Tribute and Hirschman's Pond

I spoke with Bill Haire this morning. As usual, he is quietly very busy making new local trails happen for all of us to enjoy. As many of you know, much of Hirschman's Pond trail off Cement Hill Road is now complete. Word is that it is super fun to ride and the contractor did a terrific job constructing it. One additional section is needed (handicapped accessible) and this portion will go out to bid within the month.

As for the Tribute Trail (aka Deer Creek Trail), after many complications, the project is moving along now briskly. Once complete, the trail will connect Nevada City and Grass Valley. Many of you helped work on this trail as part of the IMBA Trail Care Crew visit in 2008. Grant money is now available to complete much the project. Randy Martin of Trailscape will soon build the section of trail from where we worked in 2008 down to the creekside road. Randy is a great local trail builder, advocate and mountain biker. He will also help us flag the recently changed Diamond Arrow trail.

Once again, thank you Bill! I hope everyone will consider supporting these great projects by volunteering or donating to the Nevada County Land Trust. They continue to be by far the preeminent local trail building organization.

RECAP: Unified Trail Day 2010

~60 equestrians, mountain bikers and motocycle riders put in a stellar effort at this year's Unified Trail Days to improve Burlington Ridge trails. In many ways, this was the most productive, impressive event yet. Pictures.

Volunteers focused on the following:

HALLELUJAH TRAIL: This team cut 100 yards of brand new singletrack right out of Skillman campground. It looked great and will allow riders to avoid Burlington Ridge Road altogether.

EXCELSIOR TRAIL (aka Ghost Train): This group rebuilt several of the steep rutted switchbacks, re-routed a section, built rock walls and and built a completely new switchback. This was fascinating project to work on, as I learned firsthand what it takes to make a switchback work for both motos and mountain bikes. Burlington has plenty of shared use trails that could use work like this, and Excelsior in particular has many sub-ideal switchbacks. My hope is that we can continue to improve these switchbacks so they work for everyone. The Nevada County Woods Riders were FANTASTIC to work with and were very responsive to our input.

SIGNAGE: A third team installed signs at various trailhead in the area. Burlington can be confusing for new users and this effort went a long way in helping solve this problem.

FOOD: The food was unreal this year! Like a catered BBQ but only better. Tri tip (buffalo and beef), several kinds of sausages, salad, macroni, potato sala, drinks, desert, you name it. A big thank you to the NCWR who staged this part of the event.

Mountain bikers represented 11-13 of the volunteers yesterday, so we were underrepresented. My hope is that in future years, different local mtb groups will choose to contribute to this important event that builds our reputation with equestrians and moto users. If you want better trails, action is a lot more effective than talk.

Next up: IMBA Trail Care Crew - November 5-7.

Story of the South Fork American River Trail

After decades of effort, the 25 mile South Fork American River Trail has opened. Capitol Public Radio produced a story on the creation of this trail and acquisition of private lands the trail crosses. You can listen to the story here.

Thank you to all parties who worked so hard to make this happen, including the American River Conservancy and the BLM Mother Lode office.

Pioneer Reroute

Today, I borrowed my friend's 29er hard tail and rode and out-and-back on Pioneer from Omega Rest Area to Lang's Crossing. It was exciting to see the Pioneer re-route project more or less complete. There are some terrific parts of this re-route. The view over Bear Valley is about as nice a view you'll see from any trail in Nevada County.

Some portions need a winter and some usage (compaction) to settle in. I do wish some certain sections on steeper side slopes saw a fuller bench cut. Regardless, I am very thankful to the many volunteers who worked so hard to make this happen. Very few regions enjoy the kind of cooperation between different user groups that we do. The result of these combined efforts is more trails for everyone.

Please consider joining us for the Unified Trail Day on October 9th:

Unified Trail Day, Saturday 10/9

BONC will once again work in cooperation with the Gold Country Trails Council (GCTC) an Equestrian Trails Group, The Nevada County Woods Riders (NCWR) an Off Road Motor Cycle Group and the the U.S. Forest Service (U.S.F.S) on our area trails.

On Saturday, 10/9, meet at 8:30AM at Chalk Bluff Road and Highway 20.

This year's projects include resigning the trails in the Skillman area, building a new 100 yard section of trail near Skillman Camp ground, as well as other needed maintenance on sections of the Halleluja Trail and nearby areas.

This years lunch will be provided by the Woods Riders (NCWR.) BONC will be responsible for trash collection and cleanup at the end of the day.

This event is a great opportunity to get out and do our part as alongside (70+) members of other user groups with which we share and enjoy our recreational trail system. Such past cooperative efforts have in my own opinion resulted in reduced user conflict and a spirit of comradery that is rarely seen in other areas.

Mountain bikers: please show up in numbers that reflect our interest in the use of these trails.

Wear the usual disguise:

Long sleeved shirt

Long pants

Hat

Gloves

Closed toed shoes, work boots, or hiking boots.

Eye protection

Water

Bug / sun protection

Loppers- if you have them

Folding pruning saw-if you have one.

A folding canvas chair for lunch.

