trailkillerz

Why Free Riders Are Insane

2011-06-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Any doubts? And this what they'd like to turn open space and forests into.....

About To Ride Illegally

2011-06-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

This guy said that eventually bikers will be allowed to ride all of these now illegal trails.
This type of rider is determined to ride illegally no matter what.

Who Really Is Building Rogue Trails?

2011-04-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Mark Prado of the MarinIJ recently published this skewered account of "who" is building rogue trails in the Mount Tam Watershed [photo:MarinIJ] http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_17857552

Prado quotes MWWD's Mike Swezy as saying "hikers" and bikers built the trails. Abundant evidence from elsewhere would seem to point to "mountain biker" culprits. The trail damage is so far costing $50,000.00

Our response:

I found this post on a local mountain biker forum MTBR Forums from
Feb 13, 2011:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=674047

“I ride illegal all the time. It is slightly less enjoyable than
legal but my poor attitude on this one area is because I rode Hoo Koo E
Koo, Rock Springs, and Tenderfoot with BMX (ashtabula equiped) as a kid.
RIDE TAM. Be respectful to hikers, Take in an earfull and eat crow, pay
$225 tickets, and Ride at night.”

In his recent report “Crews Battle Rogue Trails”, I find it rather
astonishing that Mark Prado would not mention the word “mountain
biker” once but for the odd quote from district watershed manager Mike
Swazy implicating both hikers and bikers. It is misleading to accuse
hikers of building rogue trails when most of the evidence for rogue
trail building has pointed the eyes of the courts and forest managers at
illegal mountain bike trail builders. I cite the IJ’s own story of
convicted illegal trail builder Michael More,
http://www.marinij.com/ci_9127375?source=rss&_requestid=3483883 , the
recent rash of costly illegal mountain bike trails at Annadel State Park
where rangers state that illegal bike trails, "are becoming so common
that they just about double the number of legitimate ones at 5,000-acre
Annadel, " and this from Lake Tahoe forest service managers
http://www.lvrj.com/news/53397297.html "It's a national problem," said
Garrett Villanueva, engineer for the agency's trails program at Lake
Tahoe.”

To implicate hikers in this type of trail building is laughable.
Mountain bike tire tracks can be found on every off limits trail in the
Tam watershed. What is painfully missing from the IJ report is the true
cost of illegal mountain bike trail building and riding. This can be
ascertained by making a California Public Records Act request of MMWD,
the State and Marin County Open Space District.

Who Gives A Crap About Nesting Eagles?

2011-03-29T13:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_17721077?source=most_emailed

Boulder discovers illegal, 'extreme' mountain bike trail on Flagstaff
Rangers: 'Angry Ranger Trail' sits in protected eagle nesting area
By Heath Urie Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 03/28/2011 07:40:34 PM MDT

An elaborate, illegal mountain bike trail has been uncovered by Boulder open space rangers on the north side of Flagstaff Mountain -- in nearly the same spot as a rogue trail that the city destroyed a decade ago.

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers discovered the trail March 19. A ranger who was checking on the property -- which is closed to protect nesting golden eagles and is designated a sensitive wildlife habitat -- spotted someone riding a mountain bike down the hill.

The ranger ticketed the rider and found a mile-long trail that stretches from the summit of Flagstaff Mountain nearly to Eben G. Fine Park.

"It was built by somebody with some knowledge of trail construction," said Steve Mertz, a spokesman for Open Space and Mountain Parks. "But it was not built to be sustainable. We're already seeing people go off of this trail and causing braiding," or segments of new sub-trails.

'Angry Ranger Trail' resurfaces

The path is clear of most rocks and vegetation and is about 18 inches wide all the way up the mountain. It's aligned almost entirely straight downhill, along the fall line of the mountain.

"It's a pretty extreme mountain bike trail," Mertz said. "This is not a trail that we would have
ever built." Ranger Geoff Jasper views part of an illegal trail that mountain bikers have been riding on Flagstaff Mountain. The trail is known within the cycling community as the 'Angry Ranger Trail,' a newer version of an illegal bike trail destroyed by the city a decade ago. ( Chancey Bush )

The extreme design is among the many reasons why open space officials are worried about the trail.

"When you build a trail right down a fall line, it will cause eroding over time," Mertz said.

Indeed, rainwater and snow runoff has begun to dig large trenches along the bare dirt. Tire marks from bikes are also imprinted along sections of the trail, a fallen tree has been shredded into mulch by chain rings and a steep section has been ground to bare dirt by braking rear tires.

Mertz said it could take "hundreds of hours" of work to restore the property, and rangers will begin monitoring the site for violators.

He said he believes the trail is known within the cycling community as the "Angry Ranger Trail" -- hardly an official title -- which began as an illegal biking trail about 10 years ago. The city destroyed the trail after it was first discovered.

He said the new trail appears to follow some of the same segments as the one a decade ago, but whoever constructed this one moved most of it to new locations.

'A higher standard' in raptor areas

Joe Reale, ranger supervisor for Open Space and Mountain Parks, said the "first and the biggest problem" with the trail is that the starting point near the summit is close to nesting golden eagles.

"Raptors are very susceptible to disturbance," he said, adding that the "entire section of land there that this trail goes through was designated as a habitat conservation area."

When raptors aren't nesting, the north face of Flagstaff Mountain is accessible to hikers, but only after applying for a permit.

"There's a higher standard and high expectation in terms of visitor behavior," Reale said of the area.

The rider who was stopped by the ranger March 19 was ticketed for using a mountain bike in a prohibited area and for violating the raptor closure order. Both charges are municipal offenses that carry fines up to $1,000 each and possible jail time.

Open space and other city officials refused to release the cyclist's name Monday.

Patrick von Keyserling, a city spokesman, said it is city policy to require an open-records request for such information, which could take several days for a response. The city, however, routinely releases information through verbal requests or news releases about people who are ticketed or arrested.

Illegal trailbuilding 'not going to end'

News of the trail's discovery comes just days before the Boulder City Council is set to decide whether to allow mountain bikes access within the West Trail Study Area -- which sits west of Boulder and includes some of the most popular open space in the county.

The proposal headed to the council includes two possible mountain bike trails. One would connect Eldorado Canyon with Walker Ranch, and one would connect Boulder Canyon to Flagstaff Mountain via Chapman Drive. The proposal does not include mountain bike access to the rest of the system.

Jason Vogel, president of the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance, said the group would never support building or riding on illegal trails.

"We certainly don't condone any illegal trailbuilding or trespassing or any of the other things that we know are happening," he said. "We work to educate our membership and the public as to what the rules are."

He said he isn't concerned about the Flagstaff trail influencing the City Council's decision because he thinks the current climate is against mountain bikes anyway.

"The political winds are so unfavorable for mountain bikers on the West TSA that I don't think there's a whole lot that can happen out there to make the situation worse," Vogel said.

He also said that, if the council decides against allowing mountain bikers wider access to the city's trail system, more illegal trails would probably pop up.

"You're going to see illegal trails built in Boulder County well past the day that I die," he said. "This is not going to end."

Dick Harris, a member of PLAN-Boulder County and the citizen group Save Open Space Boulder, said he was disturbed by news of the illegal trail.

"I guess it just disappoints me, what the city has found," he said. "It's especially disappointing ... because it means a lot of people knew about it."

Representatives at several Boulder-area bike shops contacted Monday said they knew about -- or have heard stories about -- the "Angry Ranger Trail." No one wanted to comment about it, however.

Contact Camera staff writer Heath Urie at 303-473-1328, or urieh@dailycamera.com.

Read more: Boulder discovers illegal, 'extreme' mountain bike trail on Flagstaff - Boulder Daily Camera http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_17721077?source=most_emailed#ixzz1I0ZnDBbO
DailyCamera.com

Trouble In Portland

2011-02-15T19:10:00.001-08:00

[editor note] We have been saying for years that the spread of mountain biking into open space, forest and park lands is largely fueled by the billion dollar bike industry. Here's your proof. It's another "corporate takeover" of wilderness and shared resources.

