SBMTV NEWS:
Saturday, October 11, 2003
SBMTV members help the Sierra Club's Arroyo Burro trail maintenance. SBMTV members were able to contribute tools and time towards the Sierra Club's effort. We were able to clear the bottom portion of the trail. As we cut back significant brush we uncovered a trail in great condition. Hopefully, future efforts can be organized to clear the entire trail.
It was a very positive experience working with the Sierra Club - supporting their trail clearing program. We will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the Sierra Club to provide ongoing support for their future trail maintenance efforts.
- Tosh
posted by sabotosh 3:09 PM
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
A big thank you to all those who volunteered for September 20th's Jesusita trail care / National Public Lands Day. We had a good turnout with over 20 volunteers, easily enabling us to brush the entire trail (of mostly Poison Oak).
According to IMBA, nationwide more than 70,000 volunteers worked on 500 National Public Lands Day projects. Event organizers estimate that volunteers contributed approximately $8 million in public land improvements this day alone. Click here for more information (from the Daily Nexus).
posted by sabotosh 10:53 AM
Monday, August 25, 2003
Saturday September 20th is the SBMTV Trail Care Series Event #3 on Jesusita trail.
Meet 8:00am at the lower Jesusita trail head (near the Cater water treatment plant on San Roque Road). We will be brushing as much single track as we can - with enough volunteers the entire trail. Rotating teams of 3-4 volunteers will be cutting brush, pulling (throwing brush off side of trail), and then lopping the spikes or punjis down.
Please invite all your riding, and hiking friends - Click her for a printable flyer with more information (please distribute).
Thanks,
Tosh Bulger
SBMTV
posted by sabotosh 9:48 AM
Monday, August 11, 2003
Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time Sunday (August 10th), to brush the Romero Trail. I'm happy to say we were able to make this trail significantly safer for hikers and mountain bikers. I talked to a half dozen hikers - all expressed gratitude towards SBMTV for our continuing work. If you were not able to attend, we will be having another trail maintenance event next month.
Elliminating blind corners on Romero Trail by clearing brush
posted by sabotosh 12:27 PM
Friday, August 08, 2003
Hello Everyone,
This Sunday is the SBMTV Trail Care Series Event #2 on Romero Canyon.
Meet at the lower Romero trail head 8:30am Sunday the 10th. We will be brushing the section of single track between the "end" of the Romero fireroad and the canyon connector trail. Rotating teams of 3-4 volunteers will be cutting brush, pulling (throwing brush off side of trail), and then lopping the spikes or punjis down. We may be pulling the tools up the trail in BOB trailers and you are invited to ride your bike up to and down from the work area.
Please see the attached flyer or email for more information.
Thanks,
Chris Orr
SBMTV
posted by sabotosh 9:12 PM
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Have you read this weeks Independent (July 24-31)? What's your opinion? Click here to comment on Santa Barbara Trail issues.
posted by sabotosh 3:54 PM
Monday, July 14, 2003
SBMTV members and several concerned citizens atteded Monday's CRAHTAC meeting to voice concern about their May 12th trail position statement. It's not too late to submit your comments - Here are copies of some of the letters already submitted to CRAHTAC:
Dear CRAHTAC committee members:
CRAHTAC’s May 12 trail usage position is not the position of the majority of trail users. Over the past year, I have been volunteering on the front country trails as a trail educator. I have had dozens of conversations with hikers; while some expressed concern about safety with cyclists, none suggested the prohibition of mountain bikes. Furthermore, almost all felt that the bell program, started in 1999, has made hiker/cyclist interaction significantly safer by alerting them to the presence of bikes before they could see them.
In ten years of riding cross-country and downhill mountain bikes on the front country trails, I have never collided with or come near to colliding with a hiker or equestrian. I always slow to the hiker’s speed and/or stop to let the hiker pass. I always acknowledge hikers with a hello and on most occasions I receive a similarly positive greeting. As a hiker hiking with my family, I have never had a bike collide with me or have had a near collision. I believe this to be the experience of most cyclists and hikers.
In the absence of input from the greater trail community, CRAHTAC’s position is based on the opinions of a few interest groups. The position is an easy one to take, prohibit bikes - no more hiker/cyclist conflicts. The position, however, excludes a large portion of trail users from recreational opportunities. These trail users are also your constituents – they are Santa Barbara community members and they have just as much right to recreational opportunities as any other user group.
I challenge CRAHTAC to take the harder road and reconsider its position on this issue and find creative solutions that serve the greater trail community - not just the interests of a handful of your members.
Respectfully,
Tosh Bulger,
Hiker, Cyclist, Environmental Biologist.
posted by sabotosh 8:43 PM
I just wanted to say thanks to all those who showed up for Sundays (July 13th) trail work on the upper part of Tunnel Trail. For a group of twenty, a lot of work got done! The brush was cut well back from the top to the Rattlesnake Connector and a few sections of damaged tread was reestablished. It was hot and the flies took more than their fair share of blood but the results were well worth it. Afterwards the food from Chicken Ranch was a life saver! Please show up for next months project, with this kind of work we could really get the trails back into shape!
Tripwire? I hope not!
posted by sabotosh 8:23 PM
Friday, July 11, 2003
Sunday (July 13th) is the first SBMTV Trail Day. The plan is to meet at Java Station at 8:30, carpool to upper tunnel, work until about 2PM, then party at a private park on San Marcos Rd.
The party should be fun. We have food donated by the SB Chicken Ranch, pool, shower, beers, sodas and a raffle. Please bring water and lunch for on the trail. It will be hot!!
Loppers, hand saws, McClouds might come in handy in case the FS tools run short.
Please try to make it!!
This is our last ditch effort to help keep Tunnel open to bikes.
posted by sabotosh 4:43 PM
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
ACTION ALERT - WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO KEEP THE TRAILS OPEN.
To voice your concerns about CRAHTAC’s May 12th trail usage position please write a letter or attend their next meeting - Monday July 14, 3:00 at the County maintenance yard (by transfer center). There is scheduled time for public comment at the beginning of the meetings. Please keep statements to 3 minutes, written comments will also be accepted.
Here are some points I feel are cogent:
Safety issues - Do you think the problems are being exaggerated? Have you ever been involved in an incident with a hiker or mountain biker?
Trail prohibition – Do you think CRAHTAC recommending total bike prohibition on the front country trails is an extreme solution? Do you have better recommendations?
Environmental concerns - Do you think mountain bikers cause significant more erosion than hikers or horses? Do you think that natural erosion forces predominate?
Documentation – Do you think any recommendations should be made in the absence of any documentation of user conflict (i.e. trail questionnaire)?
Please refer to the news section on www.sbmtv.org for updates on this issue. In the coming weeks, letters also will need to be submitted to the LPFA Santa Barbara Trail Working Group, City Council members, and the Forest Service. Please check www.sbmtv.org for info.
posted by sabotosh 4:09 PM
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Please contact these people and tell them if you agree with CRAHTAC'S (County Riding and Hiking Trails Advisory Committee) position (read the following posts, if you don't know what I'm ranting about).
County Riding and Hiking Trails Advisory Committee (CRAHTAC)
(805) 568-2461
CRAHTAC was established by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in an advisory capacity to review programs, policies and procedures affecting county recreational riding and hiking trails and their use. Committee members are concerned with the location, development and maintenance of the recreational trails system countywide, to provide public access and links to the Los Padres National Forest, parks, beaches, and other public recreation areas. The committee is comprised of a maximum four members from each of the five Supervisorial Districts, and serve at the pleasure of the appointing Supervisor. CRAHTAC meets regularly on a bi-monthly schedule.
CRAHTAC Claude Garciacelay CGarcia@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
CRAHTAC Director of Parks Jennifer Briggs briggs@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
CRAHTAC Kalon Kelley kalon@mtnimage.com
Please contact our local Sierra Club chapter (especially if you are a card carrying member) and let them know if you support their position.
Las Padres Chapter Sierra Club
South - Santa Barbara Group (805) 962-2042
Chapter Wide Phone: (805) 966-6622
email: los.padres.chapter@sierraclub.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 90924, Santa Barbara CA 93190
Please bookmark this page. I will be updating this page regularly, as new information becomes available.
posted by sabotosh 7:09 PM
FYI,
Our local Sierra Club and CRAHTAC (County Riding and Hiking Trails Advisory Committee) have recently adopted the following positions (Please read all the way through):
The Sierra Club approved and adopted the following position statement regarding mountain bike use on front country single-track trails at
their executive meeting on 9 June 2003.
Sierra Club position on Front country trail use by non-motorized vehicles
The Sierra Club recognizes that bicyclists can be legitimate users of
many non-Wilderness backcountry trails and supports responsible off-road
bicycling. In an effort to find common ground and work for positive and
shared environmental and recreational goals, the Sierra Club and
International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) agreed to a set of
principles (Park City Agreement). The Sierra Club affirms its
commitment to those principles.
The Sierra Club believes that mountain bicycling is a legitimate form
of recreation and transportation on trails, including single track, when
and where it is practiced in an environmentally sound and socially
responsible manner. In the Park City Agreement both the Sierra Club and the
International Mountain Biking Association agreed that not all
non-Wilderness trails should be opened to bicycle use.
When a land management agency reviews suitability of a trail for
bicycle use, bicycle use should not be allowed where it would cause the
following measurable effects. This list is not all-inclusive.
1. Significant soil erosion or significant damage to streams or fish habitat.
2. Rutting, impairment of trail drainage, breakdown of trail shoulders,
and other forms of damage not correctable using U.S. Forest Service
trail maintenance standards and techniques.
3. Significant disturbance of plants or animals or their habitat.
4. Damage to archaeological, scientific, historical, or other
significant resources, including rare natural features of interest for
scientific study.
5. Danger to the safety of bicyclists or other users because of
bicycle speed, steep grades, steep terrain, sharp curves, slippery or
unstable trail surfaces, or limited visibility. See Appendix D for
design features that can improve safety.