GCTC Clears the Pioneer Trail

It seems that this year is all about clearing brush. South Yuba, Lang's Xing, Big Boulder, etc. But this is good because even the best trail in the world is no fun to hike or ride if it is overgrown.

The Gold Country Trails Council kept up the good work on 9/18 by clearing back some pointy shrubs on the Pioneer Trail near Omega overlook on Highway 20. Thank you GCTC!

I plan to make the trip out to Hallelujah to trim the nice downhill section with the BONC hedgetrimmers. Wanna join me?

Act Now: Save County Trails Plan!

BONC has learned that a vocal minority has lobbied to make significant, 11th hour changes to the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan. As you may know, the board of supervisors will hold a hearing on this plan tomorrow (Tuesday) 9/21. These changes would undermine the intent and impact of the plan. As trail advocates and users, we need to speak out NOW to preserve the integrity of the plan and all the work the community has put into developing it.

Please do so by submitting the following sample letter or fashion your own. Send it to the following addresses ASAP (again, the meeting is tomorrow). Snail mail is best, but of course time is short. If you want to attend the meeting and speak out, even better:

WHEN: TUES SEPT 21 1:30 PM
WHERE: Board Chambers at the Eric Rood Administrative Center
Eric Rood Administrative Center
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959


SAMPLE LETTER
---------------------------------------------

Larkyn Feiler
Advance Planning Division
Nevada County CDA
950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 170
Nevada City, CA 95959
Fax: 530.265.9851
Email: Larkyn.Feiler@co.nevada.ca.us


SUBJECT: Conditional Support for Plan Draft September 8, 2010
RE: Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan
REQUEST: This letter be entered into public record of this matter

I support (with important exceptions, detailed below) the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan Draft of September 8, 2010. I applaud the effort to create such a plan and believe the county has done sufficient due diligence in soliciting community input for this plan.

The aforementioned exceptions to my support include:

PLAN NOW, IMPLEMENT NEXT - I do not support inserting language into a planning document that seeks to specify, or restrict implementation of this plan. There is adequate process for public input available if and when a specific segment of trail becomes available for dedication to purposes specified in the plan.

TRAILS NEAR ROADS - Users prefer to use trails which are separated from roads and vehicle traffic by a margin sufficient for such users to be comfortable for their safety, and to derive enjoyment while using such trails. Trails are a desirable amenity, even when they are separated from roads by mere scores of feet, and even if the routes are roughly parallel. Thus, I do not support a proposed restriction on developing public trails on private property next to private roads.

PUBLIC USAGE - I do not support language in Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan that seeks to discourage use of public easements, whether or not users are completely informed of their legal rights. Specifically, I do not support the placement of signs that attempt to scare lawful public users away from public easements. Thus I specifically oppose this language (or similar language) in the plan: "Public misuse of these easements constitutes trespassing and property-owners will be within their rights to take legal action against trespassers."

TEMPORARY CLOSURE - I do not support inserting language into a planning document that seeks to specify, or restrict implementation of the plan. Any request seeking to declare temporary closure of any public easements is not consistent with Nevada County's responsibility to facilitate the health and welfares of its residents, and to provide for public use of publically-held easements.

SIGNAGE - I do not support proposals for signs that attempt to discourage residents from lawful use of lawfully-permitted public easements, whatever the condition of such easements may be. Thus I oppose any signage similar to: "No Public Access. Resolution No. 10-XXX".

MANAGEMENT - I oppose any proposal similar to: "Public trails shall not be available for public use until land entitlement, funding, a responsible entity, and a trail-specific operations and management plan are established and improvements are made for public safety and enjoyment."

MAPS- I oppose the recommendation made by Agricultural Advisory Commission (AAC) that " Any line depicting a trail (any line on a map) on private land that is not supported by an easement should be removed".

AGRICULTURE - I oppose the assertion by the Agricultural Advisory Commission (AAC) that "The public benefit of agricultural lands supersedes the public benefit of recreational trails on agricultural land"

SUBDIVISIONS - I oppose the assertion by the Agricultural Advisory Commission (AAC) " The dedication of trail easements must be proportionate to the subdivision or proposed discretionary use".

Thank you for your consideration of these views

------------------------------------------

Lotsa Trail Volunteer Opportunties Coming Up

BONC has a number of trail volunteer opportunities in the coming months. Please mark you calendar for any of these outstanding events:

UNIFIED TRAIL DAY, 10/9 - Work with us, the Gold Country Trails Council, Nevada County Woods Riders and the Forest Service. BONC will cut 100 yards of new singletrack on the Hallelujah Trail near Skillman. Meet at 8:30AM at Chalk Bluff Road and Highway 20.

IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW, 11/6 - On our trailwork part of this weekend event, we will build new singletrack at Kenney Ranch near Twin Cities Church.

SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE, 11/13 - Join BONC and area youth as we improve the lakeside trail. We'll brush back overgrowth, repair a badly eroded section and create drainage where this trail becomes muddy seasonally. Location/time TBD.

ROUND MOUNTAIN, 12/11 - We will install culverts, improve drainage and perhaps flag new sections for this popular trail system. Location/time TBD.

