Lebanon is CLOSED for the spring thaw...

[gopherhockey]

A big thanks goes out to the guys who helped us close the trails at Lebanon this afternoon. (pictures coming soon)

We are all eager to get out there as quickly as possible this spring and ride. However, it is important that everyone respect the trails as they dry up. Not all parks will be fenced off and closed like Lebanon Hills was today. Please stay off until you see trail openings posted here or on www.morcmtb.org The trails will dry up soon enough, and if we all keep off them during the thawing out period this spring we can concentrate on building new trails rather than repairing damaged ones. It only takes on rider not using his head. Yes, it may get warm.. 60s.. even 70s aren't too far away. Please - patient and stay off wet trails.. we'll all be riding in no time!

http://www.morcmtb.org/images/lebanonhills/Copy of DSC00009_small.JPG

[gopherhockey]

A big thanks to the guys that helped close Lebanon until it is ready for spring riding. L to R = Mark Gavin, Dale Gundberg, Don Youngdahl, Jan Lee, Tom Strese, Eric Runquist and John Lundell.

http://www.mtbmn.com/photopost/data/505/1DSC00015.JPG

http://www.mtbmn.com/photopost/data/505/1DSC00003.JPG

http://www.mtbmn.com/photopost/data/505/1DSC00006.JPG

[gopherhockey]

Would you believe after closing all the singletrack trails, the entrance and exit to the ski trails - someone still went into Lebanon in the last day and rode into the hiking trails? They left huge tracks and mud all over the place.

I just don't get people.... I know that whoever it was isn't a person that probably reads these forums or cares what others think. They are the types that complain about trails but never show up for trail work sessions...

People like that make our jobs harder. I'd almost bet that even the hikers are smart enough to stay off their own trails when it gets that muddy out.

:mad:

[Tom S.]

How about if we get the county to not even open up the parking lot for the next couple of weeks or so. If it's so muddy what could you possibly do back there that would be enjoyable anyway.:mad:

[yetirider]

This always surprises me, I do not know a single mtn. biker that would do this... The down side is that it will eventually effect everyone more than you would think.

In Southern California, they close all county parks and trails for two days after rain to EVERYONE since people weren't following the rules. Since most of us wouldn't ride and damage the trails during this time anyway, there wouldn't seem to be much of an impact on us? But there are significant costs to this and the more $$$$ spent policing the minority, unfortunately means less $$$$ for the support of the parks and trails for those of us that chose to ride responsibly!!! There is also an image that "those mtn. bikers just tear up the trails."

We will never get rid of the irresponsible riders, but we definately can do our part to not add to the problem!

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by yetirider


We will never get rid of the irresponsible riders, but we definately can do our part to not add to the problem!

You know, you are so totally right about this. As long as we do our best to try notify people, educate ourselves as a group and just give our best efforts to post trail closings it is just about all we can do. There will always be that one rider who just doesn't think.. and maybe (to be nice) they just don't know better and don't even realize they are doing harm.

Dakota actually offered to ticket cars for us this year, but with all the budget cuts I'm sure the last thing they want to be doing is having to come baby-sit mountain bikers. Perhaps just one or two tickets would create enough of a rumor to scare people. (or maybe a public lynching hehe)

This year will be a year to spread the word about the message forums and web site information to people... get them to all check in on things like trail conditions, closings, openings, and even trail work days. I know I'll be putting up notices here and there at trailheads to get people to join in the discussion.

[jaybird]

Are there options to allow us to monitor and ticket cars? I'd be willing to volunteer some time to make sure the trails stayed clear so work can be done this spring on trail developement instead of trail repair!

Sort of like the old west and deputize some of the common folk to help keep peace in the town! :p

[Tom S.]

Rode my bike PAST Lebanon today and believe it or not, even with all the orange fencing in the way, there were two guys out riding the park. Don't these people get it?

[gopherhockey]

I was just out in the parking lot for a half hour just seeing if people were on the trails or not. Just as I was leaving, 3 guys came biking out of the trail exit (one of the only sections without a fence) completely muddy laughing about how horrible the trail conditions were. They saw me talking to another MORC member and quickly threw their bikes into their truck. I was able to run over and ask them if they knew the trails were closed (apparently hundreds of feet of orange fence and at least 3 signs isn't enough for some people?) and they just grunted "huh.. really?"