To All Who Care About Forest Park:
My name is Marcy Houle. I write you today out of
serious concern for the future health of
Portland’s greatest treasure, Forest Park.
I am the author of the book, “One City’s
Wilderness: Portland’s Forest Park.” This book –
a complete trail guide to the park and its
natural history – has been continuously in print for
over twenty years, with a new, third edition to
be released in Fall 2010. I am also a
scientist and have studied the park intensively
since 1982. Through all these years, I
continue to be amazed at the health and natural
beauty of this 5,000-acre park – a place that
has been deeply valued since the Olmstead
Brothers did their first report to the Park Board
106 years ago. Since 1948, when Forest Park was
finally dedicated as a city park, it has
been lovingly and carefully stewarded by generations of Portlanders.
Today, however, this may all change. Unless many
people, like you, who truly care about
this place come forward, the management, future
health, and allowable uses on trails may
transform irrevocably.
A proposal from cycling enthusiasts to greatly
increase the amount of biking routes in
Forest Park is currently being highly promoted
citywide. Unknown by most park users,
mountain biking advocates are rapidly gaining
momentum, funding, and political clout. The
bike industry is heavily pushing for singletrack
trails in Forest Park to make a “world class
singletrack in our backyard.”1 Several cycling
shops are joining forces to make this happen
and donating large sums of money with the goal
being to raise $200,000 for the cause.
“Universal Cycles in northwest Portland has
committed $10,000 a year for the next five
years in order to help push local advocates and
community leaders into creation more
single-track mountain bike trails in Forest
Park.” (Our objective is to) “triple the amount of
mountain bikers in Portland, and that would help our industry.”2
Some users of Forest Park as well as city
officials, view this objective without concern and
even favorably. In particular, the newly
organized ‘Forest Park Conservancy’ (that
previously was known as the ‘Friends of Forest
Park’) supports this change of direction
and philosophy for the park. This is in diametric
opposition to the advocacy role that the
Friends of Forest Park and its predecessor, the
original Forest Park Committee of Fifty,
played for the past sixty years. Current cycling
proposals under discussion include the
possibility of opening up pedestrian-only trails,
specifically Wildwood Trail and Maple
Trail, to mountain biking. A leader of the
mountain biking effort, Frank Selker, has said,
“I believe they (the Forest Park Conservancy) may
support devoting parts of the Wildwood
Trail to cycling on certain days of the week.”3
When the directors of the Forest Park
Conservancy were asked what they thought of
increasing mountain biking in Forest Park,
they responded, “I think Frank’s idea is a great
one, and we are thrilled at the potential for
this level of collaboration and engagement.”4
But the ramifications of these actions, should
they occur, could have irreversible, damaging
consequences for Forest Park and the other groups
– primarily hikers, runners and
equestrians -- who also use the park.
Let me state that I am a cyclist and enjoy
mountain biking. I understand the need and desire
for biking routes. But it is important to
recognize the fact that nearly 30 miles or 35% of all
the trails in Forest Park are already available
for mountain biking. In other words, over
one-third of all routes throughout the park are
presently being used by cyclists.
Unfortunately, there are growing problems and
conflicts generated from the use of these
trails by mountain bikers. Some trails are
suffering erosion. Native vegetation has been
damaged in places. Cyclists are observed riding
on trails that are off limits to bikes. There
are increasing incidents of near-accidents
between cyclists and walkers. And there is little
to no money in the Park budget to enforce park-user rules.
Although I am deeply concerned about the
potential increase of detrimental impacts to the
ecological health of Forest Park, my greatest
worry as an author sending people out on the
trails, is for pedestrian safety. The primary
user group in Forest Park is, historically and
currently, walkers. The Park Futures Plan
identified that “walking for pleasure to be
Portland’s most popular recreational activity.”
The potential for serious accidents between
speedy mountain bikers and hikers and runners
will only accelerate by allowing more
mountain biking use, especially if these combined
uses are on the same narrow singletrack
trail.
Secondly, from my years of intensive study of
Forest Park, I can confidently state that few,
if any, other large urban areas in the country
have a city park that evidences overall such
healthy natural attributes as seen in Forest
Park. Other cities can claim mountain biking
features. Other places can accommodate increasing
recreational demands. What we, as
Portlanders, need to remember is: among all major
cities in the nation, only Portland,
Oregon, can boast of a magnificent urban
wilderness park that is natural, primarily
healthy, and in some locations, even exemplifying
outstanding conditions. For this reason,
and because of its beautiful, native vegetation,
its abundance of indigenous birds and
wildlife, and its healthy watersheds, Forest Park
warrants the utmost in protection and
appreciation. Without strong advocacy, however,
these values will not exist in the future.
Fortunately, the Forest Park Natural Resources
Management Plan addresses these very
concerns. This Plan was adopted by the City
Council of Portland in February 1995, and as
such, is land use law under the state mandate,
Goal 5. This Plan was developed through
deliberation by a thoughtful and cooperative
assemblage of City, County, and METRO
planning divisions, neighborhood associations,
representatives of the mountain biking
community, and numerous experts in biology,
forestry, silviculture, fisheries and wildlife.
The Plan was conducted openly, in a transparent
approach, and based on science, not
politics. It still stands today as the guiding
document to all management considerations
effecting Forest Park.
First and foremost, the Natural Resources
Management Plan recognizes that “Forest Park
represents an unparalleled resource where
citizens can enjoy the peace, solitude,
ruggedness, variety, beauty, unpredictability and
unspoiled naturalness of an urban
wilderness.” (NRMP, page 97) It succinctly states
the necessity of “regular monitoring of
natural resource functions and values, coupled
with effective management response aimed
at sustaining resources over time.”
“The Plan acknowledges that because it is one-of-a-kind, the park will face
intense recreational demands – pressure to expand trails and facilities to
accommodate greater use. With preservation of natural resources as a
primary goal, the plan recognizes that Forest Park is threatened by overuse
unless recreational activities are more actively managed and redirected. The
development of other open space and natural area park facilities will be
necessary to ease the focused demand so that Forest Park can remain a
special place for generations to come.” (NRMP, Page 3)
Increasing recreational activity, specifically that of single track trails for
mountain biking, is being focused on Forest Park and not being addressed as a
region-wide issue. This is in contradiction with the Forest Park Natural
Resources Management Plan.
The Natural Resources Management Plan also states:
“One of the first steps is to either determine how much recreational use can
be accommodated without any adverse effects or to determine the amount of
deterioration that is acceptable. This is done through observation, research,
baseline inventories of vegetation and wildlife habitat, consultation with
experts and periodic monitoring of the resources.” (NRMP, Page 84)
This essential periodic monitoring of natural
resource functions and inventories of
vegetation and wildlife habitat in Forest Park,
as dictated by the Management Plan, has
not been done.
In addition, the Plan specifies that there needs
to be user surveys of the Park before any
major changes are to be made.
“The first objective is to collect baseline data on recreational use in Forest
Park and then to periodically re-survey the same areas in the future to see if
use is increasing or decreasing and what the effect is on the natural
resources. These recreational use surveys should coincide with wildlife and
vegetation monitoring to determine appropriate actions in each management
unit. It is critical to begin this work as soon as possible to establish the
present level use.” (NRMP, Page 85.)
To date, no baseline data on recreational use in
Forest Park, as set forth by the
Management Plan, has been collected.
In light that these directives from the Natural
Resource Management Plan have not been
followed, specifically those involving necessary
regular monitoring and user-surveys, to
significantly increase mountain biking in Forest
Park would be in direct opposition to the
goals and objectives of the City-adopted Plan,
which is land use law. Other user groups –
hikers, runners, and equestrians, need to weigh
in on this process. Additionally, the Plan
distinctly states that all options to increase
recreation in Forest Park need to be first
considered in a region-wide process, which is not currently being done.
For all these reasons, I would ask that if you
care about the future of Forest Park, and feel a
responsibility for this wonderful gift that our
predecessors have given us, please write City
Commissioners of Portland – expressly Nick Fish,
Commissioner of Parks – as well as the
Director of Portland Parks and Recreation, and
the Forest Park Conservancy, and tell them
of your concern. (Email addresses are below.)
Time is of the essence. Presently,
pedestrians have access to all the trails in
Forest Park. That may change. Unless we are
vigilant and honor the painstaking work done by
those who have cared for Forest Park for
the past sixty years, we risk losing – in the
next ten – the natural resource qualities that
make up this grand and beautiful wilderness
forest that uniquely defines our city and sets
us singularly apart … our Forest Park.
Yours sincerely,
Marcy Cottrell Houle
The Following are Email Addresses of Those Needing to Hear Your Concerns:
Commissioner Nick Fish nick@ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner Amanda Fritz amanda@ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner Dan Saltzman HYPERLINK "mailto:dsaltzman@ci.portland.or.us"
dsaltzman@ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner Randy Leonard randy@ci.portland.or.us
Mayor Sam Adams Mayorsam@ci.portland.or.us
Zari Santner, Director of Parks pkzari@ci.portland.or.us
Forest Park Conservancy:
c/o Michelle Boussard, CEO michelle@forestparkconservancy.org
Specific Points That Can Be Addressed:
Tell of your concern about increasing singletrack
mountain biking in Forest Park.
Express the need to follow the City-adopted
“Forest Park Natural Resources Management
Plan”, especially the directives concerning
resource monitoring and recreational user group
surveys, neither of which has been done. These
things are required to be completed before
an increase of any kind of use is allowed.
Remind City officials that the Natural Resources
Management Plan was adopted by the
City Council and, as such, is land use law. Under
State Mandate Goal 5, the Plan still
stands as the guiding document regarding all
management decisions effecting Forest Park.
Stress that any discussion about increasing
mountain biking in Forest Park needs be a
public, open process, not behind closed doors.
State that other user groups, not only mountain
bikers, need to be represented in these
discussions, too.
Presently, pedestrians have access to all the
trails in Forest Park. Let people know if you
believe this should continue.
Stress the importance and need for region-wide
planning efforts regarding mountain biking,
not just focusing on Forest Park.
REFERENCES:
1. HYPERLINK
"http://bikeportland.org/2009/04/06/local-shop-commits-50000-toforest-
park-singletrack-effort/" http://bikeportland.org/2009/04/06/local-shopcommits-
50000-to-forest-park-singletrack-effort/
2. HYPERLINK
"http://bikeportland.org/2009/04/06/local-shop-commits-50000-toforest-
park-singletrack-effort/" http://bikeportland.org/2009/04/06/local-shopcommits-
50000-to-forest-park-singletrack-effort/
3. HYPERLINK
"http://bikeportland.org/2008/12/17/a-new-plan-for-mtb-access-inforest-
park/"
http://bikeportland.org/2008/12/17/a-new-plan-for-mtb-access-in-forestpark/
4. HYPERLINK
"http://bikeportland.org/2008/12/17/a-new-plan-for-mtb-access-inforest-
park/"
http://bikeportland.org/2008/12/17/a-new-plan-for-mtb-access-in-forestpark/
Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan. Prepared by Portland Parks and
Recreation and Bureau of Planning. Adopted by City Council February 8, 1995;
Ordinance No 168509.
One City’s Wilderness; Portland’s Forest Park,
second edition. Marcy Cottrell Houle.
1996. Oregon Historical Society Press.