As if this was not enough, BONC will also organize a few more volunteer treks to finish flagging and surveying of the South Yuba Ridge Trail before winter settles in. Stay tuned.

Want to support local trail construction and improvement? Support our efforts by becoming a member today.

IMBA Trail Care Crew Schedule - 11/5-11/7

I am happy to announce the schedule for the upcoming IMBA Trail Care Crew visit to our area on November 5-7, 2010. Please join us! All events are FREE.

The weekend will focus on great rides, great trails and great local bike clubs. To participate in the event, please sign up today.

SCHEDULE:

Friday 11/5


2PM: Group ride, meet at Tour of Nevada City

5PM: BONC club meeting, 175 Joerschke Drive, Suite R, Grass Valley


7PM: Club Care workshop - Focus on building a better bike club. Meet at the Nevada County Land Trust office, 175 Joerschke Drive, Suite R, Grass Valley

Saturday 11/6
9PM - Noon: Trailbuilding School classroom session. Twin Cities Church


Noon - Lunch at Twin Cities Church provided by YBONC ($5)


1PM - 4:00 PM: Trailbuilding School field session. Help us build Kenney Ranch singletrack (adjacent to Twin Cities).


6PM - BBQ/Potluck in Grass Valley. Location and details TBA

Sunday 11/7
10AM: South Yuba group ride, meet at trailhead parking near South Yuba Campground


10AM: Youth group ride, meet at Penn Gate, Empire Mine State Historic Park

Map of event locations

RECAP: South Yuba Ridge Trailwork - 9/12

BONC has truly incredible volunteers.

Yesterday, nine of us made the trek to work on the South Yuba Ridge Trail. We finished clearing the bottom section of the existing trail, then went to re-establish the trail route that was obscured by years of growth. The terrain was challenging, the manzanita and deer brush was intensely think at times, but we persisted and prevailed.

This trail has the potential to be amazing. The ingredients are certainly there: gorgeous scenery, good terrain and connectivity. BONC will try to work with the USFS to emphasize desirable trail characteristics, such as wide radius bermed turns, grade changes and more.

Some pictures of our day in the field.

Success so far:
~2.5 miles of completely brushed trail, previously overgrown
~1+ miles of re-flagged trail, partially brushed
~1/4 mile of new trail flagging

What remains:
~3/4 mile of flagging and brushing
~2 miles of minimal brushing and surveying

Want to support our efforts? Make a donation to BONC or become a member today.

Country Trail Plan Hearing - 9/21

Larkyn Feiler passes this along:

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to reconsider the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan on September 21, 2010 at 1:30 pm in the Board Chambers at the Eric Rood Administrative Center. The following link will take you to our website where you can connect to our DocuShare collection and download the staff report packet:

http://www.mynevadacounty.com/planning/index.cfm?ccs=780&cs=592

Fundraiser Ride - Saturday, 9/18, 10 AM

Join BONC, Sierra Express Bicycle Club (SEBC) and KNCO on Saturday, September 18 for a fundraiser ride to benefit the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Cancer Center. This is the perfect low key, social venue for a beginner rider who is interested in trying out mountain biking. We'll ride a relatively flat, non-technical route through the park trail system. KNCO's Mary West & Chuck Whitten will join the ride. SEBC members will offer a couple of road cycling options for those that are interested as well

Meet at Western Gateway Park at 10AM with your bike and helmet (mandatory.) Your $5 donation will get you a great bicycle ride, a KNCO water bottle and lunch catered by Emily's Catering & Cakes. BONC membership forms will be available for those that wish to join our clubs. Tour of Nevada City will be on hand to support riders with flats or minor mechanical issues. Sierra Nevada Hospital will be doing free blood pressure checks as well.

IMPORTANT: Please register on the KNCO website or call 530-477-KNCO and mention 5 mile bike ride. Your must be registered to recieve the catered lunch, as they need to know how many are attending to plan on having enough food available.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital's cancer center. Hope you can join us!

BONC BoD Meeting - 9/12

Please join us for the next BONC BoD meeting at the Nevada County Land Trust office at 175 Joerschke Drive, Suite R, Grass Valley. We discuss important local trail projects and riding opportunities, including the upcoming IMBA Trail Care Crew visit, South Yuba Ridge, new trails for Round Mountain, group rides and more. See you there!

S. Yuba Ridge Trail Work - 9/12

On Sunday, 9/12, BONC will volunteer again on the South Yuba Ridge Trail.

We will focus on brushing work with three power hedgetrimmers and some loppers. This will allow the Tahoe National Forest to re-establish a trail route which is necessary for our grant application to fund professional trail construction.

It is beautiful on this ridge and we will provide quality beer after the work. Please join us by signing up:

http://tinyurl.com/southyubaridge

Sunday, September 12, 8AM - Meet at the USFS office in Nevada City

Grouse Ridge Trails

Some changes are coming to trails in the Grouse Ridge area. The USFS has planned re-routes of the Lindsey Lakes and Crooked Lakes trails. Additionally, the Tahoe National Forest and Gold Country Trails Council have created a new trail from Loney Meadows to Bowman Mountain. See the map here (PDF).

