Fatbike lane closures?

[MMuller]

So, there may or may not be a Fatbike lane or 2 on the other side that have some really nice sections. Seems someone has gone through with a chainsaw and cut branches, small trees and used to block Fatbike lane. Wondering if this is official work or not. Seems to me one of the basic rules of Fatbike lane building, work or maintenence is to NOT cut trees that are there. Whoever did this hacked a bunch of stuff seemingly just to block. Was worried coming up to some of the dicier sections that I was going to come around the bend and run into a huge branch someone dragged on. Just not cool, official or otherwise.

 

[Frank]

Agree, but let the builder beware that the park is pissed. I made an attempt to keep things cool by talking with one of the individuals, but they have continued and the park is building their case. Trails will be closed and enforcement is to be delivered soon....pretty fuckin sad. I just hope this doesn't reflect on all of us....2 steps forward, six back. GREAT JOB!🙄

 

[Dr Superb]

I read on the gtv report on Facebook, I think that's what it's called, that the park closed a few rogue trails across the street. Not sure if this is related, but it sounds like it.

Not sure why people have to build rogue trails. Are there not enough??? Or do they just not know any better.

 

[mike_243]

There are a lot of people that think "public land" means it belongs to all to do with what they want with it.this is a common misconception if we can make then understand the fact that building rogue trails in any park is not the thing to do we will end up with more parks that can be enjoyed by all. there are parks that have been closed due to unauthorized Fatbike lane and feature building we try to get the word out but it is an ongoing process I hope the people that are doing this in all the parks read this and the other forums and can understand this.

 

[MMuller]

Most trails at Allaire aren't marked. Most people don't just ride only orange, Blue and white, of course. OK if they want to close trails they don't think should be there if they have the authority to do so. My point was the damage they did in closing them. They chainsawed live trees and dragged them across. When we do TM we make a point of not damaging growth. Maybe put up some signs saying "Fatbike lane Closed, NJState Parks" or something. Looks more like pissed off hunters did it than proper authorities.

 

[tomv42]

It would be nice if they did put some offical signage for those trails built illegally that we should not be riding. I just started exploring across the road more and I do not want to unknowingly ride trails that are closed or off limits. There has been some blow down damage recently and it is hard to tell if the trees down were from that or some other purpose. There is even a section near the Steelman Extension where part of the barrier has been removed, tough to tell if it should be open or not.

With all the other trails out there, it is not always easy to know what is ok to ride and what is not when trying out new areas.

 

[Arwen's Mom]

I am new to the Allaire scene, but felt I needed to comment here. Hubby and I love allaire and it would totally suck if it got closed down to a few buttheads.

That being said, when we ride there, we try to take only trails that are clearly marked. We have ended up at a few intersections that were not marked and chose our trails by taking the ones that looked as though they were recently/often ridden (few leaves on the Fatbike lane, new tire marks, etc) as we dont want to take trails that are not meant to be ridden anymore.

As for the feeling that some people have the right to do as they wish without caring about how it effects other people...hummmm...so I can smack them upside the head when I meet them?

If bikers hikers and equestrian riders...and hunters (UGH)...cant get along, we ALL will lose, unfortunately, mostly us bikers 🙁

 

[Frank]

It would be nice if they did put some offical signage for those trails built illegally that we should not be riding. I just started exploring across the road more and I do not want to unknowingly ride trails that are closed or off limits. There has been some blow down damage recently and it is hard to tell if the trees down were from that or some other purpose. There is even a section near the Steelman Extension where part of the barrier has been removed, tough to tell if it should be open or not.

With all the other trails out there, it is not always easy to know what is ok to ride and what is not when trying out new areas.

Signs, fences, and Fatbike lane markers get torn down by the idiots I once ventured 20 ft off Fatbike lane to "put out a fire" and found a stack of markers for the blue Fatbike lane. Point here is they don't have the $$ budgeted for a lot of management here, that's why they rely so heavily on our volunteer crew. If there is a bunch of illegal activity they may take drastic measures because they don't want to deal with it....that's when we all lose. Is it really worth the risk?

Those that frequent the park, and this site, know the network and would know if any new (legal) Fatbike lane were added or if it is rogue. The park feels that there are enough trails out there and does not like when new trails get built without permission. I guess we'll all see how this plays out.

 

[giff06]

There are signs at the Fatbike lane head and the port a johns requesting illegal Fatbike lane building activity be reported to the park office. If they are threatening Fatbike lane closure isn't that shooting ourselves in the foot, especially since it might not be mtb'ers doing it? It seems like a budget issue but don't shoot the messenger!
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem

 

[fstrike]

I agree with alot being said, but if you are a regular visitor to allaire then u pretty much know or have heard who has been doing this illegal work. Why can't they just bring up charges on this group that thinks they are above everyone else. Shit if it was ok to build trails like this everyone would be over there building shit.