Mount Tam Rangers: TAKE NOTICE

2011-02-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=674047

Found this plausible and demonstrable threat on mtbr forums- the mouthpiece rag for the illegal mountain bike trail riders of Marin County.

Everywhere on Tam where there is a "no bikes" sign, you're sure to see their tell-tale tire tracks. When will MMWD raise their violation rates to double or triple? I like triple. Demand it if you care about Mount Tamalpias.

The following post is by "Hoolie"

12-20-2010
hoolie mtbr member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 98

Tam: Whats to come for many if you neglect trails

I can't believe I am getting into this argument. I lived in Mill Valley since 1970 (now East Bay) and work here every day. 1st 5 posts exremely accurate and I don't usually tell guys on this forum about hidden gems but these A-holes in south Marin are missing out on huge opportunities for regulated use/repair of trails. I ride illegal all the time. It is slightly less enjoyable than legal but my poor attitude on this one area is because I rode Hoo Koo E Koo, Rock springs, and Tenderfoot with BMX (ashtabula equiped) as a kid. RIDE TAM. Be respectful to hikers, Take in an earfull and eat crow, pay $225 tickets, and Ride at night. Rangers go through periods of stings but mostly you will not get caught. There is great fireroad riding that is fantastic for intermediates and legal ( I don't love fireroads ). I Never(almost never) ride illegal trails out of respect of the hard work riders put in all over the Bay Area, Except Tam. Sorry for the negativity- I gotta get on my bike!

...end of post by "hoolie"

Friends of the Fells

2011-01-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

www.fells.org

On January 5th the Department of Conservation announced that due to ‘public disagreement’ about the level of mountain bike use in the Middlesex Fells contained among many of the 2,562 public comments from over 2,000 individuals DCR “will not be designating any new trails for mountain biking use prior to the completion of the Resource Management Plan” process which will begin this January.

The DCR letter says, “We further recognize that there is a significant desire for many walkers and hikers to find a hiking-only experience at the Fells, during which they do not have to worry about encountering bicycles.” more

This is a great site on the effort to preserve this 2000 + acre woodland site.

More Illegal Trail Building and Bike Riding in Sensitive Off-Limits Bike Trail in Marin County Open Space

2010-12-21T21:24:00.000-08:00

They never stop. They never stop trying and they never stop destroying ... open space and sensitive wildlife habitat. This week, illegal mountain bikers coordinated a trail building effort with downhill speed riders on sensitive wildlife habitat. Two guys with shovels were reported to have built two jump ramps for downhill racers on a trail that has seen much abuse by mountain bikers.
Shortly after the two were discovered - a pair of speeding cyclists came tearing down the steep trail in the pouring rain, carving deep erosive tracks in the rain soaked trail. Golden Eagles are reported to nest here. No matter, speed is more important? Open Space rangers dismantled the jump ramps, pictured here. Many tickets have been issued on this trail and Open Space enforcement rangers will undoubtedly keep their eyes open for more riders, especially on this trail that is usually the scene of "Christmas Rally" night bike rides. Call Open Space and urge more enforcement. The trail is well known to Open Space Rangers- report abuses to:
Open Space Rangers (415) 507-2816 and the enforcement sheriff at (415) 479-2311.

2010-12-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704457604576011490820993006.html

For Cycling's Big Backers, Joy Ride Ends in Grief

By REED ALBERGOTTI And VANESSA O'CONNELL

They gathered outside an Arizona resort in skin-tight clothing and aerodynamic helmets, standing astride pro-quality racing bikes. They could have been mistaken for local cycling fanatics preparing for a Saturday spin.

Getty Images

Lance Armstrong with Thomas Weisel, left, after 2000 Tour de France victory.

What they were, however, was a cadre of elite businessmen who had supercharged American cycling with cash infusions, helping to turn Lance Armstrong and a handful of other American riders into stars. The February 2003 gathering was their chance to enjoy the dividends: to pound the pedals for 60 miles with Mr. Armstrong, the reigning Tour de France champion, and other U.S. Postal Service team members such as Floyd Landis and George Hincapie.

"There was a lot of macho that day," says one of the riders, Kenneth Barnett, chief executive of a Michigan marketing firm, of his fellow executives. "These fairly accomplished people were like little boys with big toys."

Over the course of a half-dozen years in the early 2000s, a small group of wealthy executives—including San Francisco investment banker Thomas Weisel and shopping-center magnate John Bucksbaum—turned their hobby into the ultimate fantasy camp. They helped put together one of the best pro cycling teams ever assembled and basked in the glow, going behind the ropes at the Tour de France and riding hard in amateur races on Postal team bikes.

After a record seven Tour wins, the joy ride turned bumpy. The investors never made back the money they put in. The Postal team they helped finance stands accused by one of its former riders, Mr. Landis, of systematic doping. And now, federal criminal investigators looking into the allegations want to know, among other things, whether any owners knew about doping on the team while team representatives were assuring sponsors that riders were clean, according to one person familiar with the matter. It isn't clear whom among the owners investigators are focusing on. more at the above link

Not surprising for a sport fraught will lies and deceit. Just ask most mountain bikers when you catch them on an illegal trail and ask if they saw the signs preventing them from riding there...duh....."what sign?'"

Doper Tom Stienstra Calling for Bikes Only Parks

2010-10-16T10:55:00.001-07:00

Tom Stienstra, the bearded SF Chronicle out door writer is calling for "bikes only parks" with stiff penalties for non bike users. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/14/SP3B1FRP71.DTL&type=living

Is this so dope growers can reach their hidden fields unmolested? Tom ought to know, he was arrested back in April for cultivating 60 marijuana plants. http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2010/04/tom_stienstra_pot_bust.php Nowhere in Tom's latest piece is there any call for stiff penalties for illegal trail riding or building, but since mountain biking plays by its own set of rules, this is not surprising. Role Model Tom makes a perfect spokesperson for illegal mountain biking and its endless search for legitimacy.
So "role model Tom" is calling for exactly whom to fund his bikes only scheme? The bankrupt state? Stressed state park resources? IMBA? Welcome Tom to the criminal mountain bike hit parade. You join convicted dope seller Missy Giovi!

Do what's right for all of Boulder

2010-09-19T21:33:00.001-07:00

Guest opinion: Open Space trails - Do what's right for all of Boulder
By Dick Harris and Eve Rose
Posted: 09/19/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT

The fierce debate about allowing mountain biking through the heart of Boulder's Open Space is fundamentally about fairness. It's about fairness to the majority of Boulder residents, fairness to nature, and fairness to future generations.

Somehow that has gotten lost.

Let's start with the facts. Mountain bikers have access to 49 miles of the city's Open Space trails. They have another 89 miles of trail in the county and 135 miles of nearby U.S. Forest Service trails. This doesn't include the network of bike paths and lanes in the city or the $4.1 million Off-Road Bike Park the city is now building.

But mountain bikers want more. The question for all of us now is this: How much is enough? How much is fair? What is right for the city as a whole -- not just any individual interest group?

Some mountain bikers are currently trying to gain access to the last major part of Boulder Open Space that does not allow mountain biking, the network of trails below the Flatirons, stretching from Chautauqua to Eldorado Canyon. We believe this is simply too much.

People need at least one area where they don't have to watch out for bikes -- a peaceful place to run, hike, and walk. Some bikers argue that we can all share the trails, but the reality on the ground is much different. Any walker or runner will tell you that it's just not the same. Having to constantly watch out for bikers and make way to let them by is a fundamentally different experience.

"Just one trail is all we want" -- the current mantra of mountain bikers -- implies that their request is reasonable, simple, and safe.

But the trails in the route they want to access are not just any trails. The proposed route would include some of the most heavily used hiking trails in the area. That's because these trails are some of the most easily accessible trails for families, the elderly, casual hikers, after-work runners, dog walkers, and the disabled.

The mountain biking community has promised to be careful and we take most of them at their word. That's not the point. The difference in speed and weight, combined with the number of people on the trail, are a recipe for collisions and conflict (no matter how careful or responsible riders are). We don't have to wait to find out. We tried this in the '80s and it was a disaster. The trails had to be closed to mountain bikers because of so many conflicts. Today, the trails are much more crowded and the number of mountain bikers has increased. "Just one trail" cannot safely accommodate thousands of new users -- mountain bikers who will come from the city as well as Denver to access the new trail.

Just one trail sounds so simple, but belies so many serious problems. How will the surrounding streets cope with the increase in traffic? Parking is already a nightmare and nearby streets are already overrun. Surely, some bikers will want to drive to the start of this new route, but where will they park? What will happen to other neighborhoods along the route -- quiet now, but for how long?

What about the environment? What is our responsibility as stewards of the land? This particular area of Open Space is already a delicate balance of recreational use and conservation. It's a narrow ribbon of land -- a refuge for deer, bears, mountain lions, and many other native inhabitants. Introducing a large new user group will only strain the system further. The new route will use existing trails, but will also require new trails, further fragmenting habitat and taking away pristine areas.

We are families. We are hikers. We are runners. We are young and old. We are mountain bikers and conservationists. We also believe we represent the majority of Boulder citizens whose voice has been lost in the past year, drowned out by one very vocal group which has come to dominate the discussion of the future of our Open Space.

At the moment, mountain bikers already have access to hundreds of miles of off-road trails and more are being developed for them as we speak. Is it so unreasonable to ask that one area of our open space be preserved for the vast majority of Boulder residents?

