Hi all.
I'm about to take over management of Deers Leap in a months time and want to make as many improvements as I can to both the trails and the facilities.
All I'm asking for is ideas at first. Personally I'd like to build more northshore and also a small 4X style track.
The only problem is the tiny amount of profit the place generates limits building work and free time is also an issue.
In the near future I'd like to invite anyone from the local area (or further afield) to come along and put some input to the place. I hope to provide materials and some tools if needed. I'm thinking along the lines of BBQ trail building days, but nothing planned as yet.
I know the area is small but I think it can be a fun day out for more than just families coming to pootle around.
What do you think?
With Esher Shore closing I think you may have an opportunity to put some more stuff like this in to draw riders.
Good Luck, anyway 🙂
awesome!
I've been going there on and off over the years for CX and MTB races as well as occasional rides. I have often thought there's quite a bit of potential for a northshore/skills area with a range of jumps and the ubiquitous pump track.
I think one good XC trail linking the pockets of woodland could work well with more demanding singletrack sections added too.
+1 wwaswas
Excellent news, i used to ride there quite frequently when i first started riding but soon found that my skill and fitness out grew the area, would be good to have a dedicated skills area as some trail centres have with north shore and a 4x or pump track, and i'd like to help out with digs etc. if i can. Keep us posted, perhaps sign up on some of the more local forums like sussex muddyarse to keep more local people informed as some threads just get lost on here.
Agree with leggyblonde, one large XC route with lots of singletrack. Throw in lots of technical areas along the way would be ace too. Log rides, rock gardens and some massive table tops for big funs \o/
Thanks for the input.
News in about the main track. It's being re-done bit by bit over the next two or so years (sooner if poss). This means digging up whole sections and laying culverts in the wettest sections also digging trenches either side to force drainage.
Apart from that, I think that whats needed first is to create more of a flow to the place (tricky due to size). The main wood has huge potential for a zig zag trail through it to lengthen the singletrack. There is also a small overlooked wood thats crying out for smallish drop-ins. There is an unused bit of woods that has masses of fun written all over it but I need to check there are no badgers living there.
I've only just started as manager but have worked as an instructor here for 3 years.
This place has a great chance to be a fun place to ride even if it's a bit small for you XC types.
Any more input would be great and I'll keep you informed of any more news.
Pete
I'd be happy to lend a hand. I live in East Grinstead and DLP was where I started mountain biking.
Would you keep me informed? My e-mail is mikek@skylinecad.plus.com
I'd love it if you could include a dual or 4x track, as well as some more dh/freeride elements.
Talk to the guys at brightonmtb - they've done soem good stuff squeezing lots of singletrack into the woods at Stanmer - they may be happy to help you out.
Thanks again chaps.
Mike, I'll let you know any info as and when.
Pete
Excited to hear about your plans for 4x and north shore riding at DLP...only recently heard about DLP from someone who used to do mtb guiding there. Would love to come up and check it out...i'm a freeride kinda guy so looking for some technical fast fun stuff...but then i've often got 3 groms in tow so sounds like DLP may have something for all..wwaswas was right on about stanmer park btw