Aliso-Wood and Laguna Coast Wilderness Parks

I was in BikeCo yesterday, buying grips for my new carbon bars and looking at dropper remotes, 1X conversion kits, etc. I mentioned this thread and they were aware of it and bummed. I'm also friends with @mtbfan and her boyfriend, so I'm unhappy for both parties.



While I was there, we also talked about Cactus in Whiting and Lizard in LCW. I heard rumors I wish I hadn't heard, and anecdotal evidence that the survey at the top of the trail might be purposefully skewed. Right off the bat, it seems problematic since it's my understanding it's being conducted only on weekend mornings. High usage time for the park and also when a lot of riders might be avoiding it due to crowds. Maybe there's a camera out there to keep everyone honest. Hope so cuz it's a popular trail. I'd suggest talking to the Rangers if you like it and let them know how grateful you are for it being brought into the system.

OK...I must have missed something....What is going on with Lizards???
 
OK...I must have missed something....What is going on with Lizards???
Well, it got a little beat up, and it's my understanding LCF is planning to do some work on it once we get some rain. Currently there's been a booth at the top and I guess some sort of user survey/census(?). I'm hoping for the best, but I guess it'd be a good time to let the rangers know if you like riding it. Maybe stop in at the top, too, and sign the register if that's still going on.
 
Well, it got a little beat up, and it's my understanding LCF is planning to do some work on it once we get some rain. Currently there's been a booth at the top and I guess some sort of user survey/census(?). I'm hoping for the best, but I guess it'd be a good time to let the rangers know if you like riding it. Maybe stop in at the top, too, and sign the register if that's still going on.
I saw the tent..not the survey. Ill look harder. Not to hijack...but more people bike every day...more trails being closed due to fires and or stupididy....little to nothing "legally" created. is there any wonder we are at a breaking point.? Hello Bend!
 
Not sure. Just heard about it. Didn't see it myself. I guess without firsthand knowledge, I am guilty of propagating gossip. LCF built the (official) trail with bikes in mind, I trust that Hallie would not lead an effort to eliminate bikes.

Besides, this is the BikeCo thread, so I'll move this over to the Aliso thread if there's more to say on the matter. :thumbsup:
 
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By the people collecting signatures...

Are they collecting sigs at the top of Lizards? If so, I will go out tomorrow and give my opinion on that. Lizards would actually be a great bike only trail (and one way). What a crappy trail for hiking ... you have to hike nothing but fire roads from every direction just to get to it (although there is that mysterious hiking only trail at the bottom ... I don't know where that goes).
 
I saw the tent..not the survey. Ill look harder. Not to hijack...but more people bike every day...more trails being closed due to fires and or stupididy....little to nothing "legally" created. is there any wonder we are at a breaking point.? Hello Bend!

Isn't the tent just there for volunteers/trail stewards to just remind users of other users. I thought there was a call out recently for volunteers to do something like this? @Andy ?
 
Isn't the tent just there for volunteers/trail stewards to just remind users of other users. I thought there was a call out recently for volunteers to do something like this? @Andy ?

Yes, LCF volunteers could sign up via the LCF website to count hikers and riders. Bike bells were/are being handed out. The ezy-up canopy is just a sun shade for the volunteers...
Several email newsletters have all been “positive” and “complimentary” on the proceedings (so far)...
 
Moving this to the trail advocacy thread:

Yes, LCF volunteers could sign up via the LCF website to count hikers and riders. Bike bells were/are being handed out. The ezy-up canopy is just a sun shade for the volunteers...
Several email newsletters have all been “positive” and “complimentary” on the proceedings (so far)...
So I guess the question then is why the counting? At LCF request? The county’s? As I recall from the last SHARE meeting, there wasn’t a clear indication what was being done with the data?

Do we need to organize a large group of very well behaved mountain bikers to show up when they’re counting users lest we be under counted??

I always make sure to sign in at the bottom of Willow when they have the sign up sheet there.
 