Dick Harris and Eve Rose are members of http://SOSboulder.org.

The Woods Belong To Us- Trailer

2010-07-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

The Woods Belong To Us - Trailer from 30 LBS Skunk on Vimeo.

This video was shot and produced by Greg Winkler from 30 lb Skunk Productions. It seems to be balanced so far....

Who Pays? Not the Mountain Bikers!

2010-07-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

By RANDI ROSSMAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT: pressdemocrat rescued-from-Annadel

Published: Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 3:51 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 3:51 p.m.

Two mountain bike riders needed rescuing from Annadel State Park Sunday after crashing, emergency officials reported.

One man hurt his ankle Sunday morning and was carried out by the Sonoma County sheriff's helicopter. Another man hurt his collar bone Sunday afternoon.

In the morning rescue, the adult male rider was possibly about a mile up the Burma trail when he crashed.

The accident was reported at 11:45 a.m. to Santa Rosa firefighters. The Sonoma County sheriff's helicopter crew also was brought in to help because of its ability to quickly spot and retrieve people in the huge, dense park, Santa Rosa Battalion Chief Mark Basque reported.

The man, whose name wasn't initially available, had been riding with a group of friends when he crashed.

The helicopter crew found him within minutes of arriving. They used a 200-foot line to lower a paramedic and a sergeant with a litter.

He was packaged up and then lifted, at the end of the line, to an awaiting ambulance at the base of the park.

At about 1:45 p.m., Santa Rosa firefighters were called back to the park for another injured rider.

This man was about a half-mile up the Warren Richardson trail. Firefighters, state and county parks rangers helped with the effort, Basque said.

The man was treated for his injury and driven down the hill.

Both riders were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Further details weren't available.

Annadel was busy with hikers and bikers on Sunday.

“It's not unusual to get called into that park multiple times...especially on weekends when a lot of folks are up there,” Basque said. “Especially when the weather is really good.”

The Threats Were Real...

2010-07-06T07:49:00.000-07:00

Trail Wars: Press Democra t:

"Keene, the cycle shop owner, said the state could have a legion of willing cyclists volunteer to help maintain trails if it wanted them. He compared it city officials who combat graffiti by inviting artists to paint murals. His businesses raised $4,000 for Annadel at a fundraiser party during the Tour of California."

If Mr. Keene was so keen on truly helping Annadel's fragile environment, he'd put his "crews" on restoring the illegal trails to original condition. To not do so, is to give approval to their destruction. Yet another mountain biker rationalization for irrational bike behavior.

The illegal bikers threatened to do this as soon as the state cut back on park services. Selfish? Un-environmental? You bet.

Criminality in Biking

2010-06-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-05-26/news/floyd-landis-doping-scandal-the-s-f-connection/

Matt Smith's recent article in the SF Weekly reveals a startling level of criminality in the world of professional bike racing. Some within the industry itself, describe the activity as like a "Mafia".

The culture of bad boy-bad girl in both racing and especially mountain biking is something that is lauded in the bike press as if it were a badge of courage. This misplaced hero idolatry fuels the ongoing commission of illegal acts both in the professional realm of cycling and in the forests where illegal trails are cut with impunity, imperiling the eco-culture of fragile terrain and even impacting endangered species. But this is what you don't often hear about. The bike industry tries to portray itself as a benign force, bringing outdoor appreciation to new levels of experience. Unfortunately the cost of that experience is wreaking havoc on open spaces and lives.

T-Boning a Deer is One Thing....

2010-01-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

T-Boning a Deer is One Thing. Trying to t-bone a person is against the law.
On December 23, 2009, a trail activist who discovered a very large group, up to 60 people, night riding mountain bicycles in or near China Camp, was assaulted and nearly t-boned by a violent biker, who apparently didn't like being advised that his colleagues were caught riding an illegal trail in San Pedro Ridge Open Space. This person's criminal activities were witnessed by the gentleman in the picture here and the driver of the jeep with this California License plate. Seeing Sheriff's deputies arrive on the scene, the cyclist fled. If you have information who these people are please call the Marin County Sheriff's Office at 415-479-2311

NEW DISTURBING ADS IN MARIN MAGAZINE

2010-01-23T13:55:00.001-08:00

The February 2010 issue of Marin Magazine features a giant two page ad from mountain bike manufacturer, Specialized. In the ad the riders, who are depicted riding in a fog shrouded forest, are exhorted to "t-boning " a deer at 40mph.

This is the kind of provocative and sensationalized advertising that stokes illegal trail riders who more often then not value high speed over safety. Is this responsible advertising? Should this have appeared in a magazine distributed in Marin County- the Nations hot-bed for illegal mountain bike activities? What was Marin Magazine thinking?

Maybe Marin Magazine executive editor, Jim Wood, would like to hear from you:
jwood@marinmagazine.com

Perhaps Marin Humane Society would like to hear from you too:
The Marin Humane Society
171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd.
Novato, CA 94949
mrogers@marinhumanesociety.org

415-883-4621

Thanksgiving, A Time For Mountain Bicyclists To Give Thanks For Lax Enforcement

2009-11-28T17:39:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving, A Time For Mountain Bicyclists To Give Thanks For Lax Enforcement

Illegal mountain bike trips abounded on China Camp peninsula this Thanksgiving weekend. Anyone can count the nearly 20 cars parked outside of the official China Camp gate almost any given day, more on weekends and holidays. None of these mountain bike riders pays a dime to the cash strapped State Park system in China Camp. The state is probably losing somewhere between $6,000 to $8,000 dollars a month (about $70,000.00 per year) in lost revenue from one of the parks biggest users and abusers. Now add to that illegal trail riding which flourishes during holidays. I spotted two illegal bike riders riding on private property near Back Ranch , trail signs kicked down on closed trails on the Bay View trail and evidence of illegal usage, large bike outing on closed to bikes Santa Margarita Island, and a steady stream of illegal speeding down-hillers on the north slopes of San Pedro Ridge in Marin County Open Space, on their favorite illegal riding spots.

Before granting any further trail access, County officials need to give this bunch of determined trail destroyers, quadrupled fines, bike confiscations and trail closures. It’s out of control and the lawless know it.

Talk About Glorification of Illegal Acts?

2009-11-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

This type of illegal trail riding has become a major cultural thing within mountain biking. The type of glorification of illegal acts in the wilderness portrayed in this film and others extols the virtues of "speed" at any cost, a cost that is reflected in the growing number of mountain biking injuries. See post below.

SHOCKING DATA ON ILLEGAL TRAIL BUILDING IN MARIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT

2009-10-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Trailkillerz just received shocking data from Marin open space agencies on the past year and a half of illegal trail building and mountain biker injuries. There were a total of 67 mountain bike injuries, some of which required helicopter evac, many ambulance evac, for MCOSD, MMWD and Cal State Park Marin Dist. More data forthcoming

BOS presentation from Nov.3 OSD has already posted some background
information from previous community surveys. Go to:

http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/main/MCOSD/os_Trails_Workshop.asp

Thrill Riding at Annadel State Park.

2009-10-30T17:59:00.001-07:00

Found it! Mikes Bikes proudly displayed this video of illegal speeding at Annadel State Park, Sonoma County. Amazingly brash and idiotic! Other trail users? Forget them!

This is similar to the video removed by Mikes Bikes.
It's about one and only one type of trail user- the thrill seeking, speed loving, other trail user-be-damned, Mountain Biker!

Here's more....

Why Hasn't State Parks Fined These guys For Speeding?

2009-09-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Why haven't Nick Moreda and Eric Dimmick been cited by enforcement rangers for unsafe speeds at Annadel State Park? Clearly this video, proudly displayed by local mountain bike retailer, Mikes Bikes, displays the kind of riding that is causing more problems for trail users all over the country.

Contact:
Roy McNamee rmcna@parks.ca.gov

707- 769-5665 ex 226

Mike's Bikes Exclusive Video: Annadel State Park - Lawndale from Mike's Bikes on Vimeo.

Mikes Bikes deleted this video from their site, but it resides on other sites, proudly stamped with their logo!

Found it! Mikes Bikes proudly displayed this video of illegal speeding at Annadel State Park, Sonoma County. Amazingly brash and idiotic! Other trail users? Forget them!

Free Riders=Trail Death

2009-09-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

Auburn’s Colin Magdahl catches air on the Clementine Loop trail near Foresthill Road earlier this summer. Authorities around the state are cracking down on illegal trails being built by thrill-seeking mountain bikers.

Some trails lead to trouble

Forest Service tries to put brakes on freeriders’ illegal trail blazing
By Martin Griffith & Todd Mordhorst AP Writer & Journal Sports Editor
Ben Furtado/Auburn Journal

Mountain bikers with a need for speed and thrills have made Lake Tahoe the latest front in an ongoing battle over the illegal construction of bike trails in national forests and other public lands.

The U.S. Forest Service is cracking down after renegade bikers secretly cut up to 30 miles of trails in the Tahoe backcountry over the last decade.

Agency officials said a hardcore group of bikers seeking access to steeper, more demanding terrain is to blame for bootleg trails in national forests across the country, including in California, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina and Utah.

“It’s a national problem,” said Garrett Villanueva, engineer for the agency’s trails program at Lake Tahoe. “Some places the problem is more pronounced than others.”

The Auburn State Recreation Area has been the site of illegal trail building in years past.

“We have had some rogue downhill mountain bike trails constructed here,” ASRA Superintendent Mike Lynch said. “In one case someone went and sprayed Round-up where they were going to build a trail. We haven’t caught anyone in the act, but when we find them, we go out with a crew and break them down.”

