It’s a shame when a few take credit for everyone’s work! We got a review in the Denver Post today. http://www.denverpost.com/extremes/ci_6391185 Many of the mountain bikers in Clear Creek County have been cleaning up and riding these trails many years before Smedley! Many of these trails disappear without regular maintenance. Every once in a while someone comes along and cleans up some of these trails and says “see what I did”. Most of the improvements will be gone in a few years and will have to be redone again! So the cycle goes on. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I just think rather than have a few people here and there working on trails we need some organization to bring people together to help preserve these historic routes forever! Why can’t we all work together instead of on our own selfish projects? I think it’s the curse of Clear Creek County! Hence the name Lostcausembc!
Anyone want to ride Clear Creek County? Send me a E-mail
FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET: Continental Divide Trail at risk Received via email from IMBA: When it comes to the longest trails in the country, mountain bikes haven’t been welcome. Congress banned bicycles from the Appalachian Trail before our sport evolved, and access to the Pacific Crest Trail was eliminated in 1988, before mountain bike advocacy had fully developed. With nearly 5,000 miles of iconic trail off-limits on either coast, mountain bikers have had to look to the Rocky Mountains for their taste of epic, backcountry riding. The 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) is truly a unique resource for the mountain biking community. Running the spine of the Rockies from Canada to Mexico, the CDNST is largely open to bikes in non-Wilderness areas. But now that appears to be in danger as well. Take Action!Bike access to the country’s longest shared-use trail is now in jeopardy. The Forest Service just released a draft rule that would encourage land managers to kick bikes off existing routes, and not include us on future segments. Your voice is needed to help preserve our access! Send Comments - File formal comments with the Forest Service. IMBA’s simple form makes it easy. Spread the Word - Rally your friends and ask them to echo your support for bike access on this outstanding trail. We need thousands of comments to hold out hope for continued access. Help Maintain the CDNST - If you live or play near the CDNST, consider organizing or attending trailwork days to help build and maintain this magnificent trail. Donate - The IMBA Legal Fund needs your financial support to preserve singletrack. The Forest Service’s deadline for comments is Monday, August 13. Additional Information The Forest Service suggests prohibiting mountain biking where our use is currently allowed on the CDNST. The proposed policy also singles out bicycling as an undesirable use that should be subject to additional scrutiny and restrictions. These include a burden of proof that bicycling “would not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the CDNST,” which the Forest Service deems to be hiking and horse travel. IMBA believes that the Forest Service directive should not discriminate against bicycling on the CDNST. This is our chance to ask the Forest Service to include bicycling as a central focus and purpose for the trail. The CDNST is a public trail and potential uses should be considered equally. It is unfair to discriminate against bicycling when scientific research has shown its impacts to be similar to hiking and less than equestrian use. With 40 million participants, mountain biking is the second most popular trail activity in the country (Outdoor Industry Foundation, 2007). This large constituency helps lobby for public lands funding and donates nearly one million volunteer hours each year to trail construction and maintenance. Mountain bikers can be valuable partner for the CDNST by helping build and maintain trail, and by lobbying for its completion. IMBA is not asking for access to the entire CDNST and respects the ban on bicycling in existing Wilderness areas. Some non-Wilderness sections may be suitable as hiking and/or horse-only, but along the 3,100 miles there is room enough for multiple uses in most areas. Unfortunately, the newly proposed Forest Service directives specifically target only motorized and bicycle travel, even though bicycling is a quiet, low-impact, human-powered activity and science has shown the impacts of mountain bicycling to be similar to hiking and far less than horse or OHV use. The IMBA / Forest Service Memorandum of Understanding states mountain bicycling should be managed distinctly from motorized travel. It also says mountain bicycling is appropriate in areas listed as “primitive” on the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum. These areas comprise a significant percentage of the CDNST
For those of you that don't know the CDT follows the Colorado Trail from basically Georgia Pass (east of Breckenridge) to Lake City (SW of Gunnison) ABOUT 200 MILES!!
Trails and rides that might be in jeopardy: Colorado Trail Kenosha to Breckenridge, Wheeler Loop, Miners Creek, Copper Triangle, Colorado Trail along the Collegiate Peaks, Alpine Tunnel, Monarch Crest Trail , Colorado Trail form Crest Trail To Lake City I am sure there are more.
