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And I hate dirt bikers!!
I know some dirt bike riders don't fit into this category, but can anyone explain to me why most dirt bikers need to rip the hell out of everything when they ride?
We get a lot of motos out along Ridgewell Rd (goes to hanging rock), and it's bad enough that they wreck the fire trails, but they are also getting around the National Park gate, and riding right up to the lookout. A few weeks ago I noticed that a log obstacle on the final bit of single track leading to the lookout had recently been chopped, and today I find a nice couple of donuts right at the lookout itself!
And they've really got stuck into some of the native bush around there too. Those other two photos would have shown a native-grassed paddock and pristine bush 6 months ago - ONE AFTERNOON's fun on a couple of dirt bikes, and this is the result!
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Most likely a case of ignorance is bliss.
I don't get it either... I guess you have the power there so you use it. Never really spoken to a moto rider about what they get about this sort of ripping things up. I've seen them scaling technical rock sections at Menai and can appreciate the skill and thrill of it, or flying down a trail fast, but just shreading things up... nah.
Its then a real shame that mountain bikes get clumped in with the motos really giving us mtbers a bad name even though we have very little in common.
Being a trail bike rider as well as an MTBer, can I say there is the same problem here as with some MTBers. There are those that ride legally on registered bikes, in approved areas and try to minimise damage to the trails (like me and prob all on this forum). We don't ride our trail bikes anywhere on this side of the mountains and are happy to tow the bikes to Zig Zag or Capertee or Watagans etc. where there are decent tracks not used by anyone other than trail bikes.
Then there are those with little skill and old, cheap, run down bikes that are much like the occasional mtb rider who will leave rubbish, old tubes, bottles etc. on the Oaks single track. These are the types of people that will ruin an area regardless of what tool they use.
So yes there are some dickhead dirt bike riders out there, but I don't think there are anymore of them than dickhead mtb riders. They just manage to cause more damage in a shorter time.
I'm another who rides both MTB and motor bikes. As BLKFOZ said responsible dirt bike riders have the same issues as responsible MTB rider in that we are all given a bad reputation by the actions of those who only care about themselves. I'm sure there are responsible 4x4 driver out there who have this problem also.
Dirt bike riders who ride trails that are restricted to them are no different to MTB rider who ride walking tracks, they need to be made accountable as their action will have us all locked out of the bush.
I think rather than coming down on other responsible bush users we need to co-operate with one another to be sure we have access to or respective sports and activities into the future. Strength will come with number and responsible bush user whether it be MTB, dirt bike, 4x4 and even horse riders need to unit to rid the bush of the fools who threaten or way of life.
For dirt bike riders the problem has become larger and more noticeable over the past couple of years with the flood of cheap unregisterable dirt bikes coming from China. Every bogan can afford to buy one and couldn't be bother travelling the distance required to go ride in at more appropriate location. There are a number of legal dirt bike parks with in a couple of hours of Sydney where unregistered bikes can be legally ridden but it is all to easy for them to ride local parks and restricted trails.
I guess like anything its not right to stereotype one group.
I guess the issue is that a dirt bike is inherently more destructive. I saw a rider accidentally get on a mtb single track and ride through it very carefully to get off it. The damage even from his relatively small dirt bike and careful riding was really noticeable with large gouges where he had unevenly applied power.
Some questions that occur to me.....
Do dirt bike riders appreciate the level of damage their bike can do?
Is there any discussion in the dirt bike community to try and ride in a less damaging manner much like mtbers discuss riding in the wet and its effects?
Is there a simple and undeniable pleasure in applying power and ripping into the dirt that even the most ideaological dirt biker would find hard to overcome the urge for?
What is it that dirt bikers like best in a trail? Things such as flow, speed, technical etc?
These aren't having a go type questions, I just really want to understand what the perspective is.
Im not a Trail Biker but this is my understanding to your questions in regards to these weekend warriors. Im sure the answers are all different for those that actually mean well.
Do dirt bike riders appreciate the level of damage their bike can do?
Is there any discussion in the dirt bike community to try and ride in a less damaging manner much like mtbers discuss riding in the wet and its effects?
Is there a simple and undeniable pleasure in applying power and ripping into the dirt that even the most ideaological dirt biker would find hard to overcome the urge for?
What is it that dirt bikers like best in a trail? Things such as flow, speed, technical etc?
