PV: The axe is falling.....

[PVt]

Mountain Bikers - Please be aware that Los Serenos de Point Vicente conducts walks for children at the Forrestal, Abalone Cove, Ocean Trails, and other reserves in Rancho Palos Verdes. Los Serenos docents have expressed concern for the safety of children on trails with bikes. Although no incidents have been reported, we must make sure everyone can enjoy trails safely. You can find a walk schedule here. If you have questions, please email info@mtbpv.org.

Volunteer Trail Crew Training Class - sign up. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will be hosting a training program beginning on April 5, 2008 for individuals that are interested in conducting volunteer trail maintenance. We need mountain bikers to be part of this leadership training program (more info). Help forge the future of trails in PV.

[Flat Broke]

I just signed up for April 5th, April 19th, May 10th(tentatively), and June 21st. I'd like to be able to attend all of the classes/work days, but a couple of those back to back weekends were too hard to schedule around.

I'm doing this for two reasons, 1st to show that we're not the bunny killing, elderly trampling, child scaring, horse spooking, apathetic about nature bastids the hiker/horsey nutjobs claim we are. But even more importantly I'm doing this for me. This is a great opportunity to learn some good trail maintenance techniques, get some exercise, and work with people who share the same passion as myself. The skills I pick up at these classes, will only make me more helpful for volunteer work in other venues outside of PV. So even if you don't ride regularly in PV, you might take this opportunity to help yourself be more productive when it comes time to help the trails near and dear to you.

Chris

[drclark]

You got that right chris. I also think the more educated I am about trail construction/maintenance the more effective will help me be more effective in public speaking/letters to editor, etc concerning trail issues.

I'm also hoping they'll teach me to build some killer jumps and how to cut "sustainable" illegal trails

drc

[grantos]

Awesome Job Troy and the rest of the crew. I wish I could be there to help you guys more. I certainly enjoy those trails at least once a year when I'm visiting from Hawaii.

Much Aloha to you all,
g

[jonkranked]

any updates as to when the moratorium is going to be lifted?

[PVt]

Unfortunately, the trails won't reopen until the signs are up. A lot of them are almost unridable anyway because they're overgrown. There's a trail work day Saturday April 19th. We need to show the city we're not going go give up until we get more trails opened. Hopefully that will take care of the signs and clear the trails of brush.

I've been riding other open areas on Sundays. These trails are little used and some are overgrown but, hey, it's single track. Sunday morning ~9:00 AM at Del Cerro parking lot.

Don't forget the city council will review trails in Portuguese Bend in about ~6 months. Hang in there, we're still working to get more trail opened to bikes.

[jonny nez]

I think we should all go up and take pics of the trails while they are overgrown and before the summer heat dries up the vegetation. To clarify, do not go on closed trails, just take picture of them from a legal trail

Every meeting I have been to, one of the opposing groups (you know who it is) always has images and even posters of a pics of a heavily used trail. They claim that the damage is irreversible and caused by bikes and suggest that all the trails are this damaged. Wouldn't it be great to be able to show pics of what they looked like now. Heck, if taking 2 month break every year insured that i could ride them the other 10 months... I would be happy.

We all know that it wasn't just the break, it was also due to precipitation and such. But I think the point would get across to city council.

[Sharky]

I just got back from riding there today and am hanging at my sis' house in Torrance. They have all the metal posts up at the trails they're just missing the signs so looks to be soon. It really is gorgeous out there right now with all the greenery/flowers was a good ride.
I'll definitely try to make the trail work day.

[Sharky]

I can't find any specifics on the trailwork day next Saturday. Can you post time, etc. when you have it? Thanks.
I have a few morning jobs and an hour drive so would be a little late but would still like to join in if possible.

Edit: Thanks for the info below the link hadn't been updated with this when I had looked. THANKS!!

[PVt]

This will be a full 6 hour work day. If you can't make it in the morning, come a little later. Someone will be at the gate to direct you to a work site. Sign in as CORBA or something that indicates you are a mountain biker.

Sponsored by REI - Lunch and water will be provided for the first 100 people that sign-up. Some tools and gloves will be provided however it is recommended that you bring your own gloves, water, and sunscreen. Long pants and good shoes recommended.

See ya there!

What: Trail workday. Help with trail maintenance at the Portuguese Bend Reserve (Del Cerro).
When: April 19th 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Where: Del Cerro Park Map
2 Park Place, Rancho Palos Verdes

[katonk]

Is it OK to show up if you've never done trail maintenance, or would it be better to take class the class first?

[PVt]

No experience is required for volunteer work, just a little sweat.

