6 January 2013

No more relaxed bushwalking in Tidbinbilla

| Zan
Join the conversation
28

Whilst reading Tim the Yowie Man in yesterday’s Canberra Times I was horrified to see that the powers that be are changing some trails in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to be shared by bicyclists. We can no longer walk in Mt Stromlo, so now they want Tidbinbilla.

Roos better watch out – they do not have bells on their bikes.

Join the conversation

28
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

DrKoresh said :

What caused your crippling and seemingly irrational fear of bicycles?

Cyclists.

Zan said :

It is really hard to walk in Stromlo without a banshee coming up behind scaring the wits out of us, hence we no longer go there.

Will that occur in Tidbinbilla, only time will tell.

What caused your crippling and seemingly irrational fear of bicycles?

Zan said :

It is really hard to walk in Stromlo without a banshee coming up behind scaring the wits out of us, hence we no longer go there.

Will that occur in Tidbinbilla, only time will tell.

I think you’ll be safe. Tidbinbilla seem to be promoting this as a friendly family ride to look at the wildlife. If it becomes a banshee run I’m sure they’ll shut it down.

Girt_Hindrance7:47 pm 07 Jan 13

Zan said :

It is really hard to walk in Stromlo without a banshee coming up behind scaring the wits out of us, hence we no longer go there.

^This from a person who claims they want a ‘robust’ discussion.

Banshee- Noun
(in Irish legend) A female spirit whose wailing warns of an impending death in a house.

Maybe you meant “Jabbawocky”?

Postalgeek said :

I can only echo what Deckard says; thanks for bringing the trails to our attention. I’ll check them out next week.

Don’t forget to use your bell.

If they find any dead roos, we will now know who to blame.

Sorry but IMHO most ‘banshee’ biking types are likely to be getting their adrenalin rush on the awesome single track designed for bike riding not the wide open fire roads that walkers and horse riders can use…

It is really hard to walk in Stromlo without a banshee coming up behind scaring the wits out of us, hence we no longer go there.

Will that occur in Tidbinbilla, only time will tell.

OP said they were no longer allowed to walk at Mt. Stromlo…I pointed out that it is not the case. There are lots of trails that walkers, horse riders and bikers can share – these are not the designated MTB trails (single track)…the trails I refer to are the fire roads that existed well before Stromlo’s designated bike trails…walkers and equestrians have not lost access to trails at Stromlo. Anyone venturing out onto purpose built bike trails is putting themselves or their horse or the biker at risk. On any other trail the biker MUST give way.

Pork Hunt said :

dr.evil said :

You are allowed to walk Mt. Stromlo bikes give way to walkers and horse riders, walkers give way to horses. Share is the word.

And what happens in practice?

You get yelled at and told to “keep off the f*ck*ng cycle tracks” in my experience.

switch said :

dr.evil said :

You are allowed to walk Mt. Stromlo bikes give way to walkers and horse riders, walkers give way to horses. Share is the word.

Yeah, well dream on. I have been passed by bikes at high speed on “shared” paths. They don’t even ring their bell! “I a bicyclist, get out of my way” applies when they’re not up against something bigger, like a car.

Shared paths? Apart from a sealed access path and a couple of access roads there are only purpose-built MTB single tracks and fire trails at Stromlo. And know that most MTBers at Stromlo are mostly interested in single track.

Besides which bells are moot when it comes to single tracks. MTBers don’t have them and if they did they couldn’t use them as their hands are needed to control their bikes.

So are you talking about Stromlo or a jaunty path around a lake?

dr.evil said :

You are allowed to walk Mt. Stromlo bikes give way to walkers and horse riders, walkers give way to horses. Share is the word.

Yeah, well dream on. I have been passed by bikes at high speed on “shared” paths. They don’t even ring their bell! “I a bicyclist, get out of my way” applies when they’re not up against something bigger, like a car.

dr.evil said :

You are allowed to walk Mt. Stromlo bikes give way to walkers and horse riders, walkers give way to horses. Share is the word.

And what happens in practice?

You are allowed to walk Mt. Stromlo bikes give way to walkers and horse riders, walkers give way to horses. Share is the word.

Read all about it here http://www.tidbinbilla.com.au/

I am not anti bikes as I own two of my own. I am anti hoon bikers taking over everything.

I agree with the comment below that is the problem both in the nature reserve and on shared foot/bike paths.

birder said :

Look, we love hanging out on the trails in Tidbinbilla with our 5 year old. She is all over the trail, spotting a bug here and a flower there. The idea of having cyclists racing down the paths at high speeds is more than a bit of a turn off. I am not anti-cycling by any means but find that a small but meaningful percentage of cyclists behave recklessly around pedestrians. I don’t know what the plans are, but I do hope some trails are left to hikers only.

Forget seeing any wildlife then, bikes do a great job scaring them off compared to people on foot.

And I wonder how much this is costing taxpayers? No doubt the public liability insurance will take bio riders into account, just as they’ve had to with hunters: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/conservation/walkers-pay-price-for-hunters-20130105-2c9xh.html

A bunch of tracks will be open riding? Cool.

Bugger the bicycles – when do the shooters arrive?

patrick_keogh4:17 pm 06 Jan 13

Zan, you are making a mountain out of a molehill. AFAIK only sixty seven walkers have been killed in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve by lunatic cyclists riding without bells on their bikes.

I personally have not killed any but I have certainly explored many of the firetrail-quality tracks in the nature reserve by MTB. I can particularly recommend the ride into the nature reserve via Laurel Camp Road and then Tidbinbilla Range Road from the north. A little steep in places but spectacular views, far from the maddening crowds, with only the sounds of bushwalkers ringing their bells as they overtake.

Look, we love hanging out on the trails in Tidbinbilla with our 5 year old. She is all over the trail, spotting a bug here and a flower there. The idea of having cyclists racing down the paths at high speeds is more than a bit of a turn off. I am not anti-cycling by any means but find that a small but meaningful percentage of cyclists behave recklessly around pedestrians. I don’t know what the plans are, but I do hope some trails are left to hikers only.

it’s so scary and horrifying. you should see a counsellor so you sren’t scared for life

Girt_Hindrance3:37 pm 06 Jan 13

I also loved the way the article wound up by recommending the Roo on the menu.
Awesome.

If there is some award for consistency in trolling, Zan should get it. With bells on.

I can only echo what Deckard says; thanks for bringing the trails to our attention. I’ll check them out next week.

What? Tim’s column was in the CT yesterday? But the previous week he said he’d be taking a break down the coast and his column would not appear this week.

Excellent! Thanks Zan for bringing these new tracks to my attention. Will have to head out there on the bike and check a few of them out. *ding ding*

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd2:13 pm 06 Jan 13

Why can’t you share?

The Cycle Nazis, there’s no escaping them, they have right of way.

I think I might be missing the message here, Zan. Tim did not talk about changing any trails, but he did talk about establishing/exploring them?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.