These aren't having a go type Answers, just my understaning of the weekend warroir
I guess dirt bike riders are like MTB in that there are many disciplines with different individuals having there own preferences.
As for sustainability issues dirt bike riders have been fighting this issue for decades. The kind of things that MTB riders are facing now such as land access is all to familiar to dirt bike riders. These trail days clean up days that MTB riders are starting to do. I was going to these 10 vears ago wish dual sport rider groups. Trust me MTB is a new comer to this.
For me riding a dirt bike is alot like riding a MTB. I like getting out into the great outdoors and I also like a bit of adrenaline. I think most MTB riders get a bit of a rush from bombing down a technical trail at speed, riding technical obstacles, getting the odd bit off air under the tyres, downhillers and freeriders especially. Riding a dirt bike is the same only the bike is bigger and heavier and unfortunately throwing around 100kg + of bike around means using it power to make it turn or get over an obstacle. This doesn't mean digging trenches for the fun of it, those who do that are just tools. As for overcoming the urge, no different to the urge to lock the rear brake on my MTB to slide the bike into a turn, good fun, damaging all the same, but you will find these brake marks at the on most turns at the bottom of hills on MTB trails. Have a look at most corners on the oaks and you will see plenty of big break lock ups.
It's all about riding in appropriate places, same as MTB.
When I was younger all the trails in the mountains were open to registered dirt bikes and 4x4. We used to ride the Oaks, Andersons, Gross head south, Falko point among other, all legally. Back then the environmental impact wasn't considered as much and I agree these areas should be restricted. The reality is most areas weren't locked up because of the environment but because land manager feared litigation from injuries associated with such dangerous activities. The environment was just a good excuse.
There are areas throughout the world where just like MTB riding, other higher impact recreations have been made sustainable. Tasmanian National Parks actually have trails designated for trail bikes. By doing this they are able to manage there use and make them sustainable just as we preach on here about MTB trails. We all know it can be done we just need to convince those that make the decisions,
Taken from the Dual Sport Motorcycle Rider of Australia website.
INTRODUCING THE DSMRA
The DSMRA was formed in 1995 as a direct consequence of the current trend of land closures throughout Australia.
The main thrust determined at the inception of the association was to provide the framework for off road riders to become a cohesive body and to fight the current trend of closures by demonstrating the positive aspects of off road motorcycle riding, and the fact that we can co-exist with the environment.
DSMRA AIMS
To improve the perception of off-road motorcycle riders in the wider community. Establish channels of communication with regulatory bodies to ensure that the interests of DSMRA are considered in the evaluation process of public and private lands.
WHAT DSMRA DOES FOR YOU
The DSMRA provides you, the member with a social network of like minded riders that want to go out and enjoy trail riding. This can be full hard core dirt stuff through to adventure riding on the tar. Everywhere we go we have fun and ride responsibly.
We provide lead and sweep riders and carry two way radios, epirb emergency beacons that will provide emergency assistance via ambulance (conventional or air) and we provide a support group to you, the rider. Although you still have to do your own tyre changes and cop the odd offhand comments.
We take you to areas you may have never seen before, all the time offering the cornerman system (which means you don't need to know where you are going or how to get back). We provide for all levels of difficulty and will provide advice to beginners, and even teach you the basic skills so you can ride your bike better.
Of course you must be licensed and your must be bike registered.
DSMRA ACTVITIES
Provide a national network of riding contacts with local expert knowledge of trails and riding areas.
Hold non-competitive, well-organised rides for members across Australia, catering for all riders skill levels.
Provide education for members in First Aid, riding skills and environmentally friendly riding practices.
Communicate with National Parks, State Forests and other land managers at both State and regional levels, to ensure that the interests of trail-riders are taken into consideration in land management decisions.
Prepare submissions to land managers in response to management plans/
Participate in political debate over land access for recreational users and co-operate with other recreational user groups in fighting land closures.
Actively consult with the motorcycle industry, including joint projects, especially to prevent the trend of land closures.
Production of monthly newsletter to members via the website.
Contribute to the community through such activites as participating in Clean Up Australia Day, volunteering assistance in search and rescue efforts and organising fund-raising ideas for charity.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN
For all the above reasons, plus, the more members we have the better we can represent the dirt riding population to the government and australian public. We can address sensitive issues on your behalf on put forward the interests dirt riders, which is very hard to do for an indivdual.
Primarily we would like you to join so you can go out with an organised group of riders and enjoy the benefits of such.