Forest Service officials said illegal trails cause erosion, threaten water quality and disturb vegetation and archaeological sites. The trails also pose a safety threat. They said a rider was hospitalized this summer with head and spinal injuries after crashing on a jump on an unauthorized Tahoe trail.

The financially strapped agency has been forced to spend $29,000 to close three miles of illicit trails at Tahoe this year.

Mark Eller, spokesman for the International Mountain Biking Association based in Boulder, Colo., attributes the problem to a demand for more challenging trails by thrill-seeking bikers known as freeriders.

Freeriders, who enjoy downhill runs with jumps, steep drops off rocks and higher speeds, don’t find the 255-mile bike trail system in national forests around Tahoe exciting enough.

The association, the leading advocacy group for the nation’s estimated 40 million mountain bikers, does not condone the illegal activity, and is working with the Forest Service to step up construction of environmentally sustainable trails for freeriders, Eller said.

“The pirate trail builders believe they have to build them under cover because they won’t get the riding experience they want if they go through the right channels,” Eller said. “We’re working hard to show that’s not the case.”

Joel Baty, an avid mountain biker and rental manager at Olympic Bike Shop in Tahoe City, said freeriders want trails like those at Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia, one of the world’s premier mountain bike parks.

“The existing trails just aren’t challenging enough for more advanced riders,” he said. “So what happens is they go out and build stunts and bigger jumps, and the Forest Service doesn’t tend to like that sort of stuff.”

ASRA Ranger Jon Brandt said altering existing trails in any way, including building jumps, is illegal. It’s also against the law to build new trails.

“The biggest thing is the environmental issues — the erosion from the construction activity,” Brandt said. “It’s also a safety issue and the liability of those dangerous activities. ”

Lynch said the ASRA does not have a budget for trail building or maintenance, but relies on volunteer groups to keep the trails maintained.

Near San Francisco, three men were ordered to pay $34,360 in restitution and to perform at least 200 hours of community service after they pleaded guilty to destroying federal property to build an illegal bike trail in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 2001.

One of the men was arrested again in 2008 on suspicion of building an illegal bike trail in China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif.

At Tahoe, the Forest Service has cited six offenders this year and urged bikers to cooperate in building sanctioned trails. Offenders risk fines up to $5,000, six months in jail and restoration costs.

On the Net:

U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us

From The Pacific Crest Trail Association

2009-09-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

Places in Need - Mountain Bike Damage

Mountain Bike Damage on the trail
The photo shown here depicts damage to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) caused by the illegal use of the trail by mountain bike riders. From the Big Bear to Tehachapi Mountains in southern California, to the Donner Summer and the Sierra Buttes north of Lake Tahoe, to Castle Crags and beyond, mountain bikes on the trail are causing damage and creating a number of “PCT Places in Need.”

Mountain bike riders represent a large (and growing) number of outdoor recreationists. For example, the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) has 32,000 individual members, more than 450 bicycle clubs members, and more than 130 corporate partners. But regardless of the number of mountain bikers looking for trails to ride on, the status of the PCT remains the same: under U.S. Government regulation, bikes are prohibited on the PCT. The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) has long had a policy supporting this prohibition and continues to press for enforcement of it. Unfortunately, however, U.S. regulations and regulators have not, thus far, been able to curb the illegal use of the PCT by mountain bikers. The resulting trail damage and user conflicts can’t be taken lightly. To complicate matters, bikes are permitted on many trails that lead to the PCT, resulting in bikers reaching the PCT on such trails and then proceeding along the PCT to pick up another feeder trail. Given land management agency staffing and budget issues, policing and enforcement is sorely lacking.

There are a number of reasons why mountain bikes represent a problem for PCT users and the trail’s future. One we often hear about is safety – the speed at which a mountain bike can travel along the trail, and especially around blind curves, make collisions with hikers or with equestrians a dangerous possibility. Additionally, stock may be easily frightened of bikes and “spook,” potentially causing injury to riders, themselves, and others. But while safety is a significant concern in regards to bikes and the PCT, in this article we’d like to focus on trail damage and trail maintenance issues.

Simply put, the PCT was not designed or constructed for mountain bikes and is thus easily and seriously degraded by mountain bike use – especially when those bikes are ridden on wet or muddy trail. Riding bikes on wet trails can cause deep furrows and erosion. It typically occurs when riders skid back tires when braking on downhill, apply heavy torque to tires when riding uphill, or simply ride through mud. The damage caused by a mountain biker is much greater than that caused by a hiker or horse because, with a bike, the soil is impacted continuously along the trail, while a hiker's or horse’s feet hit the soil only at intervals. The continuous troughs created in trail tread by bikes collect water runoff from the entire hillside above the trail and then act as drainage ditches, creating serious erosion which the PCT was not constructed to withstand. Water that might drain off the trail under pedestrian and equestrian use now runs down it in wheel ruts, eventually removing all the soil and turning the trail into a streambed. In extreme cases, no amount of “trail maintenance” can restore the trail and new trail becomes necessary.

If you see mountain bikers on the PCT, kindly remind them that they are on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and that by U.S. Government regulation bikes are not allowed on the PCT.

Avoid confrontations. If you engage bikers in conversation try to ascertain where they are from and which trailheads they used to get into the backcountry and onto the trail, as this will help in education and signage. Ask also where they plan to get off the trail. Taking a picture and documenting the location can help agency personnel to enforce the bike closure. Forward all of this information to your local ranger district or other applicable land management unit, or to the PCTA. The concerns of thousands of hikers and equestrians who use the PCT can help to remind legislators and those in charge of backcountry regulation enforcement that PCTA members and PCT supporters continue to believe that mountain bikes do not belong on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of responsible trail users reporting illegal uses of the PCT,” says PCTA Regional Representative for N. Calif./S. Ore., Ian Nelson, “It is crucial that we hear from concerned users so that we and our agency partners can strategize as to how to curb the illegal use.”

"Bikes Belong... With Lots of Money"

2009-08-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

"Bikes Belong is sponsored by the U.S. bicycle
industry with the goal of putting more people on
bicycles more often. We have nearly 400
members bicycle suppliers and retailers combining
resources to improve bicycling in America. Based
in Boulder, Colorado, we have 12 professional
staff, 18 volunteer directors, and a $2 million annual operating budget".

"Bikes Belong takes the guesswork out of
advocacy. Were a professional, unified effort
that is powered by the $6 billion-a-year U.S.
bicycle industry. When you join, you add your
weight to the collective strength of hundreds of other bike businesses."

255 Miles of Bike Trails Not Enough

2009-08-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Alarming Trend Puts Tahoe Bikers at Risk
John Demas
Attorney

Lake Tahoe boasts 255 miles of mountain bike trails. These trails have been built to be fun and challenging, but were also designed to enable emergency vehicle access and protect the environment. When building these trails, the Forest Service considers environmental sustainability and the protection of historical resources. They build strong, sound features that will endure and take rider experience into account.

These trails can be a great way to explore the national forests and get out into nature. Many people who use the trails are weekend bikers, just there for the day. Others are professionals who want to practice and push themselves further. Whoever you are, these trails can be a fulfilling day of adventure. However, one wrong turn onto an illegal trail could land you in the hospital.

Officers with the U.S. Forest Service are growing concerned with the increasing number of illegal trails in the Lake Tahoe area. Officer Heck notes, These are big trails with lots of jumps. It would be easy for a rider to get hurt on a trail that is too difficult for them. Earlier this year a mountain biker crashed on one such trail and had to be airlifted to a local hospital with spinal cord and head injuries. These trails are sometimes very difficult to get to for emergency vehicles and riders take the risk that they will not receive medical treatment in a timely manner.

Fines for creating an illegal trail can be up to $5,000 and six months in jail. The builders will also have to pay to repair the damage done to the forest. So far this season only three illegal trails have been decommissioned. Regulation takes money and it is taxpayer dollars that are paying to take down these illegal trails.

With great increases in technology and equipment, mountain bikers yearn to push themselves and their bikes to new limits. Mountain biking has become more popular in recent years and th level of activity this year especially is significant. It makes sense that people would choose to enjoy a relatively free activity in these tough times.

Biking can be a very enjoyable pastime, but it is also dangerous and can turn into a nightmare in no time. Just remember to consider the following:

1) The forest belongs to everybody.

2) The National Forest Service is looking out for your best interest and safety.

3) Illegal trails can get you hurt, cost taxpayers a lot of money, and damage the environment.

4) If you are caught building an illegal trail you can be fined and jailed.

5) Always wear a helmet! Hopefully one that is CSPC or DOT approved.

A Bike Injury a Week at China Camp

2009-07-27T07:16:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday, July 21, I happened to be in China Camp State Park. At about 7pm I saw three State Park emergency vehicles drive up. Two of them went up into the steep terrain to rescue an injured mountain biker. I asked the ranger who was stationed at the trail entrance how often this sort of thing happened. The ranger said, "about once a week, here in China Camp". I was astonished to hear this report. When the ambulance crew arrived a few moments later, I asked them how many times they make emergency trips for injured mountain bikers here at China Camp and they said about 3 trips in 6 weeks. When I told them what the ranger said, they said that once a week was probably correct because there were two other ambulance crews who respond to injuries at China Camp. A sheriff's vehicle also pulled up to survey the scene.

Who pays for these rescues, and does the state park system keep detailed data on the number and frequency of bike injuries and accidents for other state parks in this Marin district?

