I want permission to beat someone down!

[Danimal]

So I went to my favorite trail, Lebanon this evening with my 9 year old. The first section of trail I hear this loud thumping, like... about a half dozen kids with automatic paintball guns. Sure enough my kid 7 I hit the deck because some idiots were running through the trail with high powered painball guns, paintballs were flying over me and my kid. Freaking felt like I was in the Gulf again.

I lost it and screamed at these kids (8 of them) and apparently they were with the soccer moms in the adjacent field and these morons were killing time running through our trail guns a blazin'.

The only time I didn't have my cell cause I would have called the coppers on their little asses. I hope no-one got nailed earlier because they must have been doing it for quite some time before I ran up on them.

Anyone else have this happen to them? And if so what should we do/who should we call? John, any advice?

[taylor p.]

charge them full speed on your bike

[Ish]

And if so what should we do/who should we call? John, any advice?

de-pants them. And their moms :D

[ryno lite]

It's not the first time paintballers have been in there. What idiotic parents would ever let their kids loose with a paintball gun? There is no place outside an official paintball area that these damn things should be used. Too bad the parks police can't nail them and talk to their idiot parents! I'm really impressed with how some of these kids are raised these days! I hope your son is ok and not turned off to riding at Leb! I think someone needs to talk to the parks police and report the incident at least.

[gopherhockey]

Anyone else have this happen to them? And if so what should we do/who should we call? John, any advice?

Dakota County Parks Patrol would be the ones to call. I think the general department number would work: 651-437-4211

I would also email what happened by using this contact form:

http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Departments/Sheriff/Contact/ContactUs.htm

It will sound a lot better coming from you since you had your kid out there...

I will also report this to the parks supervisor so he is aware that its happening again. They tend to create forts back there - often just to the right as you are climbing up Dream II out of the parking lot.

If the trail is wet or closed and you find yourself getting hit by a paintball... it was the kids... yea, thats it.. the kids.. ;)

[steef]

If the trail is wet or closed and you find yourself getting hit by a paintball... it was the kids... yea, thats it.. the kids.. ;)

You really should do a better job of keeping the poacher patrol in line. ;)

Only when it's wet, kids. Only when it's wet. :D

[Trevize1138]

... And their moms :D

That's how this whole mess started! Ba-DUM-bum! :crazy2:

[Danimal]

Thanks John, phone number is in my cell & I also e-mailed them via your link.

[col200]

I've had a similar encounter at the River Bottoms.

[Ish]

That's how this whole mess started! Ba-DUM-bum! :crazy2:

I meant so they could be caned, Singapore style :D

[Nita]

So that's what I was hearing! My first lap I rode alone before I met up with Bob a few others (nice to meet you John Mette), and it made me stop a couple of times wondering what was going on. I don't think I'd be really happy if one of those hit me, personally I'd go after the Mom.

[Trevize1138]

I meant so they could be caned, Singapore style :D

MILFs? Moms I'd Like to Flog?

[manual63]

Paintballs hurt.....a lot. Most bikers, hikers, and others in the trail do not wear face masks and eye protection. Paintball is a blast, but should only be done in a strictly controlled environment. I think it's time to shoot some soccer mom's with some paintballs on the bare skin, like the back, and I bet they won't let their kids go running rampant with those things.

[gopherhockey]

MILFs? Moms I'd Like to Flog?

Better than a GILF... usually... :p

[slothlike]

I've had a similar encounter at the River Bottoms.


The kids at the Riverbottoms are pretty respectful though. When I've ridden by them the first to see me yells, "hold!" or "bike!" and they all stand up with their guns pointed down and wait until I'm out of sight before they start shooting each other again. Maybe they're more reckless at Lebanon, but a few kids having fun doesn't seem worth calling the police over.

[ryno lite]

The kids at the Riverbottoms are pretty respectful though. When I've ridden by them the first to see me yells, "hold!" or "bike!" and they all stand up with their guns pointed down and wait until I'm out of sight before they start shooting each other again. Maybe they're more reckless at Lebanon, but a few kids having fun doesn't seem worth calling the police over.

I generally am not for being a narc on kids, but I just don't believe paintballs belong in any wildlife preserve or park unless they have been officially sanctioned. Even the polite ones could miss seeing an approaching rider or other park user and by mistake fire and hit a them in the face or something dangerous like that. I also don't think it's apprpriate to splatter all the trees and vegetation with those paintball marks. I don't want to hit the trail and see all the trees marked up with colorful blotches. Just not my idea of a ride in the woods.

