MTB Trailcare

As progress on upgrading the Nerang trails continues, it is getting close to the time when a trail sign system must be developed.  While the final sign designs will be the choice of the land manager, it would be good to get some consensus on what we need as riders.  This can then be forwarded to QPWS.

There seem to be a number of sign types to consider:

Trailhead sign, map and safety instructions

Trail name signs

Intersection signage

Directional signs

What are they made of

Firstly my opinion (Louis Fenelon).  In an ideal system, I think all location signs should tell you where you are, which trails are accessed from that point and in which direction, which way(s) take you to the trailhead(s), how far to the trailhead as well as to the next trail, include direction of one-way trails, trail difficulty and perhaps average time to ride.  Try fitting that on the sign and not confusing everyone?

IN ADDITION THE TRAILHEAD SIGN REALLY MUST HAVE A WARNING TO TAKE A PHOTO OF THE TRAIL MAP, OR SERIES OF THEM TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THAT INFOMATION ANYWHWERE IN THE TRAIL SYSTEM AT ANY TIME YOU HAVE TROUBLE!  THAT MEANS THE TRAIL MAP MUST BE COMPLETE - NOT JUST WHAT IS LEGAL NOW.

There is a way to cover all of this information - QR Codes.  If every trail sign had a QR Code - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

this would be easy.  However, would everyone have a smart phone and the app to access the linked website containing all that information?  And which website should or would offer to host the linked maps and text?  This site could!  Perhaps so could the Gold Coast MTB Club site?

Applying laser cut QR Code stickers to almost any sign would be a cinch.  Only wood would be a problem, but in a park with a fire policy that includes cyclical, controlled burns, there is little longeveity in wooden fixtures.

So, QR Code stickers may not be on the immediate agenda, but what sort of sign system would accomodate them in the future and serve rider and land manager needs now?

Here are some signs I saw on a recent trip to Jindabyne, Lake Crankenback Resort and Mogo in NSW.  

To explain, in the Mill Creek area between the Lake Jindabyne dam wall and Tyrolean Village, there are lots of old trails, plus  the "autobahn".  That's the name locals use for the amazing new trail connecting the ends and constructed via an alliance of local builders, council and state government.  It is part of the planned 80km trail circumnavigating the lake, crossing the great rivers of the high country, accessing true wilderness on the northwestern corner and in reality putting a lot of pressure on trailcare and safety infrastructure.  On this trail they use a basic trailhead sign

and a series of numbered way-point posts.  

The farther from the dam wall, the higher the number.  All posts have a direction arrow to reduce confusion when old trails cross the "autobahn".

West of the historic, little village of Mogo on the NSW south coast there is a trailhead shelter containing maps, trail and general information about their 16km and circa 10km loops.  

and a notice board

Perhaps this sign could have a contact number for the local club for riders not in an emergency, or lost, but looking for information with 000 as the backup?

Perhaps that is because signs are not cheap?

What about paper signs inside a plastic housing?  They can be updated as required from the original template and are inexpensive?  This is a system that would cater to the QPWS process of trail authorisation.  A smaller version could be used to provide local information at intersctions.  All would be easily replaced if trails change or weather causes damage to the sign.

Mogo uses flexible road-border signs as trail markers.  

They allow the application of laser-cut stickers indicating direction, trail grade and name (and QR Code?).  This one highlights the unidirectional Mogo trail loop.

They may be a more cost-effective way of guiding trail users and really stand out, being white.

Intersections are obvious.  The next pic is of the same place as the last.

Here's another couple

At Lake Crackenback Resort between Jindabyne and Thredbo, MTB is a growing venture.  By the end of 2013 ther will be 25km of beautiful singletrack.  Streams, birds, animals, riverside wombat holes and a whole bunch of flowing trail is complemented by a really neat skills area.  It includes beginner and intermediate skills features made of rock, log off-cuts, timber and tight turns on a knoll overlooking flow trails down to a classy pump track.

It has a trailhead sign

and standing post signs in the skills area

So there are a few trail sign ideas from my recent trip south.  The trail (road) trip report will be up soon.  We value your ideas and will forward them to Peter Hallinan and the QPWS for consideration.