Yes, I'm about to start a $hit storm that some people are not going to like, but I hope everyone will read and if/when they respond it's done RESPECTFULLY!

In the past couple months I've been noticing that the land and trails are getting out of control. By this I mean there are new trails, bypasses, cuts, etc popping up practically every week. A look on google earth makes the place look like a spider web of trails. This is happening with disregard to the land and nature. Now I'm by no means a tree hugger, but I do believe we need to respect the land and nature. So many of these trails, especially the cuts and bypasses are being done with no regard for erosion control or trail preservation. While I'm not one that is going out to hit jumps and drops, I respect those that are, but not every trails has to be turned into a jump or berm trail without regard to other trail users and natural habitat.


I want to remind people that while we are out enjoying our rides, most of the land we are using is that which we are NOT WANTED on. Also when we are out there, we are at the bottom of the pile for trail users, so stay respectful, carry out what you carried in. If you can't stay on the existing trail SLOW DOWN. If you don't like the existing trails at this location, don't cut new ones, go find different location to ride.

Bottom line, we all need to work together to maintain this and other sites for continued future use.

No, you won't be getting any shit from me on this one, 325.
What you posted only stands to reason....we have only so much open space left, thanks to a very liberal policy on the part of our City Council and the County Supervisors.

Liberal in the sense that they were so quick and free with the approval rubber stamp for every developers' request to raze more open space in recent years.

Now, we have to make do with what open space is left, and trails should be built responsibly.
This ain't the Wild West anymore. It's the Congested West.

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Scum on a Bike

Bah. Ok, I'll be respectful.....

Every trail a jump line or berm trail? Ha! Hardly. I think that's a very small percentage of the overall network out there. Put a little 'suss' in that full-rigid and you might appreciate something a little toothier. Just sayin'...

Keep in mind, many of the trails you're enjoying out there right now were likely illegally cut at some point (some by illegal migrant workers). And if they were not illegally cut, many are certainly off limits...... you fucking law-breaker!

And my understanding is that some old trails are now closed and have grown back in. "Nature" will always take back her territory when given a chance.

Consider that there were probably similar voices bitching about Rich Julian's work when he did all the work on the Flightline trails. They don't need to bitch anymore though; it's all been developed and shut down (it was before my time, so I'm going on hearsay).

Don't forget, the newly cut trails give the folks who are paid to maintain the area something to do to justify their existence (dig big ugly holes all along the trail, chop down the local flora and pile it up in ugly bundles to close them off).

The land (that particular land), is slated to get smaller and smaller as new roads and houses are constructed. I'm pretty apathetic when it comes to preserving that particular slice of 'nature', knowing what's to come. Besides us mountain bikers and the guys cutting new (FUN!) trails, the place is often abused due to asshats tossing their trash out (look at the hefty bags near the Eucalpytus) and all the people that let their dogs shit all over the place.

There. Even though I believe you're way off in left field about this issue, my response was totally respectful. (and I was just yanking your chain on the law-breaking - so it was still respectful - just crass).

BTW, keep in mind Harley's quote, which you incorporated into the DT socks "Ride it till they pave it!".

That's it for now; gotta go cut me a new jump line. (then I can learn how to jump).

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

Doing our part

Before:


After:

Respect the full face..

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You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti

Mike

I've been riding Calavera for
over 40 years. There has never
been or will be any advocacy.
SDMBA came through for 10
minutes a few years ago.
I know a few others have tried.
It's always been the Wild West.
It will go down that way.

"Ride it till they pave it".

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I never would have thought that Harley would end up being my inspiration. (well..maybe a little).

avidtest


"it makes mountain biking fun again"

Ozzer

Awesome work guys!!!!!!!!!!!

True! I guess that's the thing, we all are.

My point is not so much to close trails or discount the work some are doing to build trails.

And I certainly agree with "Ride it till they pave it". But what I'm noticing is the widening of single tracks, the straight lining of switch backs, short cutting of S turns. I fully blame STRAVA for that crap! Also, probably the closing of other trail networks.

We need to work together as a community to preserve what we have and stop the things that create an even worse image.

Somehow we also need to educate the new users on proper trail use. This is a revelation that even I nearly ran over a jogger last week because I was going to fast on a heavily trafficked section and didn't stop, but tried to squeeze by where it was to narrow. I ended up crashing into some shrubbery to avoid a crash. I have since added a bell to Woodie for more recognition.

You have a good point here, but how the heck can it be prevented? It's not just Stravassholes. It's hikers, kids, horseback riders, the clueless, urban yetis (what?), etc. Since it is the wild west and the population density is so thick all around Calavera, I don't see a way to stop it short of a complete shutdown of the area.

Putting the word out on DT is a good way to vent, but I'm doubtful it will have a measurable effect.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

You old fart!

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

Obviously I need to chime in here....

As one of the builders who created much of the Jumps and drops that many hate a a few enjoy, I think we can all agree on one thing.

STAVA SUCKS BALLS

It really has, people only started cutting to catch "the fast guys" then the fast guys said "fuck that, he isn't that fast" then they take the cheater. All of a sudden, a new line has formed all because some gimp ass was too prideful and didn't think he was going to get smoked either way.

Lastly, how do you think DFW and land managers find secret trails anyway? Do you think they don't have a strava? Or don't know what it is? I made the mistake of building a fresh trail this winter, put it on strava and three weeks later with 85+ strava members riding it, it was torn down. As a matter of fact, it was shut down harder then anything has been killed off in cala in a very long time.

In the long run, all the commotion and conversation doesn't matter for shit. SdMBa is to busy with "better project" and clearly the "master trail plan" is more for side walks and the utter desimation of calavera..... Ride it till the fucking pave it!!! In the mean time to those cutting trails, stop being a strava duesch, that bad gimp as habit will ruin other trail and you will eventually get smoked on strava either way!

Also, thank you for cleaning the trash! That really is awesome!!

Reaper, if the trail you built was the one from the highest point of the fireroad, down toward Oak Riparian, I feel for you. That was a really fun trail and was very well done. By the time I finally rode it (never saw it or even looked for it on Strava), the end was already near. I only managed to ride it 5-6 times, but it was a real thrill and a treat to have something new to play on at Calavera. Although I had no idea who created it, I sure did appreciate it.

Another rider pointed out that it was probably a little too close to where most of the weekend hikers tend to gather to have much of a chance at surviving over the long-term. In either case, it was a real shame to see how they absolutely destroyed it. I was sorry to see all your hard work go down the toilet.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

That was my trail. And I am in agreement, way to close to people. But it was very easy to access from my house... Made for a quick cut. What bummed me out was it was done in a way that was fun/challenging for every skill level. Minus the champagne rock garden at the bottom... That was sketch. Glad you enjoyed it, we redirected it twice, but it was destroyed to the point of no return

Few things in this world are black & white issues, and Calavera is very gray...Like Big Clyde, I've been riding it over forty years. And like all of you commenting above, I love the place. Cala Reaper, as soon as I saw that trail I rode it because it looked fun (and it was!), and I knew it would be closed quickly because of the location. Like 325racer, I am dismayed by the Stravassholes, hikers and others who are shortcutting and braiding good trails, with bad consequences. I appreciate and enjoy the trail builders' work, and also appreciate the viewpoint of those trying to preserve some habitat. Most people who've chosen to get involved in advocacy on behalf of mountain biking at Calavera realize it is a tough task, and decide to put their limited time & energy towards places with a better chance of getting results. I applaud any effort at keeping Calavera a desirable place to ride despite the issues, guaranteed frustration, and uncertain future. Glad to see a dialogue instead of a sh*tstorm.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin