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art23rockpile

At the risk of creating a controversial thread, I wanted to say a few things about legal/illegal trails, and invite intelligent commentary.

As any avid MTBer who lives near a network of trails (or just rides a lot) knows, there are always a few trails that are "off limits". There can be any of a number of reasons for their illegal status, and I won't debate them here. Further, I am not going to advocate nor condemn 'poaching' here. There are certain risks inherent when riding mountain bikes anywhere; they can increase (as do the consequences) when MTBing on illegal trails... for some people the risks are acceptable, for others they aren't.

My point is that IMHO, no good can come from naming, asking questions about, and/or providing information on RIDING specific 'illegal' trails in such a "public" place (discussions regarding legality may be another matter). If a person wants/needs to know about such things, they will find out... it doesn't need to be transmitted on the internet for all to see. Perhaps this is unrealistic, considering the ease (and anonymity) of posting information on the internet. Just as a 'rule of thumb', i've found it prudent to carefully consider what i'm going to post before hitting "submit". I'm no saint myself in this department, and there are a few comments i've made that I wish I could take back!

As ever, i'd like to hear the viewpoints of others on this topic. Oh yes, and if you choose, feel free to use PM.

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"I don't need to go to the Arctic, to know that it's cold."

SheDevil "Besides....half of this forum go both ways"

KBL

I'd love to see a few "MTB only: no hikers, no equestrians" signs myself. Come to think of it, there's something similar on the Fullerton Loop.

As for your above comments, you're right that we shouldn't be promoting or condoning the riding of illegal trails here. There are so many legal trails to ride that there's no need to wish we could ride the off-limits stuff. Our challenge is to make sure none of our current selection gets shut down.

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Tall riders, tall wheels.
Short riders, short wheels.
Makes sense to me!

DBD

I would also add, if you are one of them, poachers that is, and you take pics of your rides, be sure to try and do your very best to NOT have a well known and/or obvious landmark in the shot or at least blur the background before posting on the net.

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CPATCRASH

Private/secret/illegal trails are just that and pictures and knowledge should be shared as such. Posting them on the internet can potentially open up a bag-o-worms. Besides, the reason we sometimes ride the private/secret/illegal is because they are usually in better shape and away from the masses.

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Cowboy.
http://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

SSinGA

We have the same issues here in GA (I'm sure it happens everywhere). We have a large regional advocacy group (SORBA) that works very hard to promote MTB and trails for our use.

My suggestion is to find the group in your area, join and get involved. My efforts to start a local SORBA chapter saved one trail system and gained us another. Call and write every politician serving you. Clearly state what you want and have others do the same.

Good Luck!

One of my favorite signs.

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CalEpic

As most know, the godfather has a pretty strict rule about posting pics/ride reports on non-authroized trails. They will be deleted.

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tkblazer: you pedaled up mathis? nice, i'm scared to ride down it

BrewMaster

Are we sure about this?

*cough*

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Above all accomplishments, character matters most.

CalEpic

I should have stated "Known" non-authorized.

This one I consider a gray area where there is some benefit to the group as an advisement.

If George wants it deleted I'll leave that to him.

C

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tkblazer: you pedaled up mathis? nice, i'm scared to ride down it

maxwell

Sorry, but this *cough* was not "poached on an illegal trail".
I'm sure that there are many "game trails" in the CNF that can be explored.
There are quite a few areas in the CNF that are owned by the TPL http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?cont...&folder_id=266, and are legally ridden.

I guess the best thing for me to do is to just keep my rides, and my pic's to myself.

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"what if I say I'm not like the other's,
what if I say, I'm not just another one,
who play's the pretender, what if I say I will never surender" Foo Fighters - Pretender

cjwally

That would make the site boring.... Keep them comming crash... I enjoy your RR's.

ericfoltz

I don't think I'd categorize that as an "illegal" trail.

As I stated, I just don't think that is the area where we want to see a bunch of new lines snaking down the hillsides on private property. It just gives Art ammunition in his rants about MTBers not respecting private property.

I do think that the west side of the Santa Anas definitely has some room for additional trail development. There is some great terrain in the Coal Canyon area. Even BS has a lot of potential on the west side of the road.

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Portfolio: http://www.ericfoltz.com
Race & Event pics: http://www.ericfoltz.photoreflect.com

BrewMaster

Maxwell, I enjoyed that RR, I was just asking Craig a legit question. I noticed he chose his words carefully and none of use said your RR was about poaching, however, he did say "non-authorized trails."

We probably don't want to split hairs in this thread, but I personally think that there is a difference between riding illegal trails that have been specifically closed on public land and non-authorized trails through private land. For all we know, the private land owners near Blackstar would love to have MTBers riding that trail.

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Above all accomplishments, character matters most.

ericfoltz

Looking at my old Topos of the area, I see a trail that starts about .8 miles up MD from Beeks. Just before the sharp left on MD and before the head of Blackstar Creek. At least half of this would be on NF land. All the way until you hit Hidden Ranch.

Zooming in on the Sat pics you can see a faint trail starting at the left hairpin and going all the way to BS road.

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Portfolio: http://www.ericfoltz.com
Race & Event pics: http://www.ericfoltz.photoreflect.com

TURNERob

Art is a tool and I highly doubt that anybody takes what he has to say seriously.

Keep the RR's coming Maxwell, yours are always enjoyable!

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Cal Clinkie: Now that I'm older I don't think I'll buy another bike without a kickstand.

Uh hunk, yeah.

CPATCRASH

Not all of them! I for one enjoy your pictures and ride reports.

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Cowboy.
http://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

G-Ride

This has been an ongoing issue for at least 10 years now. Keep illegal activities off the internet. This is just common sense. Less is more. Use the PM and email.

I see many photos of illegal trails that pop up on the home page. In one album I saw, there are separate pictures of like 5 or 6 dudes hitting the same well-known and easily identifyable drop on a well-known, overexposed illegal trail. Generally not a good idea, IMO.

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Carpe omnis - seize it all

CalEpic

Darin - Don't stop posting your reports. They're great. If there's ever a problem you'll know about it first.

C

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tkblazer: you pedaled up mathis? nice, i'm scared to ride down it

guero