Riding at night in Aliso Woods.

[OMR]

Ed (AW Ranger) wants to pass on to all riders that they are now starting to ticket those caught riding at night in Aliso Woods. They've noticed a major increase in the amount of bike traffic in the park due to almost everything else being closed or burnt. The powers that be have decided to once again crack down on night riding in the parks. Ed, an avid mt. biker himself, will be riding at night and wanted to warn others please not to ride AW.

BTW: These tickets are "simple tresspass" unless you start mouthing off... then, they can get very expensive with a possibility of loss of bike. The judges are starting to enforce the park rules... especially after the recent fires.

Please, let's respect the rules...

[foofighter]

absolutely Gregg...we finished our ride and was coming out to the park tonight and it was like rush hour with riders exiting the trail

[tbowren]

Poor Ed,

Must be tough having to ride all night long on all the trails looking for perps.

I can just see it now "Ohh Lynx was fun, maybe someone is waiting at the top, better go down it again just to make sure."

He should enlist the help of the STR Auxillary Police, we could help him out on the nights he needs a break.

[OMR]

You may have said that in jest... but I'll bring up the subject with him of having rider support at night .. who knows, he may need the help. Doesn't hurt to ask....

[Rascal]

I finished my ride their about 20 minutes before sunset and on my way out, I passed ton's of riders barely coming in with lights, obviously prepared to ride at night.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Rascal

I finished my ride their about 20 minutes before sunset and on my way out, I passed ton's of riders barely coming in with lights, obviously prepared to ride at night.

Those guys will end up ruining it for everyone else.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Those guys will end up ruining it for everyone else.

What they will ruin is their wallets. The land managers are totally serious on cracking down on night riding in the parks. The Simple Tresspass fine is approx $150 right now. Once they start fining it won't take long to ripple through the bike community. Ed just wanted to warn us a head of time that they are serious.

[slowSSer]

where's andy aka rut when we need him? I think he's got a related story.

[mtnbikerfred]

If they need help, count me in.

In a past evil portion of my life I poached quite a bit and regularly ran from rangers (on horses even). I would suggest sweeps with radio support and coverage of the "non traditional" ingress and egress routes. This is contingent on night riding in AW becoming a real problem. I say step up enforcement, issue the trespass warnings seriously then start ticketing on the way out. Let the OC Sheriff deal with them on the street outside the park if they're A-holes.

[foofighter]

agreed Fred. Gregg you know where i live and im willing to help out if need be

[genusmtbkr5]

Since Treve and I don't have Whiting to do our SHARE trail assistance patrol as of now, I can also help. Let me know.

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

where's andy aka rut when we need him? I think he's got a related story.

Here I am!!!

Here is the skinny guys and gals...

I got "caught" riding 2 minutes after dark. Probably 15 minutes after sunset. I had a certain ranger (no longer there) gunning for me. She waited at my car and blocked me in with her truck. As the Sheriff was issuing me my ticket, several other riders entered the park. In my frustration I asked the officer about all the others entering the park with lights on as I was getting the ticket. He said it was up to ranger. She let them go. OK sorry this is off topic here and another story for another day....
The final cost of the issued ticket was $551. The fines doubled because it was in a reserve (Aliso.) She also "caught" me off trail. Double $$. This was at the ranger's station too! This portion of the fine was also doubled. I ended up fighting it and almost won. I still payed a SMALL fine, but let me tell you this. And if you remember any part of this story please remember this... IT WAS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT. I had to take days off work for the court dates. I did research with photos, logbooks and letters from presidents from the local cycling clubs. It was a huge hastle and it did not go well for the cyclists of OC. I even gave the Sierra Club ammo against us. It really sucked arse.
It blows there aren't that many night riding places because of the fires, but it could be worse. It could be all out-lawed. Please learn from my mistake and regard biking as a privilage not a right. OK thanks for listening!!

[cjwally]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Here I am!!!

Here is the skinny guys and gals...

I got "caught" riding 2 minutes after dark. Probably 15 minutes after sunset. I had a certain ranger (no longer there) gunning for me. She waited at my car and blocked me in with her truck. As the Sheriff was issuing me my ticket, several other riders entered the park. In my frustration I asked the officer about all the others entering the park with lights on as I was getting the ticket. He said it was up to ranger. She let them go. OK sorry this is off topic here and another story for another day....
The final cost of the issued ticket was $551. The fines doubled because it was in a reserve (Aliso.) She also "caught" me off trail. Double $$. This was at the ranger's station too! This portion of the fine was also doubled. I ended up fighting it and almost won. I still payed a SMALL fine, but let me tell you this. And if you remember any part of this story please remember this... IT WAS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT. I had to take days off work for the court dates. I did research with photos, logbooks and letters from presidents from the local cycling clubs. It was a huge hastle and it did not go well for the cyclists of OC. I even gave the Sierra Club ammo against us. It really sucked arse.
It blows there aren't that many night riding places because of the fires, but it could be worse. It could be all out-lawed. Please learn from my mistake and regard biking as a privilage not a right. OK thanks for listening!!

Damn I feel for you br0. That is super recoculous. I know I have been mashing hard to get out before it gets dark and have found myself on the fireroad heading out when it is dark...

With all the places burned, they should open it up temporarily....That would be sweet!

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by cjwally

Damn I feel for you br0. That is super recoculous. I know I have been mashing hard to get out before it gets dark and have found myself on the fireroad heading out when it is dark...

With all the places burned, they should open it up temporarily....That would be sweet!

That would be sweet, but that would not be appropriate. The parks are closed because of the creatures in the areas. If they open the parks for us, for now, it really would not be helping the critters. Even though I would really like it, I just don't see it happening. The rangers probably share this viewpoint too. Just a guess of course.

[foofighter]

the critters need a break from us as well :

[BrewMaster]

I always thought it was about safety. Never realized the critters needed their personal space at night.

Most rangers seem pretty reasonable, to the point that if you are on your way out of the park just after dark, they don't nail you. I'm not saying we should expect this kind of leniency, but I do think most rangers are fair about who they ticket and when they choose to do it. CHSP rangers are very cool about this as long as you are on your way out.

[foofighter]

i think that if it's dark and people are obviously just starting their ride and have LIGHTS mounted on their bikes with the intent that they will be doing night rides that becomes a problem of people trying to ignore the rules

[Fired Yo Momma]

wow Andy I like your passion and zeal! I bet your patients were upset with you that you took the time off from your practice .