Ladera Ridge and the Ladera Ranch Trail

Discussion in 'Trail Conditions' started by Doctor Hollywood, Jan 16, 2009.

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  1. Singletrack Angel

    Singletrack Angel New Member

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    As you said, you've never ridden there, so you don't know. If one is not comfortable riding over this feature, walk it. Simple.

    This is ridiculous... don't be the MTB police for everyone else. If you don't like it, don't ride it. If you actually knew the feature in question, you'd know why I'm pissed.

    Is not that it's some great feature to ride, it just that this drama is so completely unncessary.
     
  2. Doctor Hollywood

    Doctor Hollywood New Member

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    Singletrack Angel, by no means is any of this your fault and you should not regret informing everyone of the accident. I was not trying to "expose" the incident or trail anywhere beyond this forum. I am under the impression that the trail is not illegal. All I was trying to do is promote a positive discussion in a better suited sub-forum. You did absolutely nothing wrong.
     
  3. jbh65

    jbh65 Member

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  4. Doctor Hollywood

    Doctor Hollywood New Member

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    Ok. So I just got back from riding up and down Firehose to check it out. First off, by no means is the hump removed. It looks like someone cut maybe a foot or foot and a half notch off the top of it. I would also estimate the hump was closer to 6' tall, not 3.5'. I stood beyond the back side of it and couldn't see over it. It is still something you need to be careful going over, but it probably is somewhat safer.

    Regardless of what happened to the hump, lets keep the topic of this thread about whether or not we can be riding on it.
     
  5. dfioc

    dfioc Quack Attack!

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    I rode this trail this morning and saw the portion of the hump cut out by what looked to be 12-18". Frankly, it's lost it's character now. It was one of the more interesting features of the trail because it was unique.

    I don't understand some of the "whining" over this bump by some here. It's not like it's on a blind corner or hidden by bushes. It's in plain view and if you're paying attention like you should be, you can see it "was" not something you could carry a lot of speed over unless you want to launch yourself into orbit.

    Mountain bike riding is an exciting sport but carries with it a level of risk, like any sport. Like Singletrack Angel said, if you don't like it, don't ride it. And whomever gave themselves permission to ruin this feature for everyone else should have found another trail to ride if they didn't like it.

    What's next? Bumper cushions?
     
  6. jbh65

    jbh65 Member

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    well I rode the trail this morning as well and personally I like the change. I take the trail north and got some serious air still.

    The trail in my opinion is what you make of it. Firehose and Pipeline have enough character for me, but like I said its just my opinion like your post is your opinion.
     
  7. dfioc

    dfioc Quack Attack!

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    Ruined it for me though.

    But what bothered me is the simple fact that someone thought it was within their right to change it. It was part of the trail, leave it alone. It's not like trail maintenance where you remove debris and hidden hazards. This was neither.

    There are lots of trails I ride having parts I don't particularly like but I don't go around and alter them to suit me. That's just simple arrogance.

    JMO.
     
  8. OTB_again

    OTB_again Hophead

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    I rode it today too and like the modification. It's still boostable but it's not going to catch you unaware and throw you OTB. Obviously "being careful" as previously suggested wasn't working...ask Cindy. Thanks to whoever cut the notch.

    Here's the difference between this trail "feature" on LR and the same hump anywhere else. This point has been made numerous times in this thread but I'll say it again. The legality of this trail is questionable. If it is in fact illegal, the attention caused by 2 recent airlifts from this same exact spot could easily get this network closed with an enforcement presence similar to what has happened to Chiquita. This would mean the loss of some sweet ST. This isn't Aliso, Whiting, or O'Neill which obviously are not under the same threat of closure when someone gets hurt.

    Like jbh said, the real character up there is the singletrack. Are you climbing up there for the hump or for the singletrack? That hump had the most f'ed up geometry I've ever seen for a so-called "trail feature". It was put there to prevent motor vehicles from going further north toward Oso. A car still can't clear it and a motorcycle could clear it before the notch anyway.

    I for one hope no more airlifts means no closures.

    Rant over.
     
