BC status

[Van-Go]

Went out to BC yesterday at 3:30 once the trail status changed on SB.com. Today SB.com has a disclaimer that it is open but to ride only the inner loop and the newest section after the hill. Sikp the Juv. side/Hill section.

I will second that....

1) Juvie side: I walked it before I started just to see and as expected it is a mess. Skip it.

2) Inner Loop: Very good shape

3) Hill: Worst I've ever seen it. Thick mud sections. Some standing water. Some of that frozen. Walked a couple of spots b/c the damage is palpable. It is obvious that despite the "closed' designation people have been out there riding. Rode it once and skipped it the next time around.

4) New Section: Very good shape. In the section right before you come out into the clearing and ride parallel to the road it is soft/muddy but not that bad.



Even avoiding those sections I would not wear my best duds out there. I was thoroughly covered with mud when finished.....

[GregB]

Thanks for the update.Between the weather and not being allowed to work on the trail is not giving me much hope to hold a race on Feb.28th.It sounds like The Brig Trail is in bad shape ,also very wet.

[Van-Go]

Wondered about that myself. I know the race is a month away - and I do not know how such things work - but wondered if the route would be altered at BC or exactly what would happen.

Forgot to mention as well that there were several vines and other vegetation hanging over the trail especially in the inner loop. I would suggest people use eyewear or just be ready to dodge some of that. There was also a smaller tree leaning a little more over the trail than it used to in the inner section. I'm not the tallest person and I ducked a bit out of a reaction to make sure I didn't hit it with my helmet.

I know we're not supposed to do any trail work so I let them be - I did kick a few limbs off the trail but the vines and a few branches remain in the trailway.....

[mysteryrider]

The trail seriously NEEDS to be raked to dry out faster..

Sure wish that IMBA card in my wallet would let us do that?? Still debating if the membership was even worth it??

I'm certain that it was??


but then someone said we weren't allowed, then who enforces it when it magically gets done?? as it could only benefit the well being of the trail in the long run?? Do you see where this is going??

[FastZR1]

Word from the DEC meeting tonight is as follows.

Brig race this weekend is cancelled.
First race will now be in G-Vegas 0n Feb 7th.
Second race was supposed to be at Blue Clay but it doesn't look like Blue Clay will be ready so DEC will run the Pit on 28 Feb.
Third race was supposed to be the Pit, but will now be the Brig race.

Who knows what happens after that.
The Brig is under water in a lot of places and is in no condition for a race right now.

Eddy

[VTHokie]

The trail seriously NEEDS to be raked to dry out faster..

Sure wish that IMBA card in my wallet would let us do that?? Still debating if the membership was even worth it??

I'm certain that it was??


but then someone said we weren't allowed, then who enforces it when it magically gets done?? as it could only benefit the well being of the trail in the long run?? Do you see where this is going??

Yes, there is a ton of work that needs to get done at BC. Believe me I feel your pain on this! However, doing the work now, without authorization from the County, when we have been directly told NOT to do anything is being counterproductive.

The landowner of BC is New Hanover County (not IMBA/SORBA). Suppose you were the landowner, how would you feel if a Bike Club that you were allowing to use your land did not respect your wishes and intentionally did things that you did not want them doing?

We are in this situation because of a lack of coordination between the County Parks Dept. and the Bike Club. I'm not saying anyone is at fault...I am just saying that without an MOU there has never been an understanding by both sides on who does what at BC. Now that there is new leadership at the County and a new CF SORBA Club, a trusting relationship must be built though an MOU. Trust is something that CFS must earn over time. Unfortunately, any trust we build can be instantly lost when just 1 person disrespects the agreement. Until we earn their trust we will find it more difficult to get things done and just dig a deeper hole. There is a new Parks Director coming in soon and I believe we will be working with her so we will have to build trust with her when she starts her new job. I am in touch with NHC on a weekly basis concerning the MOU. I have given them everything they have asked for and they are working on getting the MOU completed. There are many departments involved in developing the MOU: Parks, Risk Management, County Attorney, Engineering, Environmental Management, and Soil and Water Conservation. The County Safety Manger is also involved. The MOU is a legal agreement that the County and CFS both want to be as complete and accurate as possible before signing. If fact, the “home office” of SORBA will have to approve the MOU before it can be signed by anyone in CFS.

We really need to practice patience at BC.

WOW, while I was typing this post Eddy posted the Brig race is cancelled due to the wet weather!

So the Brig trail is unrideable, we can't get a ride in at one of the best trails in the southeast, FATS, because it has been closed for weeks...north of here the trails are under snow! So BC isn't the only trail with issues. What we REALLY need is the draught we had last year to come back!

