[Ryebread]

Not sure if this has been covered on here already, but is there a good reason that the big root ball on lower Southfork was filled in? You know the one, maybe 75-100 yards after the river crossing, slight uphill lead in with a techy right hand turn. It used to be a fun techy piece of trail now its barely a bump in the trail.

Was this a COTA/trail steward sanctioned change or someone just making it easy for them? Maybe it was to save the tree? I just want to understand...

 

[lil'stink]

I don't think it was COTA sanctioned. https://www.facebook.com/bendtrails...683892613520/1554248098123765/?type=1&theater

Few things irritate me as much as stuff like this. People who feel entitled to do things like this because it's "too hard" need to stick to golfing.

 

[drunberg]

I brought it up on the facebook thread Lil' Stink posted, but the same trail dumbing happened on GS. Several sections completely filled with dirt and numerous ride-arounds built.

 

[braaarp]

I am also tired of trails being dumbed down.
However, I know who and why this section was fixed. There has always been roots exposed at that tight pinch between the trees. In the last year particularly, those roots have become more exposed risking the health of the trees attached to them. This year people were putting in a Nana line to the down hill side which was then sliding out towards the creek. Which was closed by the trail adopter to stop get around lines.
The next step was likely to be someone cutting out those roots and killing the trees. The rocks were put in (properly I might add) to last long term and hopefully save the trees and stop somebody doing drastic irreversable damage.
I feel confident saying that the person/s who did this has done more volunteer trail work and added more challenging features to the Central Oregon trails (and beyond) over the last 10+ years than all you internet whiners added up together. If only you had any idea.
You can still clear all the roots heading down south fork as you always have by tire tapping the first one. Really the trail has hardly changed.
Move on, quit whining and go ride yer bike.

 

[Dry Side]

Some of us ride up South Fork and appreciate such improvements. I am thankful to the volunteers who continue to make the trails top notch.

 

[dirt farmer]

Some of us ride up South Fork and appreciate such improvements. I am thankful to the volunteers who continue to make the trails top notch.

I agree. I ride up SF 10 times for every one time I come down. I could have lived without the "improvement", obviously, but I, too, appreciate it.

 

[saadyrt]

I guess that's the problem with zippers.

 

[SpryIP]

I am also thankful for the improvements to SF and the volunteers that spend significant time making our trails awesome. I imagine the best way to ensure the trails are maintained in a manner that is acceptable to any given individual is to become involved in the trail maintenance/building process.

 

[ImaKlyde]

I am also thankful for the improvements to SF and the volunteers that spend significant time making our trails awesome. I imagine the best way to ensure the trails are maintained in a manner that is acceptable to any given individual is to become involved in the trail maintenance/building process.

^^Fact^^

EVERYONE has the ability to give two days/year to trail maintenence / building and therefore an opinion. Of course most forgo the first part yet still voice the second part. I've been pleased with the number of new folks coming out to get involved in the Eugene area. We've been working hard on education and knowledge for the masses. It seems to be working a bit.

Brock...

 

[kosmo]

To paraphrase some famous, dead dude: Decisions are made by the people that show up.

So show up.

Personally, as my wife and I get older and time takes its toll in various ways, I've decided that my perfect world would be to leave tough features as-is AND offer well-designed ride around lines (see Holy Cross in Grand Junction as an excellent example, as well as various portions of Funner and Tiddly).

It puts a big smile on my wife's face when she finishes a three hour ride and declares "that's the first time I unclipped today".

 

[sketchbook]

Note the roots are armored on the 1 side. Which leaves roots that you can challenge yourself on the other.

 

[thorkild]

There is a huge difference between trail maintenance and trail alteration. In my view, trail maintenance is about going out and clearing trails and repairing features (i.e. downed trees, installing water diversions, and repair of berms and ruts). Everyone should do trail maintenance and no one should complain unless they are out there actually doing said maintenance.

Trail alteration is a totally different animal. I'm talking about rerouting trails and removing, modifying, and installing obstacles, challenges, and features, especially when those actions change the previous character of the trail. Over the last several years this has become a major complaint for a lot of people, especially with IMBA's design standards becoming more and more prevalent. Its one thing to build an entirely new trail to IMBA specs, its wholly another to take an existing trail and completely regrade and reroute it to remove obstacles and reduce the grade. Soooo, when people see this they aren't complaining about maintenance, their complaining about alterations, and they have a legit point in many cases. Same goes for someone complaining about someone putting in a sketchy drop or jump in what was developed as an easy/moderate trail. What is the point of going to trail building sessions when its quite clear that the decision makers only know and appreciate one way of building and will never ever take the position of hey, thats an expert level trail, lets leave it alone.

