Re: Big Bikes tame the Bull
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:56 am
Via email, concerns have been raised about the photos/captions in this thread. Rather than reply to the email, I figured I would post here for the forum to see and review. I am doing this openly as I feel that it can be a learning opportunity for me and maybe for others here as well. I have no problem admitting wrong if that is what comes of it.
The first concern is regarding my "Double secret single track on the way to John Bull" being an illegal trail. This concern was raised as "There are not any single tracks anywhere near John Bull" (quoted from the email). I feel the caption is correct; it was a trail on the way to John Bull. It was a while before we arrived at John Bull, I cannot say exactly where the trail is located as I do not know. As to the legality of the trail... to be honest I do not know. It was a very well established and well used trail. At a brief rider meeting the person leading this section indicated that we would "take a couple legal single track bypasses". So he felt the trail was legal. If I was to arrive at this same single track again, not knowing the area, based on the trails open entrance and how well used it is I would feel confident that I was on a legal trail. That said. If people are still concerned about it's legality I will look through my GPS log and see if I can figure out exactly where it is and provide that information for review. I did not intend to cause a stir with a little literary license in the caption, but I also do not know why someone would assume that the trail is illegal?
The second concern is a bit more troubling to me. Mostly because in thinking back on the ride, I feel that while I had the best intentions at the time... and I am still not sure that I would do it any differently... I still may be in the wrong. The concern was raised about riding around the downed tree and creating a bypass. Because I am still conflicted as to whether I was in the wrong, I will describe the situation and perhaps we can discuss it.
There was a freshly fallen tree across the trail. I guess the only way to know 100% that no wrong was done would have been to turn around and go back. Maybe that is indeed what we should have done. At the scene, knowing where we needed to go to meet another group and the time of day, turning around did not seem to be a viable option. Notice the emphasis on "seem". I was the third bike at the tree, the first two had already gone around and the others were still a bit behind. I followed the tracks of the first two bikes. Our track was immediately around the tree, in the area already disturbed by the fallen tree. There was an easier but longer route around which was not taken. When I arrived at the tree I did look at the track and felt that it was of minimum impact to the already disturbed (by the fallen tree) area, we went right around the stump which was right against, if not partly in the trail. I don't think I was more than half a vehicle width away from the main trail... not much, if any, more than a 4x4 moving to the side to allow another 4x4 to pass. I will admit, I did not get off the bike and walk the area.
I did find out later, that one of the other riders behind me wanted to try the "easier" route which took a longer path around the tree. I found out about this later (I was ahead at this time)... and also found out that someone had already talked to him about creating a bypass and increasing trail damage. I mention this to show that the group was conscious of the ill effects of a bypass.
So... there it is for all to see. I know that turning around would have been the only 100% correct decision. I know that my (the group's) decision put us in a "grey area". Was it worse than that? I guess time and discussion will tell.
The first concern is regarding my "Double secret single track on the way to John Bull" being an illegal trail. This concern was raised as "There are not any single tracks anywhere near John Bull" (quoted from the email). I feel the caption is correct; it was a trail on the way to John Bull. It was a while before we arrived at John Bull, I cannot say exactly where the trail is located as I do not know. As to the legality of the trail... to be honest I do not know. It was a very well established and well used trail. At a brief rider meeting the person leading this section indicated that we would "take a couple legal single track bypasses". So he felt the trail was legal. If I was to arrive at this same single track again, not knowing the area, based on the trails open entrance and how well used it is I would feel confident that I was on a legal trail. That said. If people are still concerned about it's legality I will look through my GPS log and see if I can figure out exactly where it is and provide that information for review. I did not intend to cause a stir with a little literary license in the caption, but I also do not know why someone would assume that the trail is illegal?
The second concern is a bit more troubling to me. Mostly because in thinking back on the ride, I feel that while I had the best intentions at the time... and I am still not sure that I would do it any differently... I still may be in the wrong. The concern was raised about riding around the downed tree and creating a bypass. Because I am still conflicted as to whether I was in the wrong, I will describe the situation and perhaps we can discuss it.
There was a freshly fallen tree across the trail. I guess the only way to know 100% that no wrong was done would have been to turn around and go back. Maybe that is indeed what we should have done. At the scene, knowing where we needed to go to meet another group and the time of day, turning around did not seem to be a viable option. Notice the emphasis on "seem". I was the third bike at the tree, the first two had already gone around and the others were still a bit behind. I followed the tracks of the first two bikes. Our track was immediately around the tree, in the area already disturbed by the fallen tree. There was an easier but longer route around which was not taken. When I arrived at the tree I did look at the track and felt that it was of minimum impact to the already disturbed (by the fallen tree) area, we went right around the stump which was right against, if not partly in the trail. I don't think I was more than half a vehicle width away from the main trail... not much, if any, more than a 4x4 moving to the side to allow another 4x4 to pass. I will admit, I did not get off the bike and walk the area.
I did find out later, that one of the other riders behind me wanted to try the "easier" route which took a longer path around the tree. I found out about this later (I was ahead at this time)... and also found out that someone had already talked to him about creating a bypass and increasing trail damage. I mention this to show that the group was conscious of the ill effects of a bypass.
So... there it is for all to see. I know that turning around would have been the only 100% correct decision. I know that my (the group's) decision put us in a "grey area". Was it worse than that? I guess time and discussion will tell.