There was a recent attempt by IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) and other local mountain bike advocacy groups to open up a steep narrow trail in Samuel Taylor State Park called Bill's Trail, to mountain biking. The request was placed on hold while state authorities were forced to wrestle with strict CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) requirements. Bill's Trail is far more remote and difficult than China Camp, for emergency vehicles to access injured bikers. Is the state park authority not telling us something important regarding the hidden costs of mountain biking in the Marin District? As the state sinks into deepening economic turmoil, isn't it sensible and responsible to limit access to trail systems to this sport that is proving itself to be a financial burden and a drain on emergency services? Some national parks charge for rescues, shouldn't we?

Ignorance is Bliss

2009-07-23T00:02:00.000-07:00

Mountain Bikers are talking about planning a mass arrest action at Bill's Trail by riding it illegally.
Smart. Very smart. They are counting on "support for their cause" by this foolish action.

State Park Rangers, take notice:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=535167

Bill’s Trail

2009-06-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Click To Play

Bill’s Trail, in a steep, remote section of Samuel Taylor State Park is under assault by IMBA, the International Mountain Bike Association, and other local mountain bike proponents. This well funded and determined lobby has managed to convince State Park staff, that opening the fragile, narrow, fern lined trail to aggressive downhill mountain biking is within the definitions of state park shared use trails. IMBA maps of the trail depict only a few hairpin turns when in fact there are up to 40 such switchbacks. The trail is accessible by an arduous climb to about the 850’ elevation of Barnaby Mountain and would provide a mostly moderately steep downhill ride (7-8% grade) for bike users.

Mountain bikers have proved on numerous occasions to be poor stewards of the trail systems in Marin and Sonoma counties. Bikers in Marin, have been arrested for building illegal trails in sensitive wildlife habitats on numerous occasions, threatened local residents who report or encounter them on illegal trails, destroy private property, cut down redwood and other trees and continue to build downhill ramps and jump courses in off limits county open spaces. Their tire tracks leave deep erosive ruts in healthy trails especially during the rain season. Recently, an injured mountain biker had to be air lifted out of nearby Annadel State Park.

Check out this mountain bike video shot at Annadel and you get the point:

Mike's Bikes Exclusive Video: Annadel State Park - Lawndale from Mike's Bikes on Vimeo.

The remoteness of Bill’s Trail poses significant problems for state park resources in both maintenance and monitoring in an economic climate that is in serious decline. Endangered Coho salmon spawn in a creek at the base of the trail. The impacts of substantial bike traffic near this creek have not been studied. When over a hundred miles of legal trails remain open to them in Sonoma and Marin, one wonders what the feverish urgency is in opening up more trails. The answer is that the mountain bike industry is a billion dollar commercial enterprise that must sell products. IMBA takes its marching orders from corporate giants. This is not care for the wilderness but yet another exploitative grab of traditional wilderness and open space for basic thrill seeking.

Voice your opposition to the plan by June 26, 2009. Demand a full CEQA review from state authorities. Call or email staff head, Roy McNamee rmcna@parks.ca.gov

707- 769-5665 ex 226

Illegal Trail Building Behind Bikes n Beans

2009-04-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

Santa Venetia’s

Illegal Bike Problems

In back of the 7-Eleven on North San Pedro, is a special wild life area with a startling array of waterfalls on the seasonal creek that runs through this steep redwood laced canyon. Marin Open Space has designated this as a “sensitive wildlife zone”. Golden eagles have been known to nest here and more than several varieties of owls use it for hunting. While hiking in this serene haven, you may also encounter extreme downhill mountain bikers. For years, this unlawful user group has been cutting down redwood trees and building jump ramps, new trails and berms as part of their intention to use this place as an amusement park and technical training zone. Last December, Open Space rangers were alerted to a rash of unlawful trail building here. The Rangers spent considerable time repairing terrain and dismantling numerous illegal bike structures.

At the base of this trail, is a new business, China Camp Bikes & Beans, run by professional mountain bike racer, Justin Schwartz. Justin is also the coach of the Terra Linda High Mountain Bike Team. The store rents out bikes, provides trail riding advice and juices up its clientèle with pounds of caffeine. I ran into Justin (he was walking) while hiking near these illegal structures. He told me he hadn’t noticed them. Earlier that week I had been informed that bike representatives were pressuring Supervisor McGlashan to “open up all” the trails on San Pedro Ridge to downhill bike usage. This would be a catastrophe if enacted.

Bikes carve long, deep channels into the soft soils of many narrow hiking trails on San Pedro Ridge. These channels erode the trails and funnel sediment into the numerous seasonal creeks that feed the Gallinas Creek river system that houses two endangered species. If you spot illegal biking on any of these narrow trails, please report this to Open Space officials.

Bikers, Their Anger and Their SMART Train

2008-09-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

September 24, 2008- Marin County

SMART train opponents had one of their signs spat on and their posters blocked and tampered with by train supporters (mainly MCBC bikers) at a rally that was held today at Larkspur California’s Cal-Park tunnel to celebrate the commencement of the construction work on the tunnel. Present at the meeting were representatives of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Assemlyman 6th District, Jared Huffman, former Marin Supervisor, Cynthia Murray and SMART chair, Marin Supervisor, Charles McGlashan. Both McGlashan and Huffman downplayed the significance of potential harm to endangered species living along one of the trains Marin corridors, Gallinas Creek. Train opponents site traffic congestion,
increased development and spiraling costs as problems minimized by train supporters.

For more information on the “real” impacts and costs of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit, see http://notsmart.org
Fact No. 2: The train would be an enormous expense, considering the few riders projected to take it. SMART's Project Funding Plan indicates that SMART would spend
$1.3 Billion over 20 years. Based on the projected number of riders, SMART would spend $50 per one-way ride.

By contrast, Golden Gate Transit's capital and operating costs per rider were $9 in 2006. In 2008 GGT and Marin County Transit provided 32,000 passenger-trips per day. Compare this to SMART’s estimate of 5,650 per day by 2025. .

Fact No. 3: Express buses would work far better in Marin and Sonoma than rail. Jobs are dispersed throughout the north bay, rather than in one or two economic centers. Ask yourself how you would get from a rail station to a job a mile from the station. Bus service would be far more convenient and would cost far less.

Fact No.4: SMART will compete with existing bus systems both for riders and funding. In many areas in which rail service has been introduced, bus service was reduced or realigned to promote rail use. In Los Angeles overall transit use declined after rail service began because bus routes were eliminated or realigned and bus fares were raised.

Rail backers want you to ignore these facts. Don't be railroaded by the slick literature you're sure to get this fall. The North Bay has much to lose if this measure passes.

30 million autos & trucks cross the Richmond San Rafael bridge every year making trips into Marin County. The train will have no impact on this traffic pattern. In-fill housing will add about 50,000 units along the trains length....think about the number of car trips that this will add. SMART is a developers' dream. Clapper rail habitat will be permanently lost if the train is allowed to cross the Gallinas Creek wetland.

Trains usually require a 3/4% tax, not a 1/2% tax as SMART is proposing. Trains in general are good ideas, however, this train is trying to cram itself into an infrastructure that will be severely effected in a stressful manner. The negatives far outweigh the positives on the train. Alternative fueled mass transit busing is the way to go in Marin and Sonoma.

Marin County Bicycle Coalition's Publicity Stunt Patrol

2008-09-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Why is the MCBC's China Camp bike patrol ineffective? For starters it does little to address the main problems with bikes in China Camp;

namely that there is too much bike travel there that's taking a serious toll on trail conditions, especially during rain days,
it does nothing to address the fact of illegal trail riding on off limits narrow trails in the park,
Is there reportage to China Camp Rangers of jump ramps and worn hillsides?
MCBC does nothing to advocate for increasing fines for illegal bike riding or
for advocating for some type of fee structure for park use. This is particularly disturbing as the main user of China Camp are bikers and right now, they ride FOR FREE.

It seems clear from the above that the MCBC bike patrol is therefore a smokescreen to foster an image of concern for the open space and thereby create in the public mind the impression that mountain biking advocates are actually doing something positive for the trails that they destroy.

Here's some recent photographic evidence of trail destruction at China Camp.

There are numerous spots like these at China Camp.

The next set of photos reveal an actively used illegal bike trail at China Camp. There are a number of these throughout the State Park.

If you are disturbed by the continued destruction by bikes of the trail system in China Camp State Park, please call the Marin District manager for the California State Parks, Danita Rodriguez at, 415-898-4362 ex 15

Warning: Mountain Biking Harmful to Male Fertility

2008-07-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

Bicycling. Bicycling has been linked to impotence in men and also may affect fertility. Pressure from the bike seat may damage blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for erections. Mountain biking, which involves riding on off-road terrain, exposes the perineum (the region between the scrotum and the anus) to more extreme shocks and vibrations and increases the risk for injuries to the scrotum. One study found that men who mountain bike are far more likely to have scrotal abnormalities, including calcium deposits, cysts, and twisted veins. Men who cycle can reduce such risks by:

Taking frequent rests while biking
Wearing padded bike shorts
Using a padded or specially contoured bike seat that is raised high enough and sits at the proper angle

The rest of the story...

In another Austrian study: Sometimes a man's hobbies can interfere with infertility. According to a small study conducted in Austria, frequent mountain biking may contribute to a man's infertility. The study looked at 55 avid mountain bikers and found that nearly 90 percent had low sperm counts and abnormalities in their scrotums. In contrast only 26 percent of 35 non-bike riders had similar damage. The study, presented in December 2002 at the Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, suggests that the frequent jolts and vibration associated with riding over rough terrain may be to blame. Infertility problems were most common in frequent bike riders who rode about 60 miles a week.