On paper, the re-routes make a lot of sense. The Crooked Lakes re-route eliminates the obnoxiously steep climb heading north from Penner Lake, while the Lindsey Lakes re-route replaces the fall line trail that leads down to the Grouse Ridge Trail. The existing LL descent is fun for advanced riders who like a technical challenge, but it is a hike-a-bike for others and a hike-a-bike for everyone heading up. The USFS just received word that they have received additional funding to work on these projects.

I do wish the USFS would cut the large fallen trees that have blocked many Grouse Ridge trails for years now.

Recap: South Yuba Ridge Trailwork, 8/29

Eleven of us made the trek up beyond Washington to work on the South Yuba Ridge Trail yesterday. With three hedgetrimmers, a quad, a chainsaw and many loppers, we cleared brush and downed trees off the newer trailbed that the USFS built some seven years ago. As this section has remained unused, it needed a serious effort to clear. Regardless, we worked our way much further up the trail than we expected. There were cold beers waiting for us at the end of the day. See pictures.

This trail provides an important connection between the South Yuba Trail and the Grouse Ridge Trail system. It will be a spectacular descent from Camp 19 (Bowman Lake Road) down to Washington. Thank you to our outstanding volunteers yesterday, including Robert Joynt, who was kind enough to bring his quad which we used to transport tools yesterday.

Next up - We have a small section remaining of the newer section to clear and then the flagging can begin on top of the ridge. Joe Chavez estimates that this will require about 2 more days of volunteering. Please consider joining us on September 12 @ 8AM at the USFS station in Nevada City for our next volunteer trail day.

Tahoe Trail Event 2010 - Recap

In the middle of August, twelve of us BONCers joined over 100 Northern California mountain bikers at the 2010 Tahoe Trail Event.

We ate great food, rode *fantastic* Tahoe trails, drank donated New Belgium beer, raffled off swag, built a great new section of singletrack near Daggett Pass and a lot more. This year's event was the best yet! For me, my favorite times were laughing and hanging with other BONCers at our campsite, building trail rock features on the Tahoe Rim Trail and riding the improved Armstrong/Corral trails (much better descent than Mr. Toad's).

See the pictures. Thanks you to our great volunteers and our sponsors (New Belgium, Specialized, Passion Trail Bikes and CLIF Bar). And of course, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.

Hope you can join us for next year's even

South Yuba Ridge Trail - Volunteers Needed!

In cooperation with the USFS, BONC is targeting an early October deadline for a grant to build the South Yuba Ridge Trail (see map). We need your help to make this happen. The USFS has asked us to round up as many volunteers as possible to help clear the trail corridor of brush so that final trail flagging can occur. Please consider joining us for one of the following dates:

Sunday, August 29, 8AM - Meet at the USFS office in Nevada City
Sunday, September 12, 8AM - Meet at the USFS office in Nevada City

If we can meet this deadline and our grant application is successful, trail construction could begin next year! Please let us know if you plan to join us by signing up today.

ABOUT THIS TRAIL
The trail will start off Bowman Lake Road near Grouse Ridge and extend down to just east the town of Washington. When it is done, you will be able to ride between Grouse Ridge and Purdon Xing on ~30 miles of singletrack above and near the South Yuba River.

RECAP: August BONC Gala Ride

We had a great time on Saturday's BONC Gala Ride. Four new members joined our ranks and the weather was great. Pictures.

We'll see a bunch of you this weekend at the Tahoe Trail Event. Watch for an announcement soon for our September Gala Ride.

Land Trust Trail Work - 8/7

If you are not attending the BONC Gala ride this weekend, please consider helping the Land Trust with the following project. From Bill Haire:

"We will be doing some trail maintenance work at Alta Sierra on Saturday, August 7, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. (at the very latest).

Work will consist of cutting the tall grass along the grassy areas the Alan Thiesen Trail passes through, trimming back blackberries, Scotch broom and other brush, and any other vegetation that is protruding into the trails. If you have a weedeater or gas powered hedge trimmer, we can put it to good use. Otherwise, bring loppers, brush clippers, or brush shears to assist with the trail work (if you have them).

Meet at the corner of Dog Bar Rd. and Alta Sierra Drive at 8:00 a.m., to start work and be sure to wear appropriate clothing to work in the brush and grass (long sleeve shirt, trousers, boots or shoes, a hat or cap, and work gloves. Bring water, sun screen, and insect repellant for protection from the elements.

ASPOA (Alta Sierra Property Owners Association) will be providing a snack, and I will have water for those who forget to bring water."

Busy Weekend for BONC Volunteers

Last weekend was a busy weekend for BONC volunteers.

SOUTH YUBA RIDGE

On early Sunday morning, a group of five brave souls hooked up with the USFS to work on brush clearing for the South Yuba Ridge Trail (pictures). Meeting at 7AM, they set in to prepare the route so that flagging could be finished for this trail and ultimately, BONC could apply for grant money to fund construction. The group started hiking up the trail just after 8 am and stopped about 12:45 pm at our high point about 2 miles and 1000 ft in elevation gain from where we began. It was hot out there.

