New Mountain Bike Trails Proposal. Wharncliffe Woods- Sheffield

Transcription

1 New Mountain Bike Trails Proposal. Wharncliffe Woods- Sheffield

2 Overview We propose to create two new cross country trail within Wharncliffe woods, one to replace the existing black trail, which has become severely eroded in places, and is not well sited, this trail would be graded as red, with optional black and/or double black sections. We also propose to mark out an extension to the existing green route which would be graded blue, using existing forest roads and public rights of way, thus greatly expanding the appeal of the woods to a wider number of users. We feel that is not worth trying to restore the existing black graded trail as it would be incredibly difficult and expensive to make the trail sustainable due to the fall line route it takes in many places and that it has been sited in parts on very poorly draining and wet ground. Further more, the end result would not be as good a trail as if we started afresh. Trail Route We feel that is not worth trying to restore the existing black graded trail as it would be incredibly difficult and expensive to make the trail sustainable due to the fall line route it takes in many places and that it has been sited in parts on very poorly draining and wet ground. Further more, the end result would not be as good a trail as if we started afresh. A trail route has been proposed by FC for the new red graded route, which contours round the woods, avoiding the overly wet central section, we intend to follow this route proposal as closely as we can. Any large deviation will be discussed and approved before we start. Each new section we start work on we are happy to flag out and get final approval before starting work. I have marked on the map below the 3 routes that would form the network of cross country trails in Wharncliffe, they are coloured according to the proposed grade.

3 The trails will link into the Trans Pennine trail, and which will offer scope to link them up with other rights of way to provide extended loops and enable traffic free access from Penistone Train Station, as well as being easily accessible from Chapeltown train station on relatively quite roads linked to the Trans Pennine trail. Grading of the Trail It is our goal to create a trail that is ride-able and enjoyable by as wide a range of mountain bikers as possible. We do not intend that the red route will be a family trail and a reasonable level of fitness as skill will be required to ride the trail as it will include some unavoidable sections which are narrow single track and are steep up or down, but the trail should be ride-able by a competent adult cyclist on an suitable bike who is in good heath and reasonably fit. We also want to make the trail appealing to fit, technically skilled experienced mountain bikers. This is difficult to achieve, but we believe it is possible by including a number of Technical trail features that are either optional having what are know as Chicken Runs around them, for example drop offs, rock slaps, rock gardens rooty sections and jumps. Or only become more challenging the faster you approach them, for example rocky sections that you can pick a line through slowly, but become much harder to ride at speed, drops in trail height that can be rolled slowly or wheelie dropped at speed, undulations in the trail that can be pedalled through, pumped for speed like a BMX track or used as jumps. We intend to utilise the natural features where they occur, such as roots, rocks and undulations in the terrain as much as possible, rather than creating article features. To make the trail easier to use we will follow the standard procedure of the hardest option being the line on the right, we intend to include this information on the trail information signs, and include signage along the route, following the colour coding system of blue, red, black and double black diamond to indicate the grade of a particular section, any very hard feature (black or double black) will have clear signage and a good line of sight to the feature so people do not end up riding above their intentions or abilities. The over all goal is to achieve one trail that is ride-able as an easy red grade, or a hard black grade, with a few double black features. The Proposed Blue route will be on existing wide forest road and public right of way, this trail will inevitably be mixed use and riders will encounter other trail users, such as horse riders and walkers. Due to the steep nature of the woods it is not possible to site the blue route in such a way that avoids all steep sections while maintaining a reasonable length (estimated to be around 6 miles) without building significant sections of new trail, this would be very costly as the trail would have to be wide and built to withstand heavy usage by not only bikes, but horses, which can take quite a toll on trail surfaces. Therefore we propose that signs warning people of steep descents be placed at appropriate places, encouraging riders to dismount and push their bikes. Technical Trail Features (TTF) Raised wooden trail or boardwalk often referred to as North Shore after the area of Canada where if first came to prominence. There are sections on the trail were the easiest and quickest way to cross a particular section is with a wooden bridge of some kind, usually where the ground it particularly badly drained or crossing marsh or water features. It can also be used to cover ground where a lot of erosion would occur, for example short sections of fall line trail where it is not possible, or very difficult to armour. We expect to use some wooden construction as part of the trail, where it is needed or it is the most practical or cheapest trail building method. Where there is only one trail route option we will keep the height at or below 300mm off the ground, and the width will be at least 900mm. The height may be exceeded for short sections if the ground drops away suddenly for example when a stream is being crossed. Where harder options can be included to make a challenging feature we will keep the height of the deck below 900mm from the ground, at that height we would not go under 450mm width, for lower constructions we may go as narrow as 200 to 300mm, but these would not be more than 300mm of the ground. We would submit detailed plans for any wooden construction over 450mm off the ground and less than 450mm wide; general specifications for the construction of wooden trail is included at the end of this document. Trail Specifications The trail will be built to or in excess of IMBA specifications, to ensure it is sustainable and usable in all weathers, it is expected the trail will have to be armoured and hardcored in excess of IMBA specs due to UK conditions. For further details of the trail specs please see our website I have also included the

