Dear Member
A different type of newsletter this month. Sometimes things happen that make us want to go back to basics. This is one of those times ...
Vigilante Warning
John Staines from West Coast Trail Bike Park and Safaris had a very close escape last week when he ran into a wire strung across a track at neck height.
The RTRA classifies this type of vigilante activity as attempted murder, and we put this to the Police Commissioner when the issue last arose in Mundaring six years ago.
Staino's near miss was the second incident involving wire on trails reported recently. Another rider was injured near Pickering Brook when he was caught by a wire strung across a trail at handlebar height.
The thought of anyone setting man-traps like this - especially in some of the prime riding country of the south-west - is horrifying, and inexcusable. But it does highlight the need for riders to avoid antagonising locals and other trails users - something the RTRA is also passionate about.
Our trails and areas need to be respected and cared for. Groups of riders who demonstrate a couldn't-care-less attitude are the biggest problem that trail riders are confronting.
Responsible riders help to keep the trails open, and can co-exist with local residents and other trail users.
If you have any other examples of man-traps on trails please let us know and we will take it up with the various authorities.
And here's why trail riding is worth protecting...
On our Facebook page this week we asked riders to tell us what physical and mental health benefits they got from trail riding. Here is a selection of responses:
"I feel a lot less like throttling idiots that surround me when i have had a good ride. I guess that means stress relief doesn't it??"
"I love to ride with my son. The whole event from planning where to ride, packing the gear, loading the bikes, riding, trail repairs, camping, washing the bikes, cleaning the filters, - it's an experience that we share together. One day when I am too old (or too dead) to ride he will remember these trips as the best days he ever spent with his old man."
"Trail riding is 'living in the now' and using every muscle in your body to stay there..."
"After a heart attack at 32 I found dirt biking,and since then found the best place to leave work is on a trail with my son follow me leaving me mentally and physically ready for the week ahead"
"Mental clarity and razor sharp focus that dissolves the everyday stresses of life and puts firmly into perspective the important things... Mates, fun, adventure, nature and pushing personal limits"
"Getting among the elements and sucking up the serenity while taking in everything the environment around me has to offer is why i love to ride long distance trails.. cheaper than a therapist..."
Amen.
McCallum Road Gets Ripped
Fears by some riders that the machine-ripping of the McCallum Road carpark off Metro Road is the start of an action to reduce riding in the area have been dispelled by DPaW.
According to Acting District Manager, Jamie Ridley, the works were 'standard' State Forest revegetation practice and there is no intention to move further up Metro Road.
Another Successful Friends of Pinjar Day
The RTRA Friends of Pinjar were out in force this weekend to clean up the carparks, drain some pooled water and give the place a general tidy-up.
DPaW again provided the crew with some much-appreciated sustenance in the form of BBQ sausages and drinks.
There is still a bit of work to be done to prevent water pooling on the inside of berms on the PeeWee and Short n Curly circuits, and we will probably need to do this by machine. Meanwhile, the kids didn't seem to mind splashing through the mud - probably because they don't have to wash all the riding gear!
Thanks to everyone who turned out to lend a hand.
If you want to help, please sign up as a volunteer at Pinjar.
Minimal Impact: Avoid Wet Areas
When the wet season hits most riders knows how important it is to properly wash your bike between rides to prevent the spread of dieback. But here are three good reasons to wash your bike at a car wash on your way home.
- Mud is easier to get off while it’s still wet
- One less thing to do when you get home and you really just want to put your feet up and grab a beer
- You may not realize it but washing your bike at home can actually introduce dieback into your backyard or neighbourhood.
So remember to keep some change handy and plan a route home that will take you past a car wash.
More minimal impact tips...
Spread the Word
If you think the RTRA is having a positive impact for riders, just think how much more effective we'd be if we had double the members. It's actually not that hard - all it takes is for each member to find one other rider to sign up. If you have riding buddies who are not yet members of the RTRA, please forward them this email and give them a prod to join up.
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