The trail needs more brush clearing. Joe Chavez of the USFS said he'd get his crew out there to continue what we started. Thereafter, BONC volunteers will flagging higher up once the trail path is clear.

DIAMOND ARROW

On Sunday, Shannon and I made a field trip to scout out a possible 2 mile trail route between Diamond Arrow and Round Mountain.

We started at the top of the RM trailhead heading east. The terrain was steep and difficult at points and we encountered lots of PO and thick manzanita at times. As usual, the route seemed simpler on a topo map than in the field. Regardless, we learned a lot about what we have to work with.

It will be very challenging to snake this trail between steep sideslopes and private property boundaries. Another field trip or two is required to find a possible route. Let me know if you are interested in joining me for another expedition sometime soon.

BONC Gala Ride - August 7th

Join BONC for the next fun Gala ride event on Saturday, August 7 @ 10AM. Meet at the Five Mile House on Highway 20.

We'll have ride groups for all abilities, from advanced to beginner. No rider will be left behind. Please mark your calendar. We will have BONC membership forms on hand if you want to sign up. Hope you can join us!

Recap: BONC Gala Ride for July

BONC had a very successful Gala ride last weekend. Thanks to Darwin's efforts, we partnered with KNCO to combine our ride to benefit the Sierra Nevada Memorial Foundation. The weather was great as three big ride groups (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) rode quality trails in the Highway 20 corridor. Here are some pics.

Hope you can join us for our next fun ride event!

Tahoe Trail Event 2010 - Register Today!

BONC has a limited number of camping slots available for this year's Tahoe Trail Event on August 13-15th. Sign up now! We ask for a $10.00 donation to help BONC defray our costs.

BONC will join other Northern California mountain bike clubs for this annual multi-club campout, which will include Tahoe rides, a half day of trailwork, movie night, a raffle, and hanging out with other mountain bikers from all over Northern California. We'll camp at Zephyr Cove campground on the east side of Lake Tahoe. We will re-route a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail, building entirely new singletrack. Learn more.

This event is a great time!

Pioneer Trailwork - July 17th

The ongoing project to convert Pioneer Trail fire road to singletrack continues. The Gold Country Trails Council will host a trail workday on Saturday, July 17. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 20 and Lowell Hill Road. Volunteers will continue working on the re-route section of the Pioneer Trail. GCTC will provide lunch. You're welcome to join us.

BONC Gala Ride, 7/10

The BONC July Gala ride will occur on Saturday, July 10th. This ride will be part of a fundraiser for the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation (see below). We'll have ride groups for all abilities, from advanced to beginner. Note that beginners can ride 5 miles or less; other groups will ride longer, more challenging routes.

Please mark your calendar. We will have BONC membership forms on hand if you want to sign up. Hope you can join us!
______________________

5 Mile Bike Ride, $5 Donation, 5 Mile House

Details:
Join KNCO's Mary West & Chuck Whitten for a 5 mile bike ride (or longer - see above) fundraiser at The Old 5 Mile House. A $5 donation is requested to participate and includes lunch and a snack from The Old 5 Mile House. All proceeds will be donated to the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hosptial Foundation. For more information call SNMH at 274-6805 or Chuck Whitten at 272-3424.

Saturday, July 10 @ 10:00 AM

Location:
The Old 5 Mile House on Highway 20

Phone:
274-6805 or 272-3424

Partial Closure of the Wetherall Trail

The Nevada County Land Trust is temporarily closing a portion of the Wetherall Trail to accommodate neighbors concerns about use of the private Big Blue Road. The Land Trust will temporarily close the trail at a point some 200-300 feet above the point where it joins the NID service road. A barrier will be installed and signs will advise users that this point is the end of the trail and that users should return to the Cascade Canal rather than continuing on down to Big Blue Road or the D-S Canal.

Please abide by this closure. The Land Trust intends to build a return trail that will connect with the new trail and bring trail users back to the top of the preserve property via a different route along the eastern portion of the property. This work is being planned for this fall, and will provide another opportunity for volunteers to assist in the trail construction.

Building trails is complex process that the Land Trust does exceptionally well. Let's support them as they work through this.

BONC BoD Meeting

Please join us for the next BONC board meeting! Meet at the open cafe area behind SummerThymes off Highway 174, across the street from Memorial Park @ 5:30PM on June 27th.

Come find out what the club is focusing on and how we plan to achieve better mountain biking opportunities in Nevada County. We'll have updates on the South Yuba Ridge, Grouse Ridge, Scott's Drop and Diamond Arrow trail projects and discuss future riding, social and trailbuilding events, including the IMBA Trailcare Crew visit later this year. Whew, there is a lot going on!

I am hoping some of us can ride the Mine afterwards. See you there.

Jon and the NCLT

Jon Fisher has worked on many trails in our area. You might not know this because Jon is not the kind of guy who grandstands. For years he has quietly worked alongside Bill Haire and others creating great local dirt routes using his equipment. You may have seen his work on the Empire-to-Memorial-Park trail and other Land Trust projects.

