gopherhockey
12-17-2006, 07:38 PM
I can't contain my frustration over an issue that has been a huge cause of frustration for many of us for a long time now - the closing of the trails, and even more specifically the placement of orange fence in front of the trails.
Last Friday I contacted Dakota County to help close our trails. They put up orange fence and locked the gate to the parking lot. For some reason someone didn't get the message and opened the gate up on Saturday. However, the orange fence was still there.
Even with orange fence people were still riding the trail. I have heard every excuse in the book and cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would walk around what is clearly a sign that the trail is closed and ride. I heard "the trail wasn't that wet" to "I didn't realize that meant the trail was closed" and everything in between.
I just don't get it. I know that mountain bikers are a great group of people. I enjoy hanging out with MORCers more than anyone. There are times when I realize that mountain bikers can be selfish and certainly are not capable of following a few simple rules. Even those who know the rules chose to disregard them because the feel the know better.
If you see orange fence up over the entrance to a trail or a section of trail it means THAT THE TRAIL IS CLOSED! No exceptions. If you see the fence you can bet it was either a Trail Steward, appointed Dirt Boss, or most likely the Land Manager themselves who put it there. DO NOT go around - even if you see dust blowing off the trail... closed means closed just like no means no. Even if you see another biker going around that does not give you license to do the same... that goes for seeing another MORCer doing so. You don't have to yell at them that the trail is closed, but we do ask that you follow the rules and respect the trail and the efforts of those who are watching to be sure the trail is closed.
We don't often have Dakota pull the orange fence or gate closing at Leb. When we do it we have a good reason. Sometimes 90% or more of the trail might be fine, but that small wet percent is where the damage is being done. If we feel it can avoid a lot of damage and effort in the long run we will close it down and we always work through Dakota County to obtain approval. 99% of the time they do the work, we are just the foot soldiers out on the trail.
So I hope everyone has read this and will PLEASE follow trail signs, rules, and will not hesitate to pack up and go home when you see orange fence up... no exceptions, even if you drove hours to the trail and have your gear on before you notice.
In addition, we are entering a time when the trails are going to freeze and thaw and its going to be hard to tell when it will be good or bad. If you know that its been in the mid to high 30s or warmer, chances are you ought to stay off the trails. Treat warm weather like you would rain during the winter riding season.
... and by all means as fun as you might think it is, if your wheels are packing up with dirt its too wet to ride and you are damaging the trail whether you believe it or not. Someone somewhere will end up having to fix your mess, not to mention how hard it is on your bike.
So PLEASE stay off closed trails and be aware of the weather and the conditions that are caused by the freeze/thaw. Please pass this along to people you know who ride... only by sharing this infromation can we help avoid trail damage and making mountain bikers as a group look like a bunch of selfish people who aren't smart enough to follow a few simple rules.
Off soap box....
BTW: Many or most of you know me and you know I can have a good time and joke around a lot... so when I get serious it is beacuse I have good reason. I don't do it for the fun of it, and I certainly don't like posting things like this as I know so many of you are really good about following the rules. You know who you are and if this is directed at you or not. :p
Last Friday I contacted Dakota County to help close our trails. They put up orange fence and locked the gate to the parking lot. For some reason someone didn't get the message and opened the gate up on Saturday. However, the orange fence was still there.
Even with orange fence people were still riding the trail. I have heard every excuse in the book and cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would walk around what is clearly a sign that the trail is closed and ride. I heard "the trail wasn't that wet" to "I didn't realize that meant the trail was closed" and everything in between.
I just don't get it. I know that mountain bikers are a great group of people. I enjoy hanging out with MORCers more than anyone. There are times when I realize that mountain bikers can be selfish and certainly are not capable of following a few simple rules. Even those who know the rules chose to disregard them because the feel the know better.
If you see orange fence up over the entrance to a trail or a section of trail it means THAT THE TRAIL IS CLOSED! No exceptions. If you see the fence you can bet it was either a Trail Steward, appointed Dirt Boss, or most likely the Land Manager themselves who put it there. DO NOT go around - even if you see dust blowing off the trail... closed means closed just like no means no. Even if you see another biker going around that does not give you license to do the same... that goes for seeing another MORCer doing so. You don't have to yell at them that the trail is closed, but we do ask that you follow the rules and respect the trail and the efforts of those who are watching to be sure the trail is closed.
We don't often have Dakota pull the orange fence or gate closing at Leb. When we do it we have a good reason. Sometimes 90% or more of the trail might be fine, but that small wet percent is where the damage is being done. If we feel it can avoid a lot of damage and effort in the long run we will close it down and we always work through Dakota County to obtain approval. 99% of the time they do the work, we are just the foot soldiers out on the trail.
So I hope everyone has read this and will PLEASE follow trail signs, rules, and will not hesitate to pack up and go home when you see orange fence up... no exceptions, even if you drove hours to the trail and have your gear on before you notice.
In addition, we are entering a time when the trails are going to freeze and thaw and its going to be hard to tell when it will be good or bad. If you know that its been in the mid to high 30s or warmer, chances are you ought to stay off the trails. Treat warm weather like you would rain during the winter riding season.
... and by all means as fun as you might think it is, if your wheels are packing up with dirt its too wet to ride and you are damaging the trail whether you believe it or not. Someone somewhere will end up having to fix your mess, not to mention how hard it is on your bike.
So PLEASE stay off closed trails and be aware of the weather and the conditions that are caused by the freeze/thaw. Please pass this along to people you know who ride... only by sharing this infromation can we help avoid trail damage and making mountain bikers as a group look like a bunch of selfish people who aren't smart enough to follow a few simple rules.
Off soap box....
BTW: Many or most of you know me and you know I can have a good time and joke around a lot... so when I get serious it is beacuse I have good reason. I don't do it for the fun of it, and I certainly don't like posting things like this as I know so many of you are really good about following the rules. You know who you are and if this is directed at you or not. :p