[gopherhockey]

but a few kids having fun doesn't seem worth calling the police over.

Its a good question/comment...

Part of it is for their own safety as well as the bikers. A one time thing isn't a big deal (except I agree with Ryan's thoughts on paint in the forest), but if its happening over and over we'll most likely have a user conflict... typically those end bad for bikers.

Calling the cops is not always necessary, but its probably better than getting into a conflict with any particular group. Most hikers listen and move away, I'm guessing kids might pose more of a challenge.

We can always educate, but we can't police...

Lastly, if nothing is ever done and people ignore it, then it will continue to happen. If we value our "space" in the parks we need to do what we can to keep them safe without coming off as complainers... so even if anyone calls or reports something do it with style, or contact me and I can pass the word along through our channels. We'll do ourselves more harm than good if we call or email complaining with a demanding tone... even if we are frustrated.

[bigwheel]

Way back before paintball guns were invented, we used to play capture the flag using eggs.

Two teams, and two flag locations. Each person would get a dozen eggs. If you got hit by an egg, you were dead. You could go back to the parking lot and buy another life for $5.00, which went into the kitty that reimbursed the person who bought the keg of beer. Each game would take about an hour or two.

Lots of fun.


We'd play at Crosby Park, in the thick part of woods. The funny thing was that we'd be all decked out in camo, hiding alongside of the walking trails. People would walk by, just a few feet away and not know that we were even there.

[ryno lite]

Way back before paintball guns were invented, we used to play capture the flag using eggs.

Two teams, and two flag locations. Each person would get a dozen eggs. If you got hit by an egg, you were dead. You could go back to the parking lot and buy another life for $5.00, which went into the kitty that reimbursed the person who bought the keg of beer. Each game would take about an hour or two.

Lots of fun.


We'd play at Crosby Park, in the thick part of woods. The funny thing was that we'd be all decked out in camo, hiding alongside of the walking trails. People would walk by, just a few feet away and not know that we were even there.

Bob, what haven't you done? If I participate in half the crazy things you've done, I'd be happy!

[I_Fall_Alot]

So that's what I was hearing! My first lap I rode alone before I met up with Bob a few others (nice to meet you John Mette), and it made me stop a couple of times wondering what was going on. I don't think I'd be really happy if one of those hit me, personally I'd go after the Mom.


Chick fight!

My money is on Nita. :crazy2:

[berrywise]

We'd play at Crosby Park, in the thick part of woods. The funny thing was that we'd be all decked out in camo, hiding alongside of the walking trails. People would walk by, just a few feet away and not know that we were even there.

I recall back in high school we'd play capture the flag at Sunfish Park north of Stillwater. We'd play around midnight, all dressed up in camo, fun ended when someone called the cops on us once and we all got in trouble for being in the park after dark. One cop showed up and then like five more showed up once the first saw a bunch of dudes in camo running around in the woods :D

[destrago]

I also don't think it's apprpriate to splatter all the trees and vegetation with those paintball marks. I don't want to hit the trail and see all the trees marked up with colorful blotches.

Paintball paint washes off in water - it's basically a dyed dish soap. Otherwise paintball courses would be permanantly a vomit inducing mish-mash of neon colors.

As for this discussion, if I got shot with a paintball while riding I'd probably want to pop out my seat post and beat the offending party with my saddle (Unless I'm on the road, in which case a ubolt lock is far more efficient). What I'd likely do is go give them a good talking and take or empty their C02 tank on the spot. If they shot me on my way to them or away, I'd have hauled them into the cops! I've played paintball, I used to have some sweet paintball gear, and I've had some serious welts that went through protective gear. To make matters worse I bet that kids playing in the woods randomly (as opposed to on a regulated field) don't control their ball speed, (400fps or lower) so that it won't break skin. I'd be _WAY_ pissed if I ran across this.

-Tony

[tedsti]

Chase the kids down, take their guns and tell them that their parents can pick their guns up at the police station. Then as the kids are walking away, plaster them.

[SLP Punk]

MILFs? Moms I'd Like to Flog?

:laugh:

[Danimal]

Chase the kids down, take their guns and tell them that their parents can pick their guns up at the police station. Then as the kids are walking away, plaster them.

Damn! What was I thinking!

[transplant]

I don't want to hit the trail and see all the trees marked up with colorful blotches.

At least until fall!

[Jackrabbit Slim]

Chase the kids down, take their guns and tell them that their parents can pick their guns up at the police station. Then as the kids are walking away, plaster them.

:banana:Very nice Ted!