4 specifications at the end of this document, we will also be referring to the IMBA trail building handbook Building Better Trails. In order to keep user conflicts to a minimum we propose that the red trail be marked as a specific mountain bike trail and that no entry signs are placed at trail exits to try to stop people travelling along the trail in the wrong direction. The Blue route will be multi user and we would propose that information about trail etiquette is placed on the information boards, including the correct way to pass a horse and rider. We also intend to use slowing and catching features where the red route joins or crosses existing forest roads and public rights of way. Features such as sharp, un-cut able corners and slowing areas boxed in with boulders with a tight 90 degree turn at the end can be used when the trail joins forest road or the Trans Pennine Trail. Chicanes built out of fencing can be used when the trail crossed forest walks or footpaths, such as have been used on other forestry sites, for example the Northface trail at Grizedale. Phased Opening Plan As the Blue route needs no actual trail building, just way markers to map out the route, we would mark this out first, it could be done very quickly, once we have the permission and materials needed. We would propose that at the same time information boards are put up, with the trail information on, we could then also include information about the building work being carried out on the new route, and update this information as the work progresses. We propose to open the red trail in sections, using existing parts of the black route that are usable, or need very little work to make useable, forest roads and existing rights of way to make a useable loop, meaning that there will continue to be a ride-able route in the woods, hopefully keeping visitor numbers, and volunteer interest high throughout the whole of the build. To illustrate this proposal I have mapped out the Phases on the following pages.

5

6

7 As can be seen from the maps, it will be possible to open smaller sections when they are complete, when they conveniently link in with the existing trails that will be used as part of the temporary route.

8

9 Trail Specifications - 1 IMBA trail construction specifications Aims & Objectives The creation of a top-level recreational facility for wide cross section of users.the creation of a challenging premier MTB facility, able to draw enthusiast &highly experienced level mountainbikers, whilst still being enjoyed by moderatelyexperienced mountainbikers The systematic provision of increased off road, and where possible off forest road access within the woodland, maximising singletrack and providing challenging routes whilst minimising uncontrolled access or environmental disturbance. Provision of an aesthetically pleasing & fulfilling countryside experience. Primary Considerations Avoidance of environmental degradation or wildlife disturbance, prevention of trail tread creep. Particular consideration must be given to the presence of nesting schedule 1 bird species in areas of the forest. Avoidance of user conflict, particularly in those areas where trails / users meet or share trails. Restriction of users to on trail activity, corralling of users into chosen areas of woodland and avoidance of straying or undesired activities. Particular avoidance of conflict with ecological, historical or forest operation interests. Minimising visual / perceptive impact. Provision of interpretative & educational facilities for trail users. Prevention of watercourse disturbance or pollution. Ability of trail to support all weather use with minimal construction & maintenance costs. Road safety on areas of trail that may meet or cross public & forest roads. General safety of trail and control of user speeds. Public liability in event of user injury. Trail Specifications - 2 Proposed Construction Specifications Research carried out by IMBA has produced well established trail design and construction guidelines, these are detailed in IMBA s Building Better Trails Handbook. Further work in the UK has produced variations of these plans that are particularly suited to Britain s wetter and heavier used trails. It is proposed that trails should be constructed to support a trail tread width of mm for MTB and foot access, and mm for horse routes. Trail line will be raked and cleared of physical obstructions to denote trail line & allow safe passage, No further ground preparation is required. It is envisaged that this construction method will be used on those areas of the trail which are already reasonably condusive to passage, with well structured free draining soils, and a resilient surface already present. Constructed Trail Soil (loam) and vegetation will be cleared from the trail, exposing mineral soil underneath. Tread will require a minimal 5% outslope to facilitate drainage, along with the wide dispersal of removed soil onto downhill side. Final preparation of trail will involve the smoothing & /or compaction of exposed mineral soil to a reasonable standard. Exposed roots and stone need not be removed. Further stone may be used to denote trail line and corral users onto correct trail line. Where necessary constructed trail will be used in conjunction with full bench construction or other recognised IMBA trail construction techniques dependent on slope and ground conditions.