Last weekend, Jon worked with Bill on the trail from near Twin Cities Church to A-to-Z on Ridge Road. This project may not be about creating the next big freeride drop or swoopy singletrack, but trails which offer connectivity like this are very important. They create transportation corridors and the means to avoid dangerous motorized roads when hiking or riding locally.

As someone who rides more local routes these days (having three kids will do that to you), I appreciate Jon's efforts. His work is yet another reason we need to support the Nevada County Land Trust as the primary trail building organization in our area. We are lucky to have Bill, Jon and other NCLT people creating trails for all of us. It is not easy establishing permanent trail easements with local governments and property owners. I know that from personal experience that turning dirt is least complicated part of creating a trail. But such local trails make our area a much better place to live. No one does it as well as the Nevada County Land Trust.

National Trails Day Events - Sat. 6/5

This Saturday, there will be a local celebration of trails. If you can't join BONC's Gala ride, be sure to check out the other activities.

Perhaps most exciting to me is the dedication of the new trail in Woodpecker Preserve on Banner Mountain. It will be a great day!

Tahoe Trail Event 2010

Join us for our annual Tahoe weekend of camping, riding and trailwork on August 14-16, 2010.

BONC will join FATRAC, MBOSC, ROMP, and other Northern California mountain bike clubs for our annual Tahoe multi-club campout, which will include rides, a half day of trailwork, movie night, a raffle, and hanging out with other mountain bikers from all over Northern California. We'll camp at Zephyr Cove campground on the east side of Lake Tahoe. This is a walk-in campground, so your car may be a few hundred feet from where we will camp. We'll partner with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to reroute a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail at Kingsbury Grade.

There will be many rides, mostly around the east shore and south shore of Lake Tahoe. BONC will ask for a $10.00 donation to help us to reserve your spot. Please let me know if you plan to join us.

August 14th - 16th 2010
Zephyr Cove Campground (east side of Lake Tahoe)

This event is a great time!

Hirschman Pond and the Mini-Excavator

Today, I spoke with Bill Haire regarding the Hirschman Pond trail project in Nevada City. I was pleased to learn that trail construction is underway. Bob Hale is building the trail with his mini-excavator, which is great news. Bob and his brother have built trails in this area for decades. Along with others, they built the North Yuba trail from Indian Valley to Goodyear's Bar, which is an outstanding piece of singletrack.

I can't wait to ride this new trail, but everyone should know that the trail is still under construction and not open for public use at this time.

Country Trails Plan Vote June 8th

A reminder that an important hearing for the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan is coming soon. From Larkyn Feiler:

"The tentative date scheduled for the Board of Supervisors to consider adoption of the Trails Plan is June 8, 2010 at 1:30 pm in the Board Chambers of the Eric Rood Administrative Center.

This public hearing is very important for the outcome of the Trails Plan and we encourage you to attend the meeting and participate in the public comment period or provide comments in writing prior to the meeting if you are unable to attend."

Send messages to:

Larkyn Feiler
Advance Planning Division
Nevada County CDA
950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 170
Nevada City, CA 95959

Ride on National Trails Day - Sat. 6/5

Join BONC as we celebrate National Trails Day with the Nevada County Land Trust and other supporting organizations on Saturday, June 5th. We'll host a ride for two levels of riders:

Beginner: Ride around Nevada City on local trails

Intermediate/Advanced: Ride up on trails in the Highway 20 corridor

Both meet at Stonehouse Parking Lot at 9:30AM. Afterwards, we'll join the the National Trails Day event from 12-1:30 at the Stonehouse parking lot. This is always an inspiring event, so even if you cannot join the ride, be sure to stop by for the festivities.

Loma Rica Ranch Race

In case you have not heard, there is a bike race or two this weekend :-) One is on pavement and involves guys named Levi, Larry... or is it Lance? Whatever. Anyway, the first race is on Saturday at Loma Rica Ranch and it is a big deal!

A lot of volunteers have put in a lot of hours to build the trails for this course. Trails were create via under YBONC's Trail Stewardship Program of teen club members, parents, contractors, and local non-profit volunteers. A big thanks to everyone who chipped in, especially Jet Lowe, the tireless leader of YBONC!

To support this event, please consider racing or donating to YBONC.

Round Mountain Trailwork- 6/12

Join BONC for trailwork on Round Mountain on Saturday, June 12. We'll install some culverts, improve drainage and tackle additional important tasks. Meet @ 10AM just off Rock Creek Road (map).

Please join us. We'll offer food and drinks for participants. Please bring long pants, shoes and gloves. Some of us may ride afterwards.

BONC, Bullards and BBQ! - Saturday 5/9

Join BONC for a Gala Ride at Bullards Bar on Saturday May 8th. Meet at Vista Point (see map) at 1PM. If you want to carpool, please meet at Uren Street and Highway 20 at noon. Note that this month's Gala Ride is on 5/8, not the first Saturday of the month.

