[cornfed]

What do you do with all the crap that accumulates at your trails?

Sports drink bottles seem to be the most common. It is probably best to haul it out and dispose of it all properly; many trails just have a pit and bury it. I guess there really aren't that many options...If you have any ideas , post them up.

 

[DirtBag]

Then:

 

[A Grove]

I thought this was obvious

 

[cornfed]

It is, I basically stated that too. I just noticed today out at there that there was crap all over. I go out occasionally on sat mornings and gather it all up. I guess I am trying to find an easier solution that doesn't exist...

 

[Frankenschwinn]

It is my belief that trash is a major facor in getting spots shut down

 

[cornfed]

Exactly. That is my concern. There is growing concern about the development in the area and one easy argument is dirt jumpa's are pigs. I'd like to bring some cans out there, but I think they would get vandalized or something. At least it would be easier to carry crap out if it was all in one place.

 

[Blown04GT]

we used to just have plastic trash barrels all over and every week we would take them to a dumpster behind a grocery store nearby. It takes persistency to keep the place clean but like mentioned above, that's what gets trails shut down.

 

[sittingduck]

It is my belief that trash is a major facor in getting spots shut down

#1 factor at our trails.... We installed a trash can and empty it every week or 2. Even with the can there, people throw crap all over the place. A few of us go around picking it all up every time we ride.

 

[stino]

we have this policy: no one leaves trash on the spot. no one. period.
everybody takes home the bottles/cans/wraps/... they use.
works like a charm.

 

[Stoked]

haul it out

 

[cmc]

the weird thing about trash cans is if you put em out, YOU have to be the one to haul em out all the time. when the cans get full, people will leave trash next to the can because they assume someone will take care of it. plus homeless people or others start using them as well.

 

[joelalamo45]

plus homeless people or others start using them as well.

I suggest you kill all the homeless people and dump them next to the trash can. People will get the idea.

 

[eaterofdog]

I am lucky my ride area is remote and hidden. I get so tired of people screwing things up all the time. Messing with the trail, leaving trash, pissing off the hikers and horse riders, etc.

Things have gotten even quieter out there lately. There is a large african bee hive right next to the trail. Good thing those Wallys are on bikes so they can get away. Sometimes I hear screams.

 

[don]

we have this policy: no one leaves trash on the spot. no one. period.
everybody takes home the bottles/cans/wraps/... they use.
works like a charm.

Definitely one of the unwritten laws/commandments of trails. If people can't understand the pack out what you pack in then they have no respect and shouldn't be riding your jumps anyways. I'd say no to trash cans too - people will just throw stuff in and not take personal responsibility for it. Although if you have trails with a steady solid crew and you each take turns bringing it out then that will work.

I definitely agree with Frankenschwinn. Trash can make the most beautiful place look like a dump and is the first thing anyone sees that isn't into dirt jumps 100% - so if a parent, land manager, official stumbles onto the place - the better it looks the better overall you'll be. I go as far as transplanting small trees and bringing in any extra shrubs or stuff to make our place look as natural as possible.

 

[stino]

I go as far as transplanting small trees and bringing in any extra shrubs or stuff to make our place look as natural as possible.

nice, now I know that I'm not the only one crazy enough to do this :]
what really works nice for the overall natural look as well: covering the sides of jumps with plants (the kind that stay low but are always green, even in winter; don't know the name in english, looks like this:

)

 

[Greyhound]

What I've found is that no matter wether you put trash cans at the trail or not, you're going to see that there are about 2 people out of 20 who care enough to do anything about it as much as you do. Trash at trails bothers me, so I pick it up. I don't expect anyone else to do it, so it's not worth bitching about when they don't. Just be a good steward and kharma will follow you twofold.

 

[Cru Jones]

Stino and Don have the idea... always take away what you bring in. And even clean up sh!t that others may have left each time. Personally, I hate the idea of having a trash can at the trails.

 

[WaveDude]

Trash cans are a double-edge sword. Our experience has been--if you don't have one, people throw trash on the ground scattered all over creation. If you do have one, they think it's not their responsibility to pack anything out--someone else will do it for them. And to keep a place looking nice someone has to empty it. The few that take care of the place lose no matter what. I can't stand idiots who carry a full bottles or jugs to the trail, but can't carry it out empty--it weighs even less empty, and you can smash so it's smaller!!!

 

[sittingduck]

nice, now I know that I'm not the only one crazy enough to do this :]
what really works nice for the overall natural look as well: covering the sides of jumps with plants the kind that stay low but are always green, even in winter; don't know the name in english, looks like this:

That looks like ivy. We put grass seed on the backs and sides of our jumps. As much to help hold them together (very sandy soil) as to make them look nice.

 

[kidwoo]

we have this policy: no one leaves trash on the spot. no one. period.
everybody takes home the bottles/cans/wraps/... they use.
works like a charm.

Yeah but you don't have dumbfvck lazy americans riding at your trails

 

[WestCoastHucker]

i've usually stopped at 7-11 or the liquor store just before i get to the jumps. so i have a little plastic bag to fill up with stuff laying around every time i go home...

that and i will rag out any punk leaving trash laying around anyway...