Trail Riding on Multi-Use Trails

I'll be speaking at the Gold Country Trails Council on September 9th @ 7PM at the Golden Empire Grange Hall. The topic will be "Trail Riding on Multi-Use Trails", but I plan to use the opportunity to dialog with the local equestrian community.

It would be great if other local bikers join join in. Our positive relationship with local equestrians is one of our most valuable assets and one that is envied statewide.

11283 Grange Ct. Grass Valley, CA - Map

Tahoe National Forest Trail Update

From Joe Chavez of the Tahoe National Service:

"This is just FYI on some recent trail work, so you will be aware of the changes.

Empire Creek Trail - The two climbing turns installed last fall by No-Toil group and SBTS have been hardened with turf stones. Soils are ashy here and will never firm up (like the west end of Chimney Rock Trail). The reroute of the switchback above these climbing turns has been completed. The trail now makes a large sweeping turn, putting you out on the ridge at a nice vista point. Bottom end of the Empire Creek trail (steep section right off the road), this area has been lengthened to lower the grade (expect new turns). Wet springs, my one remaining trail crew member is currently working on draining the springs off the trail along the lower end of the trail. There will be deeper rolling dips supported by rock on the reverse grade (expect larger, more abrupt dips - slow down).

Lindsey Lakes Trail - Just below the intersection with Crooked Lakes Trail (near Rock Lake), the first section of the Lindsey Lakes trail reroute project to lower the grade is done. The trail now contours over to a vista point and returns to the old trail in the dry meadow. (only several hundred feet of the original trail has been rerouted, there is still much more to do on this reroute project)

Excelsior Trail - Last remaining section of reroute identified in the Burlington EIS has been completed (40 foot hill climb section in the plantation). The trail now contours in and out of the drainage.

Gibraltar Trail (single track) - We started to reroute the very steep section of trail immediately out of Dean's Ravine heading north. We expect to finish this piece of reroute the week of Sept 1, when I have a chance to get back there. We already contoured across the steep slope to a point that we know it is feasible. The reroute goes across the steep sidehill, then turns back where miners created a "gut," then it will reconnect back to the old trail above the steep section."

North Fork Trail Vote

From FATRAC:

"Write an email or attend a hearing to support the NORTH FORK TRAIL!

On Aug. 26, 2008, at 8:35 a.m., the Placer County Board of Supervisors will be meeting to consider certifying the Final EIR & approving the North Fork Trail along the American River - in the board chambers at 175 Fulweiler, Auburn.

We WANT the Board to do this so we can FINALLY see construction getting underway on this long-awaited new trail. If you can attend the hearing, great! OR please take 2 minutes NOW to write a short email to your supervisor to ask him to approve this new trail. Please!

Here's the email address for the Board of Supervisors: bos@placer.ca.gov.
Subject line: North Fork Trail Project.
[Contact Jim Haagen-Smit if you have any questions at (916) 663-4626.]

Talking points:

• The trail will be environmentally sound by design.
• What better way to get folks to appreciate nature than by providing a simple trail to access it.
• With high gas prices more & more families are looking for affordable ways to recreate near home.
• A healthier community saves money by dealing with costly health problems associated with obesity.
• Volunteers helped build trails in the area; the community likes to give back by supporting these kinds of projects."

Steering Committee Kickoff

Last night, the new BONC steering committee conducted our first formal meeting at Twin Cities Church. We discussed some great ideas, assigned tasks to committee members and talked about where BONC is and where we need to get to. A big theme that emerged from the evening is how BONC needs to embrace more fun: more fun rides and more fun events. Nevada County has many mountain bikers, but only a relative few participate in BONC activities. We aim to change all that.

I am certain we will see some related innovative club initiatives soon. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please let me know.

Tahoe Donner Event - Recap

Last weekend, over sixty NorCal mountain bikers convened near Donner Summit this week to build some new singletrack and ride many, many miles of primo Sierra trail. Participating clubs included BONC, FATRAC, BTCEB, MBOSC and ROMP. Sponsors included New Belgium, who contributed free cases of their finest brews.

From Wednesday through Sunday, we rode countless group ride on the Tahoe Rim Trail, Hole-in-the-Ground, Donner Lake Rim Trail, Sawtooth Trail and many others. We camped out at Donner Lake State Historic Park, with access to beaches, showers and BBQs. On Saturday, we all pitched in to clear brush for a new section of the Donner Lake Rim Trail high above the lake near Tahoe Donner. This will be a gorgeous section that towers at 7500' with sweeping views of the area. These vistas and great weather kept us inspired as we trimmed back vegetation for the new trailbed.

It was a big success, but it sure would have been better to see some more local representation from BONC and SERT. We hope to make this an annual event, as it was soooo much fun this year! Pictures and videos.

Forest City Trail Fun

The Forest City folks are staging trailwork on weekend of the 25th.  They hope to put the last touches on the bridge and to prune out the Plum Valley Ditch Trail. On Labor Day weekend, the group will host rides all weekend. Camping, BBQ music and other fun (bike polo).  Ribbon cutting for the bridge etc.

Please consider joining these great events.

Pruning Bullard's

We had a modest turnout for today's trailwork at Bullard's, but six of us managed to trim back all the overgrowth on Rebel Ridge and some on Bullard's Bar Trail. I am really excited that Rebel Ridge is finally clear of the nasty overgrowth that made it unpleasant to ride, especially on the south side of Marysville Road.

Note that there are a few downed trees (as usual) on Bullard's Bar Trail between Rebel Ridge and Schoolhouse Trails. Hopefully we can take these out soon; they are somewhat small.

The advantage of the shorter trailwork session was that we were able to get in a fun ride (i.e. not while nackered) on this trail system after we wrapped up our work. Bullard's is a great place to ride on a hot day because there is so much shade.

Big thanks to Fred Bergman who spearheaded and coordinated this project! And others who came to Bullard's recently to help improve trail conditions. Bullard's is a high maintenance system, but is so worth it.