Right, this might be a long one...

Im sure a lot of you have seen the pics of our jumps/Northsore, at the Splodge.
If not;
http://minimole.pinkbike.com/album/The-Splodge/
http://cubed-square-photography.pinkbike.com/album/Riding-Photography/

A bit about the location, they are in a private field just down the road, but the field has a public footpath through it, so anyone can get into the field.
The landowners house is at the top of the jumps (bout 100m from the jumps, within sight), and we have his permission to build on his land.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, he had a chat with a couple of my mates who were down there today, and firstly, said he would prefer if we didnt go any further/wider/bigger (mainly due to safety), which is fair enough, we did have other stuff planned, but its an ace spot as it is, so cant complain I guess.

Brings me onto his second point though, and that is basically of safety, and essentially someone crashing and sueing him.

He was saying something about a register which you sign everytime you ride, with your name, emergency contact number, time of arrival/leaving etc.
Also he wants to know that everyone under 18 is actually allowed to ride there (by thier parents).
He also doesnt want everyone and anyone coming down (which has been happening lately), as at the end of the day, it is a private field (even if it is within anyones right to go into/through it).


So Ive been doing a bit of thinking, and have had a few ideas of what we can implement;

Theres about 5 or 6 of the "core" riders/diggers, and no-one can ride unless they are present.

Everyone who rides reguarly must be a member.
This will mean filling in a form with all your details, signed by parents if you're under 18, and also signing to agree to always wear a helmet, be responsible etc etc, but most importantly, you are riding at your own risk, and the landowner/builders are in no way responsible for any injuries/damage etc.
The landowner will get a copy of all these forms.

Any visitors (ie people who are on holiday up here for example) will have to fill out a similar form, which will be kept by  the "core" rider who is present, while the visitor rides the jumps.

We then have a register which is kept at the field (with a pen), which you sign in/out of, and will have all the members emergency details at the back (is that safe?) to save them writing it down every time.


Then there is the issue of stopping people riding when we arent there. The landowner can just go down and if they arent on the register/a member, he can kick them off.
But we were thinking something more drastic, maybe a padlockable mini gate across the runins (positioned so you can go around them), which the core riders and the landowner will have keys to. Or maybe one of those mini electric fences. We have to be careful not to be too eye-soreish though, as other households can see the jumps.

We think it would also be a good idea to mark the jumps area apart from the rest of the field, so we can then put a sign saying these are private jumps, do not enter this area unless you are a member/have permission. Maybe just a low rope or something, but again, could be eyesoreish.

What about an age minimum? Would help as we've had grief off younger people (wrecking jumps), so maybe a min age of 14 or so? May be a bit harsh though...

Lastly, the landowner would like some form of risk assessment. Not really sure how this would work with it hopefully being members-ride-only. Anyone on here associated with the Delamere scene, I know they did a fair bit on risk assessment? Will we have to make everything which is under 2 foot or so rollable, and then make it clear that stuff which isnt rollable is for experts only? How about grading the stuff (blue/red/black etc)? But then again, if its only people we know riding, do we need to?



Anyway, if your still reading, thanks, you must be bored

Just asking for any thoughts etc, not really sure where to go from now.
Will go and have a chat with the landowner soon, but would like to have some ideas, maybe mockup letters to take with us.
Also, what do skateparks/large jump spots do?
If anyone could post up some info, that would be great


Thanks all, Duane

Post a link to this thread on that idiots thread below about the forest rangers doing their jobs...

Good on you for getting this up and running - sounds mint...

Might be worth contacting the guys from Singletraction as well for the risk assessment stuff.

could be a bit costly but what about putting up a proper wooden fence across the field (instead of low rope) spliting the trails from the rest of the field. then have signs saying members only, tresspassers will be prosecuted. just an idea...

A few extra points for you.

If the public can gain access to the site, with or without premission, the landowner has a Duty of Care to ensure what is there is safe.  That doesn't mean 'sanitised and dull', but does mean that you should be able to see and be aware of what you're getting into.  So, for example, a series of easy jumps followed by a coffin-box gap jump is a no-no.  A coffin-box followed by some doubles, even huuuge ones, would be acceptable.  The main thing is that you shouldn't be able to end up on it by mistake.

As HH101 suggests, a proper fence is the best idea, with intermittent signs on it saying 'no public access' is the most effective barrier, as no-one can say they didn't see it.  And a sign at the official entry point is a good idea as it can set out what's what, rules etc.  I'll see if I can find an example from my FC work and I'll post it up.

Risk Assessments sound like a pain but are pretty straightforward - I have to write them all the time at work.  PM me and I'll send you some examples you can adapt/modify/plagerise at your pleasure.

Hope this helps, and good work for being prepared to put some effort into keeping your jump-spot going.

Thanks for all the info mate.
Yeah, theres nothing unexpected, on the left a small line of doubles, middle a moderately sized line of doubles (although the first is a smaller setup jump...?), and on the right some fairly large northshore.

Oh, sent you a PM

What if the footpath is fenced off from the rest of the field, would a person trespassing have a right to sue in the event of injury?

What a world we live in!