Blackstar- Confrontation

[Uphill Fanatic]

I ride Blackstar every week. Other than getting a little more crowded especially on the flats, I have no complaints. Great people, great work out.
I was out yesterday morning which looked to be a beautiful day. I was riding the flats and was approaching the ONLY water/mud puddle still present. As I was approaching (maybe 10 feet away) I hear a vehicle behind me. I do a quick glance and it appears that the a truck is approaching, maybe 30 yards back.
I decide to step on it and push to the left around the water/mud as I should easily beat the truck.
Just then, the truck guns it, hits the puddle, nearly hits me, and completely drenches me and my bike with the grossest nastiest mud I have ever seen.
Yes, I am livid. Hikers just above me are astonished and almost as upset as I am telling me that the truck almost hit me.
I pull around the corner and the truck is stopped to unlock the gate. I start to unleash a curse filled tirade as the driver gets out.
Low and behold, it's Art Tuttle. He starts in with the SOS- "This is private property, you don't belong here". He tells me he did me a favor as "it's hot outside, I just helped you cool off".
I have seen him before. Sad thing is I actually gave him a ride once a few years back just outside the gate to the mobile home park as he asked me and I thought I just may be able break down some barriers. I reminding him of this trying to make it personal and he says he doesn't remember me.
I am writing this to warn my fellow Blackstar Mtn Bikers, keep your eyes open (he drives a beat up old Dodge truck). Art is still around a crazy as ever.

 

[Sweetpea]

thanks for the warning. I wonder how long he has been back...

 

[irv_usc]

wow that guy is still around... it's been pretty peaceful lately. thanks for the tip, better watch out

 

[kingaucho]

Blackstar night rides are about to get much more "interesting". I was confronted by him years ago - shotgun in hand and two big black dogs (I think they were Rottweilers). Real piece of work that guy...

 

[trailninja]

Yikes! At least it wasn't Bigfoot.

 

[dustyyoungblood]

This is why I never ever rode Blackstar. To many stories like this

 

[El Rolo]

He's back? Wow! Still a dick. My wife and I got attacked by his dogs 20 years ago. Haven't seen him since but I only ride there a few times a year.

 

[portlypeddler]

A police incident report with eye witness testimony stating it...appeared....as if he was trying to hit you wouldn't have boded so well for Fart Puddle.
Without a gun,dogs etc, really he's just a cowardly canyon menace.

Steve

 

[fos'l]

That would be incredible for anyone but him. He tried to force me off the road and over an embankment once, but I narrowly avoided it. I would have called the police.

 

[dustyyoungblood]

 

[Bruce in SoCal]

Id file a police report. It is assault with a deadly weapon, which is a felony. Since you weren't actually hit, the DA will let him plead to something less.

Remember you are doing his next victim a favor by make no a report. You might also be doing nag him a favor by deterring him from something very serious.

 

[ericfoltz]

What a load of crap. There is an easement on that road giving access to the NF. Grading and repair past the homes is done by the NF and those bridges were repaired a few years ago with County funds. Regardless of his family history, his history of confrontations with people legally using publicly owned recreation lands has landed him in jail more than once and if I'm not mistaken he has a restraining order against him going near anyone who is not on his property.

 

[Obsidian]

He actually seemed somewhat reasonable in that video. Stay off his land ... that is simple enough.

I have never seen him myself, but then again, I don't ride Black Star too often because it is so boring. Hopefully the Booby Trap singletrack towards the top is legal since that one and a couple of others are the only times I leave the fire road.

 

[dstepper]

He is probably off probation and emboldened. The traffic behind the gate is very sparse so the chances of it being Art are rather high. I suggest not giving him any opportunity to interact. Apparently he is not going to change. To ride Blackstar is to deal with Art has been that way for as long as I remember. There is no dealing with crazy just steer clear. He will pull his bullshit on the wrong person again and he will be arrested again. Last time it was an assistant district attorney walking with her daughter.

 

[emejay]

PLEASE FILE A POLICE REPORT for the benefit of all who use this road.