Anyway, here are some pictures of their Black F-150 truck with license CJG 450:

http://www.morcmtb.org/images/currentnews/DSC00014.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/images/currentnews/DSC00010.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/images/currentnews/DSC00002.JPG

This is a picture of the walking trail - apparently some biker felt he had special permission to ride on it even with the no biker sign posted 3 feet from where this was taken.

[gopherhockey]

Looks like we'll have to patrol Lebanon on and off and try help these people by educating them on what trail closed means. I'll have camera in hand, as well as a printout of the great message that Kurt left over in the General area.

I know we aren't authorized to take the "trail" law into our own hands... but I don't think it would hurt to talk to people (nicely, if thats possible in the midst of such stupidity) and give them a flyer with the web site on it for reference.

Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt when confronting bikers so I'm not saying everyone should do it.. but.. if a person felt like taking a stroll through the lot and had nothing better to do... well.. ;)

[smeulebroe]

I was just wondering why not close the entire parking lot during the mud season. Just put a gate there with a giant sign (closed for hunting) or something:laugh:

[gopherhockey]

I think Dale Gundberg was talking to Dakota about doing that. It isn't like there aren't miles and miles of other walking trails through Lebanon on the east side of JCR Road.

I even saw some hikers run right up to the closed sign, slip around the nearest tree, and able on up the trail... guess that goes to show hikers can't read any better than bikers can.

:embarass:

[Tom S.]

Yeah but hikers are low impact.:shocked: Riigghhtt:mad:

[TrailPatrol]

John,
You need to send a copy of your statement and the photos to Dakota County Park Patrol Chief Bill Hill. He should be able to issue a citation based on what you said and the pictures.

How about we get some patrollers to do "static patrol" at the trailhead? I will post to the NCMBP list, particularly today, since the weather is supposed to be REAL nice.

Hope this works.

Ride Legal.

Ride safe,
Hans

[gopherhockey]

Good idea Hans, I'll see if there is anything they can do. Perhaps even just a warning or something.

What would be great is if just one or two individuals would receive an actual fine. Stuff like that spreads around and can really deter riders.

I'd love to see anyone who feels strongly enough about trails to just pop in a parking lot here or there to check. If you see bikers or trucks with bikes, perhaps print out a small message (I like the one that Kurt Lange wrote in the General Forum) and stick it on their windshield.

Perhaps.. just perhaps.. if there was a little education and they knew where to look (as well as WHY not to ride there) it might help.

Nothing we do is "official" of course.. but you know, to be honest it felt kinda good just sitting in the lot yesterday with the windows rolled down. I was actually starting to feel good about the human race as I watched a few people obey the signs (too bad it turned on me at the last minute).

And hey... maybe you'll run into another one of us there. (I saw two guys I knew yesterday in just a half hour - both had stopped in to check up on bikers...)

I'll try pop out there around noonish.

(Oh, and bring your cameras! Maybe we should have a contest for the best "idiot" photo of the spring.. hmmmmm)

[gopherhockey]

It was an interesting afternoon. Got there around noon - James Ford had already set up camp watching the trailhead. (cool yellow car with bike patrol logo in the window, and had his dog with - nobody was messing with James today!)

I took over around 1pm and stayed until about 4pm. Turned MANY bikers away. Most were very friendly people - I handed out flyers and hope we generate some traffic.

Funny thing is they had no clue about this web site or others. Many called local bike shops that had NO clue about trail openings (perhaps we ought to change that???) - some checked the "Eagan" web site (?) - but I'm guessing even if they went to the Dakota County site there would be nothing on trails being closed (perhaps we should fix that too??)

Most were the "throw the bike in the back of the pickup and wear jeanes when you ride" types. Not many "regulars" were there - all people pretty new.

I think the biggest thing is that people don't know where to turn for info. I think we need some media coverage. I wonder if any radio stations or TV would run a service annoucement stating that trails are not open yet, but soon bla bla bla.. or at least we need to talk to the bike shops and at least have them hand out some web sites when people ask.

More on that later... overall I think most bikes were turned away with success.

[gopherhockey]

Tim reported that he took a walk through the woods at Lebanon and saw about 6 different bike trails (all riding around the trail closed fences/signs). Some did damage in some areas, apparently.