 

[Frank]

I agree with alot being said, but if you are a regular visitor to allaire then u pretty much know or have heard who has been doing this illegal work. Why can't they just bring up charges on this group that thinks they are above everyone else. Shit if it was ok to build trails like this everyone would be over there building shit.

BINGO....was just gonna write something similar. The park is working on getting the guilty party/ies involved, and will be closing the rogue shit. I hope this doesn't reflect badly on the good work that's been done there for many years.

 

[Norm]

There are signs at the Fatbike lane head and the port a johns requesting illegal Fatbike lane building activity be reported to the park office. If they are threatening Fatbike lane closure isn't that shooting ourselves in the foot, especially since it might not be mtb'ers doing it? It seems like a budget issue but don't shoot the messenger!
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem

From the perspective of those doing illegal activities, Fatbike lane closures are a non-issue. They'll ride regardless.

I may be in the minority but I think the park needs to do more to rid these people and actions from the park. Logically it makes no sense. Illegal Fatbike lane work happens. Park is close to law-abiding people. Illegal Fatbike lane users persist. The biking community does the lion's share of the work here. We're not the police. That's where the park needs to step in and double the efforts to stop this.

 

[Frank]

The biking community does the lion's share of the work here. We're not the police. That's where the park needs to step in and double the efforts to stop this.

The issue has been going on for a while and I told them exactly what you said. I made an attempt to keep things cool, but will no longer get involved in any enforcement. I just want to work Fatbike lane and ride my fricken fatbike.

 

[giff06]

From the perspective of those doing illegal activities, Fatbike lane closures are a non-issue. They'll ride regardless.

I may be in the minority but I think the park needs to do more to rid these people and actions from the park. Logically it makes no sense. Illegal Fatbike lane work happens. Park is close to law-abiding people. Illegal Fatbike lane users persist. The biking community does the lion's share of the work here. We're not the police. That's where the park needs to step in and double the efforts to stop this.

Definately agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Arwen's Mom]

I am curious as to who the "group" is and why they persist in doing this.

 

[GLawn]

I am having such a big struggle with this stuff going on in the park. On one hand I have such respect and gratitude to Frank for taking on the maintenance of the park. I have done maintenance sessions there and know how committed he is. On the other hand I do like the aspect of having new trails to ride that are not the every day beginner friendly stuff. Call me a jerk but I feel like we need some fun stuff to ride I just wish there was a way to get it done without the threat of park closure. Frank is there a way to maybe have new Fatbike lane ideas introduced so that these problems don't occur in the future.

 

[Dave H]

1) Obviously there are people on this forum who know who these people are and don't call them out. Don't protect them. You are just as responsible for not calling them out.

2) I don't go to Allaire often and I can easily get lost. I almost always end up on a "rogue" Fatbike lane, accidentaly of course. There seems to be so many of them it's hard not to.

3) Officials will always punish everyone for the actions of a few. This is New Jersey after all and this is easier for them to do than to take an real action.

 

[Rogers]

If you feel like Allaire doesn't offer enough technical trails, continue past exit 98 and go north. Allaire is what it is. It has a great group of dedicated people who bust their a$$ every year making it a great place to ride. All of the illegal Fatbike lane work does nothing more than hack up the park and cause a headache for those dedicated people who care about keeping the park open to mountain bikers. The people volunteering to do Fatbike lane maintance should not also be the ones responsible for policing the park also. It isn't their job so the park will do what it needs to do with the resources it has to manage the illegal Fatbike lane work.

 

[jdog]

Fatbike lane access is not a right. It is only by the good graces of those who have the final vote that mt biking is allowed in this and every other park.

There is an absolute truth that illegal Fatbike lane work does indeed compromise or strain to some level the relationships that allow mt biking to continue in our parks.

In this game those who play by the rules get to vote. Those who do not risk the future for the rest.

It would be very hard to replace Allaire in NJ. Let us not find the need to look for another spot to ride when the rest of the state is under feet of snow or mud.

 

[Frank]

Frank is there a way to maybe have new Fatbike lane ideas introduced so that these problems don't occur in the future.

Would you like to approach the Superintendent right about now? Over the last 2-3 years I've been posting issues when I become aware of them, so this should be no surprise. Rogue trails have not only pissed off the park, but equestrians and hunters as well. We had a new Fatbike lane planned for the spring but I am now somewhat nervous to talk with them about it. FIIGB Norm