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Post by tom123 on Feb 9, 2011 10:51:25 GMT
That hole thats developed in the final decent is a hazard,a wheel trap,im sure the FC could afford a bag of stone to dump in the hole. Also an intresting drop has developed before the car park, that would be cool if it was squared off and tydied up.  The ticket machines would generate some funds if they worked. |
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Post by priceyla on Feb 9, 2011 11:01:33 GMT
Agree with DanB. It's frustrating to think there's potentially an army of volunteers on here and elsewhere that are not being utilised for whatever reason... surely this ranger chap could at least investigate a solution, This would be win/win, as better trails = more riders, more revenue for the fc etc?
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Post by Rob on Feb 9, 2011 12:05:58 GMT
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Post by rallybiker on Feb 9, 2011 16:46:49 GMT
would the CTC insurance cover us, and if not, what if the presium was upped to do so??
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Post by summittoppler on Feb 9, 2011 16:55:58 GMT
I'd be willing to do my bit aswell guys. As said above I can imagine the errosion thats taken place is surely a hazard!! And if they turn around to us volunteers who are willing to offer free labour to help with the upkeep and say you can't due to Health & Safety then they'd be shooting themselves in the foot by not fixing the problem  So, now we have a few who are willing to offer assistance, whats the next step? Do we all send emails to FC and or the Ranger or are we having an individual carry out all the behind the scenes stuff?  Whats the opinion? |
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Post by rallybiker on Feb 9, 2011 17:08:11 GMT
I'd be willing to do my bit aswell guys. As said above I can imagine the errosion thats taken place is surely a hazard!! And if they turn around to us volunteers who are willing to offer free labour to help with the upkeep and say you can't due to Health & Safety then they'd be shooting themselves in the foot by not fixing the problem So, now we have a few who are willing to offer assistance, whats the next step? Do we all send emails to FC and or the Ranger or are we having an individual carry out all the behind the scenes stuff? Whats the opinion? Surely this H&E works both ways! If the FC provide a trail for use by bikers , surely they have a duty of care to maintain it so as it's fit for purpose i.e. riding bikes (ON A RED STANDARD ROUTE-AS ADVERTISED) |
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Post by summittoppler on Feb 9, 2011 17:34:30 GMT
Surely this H&E works both ways! If the FC provide a trail for use by bikers , surely they have a duty of care to maintain it so as it's fit for purpose i.e. riding bikes (ON A RED STANDARD ROUTE-AS ADVERTISED) Thats what I was trying to say  They'd be shooting themselves in the foot by not maintaining them I know we're all biased but it's in their best interest or you'd think so. ..............................and there's always the unofficial way of doing the work  |
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Post by NW MTB Ranger on Feb 9, 2011 19:31:39 GMT
Hi All,
I’ve not been on here for a while now, so apologies for not keeping you all up to date. This thread was brought to my attention earlier today and judging by some of the comments I thought I’d better let you know what the plans are for the Marin trail.
For those of you who don’t know me my name is Andy Braund. I work for Forestry Commission Wales as a mountain bike ranger. I look after the trails at Coed y Brenin and also the Marin in Gwyder. Previous to this job I was the volunteer trail ranger/manager and part of the community group, Menter Bro Machno that own and run the Penmachno trail.
The Marin has always been one of my favourite built trails along with Penmachno, so it’s always been high on my list for work to be done.
Since I’ve been in post there has been regular basic maintenance carried out and only last week I had contractors on site clearing out culverts and doing some emergency work due to the recent heavy rains. The previously mentioned wheel grabber/hole has been filled. There is plenty more work to be done.
I’ve already invested money in some re-design work for ‘Pigs Might Fly’ ‘Pen y Parc’ ‘Ride Fast Ride Free’ and ‘Grey Mares Wail’. So I now have 4 Bills of Quantity for re-build work sitting on my desk waiting to be started. I’ve been trying to plan and schedule this work for a while now but due to other commitments have had to postpone.