[Van-Go]

VTHokie has to be getting tired of typing the same thing over and over. I think it goes without saying that everyone is frustrated and anxious to move forward. We're sorta in the proverbial "one step backward" phase presently with the "giant leap forward" hopefully to come.

Funny comment about the drought - I started riding at BC around the onset of that period and came to rely on BC always being open. Mega-dose of reality setting in these past few months.

Btw, FATS is open since last week (as I type this) - seriously thought about going there over the past weekend to ride b/c everything else I check was closed (except Uhwarrie - which, I can't see where on their site it designates open/closed).

MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL GO DOWN THIS SUNDAY IN LIEU OF THE RACE.....

FATS: http://sorbacsra.org/

Uhwarrie: http://www.sorbauwharrie.org/

[boogs]

I can't understand why raking a trail to help it dry is so offensive to the county. Our lack of trail maintenance will create a lot more work and cost a lot more money in the end. Also, every day that this trail degrades, it increases the chances that someone gets hurt out there.

As for this MOU, sirbikes posted that he was working with the county to get one done back in March of 2006. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14&p=27&hilit=mou#p27

In Jan 2008, the county manager committed to signing an MOU for trail maintenane/building to sirbikes, Jim and Steve.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=874&p=3424&hilit=mou#p3424

So, the county has been talking about this MOU for almost 4 years and "committed" to it for 2 years. I understand that the bureaucracy of government can be very slow, but this is a simple agreement between a bycicling club and the government to build and maitain trails safely. If there was any real committment, they could have taken care of it in a couple of weeks. There are counties all over the country that have successful MOU's established that our county manager could follow. The problem is that the county is NOT committed to anything. They are stalling and deflecting any efforts to get this done. Many of the issues that have come up in the past couple of years that has created this lack of trust between the club and the county would have never happened if they had completed this MOU back when they first committed to it. If anyone needs to be earning trust here, the county should trying to earn ours. Unfortunately they have the power and thats all that really matters.

Don't mistake me and think that I'm taking any shots here at anyone from the club. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for all the work that everyone involved has done. Unfortunately, the club is fighting a battle that will not be finished anytime soon. Also, it sounds like even after the MOU goes in to effect, we will still have to get county approval for anything we do, which doesn't sound much different than the way it's been for the past few years.

[MindTrik]

I haven't been to BC in MONTHS because it's been so wet...HOWEVER, all of this DOING NOTHING, but still having riders on the trail..is EVENTUALLY going to get someone HURT on the trail because of it's deterioration....then we'll be in a BIGGER pile of crap!

[Randy]

I have seen an ad for another running race at BC Feb 27. I run more than I ride my bike. I have also read the most current trail impact studies which show foot traffic and bike traffic to have the same impact on trail erosion and destruction.

I would like to know who is handling this running race, how they plan to prepare the trail, and what they are doing to help secure trail use agreements with the county.

Trysports is sending email advertisements about this race to a lot of people. While I will certainly race in this event if held, I don't think it should be allowed to go on. Who even scheduled a large race for the day before a Cycling event at the MOUNTAIN BIKE park ?

From email :
"Run for Ray Trail Half Marathon, 3 miler and 6 miler: Saturday, Feb 27, 2010, 9:00am, Blue Clay Mountain Bike Park, Wilmington, NC"

[Sir Peanuts]

That was a Two Wheeler Dealer sponsored event last year. i think Sirbikes did a post on it on the website.

[Randy]

I remember it from last year. I am just curious about this year.

[leftyengr]

One would assume this:
http://runforray.blogspot.com/
http://www.active.com/running/wilmingto ... l-run-2010

Isn't the race at BC supposed to be the 28th? If so this is the day before.

Mark
edit/added:
I'll go ahead and add, because the above may be taken the wrong way since the above was so limited in nature. I think it is for a good cause, and I plan on racing in the 10k, if I am cleared to run on the 1st by the doc. My concern seems to be like others, in that it just may be too much for the trail to handle in addition to the DEC race without trial work given the condition the trail is in.

[Randy]

So last year 237 people finished, and now there is an additional longer race. Great. A real low impact event.

Not to be negative, but this is exactly what the trail does not need until MONTHS of serious work. I am disappointed in this situation, and think it shows extremely poor judgment on the part of those promoting it.

Who gained authorization for this from the county, and how were they able to do so?

[VTHokie]

it sounds like even after the MOU goes in to effect, we will still have to get county approval for anything we do, which doesn't sound much different than the way it's been for the past few years.

You are correct, as long as we are riding on a NHC owned park we will need approval for anything we do at BC. The MOU spells out the process so it should make things work smoother.

Unless the club can one day finance our own land for a trail system we will always be dealing with landowners and lawyers. That's just the world we live in. Reminds me of the quote by Winston Churchill "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried".