SEND YOUR E-MAILS! ( Send Comments - File formal comments with the Forest Service. IMBA’s simple form makes it easy.)
WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE FOREST SERVICE AND STOP THIS ACTION ! PERSONALLY I THINK WE SHOULD PETTION THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW BICYLES IN WILDERNESS AREAS!
BICYCLE ARE JUST ANOTHER FORM OF NON MOTORIZED TRAVEL MUCH LIKE HORSES AND SKIS.
I started from the upper parking lot Kessell Run, Western Zippity and Frontside trails were fun and fast as usual! Then it was up that dreaded hill that I have heard so much about over the years. It wasn't so bad. Just an old oil road I was even passed by an 18 wheeler!!
On an epic ride? I thought it was mostly singletrack. Start/finish on singletrack.Oh I get it now! The oil road changed to jeep road and finally started to drop steeply down the Bookcliffs with awesome views of the valley below!!Now it was on to that 2100ft. decent and that 30 ft. waterfall that I had always been afraid to do by myself. I saw someone do it last year so I figured I could. What if the rope was in bad shape? Last year someone pointed out a faint trail and said if you had to you could bypass the waterfall. I was going to still climb down if the rope was in good shape!
Towards the end of the jeep road the trail took off to the right. The singletrack was steep,tight and twisted! But all the overgrowth of branches held my speed back. A little trim would help allot. Well the wash was a wash!! Allot of water must come down this gully. A scary place in a rain storm. I was to the waterfall before I knew it. I almost rode right past it! The trail split two directions and the waterfall was down the gully. Obviously I could get around if I wanted to! If the rope was in good shape and I felt comfortable I was going over. The rope didn't look to good and the rocks looked slick.
Without anyone to back me up I chickened out! They say no one has never been hurt here, but it would hurt.
Here is a picture of that faint trail you could barely see last year. This year it is fairly obvious!
After the waterfall it was down the wash some more. The trail starts paralleling the gully crossing it several times. The gully was so washed out it made climbing out difficult at times.So it was a toss up on which way to go.
My original plan was to hook up with the Edge Connector then back Chutes and Ladders. But I was beat so I headed to the lower parking lot and back to camp.
For it being acclaimed as one of the best MTB rides in the country I wasn't impressed.I imagine the waterfall is not as scary as it once was with all the side trails around the waterfall you can always bail.
BLM has talked about building a trail around the waterfall.
IT LOOKS LIKE MOUNTAINBIKERS ALREADY HAVE!
A good ride but I don't think it deserves a yearly designation.
IMBA Activities in Colorado: Summer/Fall 2007 Building Incredible Partnerships and More Trail SystemsWould you like five to 10 more amazing trail systems around the state? The BLM and Forest Service want to work with Colorado mountain bikers to further improve Colorado's riding! That's part of the plan set forth by IMBA, Bicycle Colorado and the BLM, but it will need the full support and assistance of Colorado's riding community. Get involved with the 2nd annual Colorado Mountain Bike Summit on June 28 and 29 during Crested Butte's famed Fat Tire Bike Week. Register for the Summit. Capping off the festival in Crested Butte will be the Subaru/IMBA Trailbuilding School. Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Trailbuilding Schools - April and JuneThe Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews will be making at least two stops in Colorado this year. Later this week, on April 26-29, they'll be in Durango for a trailbuilding school hosted by local club Trails 2000. Then it's off to Crested Butte for the Fat Tire Bike Week, June 27 to July 1. Whether you've never been to a Trailbuilding School or you're a regular, these are the perfect opportunities to come out and learn the latest in trails and good riding. Take Part in North Elbert Trail Restoration Days Near Leadville - June 23-24Join IMBA, the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) on June 23rd and 24th for a weekend of trail restoration on the famed North Elbert Trail. This project offers the opportunity to give back to one of the world's greatest long-distance trails. Register through V Outdoors. IMBA Rides at Continental Divide Trail Fest 2007 - July 21On July 21 in Buena Vista, IMBA and CDTA will be leading a host of events, including mountain biking trips, in celebration of Trail Fest 2007. Choose from three rides of varying difficulty, including the famed Monarch Crest, an IMBA Epic. If you're knowledgeable about the local trails and interested in assisting with a ride, please contact Scott Linnenburger. Buffalo Creek Epic Celebration - Sept. 14-16Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Buffalo Creek Epic Celebration, Sept. 14-16. In recognition of its selection as an IMBA Epic, Team Evergreen, the Front Range Mountain Bike Patrol and IMBA have been hosting a weekend of riding, trailbuilding and good times each year. Registration will be available through Team Evergreen. Celebrate Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day - Oct. 6IMBA will celebrate the fourth annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Each year, some of the best events are held right here in Colorado. Make sure to join with your local club's ride and pass your passion for pedaling on to kids! IMBA and VOC Hosting Work Day on Green Mountain - Oct. 20This popular front range riding area is due for some love and IMBA and VOC are hosting a trailwork day on Oct. 20 to help the park construct a four and half mile loop trail circumnavigating the summit of Green Mountain. Come out and enjoy the crisp fall weather, camaraderie with other volunteers and a ride to celebrate our work! Sign up online.
