Which trail are you referring to Bigdamo, the Walls (cliffs) or the one that comes down the other side of that valley? Is the trail clearly marked as a no go zone for bikes, quite a few of the illegal trails aren't signposted. With the large influx of newer riders into the park recently perhaps the people responsible are not aware of the sensitive nature of the park
I hear what you are saying about the actions of a few impacting on everyone, But the short sightedness of the npws also pisses me off ... We have a small issue with riders on an illegal trail ... Ban all the riders! If they close the park to riders illegal trail building will explode as there are very few other local options.
Whatever happened to this:
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/mountain-biking-on-track-in-royal/1942757.aspx
The trail network at the moment is far from a "world class experience" (no disrespect to the trail fairies, you guys work wonders with limited resourses)
I am not going to exactly pinpoint the trail then you will have other people looking for it.It is close to Savilles creek however.Not far away from the Walls(cliffs or steps of insanity)
"Is the trail clearly marked as a no go zone for bikes, quite a few of the illegal trails aren't signposted.
"Um Mtber's have been removing the signs saying "no MTB's walking trail only" for years in this area.I guess this doesn't help the MTB in the Royal cause.But yes to enter this area you probably go past a sign makes no difference if it was (which it isn't) a legal MTB trail it would be signposted and they don't pull down those signs.It is clearly not a MTB trail.
"If they close the park to riders illegal trail building will explode as there are very few other local options."
You think so.I was up riding up at East Heathcote this morning they used to have a problem a few years ago with BMX and dirt jumpers building illegal tracks.Not anymore NPWS just kept at them.
Moto's were a problem in RNP and Heathcote NP quite a few years ago not anymore NPWS and the police just kept at them.
Horses were a problem on the trails around East Heathcote quite a few years ago not anymore NPWS just kept at them.
It amazes me people think it is their right to do anything they want in a National park we MTBers are lucky we have got what we have in the Royal but if MTBers keep building illegal tracks you might find you won't be riding there anymore and "there are very few other local options" ain't gunna cut it as an excuse.Trust me Moto's tried that one many,many years ago.The general public couldn't give a hoot if Mtbers have no where to ride.
That article you posted was from 2010 at that time I'm pretty sure the Royal didn't have a General manager I'm guessing they have one now is he or she MTB friendly.
"But the short sightedness of the npws also pisses me off "
It might piss you off but step back and take a look at what Mr and Mrs joe public and some people in the NPWS might think of MTB in National parks and you might be surprised.One of my neighbors just hates Mtb's and the only thing he hates more is MTb in the royal and he is a retired National parks ranger.He likes fighting causes luckily he is fighting another cause at present but soon will be finished it.I hate to think what he would do if he saw illegal Mtb tracks in the Royal especially if once the burnoff is done and new illegal tracks start popping up there real easy to see when everything has been burnt off.