KPIX-5 San Franciso News Story

2008-07-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

KPIX interview with John Parulis

Top Story: MarinIJ July 3, 2008

2008-07-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

Trail Blogger Gets Death Threats

Mark Prado's story on the death threats issued here on TrailKillerz

New Death Threats Issued to John Parulis

2008-06-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

The District Attorney's office and RCMP are being contacted regarding this recent posting....
This latest from so called Bay Area Anti-Bike Hatred
http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=34063&pagenum=5

ktown-rider
STARTING TO RIDE AGAIN> BLAAA

June 29. comment posted here as well as below on comment tab:
Blogger evilbiker said...

John, we know who you are. We know where you live. We are coming to get you.

BOO!!

Don't stand next to any windows.

BWAAHAHAHAHA!!!!

June 29, 2008

THIS SITE FROM MASSACHUSETTS WAS TAKEN DOWN BECAUSE OF THREATS TO ITS CREATOR
Wheeled-Locusts.org
This web site was taken down because of treats to its creator from illegal bikers. The site here is stored on the Internet Archive from April 5, 2004

Michael More, Repeat Criminal

2008-06-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

(I've been involved in numerous issues to preserve Open Space and environmentally sensitive areas from developers. I've returned to this blog because of the serious nature of the trail destruction that continues in our open spaces)

Michael More is an unrepentant criminal. He destroys fragile ecosystems in the belief that these areas need more extreme downhill biking lanes. This is the second time he's been arrested for illegal trail building and if given the chance, he'll do it again. I would submit the heads of access4bikes, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, IMBA, Patrick Seidler and Jim Jacobsen to lie detector tests with the question "do you support the illegal trail building of Michael More and have you sent monies to him to help him pay the costs of the huge fines his illegal actions have merited?"

Increased patrols and fourfold increases in fines are just a few measures needed to address these types of crimes. Here's a sample of the kind of support postings Michael More is getting from the illegal mountain bike community:

"Such a shame! Here we have someone who puts their time and effort into making our parks a better place, and he gets arrested?

We constantly hear that money isn't available for parks, and yet someone volunteers their time and gives to our community, and look what we do.

We should laud this person's efforts, not arrest him."

from Topix.com

CBS-5 Video of Michael More

I invite Marin Municipal Water Department personnel, China Camp ranger staff and Marin County Open Space staff to look through this blog and read some of the malicious, hateful comments I've attracted by voicing strong concern for protecting our valuable and fragile open space environment. I have been on the receiving end of numerous death threats. Because of my citizen's arrest of an illegal biker who broke into my vehicle a couple of years ago near a San Pedro Mountain Open Space trail, vigilante bikers have published my address on their blogs with invitations to their warped friends to do something about me. These idiots don't realize how their comments and actions further alienate them from sensible trail policy and sensible citizens. They are in fact cowards who talk tough on the internet, but who have always backed down from personal confrontations with me on the illegal trails.

Here's a letter I sent to the MarinIJ regarding Michael's recent arrest. Get tough Open Space managers. This illegal mountain bike faction will never go away until you deal with them with the severity they so rightly deserve.

Promises Promises

I was not surprised to see illegal mountain bike trail builder, Michael More in trouble with the law again. Last year I went to the China Camp ranger office to report illegal off trail riding in the park, when I noticed Michael was there, at a meeting for park trail maintenance personnel. This was one of the conditions for his parole resulting from his indictment in 2001 for illegal trail building in the GGNRA on endangered species habitat. I told the ranger on duty that having Michael working in China Camp was like having the fox guarding the hen house. How true this turned out to be. The problem with this offense is that it is extensive, deeply embedded in the culture of mountain bike riding and tacitly approved of by the local bike advocacy groups. MCBC president, Jim Jacobsen is a friend of Michael’s. People on the mountain bike blogs, applaud this type of illegal activity and look upon Michael as a hero. Shame on Judge Heubach for the inappropriate light sentence for a determined repeat offender. More promised not to do it again. Sure.

Split Rock & Hikers With a Message

2007-04-04T20:46:00.001-07:00

Editor's Note: We do not endorse the view expressed in this video that fire roads should be excluded to mountain biking. We do agree with the interviewee that unsafe speeds of bikes on fire roads is a safety issue that deserves better enforcement.

Click To Play

Erroded Trail. Interview

Forget New Trails, Increase Fines!

2007-04-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

So far I'm going 1 ball, 1 strike with getting published in the IJ Opinion page over this manufactured story on booby-trapped trails. Here's my latest letter to the IJ

What’s Wrong With Fire Roads?

On Sunday April 1, I went hiking on some of my favorite narrow trails along San Pedro Ridge in Marin County Open Space. On one trail, I met a young mom carrying her baby in a baby backpack. This was the same trail where towards the middle of last year, I also caught an illegal trail builder who had just chain sawed a redwood tree to make a bridge and jump ramp on this illegal trail. He had also chipped away at the beautiful arrangement of rocks that formed a channel for a seasonal waterfall on this same trail. Can you imagine the nightmare this young mom could have encountered had she run into this guy speeding down the trail? This is the kind of scenario that Open Space officials will permit if they open up more narrow trails to mountain biking. Open Space is not in the business of creating more bike exclusive trails in our wilderness for a financially bloated group of special interest users either. That same day I also encountered a 3 foot long gopher snake sunning itself across the path. Speeding bikers don’t see these things nor do they have time to stop for them. The wilderness resident often left out of the discussion between hikers and mountain bikers is the array of wildlife who inhabit these regions. Wilderness bike riding is a relative new comer in the complex equation of managing trail use. A false perception advanced by the mountain bike community is that they are being ‘discriminated’ against by official limits placed upon their usage of open space trails. As someone pointed out here a few weeks ago, mountain bikers can use any trail that hikers can- they only have to leave their bikes behind. The mountain bike must be thought of as a mechanized means of transport. Today’s mountain bikes are more like lightweight motorcycles than bicycles. Those in the mountain bike community who are pushing for more narrow trail access don’t want to amble along slowly on these trails. They want the speed and thrill of rushing past trees, vegetation and natural formations. They are lying if they tell you otherwise. One only needs to visit their web sites and read their literature to corroborate this fact. I believe this kind of trail usage is out of sync with the wilderness experience because it is inherently dangerous. Open Space organizations are exposing the county to huge liabilities if and when the circumstances are right for serious collisions. This entire debate was instigated by illegal trail use and the discovery by an illegal trail user of a legitimate fence, illegitimately tampered with after being safely erected by Open Space officials to prevent illegal trail use. The misconception that this was a deliberate booby-trapping by Open Space personnel is still evident in the writing of the mountain bike advocates like Kirsten Moore in Monday’s IJ.
The debate needs to focus around INCREASING the fines for illegal trail riding and not opening even more narrow trails to this self serving, dangerous sport.

John Parulis

MCOSD Rangers, MMWD Rangers, Enforcement Offials

2007-03-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?PHPSESSID=cce6621ace621dfd8a19723fce65e433&terms=name&state_id=5

The reference to a possible illegal trail was removed by singletracks. Visit them for links to legitimate trails.

What They Really Talk About

2007-03-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

See for yourselves what a mostly illegal trail riding crowd has to say about the necessity of riding illegally: Some comments by Dana Beckstoffer rationalizing her law breaking habit...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=276634&page=6
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=276634&page=6

Ron Ford's Comments on IJ Article

2007-03-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

I agree totally with John Parulis. The IJ completely missed the real story here and that is illegal trail usage. Tom Sienstra of the Chronicle did a much better job on this same piece. John Parulis is a member of Green Peace and was on the Rainbow Warrior (Green Peace's environmental tracking vessel). He is doing a video documentary on the clapper rail (his own dime) at this time. His tracking of illegal trail use goes back many years. His credentials as an environmentalist are impeccable and no doubt more involved than Mark Prado ever has been.

The main character in Prado's article is a professional mountain bike downhill racer. I think Mark is enamored. His title was meant to sell papers and was totally derogatory to our Parks & Open Space personnel who are some of the best in the business at what they do. The down hill racer was obviously pissed that her favorite illegal trail was blocked off. As far as the danger or so called "booby-trap", this barbed wire fence was bent down by bikers trying to take it out. They have destroyed or moved any barriers placed to stop use of illegal trails. Barbed wire fences are common in parks and ranches around Marin, Sonoma and most counties with rural areas. If she doesn't use the illegal trail, there is no danger to her or anyone else. The legal trail is clearly marked.

Their is a huge problem with down hill racers making Marin Open Space their play ground and descecration of virgin hillsides. They chose to illegally construct huge jumps made with two-by-fours, chicken wire and steel reinforcement bars on private land (without permission) and Open Space.Some of these jumps are as tall as 8 feet. I personally destroyed one that was over 8 feet tall and 30 feet long, a literal bridge in the Open Space. They cut down baby redwoods with chain saws(one 8 inches in diameter) in one section of the Open Space to utilized the wood to build bridges over ephemeral streams. If we all took this attitude about our Open Space we would have no Open Space.

This piece is obviously biased in favor of use by down hill bike racers in our Open Space. It's sad that the statement by people who have so little respect for the Open Space that their attitude is "go ahead and fine me, $50 is nothing to me".