Rules of the Trail The way we ride today shapes mountain bike trail access tomorrow. Do your part to preserve and enhance our sport's access and image by observing the following rules of the trail, formulated by IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association. These rules are recognized around the world as the standard code of conduct for mountain bikers. IMBA's mission is to promote mountain bicycling that is environmentally sound and socially responsible. 1. Ride On Open Trails Only. Respect trail and road closures (ask if uncertain); avoid trespassing on private land; obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Federal and state Wilderness areas are closed to cycling. The way you ride will influence trail management decisions and policies. 2. Leave No Trace. Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Recognize different types of soils and trail construction; practice low-impact cycling. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage. When the trailbed is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in. 3. Control Your Bicycle! Inattention for even a second can cause problems. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations. 4. Always Yield Trail. Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely. 5. Never Scare Animals. All animals are startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise. This can be dangerous for you, others, and the animals. Give animals extra room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife is a serious offense. Leave gates as you found them, or as marked. 6. Plan Ahead. Know your equipment, your ability, and the area in which you are riding -- and prepare accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times, keep your equipment in good repair, and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. A well-executed trip is a satisfaction to you and not a burden to others. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear. Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.
The gate was closed (locked),the AREA CIOSED sign clearly visible yet I saw rider after rider entering the closed area. And it was the majority not the minority. I thought it was only a few but now it seems to be most that don't have any respect for trail closures. Or anything else for that matter! What's up with this? Moral decay is everywhere!
On a recent MTB ride at Green Mountain I was so disgusted in trail edict that I had to look at my own trail edict and role in all of this. I try not to be part of the phalanx. I cary my bike across the mud or don't ride if it's too muddy, don't skid corrners, and am courtious to ALL other trail users giving them the right of way! I didn't get any pictures but there were sections of the trail that were muddy. You could see bicycle tracks on either side of the trail for 50 feet!! Not 50 feet long, 50 feet wide!! Those tracks will probably be visible well into the summer or longer. I encounterd rude riders, riders that didn't yeild right of way to pedestreans and one rider that though he had the right of way no matter what! WHAT MESSAGE DOES THIS GIVE TO OTHERS ABOUT THE MOUNTAINBIKE COMMUNITY?
TrailCentral is syndicating the 15 most recent articles posted to LOST CAUSE MTB BLOG. There could be a lot more to read, but you'll have to visit LOST CAUSE MTB BLOG to read them!
On an epic ride? I thought it was mostly singletrack. Start/finish on singletrack.Oh I get it now! The oil road changed to jeep road and finally started to drop steeply down the Bookcliffs with awesome views of the valley below!!
Now it was on to that 2100ft. decent and that 30 ft. waterfall that I had always been afraid to do by myself. I saw someone do it last year so I figured I could. What if the rope was in bad shape? Last year someone pointed out a faint trail and said if you had to you could bypass the waterfall. I was going to still climb down if the rope was in good shape!
Well the wash was a wash!! Allot of water must come down this gully. A scary place in a rain storm. I was to the waterfall before I knew it. I almost rode right past it! The trail split two directions and the waterfall was down the gully. Obviously I could get around if I wanted to! If the rope was in good shape and I felt comfortable I was going over. The rope didn't look to good and the rocks looked slick.
Without anyone to back me up I chickened out! They say no one has never been hurt here, but it would hurt. 
After the waterfall it was down the wash some more. The trail starts paralleling the gully crossing it several times. The gully was so washed out it made climbing out difficult at times.So it was a toss up on which way to go.
