On a side note, while riding out there Sunday afternoon, I ran into a park ranger who pulled out a map of the area, which I believe may have been one of the maps used in the presentation in September, and explained that they would be deciding in March as to which trails would remain closed and which would re-open under the proposal. I'm sorry the only one I can remember that he said he thought would stay open is Tunnel #1, there were a couple of other sections, but I don't remember which ones. I would assume that this is the recommended plan by the City and not necessarily the one that the DMM, if they are allowed to proceed, would approve?

That was Tom, a ranger from Black Mtn that's now assigned to patrol the Tunnels and Deer Canyon. He's a nice fellow, and probably had one of the maps the City produced...I'm just not sure which. He was with us in the "patrol training" on Saturday for a while but he didn't break out the map.

There have been a few numbering systems for tunnels.

Going by the numbering system at the Sept LPQ meeting for the SDMBA and MTC plans, the tunnels are numbered from east to west (right to left), as opposed to numbering according to who found which first. The only trail consistent through these schemes was tunnel 5. So the trail b5driver mentions as T1 is likely the one furthest east, also called 'crossings' due to several stream crossings.

This means tunnel 4, sometimes called 'Diadora' after the old soccer cleat that was suspended on the bush marking the juncture from N-S to E-W, will likely be the connecting part of the loop going west from T1, then south to the eucalyptus trees.

Tunnel 3, the (in)famous Rocking Horse, cannot be opened as a little birdie told me it was still private land and cannot be opened unless the owner sells the land to the city (and the city then agrees to let us use it. Ughhhhhh....). And even then, as this birdie told me, due to the steep grade (= fun), they may require it to be an up hill only section. (one-way only signage!?! what, no traffic lights?)

So, connecting the southern end of the loop will encounter some problems as the area between the eucalyptus trees (T4) and the mesa where T1 leads south is the F&G vernal pool area, if remember correctly. There are ways around that guarded area, but I don't think they will be consistent with the rest of the Tunnel experience, whatever that means.

Considering Marvin Gerst is on the newly developed committee set up by the DMM Development Planning Board to address these specific trails, and no longer has to bump heads with Erik, who was not appointed to this committee, to get his way,.......

well then, I guess this means it's time to consult a higher power to see how this dilemma will play out:

"Will the tunnel trails be open access trails to be enjoyed by the public?"

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

I care about the equestrians, too. They are such a disadvantaged and much misunderstood minority.

This site could be of ENORMOUS help to the typical physical types i see riding their horses on DMM....

http://www.freedomrider.com/mntaidFR2.html

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Scum on a Bike

Seriously... that is why I don't think equestrians cut the branches at the bottom of T5. Because of they got off to cut the branches how did they get back in the horse without one of these...

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never stop....

BIKE Maga article on the Tunnels Controversy

http://bikemag.com/features/onlineex...rsy/index.html

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"No matter where you go there you are" BUCKAROO BANZAI
My Pinkbike page http://www.pinkbike.com/u/lambertphoto

I think the equestrians/developers of the committee got the trails closed and kept delaying the vote to let things cool off and avoid the obvious revolution. Who really thought the rogue horseback rider(s) that purportedly cut the cover at T5 actually intended to cut the full mile up to the fire road?

It was apparent at the Sept 'workshop' of the LCPC-CAC that this wasn't going to be a cake-walk for them. The mountain bike community showed up in numbers they didn't expect, SDMBA and MTC gave presentations they weren't prepared to fend off, so they delayed. Then they moved the vote to DMMDPB, and now to a sub-committee of the DMMDPB with Gerst on it. Geez.

It seems the delays are now working in our favor.

A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. -Mark Twain

We're catching up.

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

tunnels has never been better

Didn't know where else to post this. A nice video of Tunnels by my good friend Kemper Ruth, the guy who got the Ch 10 news thingy together.

http://vimeo.com/5766949

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

Cool. I met Kemper and his friend that day while he was out there filming...I remember the bent front wheel drama.

I agree, cool vid.

Also saw some really nice vids by Luna riding tunnels with a helmet cam somewhere or another on the net. The only vid I'd seen of T5. Super vid.

Sad, going into August and the area's still closed.

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

... and it will remain so.

The "trails plan" drafted by the City will not have much of anything in it. "We've been fighting for you, and we sure appreciate how you proved we can command a trail closure when we want to, because they're staying closed."
--That there is an official foreshadowing. Mark my words.--

... just ride them anyways ...

They are getting lots of use... Rocking Horse is getting pretty wide in parts.

They should stop putting efforts into closing trails and they should start trying to close down the underage, drive through bar at the top of the mesa.

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never stop....

Couldn't agree more on the last point. What do you think about this:

(from another thread)
I imagine a number of politcos will be at Erik's (Cam Ru) trail's grand opening to accept kudos and photo-ops with news groups Aug. 8. Anyone think it would be worthwhile to have a showing of bikers carrying "SAVE TUNNELS" picket signs, or some such signage. Could get some coverage, and the attention of the politicos. May open up some face to face time. Would be good to have someone smart, knowledgeable and comfortable with the media. (Rob M, you there? Allen K? Minette?)

Just a thought.

Took my 9 yr old son with me today (Saturday) to look for the new trail. First time to LPQ since the closures. Tears me that he may never ride the sanctuary we all once enjoyed.


(Due to my son's soccer tournament next weekend I may be MIA for the Grand Gala Event)

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

Recession, budget cuts, who's going to give you a ticket?I say ride that shiat harder than it's ever going to be ridden.

If you do for some god for saken reason pull over to get written up, use your IOU money the state is given to you

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