[John Nelson]

so i could be wrong on this but it seems to me that it is very easy to hold any type of race at BC, but almost impossible to get any work done.I would asume that you have to get approvale to hold a race just as you need for a work day?so why not have a work race see who can clean up the trail the soonest.it would be for a good cause so this should fly, right? no really I'm just being a smartass but why are there so many race out at BC ( and i maybe wrong on this but seems to be more foot races lately than bike) and so little work being done?I just don't understand


yes i know we have to wait to get everything straight with the county and what not before we can work and I understand this but, why can there still be races?

[Randy]

so i could be wrong on this but it seems to me that it is very easy to hold any type of race at BC, but almost impossible to get any work done.I would asume that you have to get approvale to hold a race just as you need for a work day?so why not have a work race see who can clean up the trail the soonest.it would be for a good cause so this should fly, right? no really I'm just being a smartass but why are there so many race out at BC ( and i maybe wrong on this but seems to be more foot races lately than bike) and so little work being done?I just don't understand


yes i know we have to wait to get everything straight with the county and what not before we can work and I understand this but, why can there still be races?

My point exactly. Races, especially foot races, should not be held until the trail is made to be sustainable for recreational use. I can't believe they would schedule a race on both days of the same weekend. They even scheduled a rain date for the run, a week later. Too bad the trail wouldn't be ready even if it didn't rain until then. It needs serious help. We worked too hard to build this trail, and I am starting to think it was better 8 years ago when we rode it illegally.

If none of the "people in charge" answer this question, just call the county, and let them know your feelings. I am sure the people participating in the run do not know the situation. But those promoting it do, and they don't care. It has nothing to do with the "good cause" of the race.

If the race goes on, and damages our public property, the people promoting the race should be held financially responsible for the damage to public property. Probably the same people who tried to hold a rave on Masonboro Island a couple years ago. No concept of sustainability.

[VTHokie]

Approval for the Run For Ray (RFR) event was given long before we were told not to work on the trial until further notice. The county is currently going through many changes and I'm not sure the new Director of Parks, Jim McDaniel, is aware of the RFR event. I will get in touch with the event coordinators and then get in touch with Jim to try to make sure all are aware of what is going on.

Currently, we haven't asked for permission from the County for the Feb. 28th DEC series race (or any other event). We are waiting to get the MOU signed first so we can determine if this is a possible date for the race. In the past, permission has not been a problem as long as we have the proper insurance...and I don't see any problem getting permission for this race assuming everything with the MOU works out and we can get the request in one month in advance.

Please don't start calling County Officials...send me or GregB a PM first. If you don't get a satisfactory answer from us go to the SORBA members...we will call a meeting if necessary...if after the meeting you still feel that your questions are not being answers then go to the County Parks Dept. Hopefully, we can solve our issues internally without appearing dysfunctional to the County.

[VTHokie]

I just received an email from the NHC Risk Manager this afternoon (1/6/10). They are having their final meeting on the MOU this Friday and want to schedule a meeting with Greg and myself next week to go over it…so hopefully that will go well and we can have a signed MOU soon and get back to normal.

[mysteryrider]

I just received an email from the NHC Risk Manager this afternoon (1/6/10). They are having their final meeting on the MOU this Friday and want to schedule a meeting with Greg and myself next week to go over it…so hopefully that will go well and we can have a signed MOU soon and get back to normal.

Good News!!


Maybe the mountain bike gods WILL finally shine down on Blue Clay and those pending trails in brunswick county also..Whats the status on those??


I ended up getting away from mtbing for a few years cause of the lack of trails around wilmington, Hell
Gorege Willets did more for the mtb community over a decade ago, but now the trails we do have.. we can't even maintain them without permission of the proper authorities without the fear of being shut down??

Truely Sad!!


Think I'll go wax the boards up and go skiing..takes my mind off mtbing in wilmington..

[Weinkle]

Maybe the mountain bike gods WILL finally shine down on Blue Clay and those pending trails in brunswick county also..Whats the status on those??

There is a meeting with Brunswick Co. next week as well. They are getting a copy of the MOU that Mecklenburg Co. uses with the Tarheel Trailblazers. I don't think it will be long before we're in there building trails.

[Randy]

When everyone hears we can't ride or maintain trails that we built, long before the leaders of SORBA even road bikes here, it is frustrating. We all have the right to work to maintain our trails, and SORBA membership is not mandatory. The trail is in the worst condition ever, due to mismanagement. Now the same people are in charge, just under a new banner.

Then to see local businesses advertising races on the same trail makes matters much worse. There is no possible way that trail could sustain 2 races in a weekend this year. Why even schedule it that way?

I certainly didn't appoint anyone to speak on my behalf, so who did ? Please respond if you appointed any of these guys to speak for you. Otherwise, feel free to speak for yourself.

