I Poached with My Bike Today

I came to a dead stop yesterday on El Prieto (could have caused a bike crash from approaching riders) to pick up a wallet and cell phone that another trail user had dropped. Not quite an infraction since the L.A. County Trail Police were not there to witness the event, but a risky move, nonetheless.
 
:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
I think maybe a PM could have handled the frustration of a recent post rather than a sardonic thread, but hey, that's just me...



And in keeping with the spirit of this thread - I break the posted speed limit every time I ride in County parks. :( . Luckily, there's no evidence on STRAVA.
 
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SnakeCharmer said:
I came to a dead stop yesterday on El Prieto (could have caused a bike crash from approaching riders) to pick up a wallet and cell phone that another trail user had dropped. Not quite an infraction since the L.A. County Trail Police were not there to witness the event, but a risky move, nonetheless.
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All I know is Spencer cost me tacos, so I don’t think I like him.
 
JbalColgate said:
Hey if criminals can steal up to $950 and dont get arrested, antifa and blm can set cities on fire, topple multiple monuments without any repercussions with a muted approval of the "silent majority", rob trains, defund the police, etc etc, I'd say "poaching" with a bicycle doesn't even register on any radar anymore..
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Gauging your own behavior by the worst among us is sure to produce less than optimal results.

All it takes is not broadcasting your illegal exploits in this case. Too hard for you, evidently. You do realize that this site existed for a decade without anyone feeling they have to post their illegal riding before you showed up, yes?
 
I was told by a certain Ranger that works in the local area that he road the SOT all the way to Mexico and no issues? I was also told by him that it is not illegal and only implied. To his knowledge he knows of no one ever getting cited for riding this trail.
 
Tom the Bomb said:
I was told by a certain Ranger that works in the local area that he road the SOT all the way to Mexico and no issues? I was also told by him that it is not illegal and only implied. To his knowledge he knows of no one ever getting cited for riding this trail.
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Ive had some dirty looks and even a few who have commented about bikes not being allowed on SOT as I passed by them but most users dont know any different or simply dont care.
 
Hmm.. I've never heard of any lawsuit, and have had discussions with groups trying to overturn the MTB ban. Said groups have been looking for someone who got a ticket, since belief is the original closure to bikes was not done legally. It was done via a temporary closure order similar to what they use following a landslide, fire, etc that is meant only for a limited duration and must be re-assessed and renewed if still needed. Instead a closure to bikes should require a full public comment process, which has never been done. Regardless the trail is treated as if bikes aren't allowed. If you ride it, be polite and be discrete. No need to call undue attention that may only serve to rile up a vocal minority. Same goes with any other out of bounds riding.
 
JbalColgate said:
while it has signs saying" no bikes" there has never been anyone ticketed for riding it or any enforcement in regards to the ban,
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I can verify your statement through personal mountain biking friends very close to the USFS.

I was even shared a story where a Ranger did place someone in the back seat of their Ranger Truck and place the bike in the Pick-up bed. Another Ranger stopped to see what was going on and reprimanded the first Ranger suggesting he was desperately seeking a Law Suit against him and the USFS and told him to immediately release the Mountain Biker! I have no exact proof of this other than reliable folks who shared it.

I have come to the conclusion that the off limits is a wives tale that started exactly how @evdog suggests and grew into an assumption, then somehow grew into funding for signs.
I never believed it.


As well... I'm moving this out of Ride Reports... :D
 
JbalColgate said:
Hey if criminals can steal up to $950 and dont get arrested, antifa and blm can set cities on fire, topple multiple monuments without any repercussions with a muted approval of the "silent majority", rob trains, defund the police, etc etc, I'd say "poaching" with a bicycle doesn't even register on any radar anymore..
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I’m curious. Remind me which city burned to the ground?
 
once upon a time, Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich closed the government. I left home Friday night and illegally stayed at Kathrine Landing, a US government campground but the government was closed. The next day I headed to the Gran Cannon. It was awesome, had the place to myself. Come sunset I am on my bike at the edge of the Bright Angel Trail, the Kolb Studio clinging to the cliff above you It took all I had to not poach that trail. There are water bars that are super air worthy, the trail is carved into the sandstone at a steady drop angle, there is a tunnel carved into the sandstone. then it switchbacks and off again. The trouble is one way in one way out. Nobody was there so chances are......
Oh there is a severe penalty of exposure on one side, then the other. But the trail is wide like a fire road with mule groove cut into one side. From 100 years of mule traffic. Best to not crash on the trail as there are signs that the mules were there if you know what I mean.
Happy Heavenly trails
 
I was in attendance when a ticket was issued. Many years ago, the guilty party will remain nameless but would be considered MTB royalty in many circles. Ranger put him in truck and then demanded that the Sheriff write us all tickets when he cornered us at the trailhead. Sheriff refused to issue ticket to anyone other than the apprehended party and was rather irritated by the ranger’s aggressive insistence. It may have even been the same ranger that you speak of Mikie. If I recall correctly, it was over near Gleason.
Anyway it was a $50 ticket, we all pitched in and laughed about it over tacos and margaritas afterwards.
 
Did Ranger drive him somewhere in the truck?
That might have been a kidnapping or similar.
That the "Ranger" insisted the Deputy write a ticket tells me the "Ranger" had no police powers (ie non POST certified) and was just a citizen.
 
Anyone hungry? :)

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jdubb said:
I was in attendance when a ticket was issued. Many years ago, the guilty party will remain nameless but would be considered MTB royalty in many circles. Ranger put him in truck and then demanded that the Sheriff write us all tickets when he cornered us at the trailhead. Sheriff refused to issue ticket to anyone other than the apprehended party and was rather irritated by the ranger’s aggressive insistence. It may have even been the same ranger that you speak of Mikie. If I recall correctly, it was over near Gleason.
Anyway it was a $50 ticket, we all pitched in and laughed about it over tacos and margaritas afterwards.
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The location fits with the version of the story I’ve been told. :eek:
 
Y'all had great weather for days…teeming potential for poacher-reporter greatness here is obviously being squandered...

Because it’s there was Ed Hillary’s path to global fame, and it can be yours, too. All that private land, restricted trails, your formidable quads and skill, and the monthly streaming package…what’s the hang up? Everyone does it all the time. Hey, you living in the hit-and-run capital of planet earth: Compared to your neighbors leaving a stranger bleeding in the street as his life slips away, poach-spraying is a knight-able achievement. So, what is the holdup? I thought this was a free country!
 
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