10 Hardened Trail As above, but exposed mineral soil will be capped with a layer of Crusher run stone(80mm to dust) With high fines content, with a surface layer of compacted dust laid down wet (it is imperative that all stone is compacted as soon as it goes down otherwise the fines will get washed out and it will be useless) to a minimum fill depth of 80mm. Additional exposed stone may be embedded within the trail edge or tread as trail features or to denote trail line. As with Constructed Trail, IMBA construction techniques will be used in conjunction where ground conditions require. Trail Specifications - 3 Armoured Trail Where required, mineral soil will be sealed with a layer of rock and/or broken stone, before capping with crusher run stone (80mm to dust) With high fines content, which will be compacted as per hardened trail. It is envisaged that this level of construction will only be required on steep slopes or areas with particularly unstable soil. Raised Trail / Armoured Raised Trail In areas of wet soil, or where extensive water problems may occur, trails may be constructed as per hardened trail, but laid on unprepared ground. Extensive amounts of broken stone may be required to build a secure platform for the construction of trail tread, particularly where the trail may be required to support horse passage. Boardwalk To avoid any risk of watercourse disturbance, it is envisaged that some short areas of boardwalk may be constructed to allow MTB passage without impacting on streams or adjoining riparian zones. Proposed construction from rail sleeper supports, 100x25mm cellcured softwood rails with chicken mesh surface to prevent slipping. Culverts Large watercourses or lateral obstructions may be passed by use of bridges or culverts as deemed necessary (it is noted that often culverts provide a more user friendly passage, in addition construction regulations and risk of damage are often less extreme with the creation of a culvert than a full bridge). Materials It is proposed that stone, wherever possible, should be locally collected, either from local loose stone or established borrow pit quarries located within the woodland. Trail surface materials as already specified. Trail Specifications - 4 Construction The selection of a single route, which is of a higher quality & rider desirability is likely to increase user pressure on the trail, to combat this it is proposed that a widespread programme of trail hardening and reconstruction should be undertaken. Funding for proper construction with machine and personnel (contractors) must be viewed as a priority. The possibility of Lottery Sports council partial funding for trail construction in currently being investigated by IMBA. Recent FE trail construction in Wales has shown the advantage of proper machine use in trailbuilding. Pioneering work by Daffyd Davis at Coed-Y- Brenin and other Welsh forests has also shown the effect of trail construction to IMBA standards on both construction and maintenance costs. User Facilities Adequate facilities are already available within the forest, although the provision of a pay for use bike washing facility would be advantageous, as might the

11 stocking of minor accessories, such as inner tubes, in the forest visitor centre & shop. Interpretation It is considered as vital that any development of trails should include trailhead interpretation boards, giving route information such as distance, terrain, conditions and technical difficulty. It should also carry details of local emergency contacts (and nearest payphone) as well as information on the FE cycling programme, IMBA and Singletraction. The existing trail route marker system provides an effective, discreet waymarking method, and is regarded as being totally in keeping with the aims of the new trail.