Forums » The Trailhead » WHOOPS PROBLEMS

  1. WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    Today I set out for a couple of laps on the lower whoops trail; on my first run down, I ran into 2 people coming up the trail. On lap number 2, I ran into a guy riding his bike up the trail. On lap 3, yet again I run into a group of people stoped on the trail !!! What gives!!! Are people that illiterate, that they can't read the big sign at the beginning of the trail that says "DO NOT ENTER- DOWNHILL ONLY" I hit one person that was riding up the trail in a high speed corner. My other rant is about the condition of the trail!!! There are brake bumps everywhere, especialy in the really flowy parts of the trail. If you can't ride well enough to flow and navigate the trail and jumps, don't ride the trail. Its damn near impossible to hit the jumps on a hardtail, because of all the bumps leading into the lips of the jumps. Either ride it the way its suppossed to be ridden; Or ride slow enough that you don't have to jack your brakes at every corner and jump!!! LEARN TO FLOW!!! Maybe there should be a sign at the top that tells people this is an advanced trail with jump features. to keep the more timid riders off of it. Both of these issues are becoming more evident; each time I go out there to ride.

    Posted By:
    NastyNick
    Posted
    7/26/2008 17:31

  2. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    It may not sound too diplomatic but Nick is right. Lev and his different crews that work on whoops have done too much work to let it get destroyed by underskilled riders. The real danger is the collision possibility, the berms and flow getting broken up by enormous potholes sucks but the fact is that a collision would be a disaster. People need to shelve the curiousity and stubborn "Ive been here longer and can do what I want" local attitude (yes I have heard those exact words from a local XC rider concerning whoops being DH only) and follow the rules for the greater good of the trail system. Nothing gives you the right to endanger other riders. The fact is you are too lazy to take the fire road.

    Posted By:
    DRS
    Posted
    7/26/2008 18:12

  3. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    My two cents:
    Trail Condition: Whoops is the most highly trafficked trail in CO, mostly because it is really fun for just about everybody. It is the nature of the beast that a popular trail gets the beatdown. There is no "way it's supposed to be ridden", anyone on a mountain bike having fun, should be encouraged.
    Fall and rain will come, trail maintenance will resume. In the mean time embrace the challenge of finding the smooth line in the dust and chatter, it is there.

    Up hill riders: Yes, it is dangerous, and is discouraged. People will do it anyway, it is not our place to berate and insult people who rebel against COTAs new ideals. As stewards of the trail system, please set a good example, educate riders to why the rules are changing, and keep your head up. There are very few blind spots on Whoops, riding with abandon and expecting an interruption free trail is as selfish as the people who ride up past the Do Not Enter sign.

    Posted By:
    Strykeforce
    Posted
    7/27/2008 11:39

  4. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    I appreciate everything that you guys have said. And I may have been a little irrate about my day on the trail; and said some harsh things. But there is no way that wanting to ride a suggested downhill trail, without bashing into some guy with his head down climbing UP the trail, IS SELFISH!!! And there are plenty of low visibility corners; one of which I hit this gentleman on. Why does the IMBA have different trail difficulty ratings; if every trail is for everyone. Wouldn't that mean that all our trails are easy (green circle) trails.

    Posted By:
    NastyNick
    Posted
    7/27/2008 19:35

  5. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    Thanks for reminding me why I don't like forums.
    I'm done.

    Posted By:
    Strykeforce
    Posted
    7/28/2008 10:03

  6. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    Everybody gettin butt hurt is ridiculous here. Forums are great for keeping everyone updated as to the thoughts and feelings of ALL riders. Lets say for the sake of argument I wrecked into someone on an uphill only trail while I headed downhill. I doubt the attitude would be so forgiving towards my reluctance to adopt to COTA ideals. When you decide to volunteer and adopt trails you also gain the responsibility of educating others to trail rules and at times reminding people, even your friends, of the importance of following them. For the record I'm not berating or insulting anyone, but seriously the trail is dh only, you should be able to expect an interruption free run even if it's not always going to happen. We aren't talking about barreling down the trail were talking about consistency, the guy going downhill isn't always in the wrong. The guy ignoring the signage is wrong.
    It's pretty funny that its only the three of us writing in on this, I'm interested to hear any other thoughts on this, my chief concern is for the safety of all riders. Not being the rightnmost dude on the forum.

    Posted By:
    DRS
    Posted
    7/29/2008 18:56

  7. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    you are right DRS. Forums have there purpose, I don't like my words getting turned around to mean something I wasn't intending.
    All I meant was, There will be people on whoops, whether climbing, sessioning, or crashed, so please ride safely and respect those around you, even if you are clearly in the right. I am certainly not condoning riding up whoops, I'm just recognizing the fact that regardless of rules, we should always be on the lookout for other people.
    Go ride and have fun, peace

    Posted By:
    Strykeforce
    Posted
    7/30/2008 0:01

  8. re: WHOOPS PROBLEMS

    First, I'd like to say that I've read with interest all the comments concerning Whoops and have tried to stay clear of adding to the mix, but I do have to point out a few things from previous posts. First and foremost, let's clarify that the Lower Whoops is NOT a downhill trail only, it is a ONE way only trail. That designation was never intended to embolden the downhill traffic, it was put in place because of concerns for safety for all riders. Second, as Mt. Bikers, when riding Whoops or even a trail like Kent's lower down in the system, it's your responsibilty to ride under control at all times, not only because there may be other users on the trail, but also because there may be obstacles such as downed trees, branches and the occasional deer in full rut occupying YOUR trail corridor. In the case of lower Whoops often times you can find yourself overtaking other riders who are not riding the trail at the same speed you are, so I'd like to echo what Lev has stated more than once in this Forum, awareness is key and civility should be a close second.

    Posted By:
    kent
    Posted
    8/28/2008 8:00

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