  9. dfioc

    dfioc Quack Attack!

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    Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I ride there for the entire experience, not just the hump and not just the singletrack. To me, it's lost some of the fun because someone thought they were in charge of the trail and altered it.

    Given the attention Chiquita has been given by law enforcement, I would seem that if this trail was truly illegal, it would have been closed off already. I tend to agree with Doc Hollywood that this is part of the Ladera Ranch trail system.

    I guess we'll all see what happens now on that trail with the flattened hump. Yes, motorcycles could have made it up before but perhaps the hump was just enough to get them to turn around. Time will tell.
     
  10. jbh65

    jbh65 Member

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    Well as I have posted before the trail was shut down last August right at the hump.

    Now someone took on their own and removed the signs, posts, and barbwires. What is the difference between that modifying something that caused at least two people to be airlifted out, another who broke their hip?

    I have ridden the hump more then 30 times at a minimum and today was the first time(since the first time I rode there) without much precaution.

    I personally like the table top, and you can still get some solid air going in either direction. The launch angle is significantly different which once again in my opinion is better.

    Kudo's to whom ever modified the trail
     
  11. MohammedInABearSuit

    MohammedInABearSuit Sticks and Stones...

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    Sage advice

    They would look like the "new" Whiting.
     
  12. kentonn

    kentonn Rage against the Mods

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    You have the full support of S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S. (Saving Trail Users (from) Potentially (and) Inherently Dangerous, Aggressive (and) Silly Stunts).

    We know that most mountain bikers are involved in drugs, free love and all that. With their careless and reckless attitude toward their life and others they come into contact with, we would like to see mountain biking banned in all public places. Understanding that our group is too small to force that kind of change, we can still make the trails safer for everyone.

    If you give me the coordinates to this unsafe trail, I can send several members out there to fix the problem(s). We would certainly start by knocking down this dangerous hump. We can also install several signs to remind mountain bikers to keep there speed down to 5 - 10 mph. Anything above that could obviously result in serious injury to the rider, some other trail user, or both.

    There is really no need to thank me. S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S. is absolutely committed to protecting you from yourself. If you would like to make a small donation to support S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S., plase send me a PM. I'll be happy to forward our PayPal information.

    Thank you,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2009
  13. dfioc

    dfioc Quack Attack!

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    I also propose the following:

    • Mandatory speed limits on all trails of 5 mph. Enforcement would from radar detectors and cameras every 1/4 mile with fully staffed checkpoints every mile where tickets would be handed out to those recklessly exceeding the speed limit;
    • Limiters placed on all mountain bikes where brakes are automatically applied at any speed over 10 mph;
    • Bond measure to be placed on state ballot to pay for "awareness" campaigns about the dangers of unsafe riding on anything other than flat concrete parking lots.
    Just a start.
     
  14. kentonn

    kentonn Rage against the Mods

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    Sir, we could really use members like you. You my friend, should consider yourself an honorary S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S.!

    (You don't take the marijuana or the cocaine do you? I should probably ask this before making you an honorary member.)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2009
  15. dfioc

    dfioc Quack Attack!

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    why thank you sir. I consider it a public service to insure no further injury to members of 'S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S.:"

    And whether I indulge in certain substances is between me and my probation officer.
     
  16. HEYwait4me

    HEYwait4me Member

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    WOW!! There is a lot of debating going on about this stupid hump. I ride this ridge often and never have had a problem with it. Like stated before people should always use caution when riding somewhere unfamiliar. And it is pretty obvious that no vehicle could go north on the trail. And I am almost 99.9 % positive that it is a legal trail, because if it was not it would be fenced off like everything else.
     
  17. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    That's about my normal speed, so I vote for this restriction, now everyone will arrive at the regroups at the same time!
     
  18. KeepsWhatHappens

    KeepsWhatHappens Warriors Society Member

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    I really think this comment should end this thread. Not much more constructive to be said. :wave:
     
  19. osmarandsara

    osmarandsara Active Member

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    Nope......this should be the last one:

    [youtube]aD_vJRatx-A[/youtube]
     
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