well what we are seeing at the wiss is the IMBA trail model being put into place. regardless of whether you like that new style of trail or not it is the new normal and was created mostly by; you guessed it, your fellow mountain bikers at IMBA.
we should not forget how spoiled we are in philly; thank JEEBUS for belmont, there are lots of good folks working to keep that place tight, twisty, and littered with rocks and logs! and thank goodness we have french creek and mt penn where you can rattle your brain in rock gardens all day long...
Sure the wiss is changing but change doesn't have to be bad. I certainly had a blast riding there last night and hauling ass through those new trails was super fun! I feel we can complain about the changes or embrace them and try to shape them to make the best possible outcome for the mtb community. Go read the sustainable trails initiative it will tell you all you need to know; the main trial is going to be completely different eventually.
On my ride last night I was riding with a guy who has also been riding there since pretty much the dawn of the mtb in philly. While we were talking and he mentioned an old friend who had moved away 10-15 years back and how he wouldn't recognize the park these days. Thing is, I don't think he meant it in a bad way...
I think if you want extreme trails anymore you gotta pay to ride a lift or go out to the sticks where you don't have the zillions of users a place like the wiss does...
I will agree that these are good times for MTBer's in the Philly area. 10 years ago, we had the Wiss, Belmont (which was less maintained), Green lane (but poorly maintained and no official blue or orange), a bad shape stover, a poorly maintained Pennypack and that was about it. Now, Belmont is a hidden jewel, different but still fun, Green lane has become really nice, and Nox is nice to have. Stover is still there and I love it but it needs work.
And you are right, places like Salisbury and French Creek are still there and fun. But the Wiss was once so good, there was no need to leave. But you are right, times change and that park has. All things must pass.
For those that don't know about the FOW Sustainable trails initiative here are some important points:
• closing 22 miles of existing trails and refilling and replanting the trail beds,
• replacing these closed trail segments with newly designed re-routes,
• substantially rebuilding and improving an additional 22 miles of existing trails,
Max is right, the FOW is going to change the trail system in the Wiss, and in my mind, not for the better. But again, all things must pass.