Ron Ford

The Trouble With Ron Acker's Views

2007-03-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Let’s Now Deconstruct -March 18, 2007

What is most curious about the following opinion piece in Saturday’s (March 17, 2007) Marin IJ is not so much the article itself but the speed with which it was posted and the unusual black box drawn around it to bring attention to itself. Letters to the IJ Opinion editor usually take several days, sometimes longer to get posted. This pro-mountain bike letter made it into the Saturday paper faster than any response I’ve ever seen in 10 years of reading the IJ, which raises the question, was there any collusion between mountain bike proponents and the paper’s editorial staff? ( Today, March 19th, IJ Opinion editor, Doug Bunnell, informed me that this wasn't intentional. Acker had gotten his letter in on early Sat. The box around his letter was meant to set it apart from the ICE Raid letters according to Doug) Here’s the letter written by Ron Acker of San Anselmo: comments in red

Trails should be open to all (Ron Acker Marin IJ March 17, 2007)

This is in response to Friday's IJ article concerning obstacles placed on the Split Rock trail by Marin Open Space District to deter mountain bikers from using the trail.

It's a mighty understatement by Sharon McNamee, district general manager, that its solution to place barbed wire, boulders and metal fence posts across the trail was "not the most well-thought-out solution."

Regardless of district rationalizations that this effort "makes the trail safe," the perception is that by placing barbed wire at chest and head level and planting metal posts painted green in the trail the intent is bodily injury.

This is nonsense. Rangers from the Marin Municipal Water District, State and local rangers often take trail blockage actions to close off or protect fragile or environmentally sensitive trails. Mountain bikers have a habit of either tearing these barriers down or damaging them to gain entry to off-limits trails

This further illustrates the divide between Marin land managers and mountain bikers. Marin is the birthplace of mountain biking, and yet, mountain bikers are discriminated against in their access to trails. The basis for this is suspect at best and based on anecdotal trail encounter data or questionable environmental impact analyses. The debate must move beyond stereotypes and prejudices to pragmatism.

I’ll bring in Connie Berto, a long standing member of the Marin County Open Space Board.

Dear Sir: This letter is to correct the misinformation spread by mountain bikers such as Ron Acker (17 March) claiming that the basis for trail use regulations is "suspect at best and based on anecdotal trail encounter data..." It's time that Acker and others learn the facts, if only the I-J will print this letter.

Trail accidents and deaths caused by mt. bikers have been well documented in ranger reports and articles and the file is growing. These range from deaths to horses from 1989 (Annadel State Park) to a shocking incident in Santa Barbara in October 2005; deaths to humans, from a 1993 incident in Sacramento to bike-to-bike collisions in Colorado in 2003. In July 2006 there were three serious injury accidents in Marin County alone, caused by mountain bicyclists. One was to a jogger on Mt. Tam and two to horseback riders in Marin County Open Space. One rider suffered a broken collarbone; the other was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion. All of these details can be verified.

With over 600 miles of ample wide dirt fire roads in Marin appropriate for sharing in peace, it is sad that mt. bikers continue to focus on narrow trails and footpaths where their speeding presence is a safety hazard to all users. I'd like to see more of their "self-policing" as claimed by Acker. Fact is, the bicyclists themselves have access to every single hiking trail in Marin County -- it's only the bicycle that must be left at home.

Sincerely, Connie Berto, San Anselmo.

Marin's large mountain biking community isn't going away. Riding singletrack is fun. There are more than 600 miles of fire roads and singletrack in Marin. There are less than 30 miles of "legal" singletrack available to mountain bikers. The primary spots, China Camp and Tamarancho, get rather crowded as a result. Given supply and demand, there will be mountain bikers on "illegal" singletrack.

There’s a good reason why mountain bikers aren’t allowed everywhere. Mr. Acker seems to be forgetting another vital component to the open space experience and that is the needs of the varied wildlife that inhabit Marin’s open space regions. A glance at Marin County’s official open space web site will reveal some of the varied wildlife that inhabit these regions http://www.enature.com/parkguides/localguide_park_display.asp?rgn=CA_Marin_County&curgroupID=5

In the 10 years I’ve been hiking the trails in and around China Camp I’ve noticed a large drop off of animal sightings that can only be attributed to increase human activity there especially with the onslaught of bike traffic in the wilderness. Gone are the grey fox, raccoons and skunks I used to see high on San Pedro Mountain ridge tops. Numerous ring neck snakes are squashed by bike tires. Tires that move too fast to avoid doing this kind of damage.

This situation is analogous to Prohibition. If you drive an activity underground, you lose control. Marin land managers can either choose to allocate their limited time and resources to policing mountain bike activities or they can choose to embrace mountain biking and leverage that interest to upgrade existing singletrack, build new singletrack, and maintain the trail system so it can last for everyone's enjoyment. The examples set by volunteer-driven efforts at Tamarancho and China Camp should be evidence that, when given the opportunity, the mountain biking community is responsible and self-policing.

The situation is more analogous to high pressure water cannon strip mining for gold in California’s Sierra foothills in the 19^th century that President Lincoln put a stop to. The new breed of illegal mountain bikers are a minority, who are composed of semi-pro and pro downhill racers or their wanabees looking for taxpayer paid open space obstacle courses. The trails they crave wouldn’t be ridden by the majority of law respecting mountain bikers. This is pure selfishness and way out of touch with open space stewardship. Also, take a look at some of the more abused trails like the Scetrini Fire Road ancillary trails near Barbiere Park. They were described by the former Open Space director as a mess. There is nor was ever any attempt by mountain bike advocates to maintain or heal this trail. The condition of the trail steadily worsens every year.

Mountain bikers are not the young, arrogant punks portrayed by those who wish to limit their trail access. In Marin we are your neighbors and we're paying the same taxes to fund Marin Open Space, Marin Municipal Water District and Golden Gate National Recreation Area land management. We should have the same access to the trails.

This too is nonsense. Take a look at the this web site http://www.mtbmovies.com/

to get an idea of what type of person is stretching the boundaries of legality in our open spaces.

Response to Biased Article In Marin IJ

2007-03-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Booby-Trapped Trails? March 16, 2007

The Marin IJ has once again showed its true colors in writing a story sympathetic towards illegal bikers that doesn’t tell the whole story about illegal biking.

http://www.marinij.com/ci_5449341

Folks, this story is about ‘illegal’ mountain biking. The side of the story that the Marin IJ consistently fails to tell, are the documented stories of assault by illegal bikers on hikers, the destruction of existing trails and the destruction of endangered species habitat by illegal trail builders, and the ongoing violation of Marin’s narrow hiking trails by illegal and now downhill racing bikers. Mark Prado, the story’s author, is a mountain biker. ( I have been informed today, March 19th, by the IJ Opinion editor, Doug Bunnell, that Mark isn't a mountain biker ) If there’s one component that can not be de-linked from this story it is that the mountain biking craze is intimately tied to a billion dollar a year industry. Selling bikes and the mystique of risky biking is what it is now about. If you pick up any of the bike magazines out there, invariably you will see a glorification of risky, extreme riding that extols elements of law breaking. The celebrated president of Marin’s Wilderness Trail Bikes, Mr. Patrick Seidler underwrote a wild mountain biker film produced in 2000 called “Super Heros” that glorifies illegal trail riding in Marin, trespassing on State property and public urination.

The woman who supposedly tipped off the press about what she called ‘booby-traps’ is herself a professional downhill racer who competes in bike races affectionately referred to as “No Brakes” on the NORBA circuit. Google her and see for yourselves. She admitted in the article that she was trying to find the “split rock trail”, which is an illegal trail. These people are not your typical mountain biker. They are professionals or semi-professionals out for extreme workouts. Marin’s off limits trails are what they’re after. The environmental impacts of what they leave behind are an ongoing headache for hikers and open space personnel. I know one of the rangers who erected the barricade. Yes it was a barricade and not a trap. This guy is a family man, a former soldier, and in fact, an advocate for creating more trails for bike riders. He would never erect a device to hurt or injure anyone. In Tom Stienstra’s SF Chronicle article on the same incident, mention was made that it was a biker who in fact bent the metal fence posts down in an effort to dislodge them, leaving them in a position that could potentially harm someone. In the almost 10 years I have been fighting illegal bike riding and trail building I have never seen or read any reports about bikers being injured by barriers, fences, or trail blockage devices of any kind. The truth is that most mountain bike injuries result from risky riding habits. According to sports medicine expert, Dr. Robert Kronisch

“A number of factors contribute to acute injuries. A retrospective survey (4) of recreational mountain bikers found that off-road crashes were commonly associated with excessive speed, unfamiliar terrain, inattentiveness, and riding beyond one's ability. A similar survey (7) of recreational and competitive off-road cyclists identified loss of control, high-speed descent, and competition as factors related to acute injuries; competitors were four times more likely than noncompetitors to be acutely injured.”

In other words, the dangers of mountain biking are inherent in the sport itself.

Ms. Beckstoffer also states in the article that “We don’t mind paying a ticket”…what is that all about? Not minding paying a ticket? The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has consistently opposed increasing the fines for illegal trail riding. Why? Beckstoffer’s statement seems to indicate that the current fee structure is too lenient. This needs to change. Marin’s fragile narrow trails (inappropriately referred to as ‘single track’-a mountain biker term) are under constant assault. The problem is getting worse and the often heard complaint within the mountain bike community is that “we don’t have enough of trails to ride on”. This is pure nonsense. In Mountain Biking Marin by Martin and Simon, there are 458.2 miles of legal mountain biking trails in Marin alone.

I have personally risked my health and well being fighting illegal bikers. I have received numerous death threats and even participated in a citizen’s arrest over a year ago, of an illegal biker who broke into my car and stole my car keys as I was reporting on an illegal night ride by about 14 riders in Marin County Open Space near China Camp. I wrote about and reported this story to the IJ. It was never published. Please check out the following link to view the congratulatory blogging by bikers regarding the IJ and Chron stories from March 16. See for yourselves the impudence and delight taken in illegal riding activity.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=276634&page=6

John Parulis