I ride there all the time, and know the group you're referring to (made up largely of excellent riders and builders). I don't usually ride with members of that group, but when I do, it's always as you describe, wonder and awe over how I never knew such exploits were right in front of my nose. My crew refers to _______ as the unofficial NS bike park, because so many of those trails are more solidly built and maintained than a lot of the sanctioned stuff, and there is such a vast rogue network.
I keep hearing rumors that they're pushing for certain parts of that network to become legitimized, and I've seen the beginnings of that over the past couple of years. But that's not going to be a solution to the issue you're mentioning, it may in fact push them away from what was previously rogue, to create something more to their scoff-law liking. And I pass no judgement about that, as I love that area just as it is, and I still feel the same feeling of wonder and enchantment when I discover (or am shown) something brand new. The exact same appreciation I've always felt that they've built those trails for people that know they're there, and I get to take advantage of that. I've also felt the same way you do about some of the entrances, exits, and connectors that don't need to be there, but I feel like it's now an entity all it's own, way huger in scale than any individual or group. It's like an understanding of abuse, and that's what feels wrong. I don't have a good solution.
I also have the same character flaw in immediately pointing out where a plan isn't going to work (again, Engineering related). I'm not usually asked for a solution, but badged a pessimist. I start out feeling like I'm doing the world a favor by warning them of the dead ends and failures ahead, and end up feeling like an asshole. Oh well, it's a skillset that helps and hinders, depending on the scenario and who you ask.
Oct. 26, 2023, 8:19 a.m. - Mammal
I ride there all the time, and know the group you're referring to (made up largely of excellent riders and builders). I don't usually ride with members of that group, but when I do, it's always as you describe, wonder and awe over how I never knew such exploits were right in front of my nose. My crew refers to _______ as the unofficial NS bike park, because so many of those trails are more solidly built and maintained than a lot of the sanctioned stuff, and there is such a vast rogue network. I keep hearing rumors that they're pushing for certain parts of that network to become legitimized, and I've seen the beginnings of that over the past couple of years. But that's not going to be a solution to the issue you're mentioning, it may in fact push them away from what was previously rogue, to create something more to their scoff-law liking. And I pass no judgement about that, as I love that area just as it is, and I still feel the same feeling of wonder and enchantment when I discover (or am shown) something brand new. The exact same appreciation I've always felt that they've built those trails for people that know they're there, and I get to take advantage of that. I've also felt the same way you do about some of the entrances, exits, and connectors that don't need to be there, but I feel like it's now an entity all it's own, way huger in scale than any individual or group. It's like an understanding of abuse, and that's what feels wrong. I don't have a good solution. I also have the same character flaw in immediately pointing out where a plan isn't going to work (again, Engineering related). I'm not usually asked for a solution, but badged a pessimist. I start out feeling like I'm doing the world a favor by warning them of the dead ends and failures ahead, and end up feeling like an asshole. Oh well, it's a skillset that helps and hinders, depending on the scenario and who you ask.