Folks I ride Lizard plenty. There were some volunteers out there on at the beginning. I haven't seen any in a couple weeks... OTOH I have been riding a bit later. I did talk to the volunteer. I made a a comment to record a responsible MTBer. I asked him what he was doing ... Made a comment about trail needs work and they were trying get a better sense of the trail usage. Some hikers getting surprised. He commented on my Bell I said it only makes sense / works if the hikers can hear...i.e do not wear headphones. I do not really think he was in the know or an influencer but he seemed genuine about the conversation on how to make it better but was not sure of what the next steps. He did mention that trail work is part of the plan.

I have noticed when I ride a bit later Sat / Sun I have the parks nearly to myself....it's just we are all trying to occupy the same places between 8-10am...that and a systemic, self centered, narcisistic, inconsiderate, entitled lack of common sense culture that seems to be pervasive these days.

Wow I sound like grumpy old man!!!
 
I have noticed when I ride a bit later Sat / Sun I have the parks nearly to myself....it's just we are all trying to occupy the same places between 8-10am...that and a systemic, self centered, narcisistic, inconsiderate, entitled lack of common sense culture that seems to be pervasive these days.

Wow I sound like grumpy old man!!!

I intentionally try to start my rides after 9 am for this exact reason. Even during the summer months... a blazing hot empty park is more keen to me than a warm crowded park. As long as I don't pass out from the heat, I'm golden.:thumbsup:o_O
 
This dude is still at it ... says he delivered 3,000 signatures to park rangers.

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He's a world class asshat!
He may be an Asshat, but he is working his issue. I wonder how much effort we are putting in to prevent eBike infiltration, and fighting for our rights to OC Parks?

Not a slam, just sharing that passion gets people motivated, gets people activated, and gets things done. If he makes enough of a ruckus and shows enough numbers, you guys will either be riding next to eBikes on your trails or get banned.

What are the cycling purist coalition doing down there?
 
He may be an Asshat, but he is working his issue. I wonder how much effort we are putting in to prevent eBike infiltration, and fighting for our rights to OC Parks?

Not a slam, just sharing that passion gets people motivated, gets people activated, and gets things done. If he makes enough of a ruckus and shows enough numbers, you guys will either be riding next to eBikes on your trails or get banned.

What are the cycling purist coalition doing down there?

It appears they're bitching and moaning about the e-bike dudes getting organized. :rolleyes:
 
This dude is still at it ... says he delivered 3,000 signatures to park rangers.

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I’m going to assume the Rangers have seen this. If not can someone give me a way to contact the Rangers so I can send this to them? This guy should actually be getting a visit from Johnny Law to cease and desist. Although I’m feeling pretty confident they are monitoring our web site as well.
 
He may be an Asshat, but he is working his issue. I wonder how much effort we are putting in to prevent eBike infiltration, and fighting for our rights to OC Parks?

Not a slam, just sharing that passion gets people motivated, gets people activated, and gets things done. If he makes enough of a ruckus and shows enough numbers, you guys will either be riding next to eBikes on your trails or get banned.

What are the cycling purist coalition doing down there?
Mostly I think we’re trying to figure out what the current threats really are, and what steps, if any, need to be taken. Who is an ally for access, and who is not.

It’s been a good 10 years for access here. The very trails we are worried about losing right now were not “on the map” back then. Oaks went from a lump of charcoal with zero access, to machine built tabletop jumps and miles of singletrack.

We are witnessing the end of a season of building, as the existing parks are basically built out. Which is its own concern—if you aren’t growing, you’re dying, as they say.

I’m not sure what flag I would be expected to rally to at this point. IMBA is a conflicted organization, as it’s in many ways the lobbying organ of the bike industry, which is essentially the e-bike industry now.

I know what I think we need: strict prohibition on e-machines in the parks, opening of existing park acreage full time, new trails in the Santa Anas, and a voluntary education campaign to encourage riders to avoid impacted weekend mornings locally (weekends are for road trips). I’m not seeing a proper mechanism for advancing those projects yet.
 
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