Large projects at Coed y Brenin have inevitably meant that I have not been able to devote as much time as I would like on the Marin. I hope to rectify that this coming financial year and am planning to start some of the re-build work this spring/summer. Feel free to bang on my door and give me a hard time if I don’t!
When I started this job 18 months ago it was always my intention to look into encouraging a group/club of volunteers/local riders that could contribute towards the upkeep of the trails. I have previously organised and supervised some days on the Penmachno trail and am aware of the time needed to do this. Due to my workload it soon became apparent that I was going to have to make this project a future aspiration! However it’s still on my agenda and whenever I have the opportunity to meet others involved in volunteer schemes I’m always keen to pick their brains and learn from their experiences.
Interestingly enough at our next Trail Managers Forum meeting later this month the theme will be ‘volunteering’. So I may have some more info and hopefully good ideas as to how it can be organised more efficiently and successfully. Ideally, after the necessary paperwork and permissions are sorted out, it needs to be a great social/fun way to put something back into the trail.
It would be great to meet up with you guys for a ride on the Marin, so that I could let you know in more detail the plans and also to get feedback from you. You can fire any questions at me and we can chat about some of the issues raised in this thread. I could also update you on exciting new developments that are happening re new trails in Wales. Oggy, (or one of the other admins,) if you’d be happy to perhaps organise a forum ride. I could do this Saturday, short notice, but there’s nothing like striking while the irons hot!
In the mean time if you have any burning questions or would like to chat then feel free to contact me: andy.braund@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Or: 07920 502246
Oh, and as tempting as it is. Please don’t go on to the trail and try and repair it yourself. If your not sure what your doing, I have seen some people do more damage than good. And, here’s the boring part… If you modify the trail and it causes an accident, FCW could be held liable to pay out any damages! So please don’t. Speak to me first.
And one more thing, there’s now no pay and display in the Marin car park. Hasn’t been for ages. Long story! It’s late so I’m now leaving the office!
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Post by dyls on Feb 9, 2011 19:58:34 GMT
Andy, are there plans to build/extend the trails at coed y brenin? Heard rumours about extending the new building there as well?
Ive seen I think dafydd davis contractors there recently, think they are building the new green/blue routes.
Re marin, im sure youll get some volunteers for maintenance up there if required.
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Post by summittoppler on Feb 9, 2011 20:31:04 GMT
Thanks for the update Andy, it killed tonights dream of walking around the Marin with a shovel over me shoulder Its good to know there are plan afoot for maintaining the trails on the Marin. I remember riding there when it first opened and it was soooo smoooth TBH I don't ride there as often as I have done in the past, this is probably down the fact that its so rough  Again great to hear the trail is going to be having some much needed work done and I'm sure you can count on a large group of volunteers from here |
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Post by rallybiker on Feb 9, 2011 20:41:39 GMT
BRILLIANT NEWS!!! ;D ;D
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Post by thistle on Feb 9, 2011 21:41:34 GMT
Ive seen I think dafydd davis contractors there recently, think they are building the new green/blue routes There was heras fencing up in a couple of places at CyB the other weekend and one of the sign boards had something like 'trail builder' on it (I was going too fast to see of course  ). It wasn't far from the visitor centre, so my guess is that it's a new footpath or a blue MTB trail. |
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Post by motoxman on Feb 9, 2011 21:52:20 GMT
That is good news Andy and it's good to get an update.
I'm guessing your post follows my email to one of your former colleagues earlier today and it's good to see there are plans on the horizon and they have now been communicated.
Hopefully there will be a decent take up of your offer on Saturday...
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Post by monster on Feb 9, 2011 21:59:49 GMT
if the marin is to get a repair job, lets hope they dont take the character of the trail away and make it smooth and easy... |
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Post by BenKMV on Feb 9, 2011 22:01:22 GMT
Thank for the info Andy, will keep you posted on the trail condtions
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They'd be shooting themselves in the foot by not maintaining them 
).