Why anyone would ride around a trail closed fence/sign is beyond me. Makes me embarassed that there are other bikers that are that stupid. They must be doing it just to make a point or something... I mean, it can't even be fun to be out there in that kind of muddy conditions. These people have obviously never done any trail work (nor ever will, I'm sure..)

The weather doesn't look good for this weekend, so I don't think we'll have to worry too much about riders... or should we? I guess if a big orange fence and sign doesn't stop them, rain and snow on top of all of that probably won't either....

[jaybird]

There's a post in the General Discussion about riding on muddy trails and the damage it causes. The article is very informative and non-confrontation to all trail users about the risks and damages caused by using trails that haven't completely thawed out. I hope readers of this site can take this article and get it out to the masses.

[bobbkr]

I think there are a few bonehead riders that we may never get the message across to. They just don't get it or are just too selfish to care.

[yetirider]

I have to say that the efforts and the time taken by members of MORC and this board to help with trail issues is incredibly impressive. Yes, there are people that will not listen and most likely will refer to you as things that you don't want your kids to hear, we have all run in to them at some time or the other.

However, the masses simply need education and they are more than willing to do what they can, even if it is as simple as waiting to ride a trail till it won't cause significant damage.

I am incredibly encouraged by the riders in this area (I am new to Minnesota) and look forward to meeting all of you at some point!

[bobbkr]

Robert,
Join us at our next MORC board meeting.
Bob

[gopherhockey]

Looks like we won't have to be too concerned with watching for riders at Lebanon this week... considering the snow and crappy weather recently.

Or should we...

My guess is most people judge the trail by the weather so we won't need to be too concerned.

Too bad, it seemed like we were just a dry week away from riding..

:cryin:

[yetirider]

Bob,

I will try and make it to the board meeting... 2nd tues at REI right?

Robert

[gopherhockey]

Next meeting is at QBP (one last time) - then we're at REI from then on.

I don't want to discourage anyone from attending a MORC Board meeting.. however, they are pretty much all business. We're going to be having some group rides, plus some trail work days - I'd almost say if you are wanting to meet a lot of people that those are better venues.

Having said that, I'll repeat that I'm not discouraging anyone from going to a morc meeting.. just know they are pretty intense these days with all the happenings around the area.. not much time to visit, unfortunately...


;)

[gopherhockey]

We went out on our first official 03' season Lebanon Hills trail work day and walked all the trails clearing anything that has fallen on the trail, trimming branches, and fixing ruts left by bikers.

First, the trails are at least.. at LEAST a week of great weather away from being ridable. Bummer. There are still spots with standing water - it appears the frost is still working its way out in many places.

The trails in some areas are holding up really well - high spots in the expert loop were draining well... with such good trail construction we'll get in there sooner than we would if we didn't have the proper trail design.

We did see places where idiot early bikers created ruts that were already being further damaged by water running off the trail being re-directed by the ruts. I took some pictures of this that I'll post if they turned out.

Before we went out I stood there and watched 2 younger guys ride up to the beginner trail "closed" sign.. they looked at it, then took their bikes and started to talk them around the fence. (right in front of me!) I yelled for them to stop, and they just couldn't accept my reasons for having closed trails. "but.. its just dirt" the one kid kept saying...

Anyway... it will still be a while...

[Maverick]

When is the next trail work day? If its a day I have time I'll show up. I'm still a new rider but I figure that if I have the time might as well do something besides sitting around.

[gopherhockey]

For the most part we're doing trail work every Tuesday at Lebanon. For April, we start at 5pm and go until dark (usually just a few hours). There will be some Wed. night trailwork sessions that will start once the trails dry up a bit more, and they are holding a few Saturday sessions at Buck Hill.

I'm hoping we get a more solid schedule in place so people have more advanced notice. You can check the calendar here as well as it will hold all theraces, trail building, group rides etc.

We would love to have you join us!

[gopherhockey]

It is safe to say Lebanon is STILL closed... especially with the recent crappy weather. We get much more like this and I'd bet on that May 1st date vs. earlier like we had hoped.

[gopherhockey]

We opened up most of Lebanon last night. Only the beginner loop is closed. The rest of the trail is still damp, but ok to ride. (I took a few night laps there myself after we got the fences out of the way).

Another season at Lebanon.. enjoy!

(with that, I'll close this thread)