Trail Work - Tuesday, 5/27 - 6pm

[gopherhockey]

Back at it again.. same time (6pm) same place (JCRR parking lot) - same trail (XX loop)

We really need to try get a good turnout this week as IMBA hotspots is coming in the next week and we may not have a regular trail work session. That means if we can get enough guys out there tomorrow and finish off most of the trail (outslope etc.) we will be in shape to open it soon... very soon.

Of course we have lots more fun things to place on that trail over the summer - tetters and such. A trail is never really done, but it will be nice to open it up to riders.

So... please - if you can, come out tomorrow and help us out! The more that show up the better chance we won't be putting off the grand opening much longer!

[SPR]

Just wondering if there will be trail building this evening?

[gopherhockey]

Yup, same time same place (I forgot to change the date on the subject of this thread) - hope to see you there!

I was told that we are VERY close to opening... we have a little finishing work to do, and we're going to have IMBA walk the trail next week during the hot spots.

If we get a good turnout tonight, we could potentially open it up after the hot spots weekend! We will need a good showing though..

[EmL34]

I was out riding at Lebanon Hills yesterday and saw a couple of late teen age types riding on the closed trails. Being the good citizen that I am I explained each time I saw them there that the section was closed. I was even nice. They claimed to have not seen the signs. Is this possible?

In any case, there were two of them, and they were in an older orange pickup with Tennessee plates. What is the procedure for stopping them?

EmL

[Kingbozo]

What is the procedure for stopping them?

Baseball bat? (kidding kidding kidding)

[tmac]

I was out at Lebanon Hills for the very first time this weekend. I really enjoyed the trail and hope to make it to a trailwork outing at some point this season.

I did notice that the XX Loop looks VERY open . I did see the sign, but also saw many riders poaching the loop - not just a few random troublemakers. Why not go the extra mile and run a rope across the entry or something. The little sign at ground level works about as well as the suggested speed signs around bends in the road. My riding buddy was about to ride through after giving the sign a quick glance, and I would probably have ridden through as well if I hadn't been reading these boards for a while.

[gopherhockey]

You are right, there is always more we could do to really CLOSE these trails off - we had done more at one point, but now we got to the timeline that we needed the trail basically cleared so we could put the finishing touches on. One would think a big orange fence and some brush accross the trail would have done the trick... (a few of our signs got torn down as well) but, I think there are some riders out there that know the trail is closed and are too selfish to stay off.

I do agree it could be marked better as you suggested though...

This whole "closed" trail thing has really gotten me down recently. I know so many guys who have put in such great efforts out working on the trail that have resisted the temptation to go out and poach the trail... yet there are people who have never lifted a finger and probably aren't MORC members or have ever helped our sport in any way that get out there, cross fences, and ride trails putting us all at risk of losing the trail or the park entirely if someone were to get hurt. (not to mention the damage they do out there)

At times like that I feel disgusted that there are fellow mountain bikers out there capable of doing those types of things. These are the guys crossing "trail closed" signs in the spring, out riding the trails 2 minutes after a hard rain, cutting corners and "fixing" log piles to fit their own needs. These people disgust me. If it weren't for the many people on these forums and the guys I have met at trail work or on the trail, I'd not want to lift another finger that would benefit this type of individual.

I can only hope they are the minority.. and perhaps somehow getting this forums system together and trying to spread the word throughout the bike community will somehow educate others. I've seen it happen...

I feel bad for everyone that has had to witness a person poaching the trail. I wish all of YOU could be the first to ride the trail... to try the obstacles etc. - not some selfish a#$ out there for his own benefit.

Next trail we build we'll try do a better job of keeping it hidden and/or closed.. and perhaps even some patrol out there.

I do want to thank each and every one of you that have resisted the urge in the face of other poachers. That takes willpower, and it goes a long way to return my faith in my fellow mountain bikers.

We do promise the trail will open soon.. very soon! The wait won't be long... until then, if you see a poacher give them a shout.... or a baseball bat, whatever you feel more comfortable with ;)

[gopherhockey]

After that big long message, I do want to thank the guys that showed up tonight to help us do finishing work on the trail!!! We had a great turnout (I think around 10 showed up) and did a TON of the finishing work going all the way from the exit backwards to Jan's Rock.

There is only one small section of trail that needs some light finishing work, and a few small other things and I think we're getting VERY close to opening things up!

We wouldn't be this close if it weren't for all you guys who show up every week to help out. Thank you SO VERY MUCH!!!!

Hard to feel bad about my fellow mountain bikers when I witness trail work sessions like the one we had tonight....

:p