If its the county who says we can't maintain the trail, but others can hold races there, then its the county we should be contacting. I certainly didn't appoint anyone to speak on my behalf, so who did? Please respond if you appointed any of these guys to speak for you. Otherwise, feel free to speak for yourself.

[John Nelson]

Randy I'm with ya on alot of what you said.I'm really against all these races that are to take place untill we can get the trails cleaned up and in a more sustainable condition.I don't think that anyone should be able to go out and just do what they want out at BC but i think we should all be able to work on the trail if your a SORBA member or not and it would be nice to be able to help and do work on other days than work days which always seen to be on a sat and i know there are a lot of us who work on those days that would love to help me being one.I joined just to help get some money and to show the interest in the trails.I have no idea who is in charge of anything( I was unable to attend the first meeting due to work, but hope to make the next), but was there a vote then or are these people just taking it upon them selves?I have met and talked to Barry a number of times and I know that he is and has done alot for the cause and I thank you for that.It finally looks as if things are moving forward but i think we need to stop these races before they cause more damage to our trails.I haven't been out to BC in aleast a month due to weather but it sounds as if people are still riding and all the reports i hear is that it is in very bad shape and its only going to get worse and if you are going out there and getting covered in mud when you're done don't you think things are a little to wet to ride? but that's just my 2cents.I'm glad to hear that the MOU is moving forward.I also joined SORBA to try to be more involved and will try to make a point to get to all the meetings and work days.I just think we need to try to work together more.as someone who has only lived here a few years it seems like a lot of the people and groups that started BC are a close nit group and don't seem to want to let people in but want everyones support.I have meet alot of people out at BC who are very friendly and approachable but have also met a few who seem to have the your not cool enough atitude or seem entitled because they have built the trails.I hope I'm wrong on this but I know I have met a few of you Not gonna name any names that have had and still do have alot to do with what is going on at BC and you seem to have a i don't know you atitude and don't want to.I hope I'm wrong on this but I have met others that feel the same way.I'm not pointing fingures at any one person or group but from someone somewhat new to the area thats how it seems.did i have a point here i don't know can't remeber now, sometimes just need to rant and rave. I am glad to hear that things seem to be moving forward and thank you to all that are envolved in making this happen

[Weinkle]

John, you make a lot of good points. The SORBA chapter was formed so we would have a reputable mountain bike club to form relationships with land owners and managers. CFSORBA stands as one group of people, there isn't any one person in charge or that makes decisions. The president of the club along with the other officers perform duties that is required of the club by SORBA itself. Every member of CFSORBA has a say in what happens. The current Board of Directors was appointed temporarily, in order to get things started. And most are the people who initiated starting the club. However, in March, after the IMBA/SORBA meeting, and we become official, our members will vote in the official Board of Directors. Any member can nominate him/herself or another member for any position.

Being a chapter of SORBA will enable us to get a lot accomplished. It has been rough since the accident at BC, but we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. There are meetings with New Hanover and Brunswick Counties next week. It looks like New Hanover has an MOU ready to sign, and Brunswick County actually contacted us. They are anxious to get trails built in their new nature park. So lets keep our heads up and work together. We will make Wilmington a great place to ride again.

[Randy]

John, you make a lot of good points. The SORBA chapter was formed so we would have a reputable mountain bike club to form relationships with land owners and managers. CFSORBA stands as one group of people, there isn't any one person in charge or that makes decisions. The president of the club along with the other officers perform duties that is required of the club by SORBA itself. Every member of CFSORBA has a say in what happens. The current Board of Directors was appointed temporarily, in order to get things started. And most are the people who initiated starting the club. However, in March, after the IMBA/SORBA meeting, and we become official, our members will vote in the official Board of Directors. Any member can nominate him/herself or another member for any position.

Being a chapter of SORBA will enable us to get a lot accomplished. It has been rough since the accident at BC, but we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. There are meetings with New Hanover and Brunswick Counties next week. It looks like New Hanover has an MOU ready to sign, and Brunswick County actually contacted us. They are anxious to get trails built in their new nature park. So lets keep our heads up and work together. We will make Wilmington a great place to ride again.

You would make a fine politician. Heavy on words, light on substance. I bet you have a great gift for rhyme.

So, it has come to my attention that the promoter of the Run for Ray is a Sorba member, and a member of the blue clay bike park whatever. Does the SORBA club, think scheduling a foot race the day before a mtb race is a good plan ? Specifically on a terribly eroded trail, our only one, while we are not allowed to maintain it?

Those are my questions Weinkle. I am a SORBA member, just not a Cape Fear member. I am at large. Have been for years. These are not my views alone, just the rephrasing of questions issued to me this past week. I don't know the answer, so I am asking someone who does. Call it "idle curiosity" if you must.

Ever seen what a 12 hour race, or an xterra event does to a trail in poor shape? A wet one?