recourse is to appeal to the persons sence of honor.

;DOr to beat them to a pulp and bury them in their own gap ;D

[slapheadmofo]

You guys are trying to reason with an idiot.
Don't waste your time - anything you say is far beyond what he can comprehend.

Isn't that right moto boy?

[gnurider1080]

yes building jumps and such with out permission is very bad, but i can sort of relate to them. when people got mad about skateboarders hanging out in towns and such people said it was because they had no place to skate and so skateparks were built. this is the exact case. there are no maintained and well-built dirt jumps in the area that i can think of. yes there are trails everywhere but no high quality dirt jumps with the exception of the ones near fenway but those may be too far to ride everyday. now dont expect me to go out and build djs wherever i please but we definately need a place where we can ride good jumps. the reason they built the jumps is because there arent many in the area. just my $.02.

[mtbtom]

there are no maintained and well-built dirt jumps in the area that i can think of. yes there are trails everywhere but no high quality dirt jumps with the exception of the ones near fenway but those may be too far to ride everyday. now dont expect me to go out and build djs wherever i please but we definately need a place where we can ride good jumps. the reason they built the jumps is because there arent many in the area. just my $.02.


How about the backyard ?

[gnurider1080]

there are no maintained and well-built dirt jumps in the area that i can think of. yes there are trails everywhere but no high quality dirt jumps with the exception of the ones near fenway but those may be too far to ride everyday. now dont expect me to go out and build djs wherever i please but we definately need a place where we can ride good jumps. the reason they built the jumps is because there arent many in the area. just my $.02.


How about the backyard ?

sometimes people dont have a backyard or dont have space in their backyard like me. im thinking about digging some jumps in some of the woods that are on my property behind my house but space is limited. plus not everyones parents/spouse wants huge piles of dirt in the backyard. skateboarders and rollerbladers have town skateparks, why cant bmxers and mountain bikers have town dirt jumps?

[mtbtom]

sometimes people dont have a backyard or dont have space in their backyard like me. im thinking about digging some jumps in some of the woods that are on my property behind my house but space is limited. plus not everyones parents/spouse wants huge piles of dirt in the backyard. skateboarders and rollerbladers have town skateparks, why cant bmxers and mountain bikers have town dirt jumps?


Sure why not ? If people want dirt jumps they should all get together and petition the town to allow some to be built somewhere.

[slapheadmofo]

Coincidentally, I found this link in my inbox yesterday (thanks Z!)
Let's make it happen.

"Build it right and you'll ride it forever"

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/build_freeride_park.html

[FriedRys]

Coincidentally, I found this link in my inbox yesterday (thanks Z!)
Let's make it happen.

"Build it right and you'll ride it forever"

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/build_freeride_park.html
the problem with legal DJ parks is the distinct lack of gnar factor,you can't be HARDCORE and ride legal trails. Period.

[edge]

Coincidentally, I found this link in my inbox yesterday (thanks Z!)
Let's make it happen.

"Build it right and you'll ride it forever"

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/build_freeride_park.html
the problem with legal DJ parks is the distinct lack of gnar factor,you can't be HARDCORE and ride legal trails. Period.


Yup, I think you're half right. Let's all go back in time and remember when we were the same punkass punks that are building DJ's today.

ZZZZZ. That 70's show fog. Ok. I can go back behind my parents house and still find DJ's that are over 20 years old. Oh yeah.. and the more people told me not to do it, the more I did it. You are so right on that point.

BUT

The only thing that got through to me and my punkass comrades was a half pipe that was built back in 1985 or so. We stopped building DJ's cause we had this coolass half pipe to jam on. Some even went pro (Jumpin Joe Johnson, Haro free style team circa 1985).

The moral of the story: Drink a ton of Harpoon, write stupid crap on the internet and someday you will effect the world of punkass mtn bikers everywhere!!! or not...