As always, this will be a No-Rider-Left-Behind Ride. All levels of riders are welcome and we will break into groups based on ability. We'll explore the outstanding singletrack of the Bullards Bar trail network. When we finish, you'll have the option of heading over to Penn Valley (Western Gateway Park), where we will join the Sierra Express Bicycle Club, APPT and other cycling groups for a BBQ at 5:00 pm. See below for further details.

Please bring a bike, helmet, water and a mid-ride snack. If you want to join BONC, we'll have memberships available. See you there!

The NU MTB Team is hosting a fundraiser showing of the film Race Across the Sky at the Nevada Theater on April 13, 7pm. Proceeds benefit the team and Nate Rogers.

If you have yet to see it, it is a great documentary on the Leadville 100 race.

Trailwork Near Kenney Ranch

BONC joined other groups on Saturday for productive trailwork alongside Ridge Road. 17 of us were able to pull out a large amount of brush to prepare the eventual trailbed for upcoming mastication. A big thanks to Bill Haire for leading and organizing this effort and everyone else for pitching in. Here are some pictures of volunteers.

BONC + NCLT Gala Ride - Saturday, 4/3

Explore Land Trust Ditches and local connector trails with Bicyclist's of Nevada County on their Monthly Gala Ride to benefit BONC and Nevada County Land Trust. After a mountain bike tour of our ever expanding local inventory of multiple use trails, we'll swap stories and enjoy food at the end of the ride. Let the celebration begin!

Where: Penn Gate, Empire Mine State Historic Park
Cost: Voluntary contribution $15.00
Everyone welcome! Helmets required.
Level: Easy to Advanced

Kenney Ranch Trailwork - 3/20

Join BONC and the Nevada County Land Trust as we prepare a new trail system on the Kenney Ranch property west of Grass Valley. Meet at 10AM on Saturday 3/20 at the west side of the Twin Cities Church parking lot.

This work will involve pruning branches and shrub for a trail. If you have loppers, hand saws or a pole saw or two, please bring them. In any case, be sure to bring gloves, long plants, water and a snack. We'll volunteer from 10AM until 1PM, and thereafter, some of us may ride.

See you there!

Trails Plan Hearing - March 11

The Nevada County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan on Thursday , March 11, 2010 at 1:30 pm.

This is your opportunity to urge the commission to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt the plan. Members of the public will be allowed to speak at this hearing, which will occur here:

Eric Rood Administrative Center
Board Chambers, First Floor
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, California

If you cannot attend, you can write comments to the commission at the address above. Your comments will be added to the meeting minutes. This plan will ultimately make a big difference to the future of trails in this county. Your support is appreciated.

Land Trust + BONC Trailwork Day

BONC will show its support for Bill Haire and the Land Trust by hosting a trailwork day with Bill on Saturday, March 20th, 2010. Please save this date. The plan is to work on a project close to town, one of the many excellent projects Bill has underway. Perhaps Hirschman Pond, Kenney Ranch, Rattlesnake or the Deer Creek trails.

The exact venue is yet to be determined, but please save the date. Thanks for your support.

BONC Gala Ride - Sat., February 6th

Please join BONC for its monthly Gala ride on Saturday, February 6th @ 10AM from Penn Gate at Empire Mine State Historic Park!

As always, this will be a No-Rider-Left-Behind ride. All levels of riders are welcome and we will break into groups based on ability. We'll explore some lesser known trails in the Mine and nearby Osborne Hill. When we finish, we'll gather at Penn Gate to enjoy some complimentary food and drink. Please bring a bike, helmet, water and a mid ride snack. If you want to join BONC, we'll have memberships available. See you there!

Support Plan for New Local Trails

The Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan Draft very much needs your support. Please use the bullet points below or sample letter below to create your own message and send it to the address(es) below. As you may know, BONC has provided detailed input to this trails plan since its inception, via attendance at many meetings, participation in phone calls, and writings. Your BONC membership helps continue the detailed and persistent advocacy necessary to ensure that local trails receive the support they need.

As always, written letters are most effective. Please submit your comments by February 2.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BULLET POINTS

- I support the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan Draft

- The plan adequately addresses the need for future trail planning

- The planning process has been inclusive and comprehensive and meets the needs of developers, trails users and the community at large

(See addresses below)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SAMPLE LETTER

Larkyn Feiler
Advance Planning Division
Nevada County CDA
950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 170
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530.265.1254
Fax: 530.265.9851
email: larkyn.feiler@co.nevada.ca.us


Dear Larkyn,

Bicyclists of Nevada County (BONC) supports the Western Nevada County Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Master Plan Draft December 2009. We applaud the effort to create such a plan and believe the county has done sufficient due diligence in soliciting community input for this plan.

BONC believes the creation and implementation of this plan would represent a win-win for trail users, developers, planners and all Nevada County residents. For too long, trail planning in our area has been a haphazard affair. This plan will allow for efficient, thoughtful incorporation of trails into development of parcels under the purview of Nevada County CDA, without forcing existing land uses to be changed without owner agreement. Thank you for your efforts and attention to this important matter.