[Sharky]

*BUMP* I'm heading out as soon as I finish my jobs if anyone else is around even a few hours would be great and then we can ride after. See ya there...my sis says it's pretty chilly so layer up. Parking is close so you'll have access to your car if needed.

[Sharky]

Last Saturday we were split into two groups the trails worked on were Peacock Flat and Panorama. I believe the next ones are scheduled in May and June 7th?? My question many of the signs are up but am getting conflicting information..are the trails posted then now open for us to ride? I'll be out that way Saturday again for my nephew's b-day and plan to ride.

[The Sauce]

Awesome job, guys...if I had read this thread earlier, I would have been out there, too. I love riding there and would like to help get it opened up ASAP!

Whats the word on the current conditions, though? Is anything open?

[PVt]

Unfortunately, trails are still closed in Portuguese Bend (Del Cerro). You can only use the fire road and 4 trails (map). The signs that have been posted are in preparation for reopening but the city council has to approve it first. That could happen at the June 3rd council meeting but no onw knows for sure. In any event, it will be soon.

In the mean time, hang in there and stay on legal trails. The sheriffs department is doing random patrols and anti-bike people are taking photos to persuade the city to kick bikes out altogether. Don't help them.

If you see anyone destroying signs, please let them know it’s a dumb thing to do. It will not change anything and it will absolutely hurt our effort to open more trails to bikes. My experience is that people who are mad enough to do this stuff never show up to do anything positive, like meetings with the city or trail work. Hostility is rewarded with hostility.

If you want to vent your anger in a useful way, join us for trail work on June 7th at Del Cerro (info). We have a chance to get more trails for bikes when the city reveiws trail uses in about six months. Keep this goal in mind when you ride.

[Drop D]

I was there this morning for a quick work-out ride and talked to the trail conservationist people, they were putting new signs 'coz people were taking them down Sorry, I cant make it for June 7 for the trail work since I'll be in Nevada, I will go next time

[Flat Broke]

I've got some news for those who are still following the Trail Wars in PV. Remember the idea of a "fun zone" in the land slide area south of PV drive? Well it's coming up for discussion at an upcomming PUMP meeting on June 4th. Even if you can't attend, you can send an email to address your concerns or desires with regard to expanding the trails in the area outside the reserve.

Avoid terms like "Bike Park", "free-ride", "fun zone", etc in your correspondence, as many of these terms hold negative connotations for some PUMP committee members. Stick to the idea that more trails reduces congestion, and less congestion on the trails is good for the guests, and the environment. Tactfully urging the PUMP to consider building "challenging" trails in a geologically undesirable area is a great way to give bikers an outlet, and still allow them to enjoy the area.

If you can make the meeting, awesome. If not, please take the time to put together a well-worded email in support of this activity. You can send your correspondence to
[FONT=Consolas][SIZE=3]aram@rpv.com[/SIZE][/FONT]

Best regards,
Chris

[PVt]

Trails Status
I wish I could say all the old trails are open but as of Friday June 6, what we have in the Portuguese Bend Reserve (Del Cerro) is eight trails and the fire road (map). I know that sucks but those are the cards we've been dealt. Just remember that when we started four years ago, bikes were out, that’s zero trails. Today we have 36 trails throughout the ten reserves. Is that enough? Absolutely not!

So what can we do to change it?
The bottom line is, the city council holds the power. They have to sit there and listen to everyone who is willing to speak. They're confronted with facts, non-facts, distortions, exaggerations, and dramatic displays. The result is, they compromise. We don't like the results but we've been assured that they can make changes in six months, and then every year thereafter. The door is not shut; it’s open if we can work to influence them.

They want bikers to prove they can obey the rules, stay on designated trails, and not trash habitat. All those fun new technical trails, jumps, and drops we made in the past allowed the opposition to put us on the defensive from day one. They've declared that this is not a bike park; it’s a nature preserve where bikes are allowed if they don't create problems.

The council had repeatedly expressed appreciation for our trail work. They need and depend on volunteers. We know this can work because we got trails back at the Forrestal reserve a couple of years ago by working on them. We need to keep it up until the next trail review in February. There are no guarantees we will get anything but what’s the alternative?

You also have a lot of people working their butts off to get more access. That means going to endless really really sucky meetings, and facing up to people who treat you like you have the plague. It’s only natural to be pissed off and complain about what’s happened but that doesn’t help get trails back. I hate politics and I hate meetings and I hate public speaking, but I go because I love these trails and I love mountain biking. Working on trails for three hours a couple of times a year is the easy part. Will you help?