6. Significant displacement or annoyance of other non-motorized
users.
With respect to the single track, front country trails under
consideration by the Trail Working Group, there are serious safety issues because of
the high speed, steep grades, steep terrain, sharp curves, and unstable
trail surfaces with limited visibility. The Sierra Club observes that there
has been significant displacement and annoyance of other users because of
mountain bike use on these trails. There has also been evidence
presented showing damage to trails from the use of mountain bikes.
Therefore, The Sierra Club recommends:
1. That the single-track trails on the front country be closed to
mountain bike and other mechanical use. This includes Tunnel,
Rattlesnake, Cold Springs, McMenemy, San Ysidro, Pueblo Viejo, Buena Vista, Arroyo
Burro, Jesusita, and the single track trail through Romero Canyon.
2. All trails should be closed to mountain bike and other
mechanical use unless posted 'Open.' This has been successful in other areas to
reduce vandalism of signs.
3. That appropriate signage, education, and enforcement procedures be
put in place to accomplish the above closures.
4. That the County, City and the Forest Service cooperate with the
Mountain Biking community to identify an appropriate location for the
construction of a primary mountain biking trail that can serve that
community. The Sierra Club will actively support this process.
5. That standards for mountain bike and mechanical use on trails
not closed be established and published, e.g. speed limits, usage
practices, environmental standards, types of mechanical vehicles, etc.
6. These recommendations should not be construed as
recommendations for closure to mountain bikes and mechanical use of front-country fire
or power access roads (such as exist at Tunnel and Romero) nor backcountry trails outside
of designated wilderness. (In particular, the historic
Romero Canyon road, while now single-track in its upper portion, is not recommended for closure.)
At the CRAHTAC meeting on May 12th, the following position statement
was adopted. It is hoped that this will be useful as our working group deliberations proceed.
CRAHTAC POSITION ON FRONT COUNTRY TRAIL USAGE
May 12, 2003
Whereas there is a fundamental safety issue when heavily used
single-track hiking trails are used by both hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers,
the following recommendations are made:
1. That front country single track trails from Jesusita to Romero
Canyon (and including Tunnel, Rattlesnake, Cold Springs, McMenemy,
San Ysidro, Pueblo Viejo, Buena Vista) be closed to all mechanical usage
(bicyclists,roller boards, etc.).
2. That appropriate signage, education, and enforcement procedures be
put inplace to accomplish the above closures.
3. That the County, City and the Forest Service cooperate with the
Mountain Biking community to identify an appropriate location for the
construction of a primary mountain biking trail that can serve that community.
4. That standards for mountain biking use on trails not closed be established and published.
5. These recommendations should not be construed as recommendations for closure to bicyclists
of front-country fire or power access roads (such as exist at Tunnel and Romero) nor backcountry
trails outside of designated wilderness. (In particular, the historic Romero Canyon road, while now
single-track in its upper portion, is not recommended for closure.)
posted by sabotosh 6:45 PM
Regarding the Sierra Club's position on front country trail use by non-motorized vehicles
Here is an executive summary.
Between their new policy of acceptance of mountain bicycles as a legitimate user group and their conclusion to recommend the prohibition of mountain bikes on all front side trails (except the lower portion of Romero), there is the following statement:
"With respect to the single track, front country trails under Consideration by the Trail Working Group,
(1) there are serious safety issues because of the high speed, steep grades, steep terrain, sharp curves, and unstable trail surfaces with limited visibility. (2) The Sierra Club observes that there has been significant displacement and annoyance of other users because of mountain bike use on these trails. (3) There has also been evidence presented showing damage to trails from the use of mountain bikes."
Here is my response:
Retort(1) It's a matter of perspective. There are serious safety issues and excluding all users except hikers could limit these issues. On the other hand, excluding all users except bikers will also reduce safety issues. Closing the trails entirely to all users will be the safest, however.
Retort(2) Is this documented? Has there been a survey of trail users conducted by a third party? My anecdotal evidence volunteering for SBMTV (posing as a hiker) has yielded only minimal observation of annoyance.
Retort(3) There is not sufficent science on this matter; however, many "scientists" agree that "Natural processes predominate, overshadowing the ruts and churned soil produced by trail users" http://www.imba.com/resources/science/science_dirt.html
Tosh Bulger,
Environmental Scientist
tosh@sbtrails.com
posted by sabotosh 6:32 PM
Monday, May 19, 2003
Thanks Volunteers for all your work! We did some major work. Here are some before and after pics I took on Tunnel Trail.
I'll post more images as I get them!
EVERY TRAIL USER I TALKED TO ON SATURDAY WAS EXTREMELY GRATEFULL FOR OUR WORK !!!
posted by sabotosh 4:16 PM
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Thanks to all the volunteers for making the Spring 2003 Chris King Trail Daze a success. We had over 100 volunteers spread out over five front-country trails! Romero, San Ysidro, Cold Springs, Tunnel, and Romero are safer and more fun than they were a couple of days ago.
posted by sam 1:56 PM