Local trails are a major contributor to Nevada County's high quality of life. Trails facilitate the good health, safe routes to school for children, habits of physical fitness, independence from fossil fuels and the attractiveness of Nevada County as a destination. Trails leading to retail and business destinations deliver revenue to businesses, that is not throttled by traffic congestion, or restricted by already-occupied parking spaces. Trails near residences have been shown to increase property values in countless California communities.

BONC realizes that this plan appeals a wide range of constituents. We acknowledge that it applies only to parcels which make application for development to Nevada County CDA. BONC understands that parcels owned by the US Forest Service, US BLM, or within the cities of Grass Valley, Truckee, and Nevada City, will remain unaffected by this plan. BONC recognizes that this plan will not, in itself, create trails across contiguous parcels that run uninterrupted for miles, as it defines no funding mechanism for building and maintaining trails, and defines no entity for holding trail easements. While acknowledging this plan's shortcomings, BONC feels it is an attainable step in the right direction. BONC will continue to advocate future enhancements to this plan and remains committed to advocating trail development by other means as well.

BONC is committed to responsible mountain bicycling, preservation and improvement of riding opportunities, cooperation with other interest groups and the education of cyclists and non-cyclists alike. We regularly hold group rides and trail building and improvement events.


Sincerely,


(Your name)
(Town of residence)

Rattlesnake Trail Progress

Some great volunteers made terrific progress on the Rattlesnake Trail last week. You can see the trail come to life as you ride/drive/walk along Rattlesnake between Highland and 174. According to Gene Haroldsen, future dates for trail work:

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, January 14, 2010
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, January 16, 2010

According to Gene: "The reason these dates are iffy is the weather. If it is raining, the trail work for that day will be canceled...

Weather permitting, volunteers need to meet at the intersection of Lower Colfax and Rattlesnake Roads. This week's construction will involve continued work on the trail alignment between Lower Colfax Road and the Colfax Highway.

Please bring work gloves and anything you may wish to drink or eat. We will have an assortment of Nevada County Land Trust hand tools available (i.e. Pulaskis, McClouds). If you have a shovel and / or a wheelbarrow, please bring them."

Please consider helping out!

Rattlesnake Trail Construction

The Nevada County Land Trust continues construction of the Rattlesnake Trail extension. Please consider helping out at these times:

10AM-1PM, Thursday, January 7
10AM-1PM, Saturday, January 9

Meet at the intersection of Lower Colfax and Rattlesnake Roads. According to Gene Haroldsen, "This week's construction will involve 1) finishing the trail between Lower Colfax and North Highland, and 2) grubbing and initial preparation of the trail alignment between Lower Colfax and the Colfax Highway.

Please bring work gloves and anything you may wish to drink or eat. We will have an assortment of Nevada County Land Trust hand tools available (i.e. Pulaskis, McClouds, loppers). If you have a shovel and / or a wheelbarrow, please bring them.

For planning purposes it would be helpful if you could let me know if you plan to participate on either or both days. Thank you for your interest and support of this joint Rattlesnake Neighborhood Association - Nevada County Land Trust project."

As background, this new trail will parrallel Rattlesnake Road from the original Rattlesnake Trail (at the Rattlesnake Ridge development) all the way to Highway 174, providing an off road alternative to riding alongside fast moving cars. A worthy project indeed.

Western Nevada County Master Trails Plan

The Western Nevada County Master Trails plan draft has been released. It is now up to you to make sure it is accurate.

There are some interesting aspects of this draft. For example, it specifies trail connectivity between Purdon Crossing and Hoyt Crossing (Highway 49) and Bridgeport. Imagine riding Washington all the way to Bridgeport? Connectivity is also specified between Round Mountain and Pioneer. Be sure to check out Appendix C.

As you may know, the county began this planning process early in 2009. The goal was to create a plan that detailed where trails are and where future trails should go. The latter is very important, as it will will guide necessary trail construction as development occurs in the future. In other words, if a potential trail is identified in this plan, any development that occurs within that corridor may need to facilitate new trail construction.

How can you help? Please look over the documents and submit comments. The 45-day public comment period will close on February 2, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Please provide any comments you have to the following in writing:

Larkyn Feiler
Advance Planning Division
Nevada County CDA
950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 170
Nevada City, CA 95959

Bullard's is Clear

According to Joe Chavez of the Tahoe National Forest, all downed trees on Bullards Bar trails have been cleared out as of yesterday. Thanks Joe!

Land Trust Trail Ride - Recap

A collection of Nevada County cyclists started from Auburn Street in Grass Valley on a tour of Land Trust-constructed trails as part of this month's BONC Gala Ride. The weather was cooperative one last day, allowing us to explore some of our best local trails.

The advanced group hit four Land Trust projects and even managed to pass by Bill Haire and company as they worked on the new trail along Rattlesnake Road. We rode a section of ditch that I've never hit before (behind Brunswick Basin heading toward the Litton Trail).

As usual, we doled out beer and food at the end of the ride. Thanks to Nick Jedenoff and Dave Hughes for help leading the ride and Darwin Leek for providing food and his office to stage the event. Please join us for our New Year's Day ride in Auburn.

Oh and if you want to donate to the Land Trust, here is how.