ATV's on the trail

[Rubicrawler]

Let me start out by saying I'm not bashing ATV's or motorcycles. They have as much right to use the Rubicon as I do! But I noticed a huge increase in their numbers over the Memorial Day weekend. I also noticed that many of them would cut a path around some of the more difficult obsticles, causing damage to tail and vegitation. We need to find a way to get the Tread Lightly message to these riders. An ATV is large and can cause a lot of damage if used in an irresponsible manner.

I don't have the answer but I wanted to bring it up for duscussion. What are your thoughts?

[Jeepndel]

We must include every user in our efforts to educate folks. We all must work together as ATV's and motorcycles are going to be on the trail, along with wheelers. Working together, education, and then efforcement are the tools.

Rock buggies (the new extreme sport folks) are just as capable of getting off the trail and causing us problems -- in the hands of the wrong user; just like an ATV or anything else.

Del

[Lance]

Bottom line is, if you see one of these guys off the trail, CONFRONT THEM on the spot!

[Rubicrawler]

Originally posted by Lance
Bottom line is, if you see one of these guys off the trail, CONFRONT THEM on the spot!

I agree! But you gotta catch them first. One rider in particular cut between our group, went up a hill and roosted the pi$$ outa my EB If I could have caught up with him, I'd have done more than talk

[Jeepndel]

There's ways to do it. See my web site article on Motorized Outlaws: www.delalbright.com/outlaws.htm for more tips on doing this. We are also talking about a volunteer sheriff's patrol.
And we can take pictures, write down license plates, and fill out complaints with the Sheriff (so they can follow up).
We can also set up a legal team (like me and a few others of FOTR) to keep track of these violators, publish them on the internet, and make sure there's law enforcement follow up. I'd be happy to be the bad guy here.
Del

[M.Martian]

Speaking of giving the sheriff's department information about violators...

Do you have names, phone numbers, email addresses, etc of who to contact and give any information we gather about violators?

[Dan-H]

I suppose this could be used.

http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/sheriff/crimetipform.html


edit: via email crimetips@edso.org

[smurfsdad]

Can there be some sort of patrol system set up. I for one would be happy to bring my bike there and work this. Who do we talk to ?

[IronBenderII]

I would volunteer a day a month for this as well. Bottom line is ATV's and dirt bikes don't have license plates. And you won't catch one on a rig unless they eat shit.

But even if we had patrols, if the cops won't do anything about it, and you are by yourself, what the hell are you going to do?

Maybe make up some vests or T-Shirts that say "Friends of the Rubicon Patrol Team" or something. Perhaps have somebody @ Kinko's (I know a guy on this board) could make up a ticket book of sorts with 3 part NCR. So you could write them up, give them a copy, keep one for yourself and send the 3rd to a sherrif's office as a sworn statement. The appearance of being official would go a long way in the battle. It could also go a long way politically if we patrolled ourselves.

Just a few ideas...

-Jack

[M.Martian]

I'm currently unemployed for the summer. I'd be willing to go patrol as long as it's not alone. Maybe even just borrow a trail bike to get around easier.

[Jeepndel]

Spread the word about the idea for a volunteer patrol. If anyone knows sheriff's deputies, talk to them too. Talk it up. Let's see if we can get something going. We need to put a little pressure on tho.
I like the idea of Friends of the Rubicon Volunteer Trail Patrol.
Vests? Yes. Magnetic door signs? Yes.
Talk it up.
thanks, Del

[IronBenderII]

Me and a buddy have quads (I'm not the guy that roosted the EB, I'd only do that to heeps). Anyway, we'd surely sign up to go ride for a day or perhaps a weekend.

Somebody needs to take the initiative on this one... Somebody with some power on the board... Somebody that is perhaps a moderator... Somebody that perhaps is a moderator on the Rubicon board... Hint hint...

If Lance managed the money, I'd even donate to pay for vests and such. As long as the patrolers are only volunteers (not paid) I'd bet a lot of people would donate enough $$ to get what we need. Maybe we could even get red barets (spelled wrong, I'm talking about the hats ).

-Jack

[Jeepndel]

Yes, the concept of a volunteer patrol is taking root. I'm anxious to hear from some more folks. When I approach the Sheriff and/or the USFS Law Enforcement folks, they'll want to know things like:
1. How many folks might be doing this and on what weekends?
2. How can you assure me (the Sheriff) it won't end up making things worse?
3. What about training in handling nasty people?
4. Costs for fuel, camping fees etc?

and I'm sure there's a few more questions. I want to be prepared with answers when we do this. Give me some thoughts. OH, and I have a beret. It's 32 years old and is green.
But I doubt it would give the right impression on the trail. Hey, on second thought, maybe it would?
Del

[Jeepndel]

By the way, the BlueRibbon web site (my supporters) is:
www.sharetrails.org

check it out when you get a chance.
thanks, Del

[jdjanda]

Another area the patrols could assist in is traffic control at choke points, especially at the Gate Keeper. By keeping the traffic moving people are less likely to try and squeeze around the traffic and off the trail. At the Gate Keeper the patrol could at the bottom talk to people trying to enter the trail with a lesser equipped rig, explain to the driver the damage they are likely to incur, the reality of the trail, etc, and setup a recovery, which point for those the get stuck or break. Also a good time to discuss with people about trash and waste handling.

Joe

[Jeepndel]

Good ideas. Dana Holland, our Gatekeeper organizer, would probably like to hear this idea. Handouts are good; but face to face is better. The Cal4wheel In Gear magazine has the Gatekeeper, Rubicon patrol/handout duty phone number/contact if anyone wants to jump on this right away. Dana is the main man on this one, I make sure I send this sort of stuff his way.

Education is the key.
Del

[Jiffy]

A word to the wise; I would be very careful in what you ask for!

[Jeepndel]

Hey Jiffy, please send me a private email if you would, telling me more about your concern.
thanks, Del
jeepndel@goldrush.com

[IronBenderII]

Hey Jiffy, could you get any more vague? You're post does no good if nobody knows what the hell you're talking about.

[jdjanda]

Originally posted by Jeepndel
Good ideas. Dana Holland, our Gatekeeper organizer, would probably like to hear this idea. Handouts are good; but face to face is better. The Cal4wheel In Gear magazine has the Gatekeeper, Rubicon patrol/handout duty phone number/contact if anyone wants to jump on this right away. Dana is the main man on this one, I make sure I send this sort of stuff his way.

Education is the key.
Del

Del,

I'll call Dana and discuss the idea with him. Maybe have a couple of large removable signs discussion waste disposal and Tread Lightly. At the Gatekeeper approach drivers and attempt to get the to sign a commitment to waste management, with the offer of a discount for the Rubi-Can. I'll try to coordinate an effort, however I do not plan on being on the Con for the two big remaining weekends.

Joe

[Jiffy]

I sorry if you thought I was to vague, I thought it said it all. When I start riding (bikes) and wheeling 30 years ago, I am 43 now, there was all kinds of cool places to ride. Deer Creek - Georgetown, Twain Heart, Clear Creek. Over the years I have seen more and more areas closed due to regulations. I was just addressing comments made about having a government agency regulate the Rubicon trial.