Bottom line to me: Its sad that we live in such an awesome state for riding and yet don't have a single (legal) trail that can match up with even a moderately difficult black diamond trail just a few hours north in Northern Washington and BC.

 

[Ryebread]

Thanks for the clarification braaarp thats exactly what I was asking. Seems like there's a somewhat valid reason for that change. A preemptive alteration to avert a worse option. Sort of like cutting off the horn to save the rhino.

Why these questions and conversations have to devolve into a "who does more trail work" pissing match is a mystery to me. Its as if questioning any work that has been done on the trails immediately brands someone as never picking up a shovel or rake. I'd love for someone to let me know how much work one needs to do before they are allowed to give an opinion on a trail feature and or change.

 

[SpryIP]

Why these questions and conversations have to devolve into a "who does more trail work" pissing match is a mystery to me. Its as if questioning any work that has been done on the trails immediately brands someone as never picking up a shovel or rake. I'd love for someone to let me know how much work one needs to do before they are allowed to give an opinion on a trail feature and or change.

You make valid points it the foregoing. But, I really didn't see much of a 'pissing match' going on here. Rather, I think folks just react differently to changes made to the dirt, and any critiques that folks make in forums like this. The way I see it, there isn't much I can say when I see a trail modification that I don't like because I don't do the trail maintenance, design and digging. I just know that if I wanted to have a voice, it would require that I do more than just provide donations to COTA.

Personally, a trail modification here and there doesn't change how I feel when I am riding COD, GS, Funner, etc. It's all good fun regardless of the tech level, but that is coming from an XC guy. I am sure AM riders feel different, but then again Bend is all about XC dirt. Folks that want gnar, tech, structures, etc., need to look north to the PNW and beyond. I doubt that will change soon, if ever.

 

[Jaybo]

A root ball is something we should all get upset about

 

[Borneo]

Always surprises me that Bend doesn't get on board with some more advanced moves like we have up North in WA. Lord knows there is plenty of lava rock to work with there.
I assume that many here like the more difficult sections of COD including the "hard way" near the bottom. When we come down, we make a point of riding Voodoo, GS, and all the other rocky sections we can. Make a black diamond a "real" black diamond for a change. Do the Bendites know that out of towners laugh at the fact that Paul's is a black diamond trail? Really? "Bend" miles are just that. But, adding some challenge would be a good thing here and there.

 

[SpryIP]

I hope those that laugh stay at home. I prefer to ride the Bend buff XC dirt without the riffraff!

 

[sketchbook]

Always surprises me that Bend doesn't get on board with some more advanced moves like we have up North in WA. Lord knows there is plenty of lava rock to work with there.
I assume that many here like the more difficult sections of COD including the "hard way" near the bottom. When we come down, we make a point of riding Voodoo, GS, and all the other rocky sections we can. Make a black diamond a "real" black diamond for a change. Do the Bendites know that out of towners laugh at the fact that Paul's is a black diamond trail? Really? "Bend" miles are just that. But, adding some challenge would be a good thing here and there.

Bend is not Washington. And WA is definitely not bend. Apples and Oranges.

Sure we would love the elevation here like you have access to up North. It's just not here. Up North they probably wish they had less rain...

It's fairly flat here. We route trails through rocks whenever possible. We can ride all year around). Trail are close to town.

Paul's trail is black because it's difficult to climb. Not for the decent. It's a classic trail that's been there a long time. It won't have ladder drops or crazy options on it any time soon, sorry. FS won't allow it anyway.

Tyler's is a new trail. It heads through and over as much rock as possible. As does Funner. As do all the trails you mentioned and a several more. If we want more rock we can hit horse ridge, dry river, MRT. If we want more elevation we can hit the Ochocos. If we want more Gnar, we can hit Cline.

COD will be getting a lot more techy soon. Re-route along the rock band will add a lot of challenge. Hope you like it. Sorry SpryIP

We do the best with what we have.

"Bend miles" should be in the dictionary btw. It's so true.

 

[SpryIP]

Bring on the COD 'techy'. The GS/COD loop is a staple.

 

[Borneo]

^^^ Agreed. Seems like in places, the trails down there are routed around natural features other than through them though. Paul's is a tough climb. In that crux spot between the two big rocks near the top. Always a challenge to clean it going up. But, pretty tame going down. Tyler's is a blast but not technical at all IMHO. Funner? Way easier with the new climbing re-route. Not that I'm complaining. But, true gnar in Phil's is very evident out there but not often chosen. Which is fine, I guess. Not that anyone wants miles of the top section of Lookout heading down mind you. That's a tough run.