bender13 wrote:There is a new line developing to bypass the initial drop at Sherpa's Chute. It bypasses the top, heads to the left and enters the trail at the rock. We may want to look at that section and ensure it is following a sustainable path and if not correct.
We have had tons of new riders with the current situation and in my book, it is a great thing. I am not going to tell a new rider that lives near Maybury that they should go to another trail if it is too difficult. We should try to educate and encourage new riders to walk difficult sections instead of riding around. We should also consider ensuring easier options are available when it makes sense. If difficult areas are built correctly, they will allow for progression and pretty soon your noob will be hitting the difficult lines (and complaining about other noobs).
I think many of us have been riding so long that we forget what it was like when we were just starting in the sport. I was always telling people that Maybury was a beginner friendly trail because that is how I considered it. I took some friends new to the sport to ride and realized how difficult Maybury can be from a beginner perspective. Just because there is an easier line, does not mean you have to take it.
Jeff
jreyst wrote:yeah I took a buddy there several years ago for his first ride because *at that time* I thought it was relatively beginner-friendly. After the first couple hills he literally never mountain biked again. I really screwed up by under-estimating how hard it can be for a real beginner. I have yet to convince him to try some other easier trails.
I totally agree. I was a little annoyed by how crowded trails have been when the quarantine started, but I was also totally encouraged. We all start somewhere. I saw 2 people riding maybury on cruisers with baskets on the front of their bikes.
I learned at Maybury, and I remember how challenging it was for me as a beginner. I also took some noobs there before, and they did NOT like it. They still ride, but I don't think they have been to Maybury. I am not comfortable taking my kids there yet. I take them to Island Lake. I started riding there because it is super close to home and the office. I go ride at lunch time fairly often. I have seen new lines form, but I don't take them and I am not going to let it ruin my day or my ride. Every year, every trail I ride, I see new lines. This is not a new thing that just started happening. It did happen more quickly this year though.