[KD1569]

Did a ride at the Shed the other day, and ran into some xc guys in the parking lot. They said their back window had been shattered by a crowbar. Nothing was stolen. I don't know if it was because they were riders, or if it was the out of state tags, or just a random act of stupidity. Just be careful with up here. Someone obviously isn't very happy.



KD1569
Cyclist

 

[peter6061]

Which parking lot? And by 'out-of-state' tags, do you mean VA?

I've run into some people up there who would prefer that us mtb'ers were not there. It's rare, but they've made their disapproval known.

Most people I've seen there are cool. (hunters, hikers, horse people, etc,..) It's probably local kids.

 

[urbaindk]

Interesting and sad.

I ran into an XC rider two weeks ago while out hiking near Salamander Rock with my wife. He was a really nice guy and was trying to make nice with us "hikers" not knowing of course that both of us ride. He told us that he was a local and he made several interesting comments.

One was that it was really sad that so much of the land up there has been sold to private property owners. Of course I had to agree.

The other was that he hated how "those damn downhill bikers think they need to cut trails on every square inch of the watershed." I of course thought this was interesting because there just aren't that many DH trails there and certainly not on every square inch of the mountain. Really there is just one fairly high density area and a few random trails here and there.

I wasn't sure how to respond, so I just sort of nodded and said 'Hmmm'.

Any thoughts?

 

[KD1569]

By "out of state tags" I mean DC...to alot of locals up here DC/VA is considered "out of state" IE: city folk.


I saw another interesting post on MORE's site about a rider that thought his windows were broken out by some rocks kicked up by a speeding pickup truck. Interesting. It happens every year 'round here. Someone trys to bully mtbr's around by sabotageing (sp?) trails, felling trees, mismarking trailheads, etc etc etc. I guess it's just gonna be a fact of life until MORE and IMBA help legitimize trails in the Shed.

KD1569
Cyclist

 

[Tattooo]

This started happening back in Nevada (where I am from) last summer as well. When the guy was finally caught (ok, more delivered to the cops after being caught by the riders) he was bitter because the area had been shut out to 4X4's and ATV's. When he got busted he had a backpack full of nasty stuff.

Just be careful, if you see anyone acting sketch, take someone with you to take them down. Never know what these types are willing to do, and its not worth getting sliced or shot over.

Be careful out there kids, its a jungle.

 

[jvp108]

Skiers worry about getting snow on the floor mats of their Audi. Snowboarders worry about keeping their pants up. We have to worry about hate crimes?

 

[Tattooo]

Back 20+ years ago when snowboarding was first brought to resorts, it was the same problems. Boarders getting jumped in the parking lot by the ski Hitler youth, people thrashing other's gear, all sorts of crazy crap.

People dislike change, just the nature of the beast. Take care if you promote a new agenda, 'cause folks will "resist," if you know what I mean.

 

[jvp108]

True about the snowboarders, but I feel like we've been around almost as long. It is scary how seriously some people take recreational activites. I see horse poo on the trail, i go around it, no big deal. I see MTBs going around a wet spot in the trail and making it wider, too bad, but your neighbor's hummer does way more damage in a week than we do in a year.

 

[Bearmntpicnic]

i always ride with a 12 inch blade in my camelpack just incase i have to dual any nasty hikers. At the Ohill meltdown race some one changed the route during the race and screwed alot of people up also a mountain biker jumped on the hood of a persons car who was driving on the road the you had to cross, the police were called and the reputation of bikers was delapidated even more.

 

[skatetokil]

that really sucks. Although I do see how people might be unhappy with new trails getting built up there. The one i rode last week was pretty slapdash, and I see no point to building trails unless you're going to actually put the effort in to make them quality. This one was nothing more than a scar on the landscape. Not fun to ride, not pretty to look at, and certainly not constructed with any regard for the natural flow of the area.

 

[peter6061]

that really sucks. Although I do see how people might be unhappy with new trails getting built up there. The one i rode last week was pretty slapdash, and I see no point to building trails unless you're going to actually put the effort in to make them quality. This one was nothing more than a scar on the landscape. Not fun to ride, not pretty to look at, and certainly not constructed with any regard for the natural flow of the area.

I'm curious as to which trail you are referring. PM me if you don't mind. I know pretty much all the trails up there and see new ones appearing all the time. Some of these 'new' trails have been constructed pretty well IMO. (Not that I condone illegal trails)

As for the original subject, a '6-pack' race was held up there a year or so ago, and during the start, a group of locals (kids) came up another trail on ATVs. You could see that they weren't at all pleased with us being there, especially in the numbers we were. Once past us, they proceeded to throttle their ATVs fish-tailing and kicking up rocks at all of our cars. I didn't see any windows break, but cars were knicked and beat up a bit. It is believed by some that these are the same guys authorities chased up and down the road the night before, before zeroing in the camp spot and booting our race setup crew for the night.

Be careful up there.

EDIT: And this thread is probably almost done. It's nice to have these discussions, but it does bring negative attention to a place we all fear we'll lose if the City municipality finds out about these interactions.

 

[Tattooo]

Have to agree with you.

If you're going off the reservation, keep it quiet. If you run into problems, best dealt with on your own. Call the cops if you must, but attempt self governance.

On that note, I'll shut up.

 

[BikeGeek]

I guess it's just gonna be a fact of life until MORE and IMBA help legitimize trails in the Shed.

From what I understand both have tried and been denied. The city of Frederick is not interested in turning their watershed into a well publicized destination.

 

[urbaindk]

Since as Peter6061 say this thread will probably die anyway I might as well say:

Edit: I felt it was in my own best interest to edit my post, just in case the wrong person were to stumble upon it. Better safe than sorry.

If you've seen it you know what I'm talking about if not, open your eyes. There's some shady bidness going down round them parts.

 

[sunnerbeanmtb]

I must say..I have never ridden this watershed and now I think Im scared. I carry 1 sometimes 2 knifes with me when I ride but these people would probably rip me apart since Im a girl. Its sad bikers get such a bad rep because we ride in the woods.
The trails are there...might as well use them. If we dont...some one else will, and probably for the wrong reasons

 

[Pi31412]

Knives are great and all, we should all carry Mick Dundee sized blades when we ride, but I'm a believer in "purchased at Police supply wholesaler" grade Mace.

In theory it could all be combined into a SHOCK and AWE tactic style defense where you preemptively Mace someone looking shady, then give em a good stabbing, then kick em while they're down.

In all seriousness though (I was joking above, you should never kick someone while they're down!), Mace is good. Knives are for high grade assassins and I'm more of a low grade pansy.

 

[Tattooo]

Ride as a crew, its just smarter.

Sunnerbean: Maybe in the next couple weekends we can hook a crew up, everyone bring the big bikes, go to war with the ground. I think if we have enough people, it won't be an issue.

 

[sunnerbeanmtb]

sounds great! if by big bike you mean my little hard tail than I am done heheh

 

[Tattooo]

Sunner: I might be hella and let you ride my Nomad if you're nice, and agree to tattoo my name on your body!

 

[Transfer]

Up on the Shore in Vancouver there was a guy they called the trail nazi. He threw nails out, chopped ladders where you couldn't see it until too late, and put rocks and branches in places where you would bite it hard. Pretty cool, huh? I think they found him and arrested him. This was over a year ago.

 

[whale]

to advert some of the negativity of this thread... i'd say just try to be friendly with the folks that travel through or use the shed for recreational purposes... except maybe the body, kiddie porn, anthrax, and trash dumpers.

 

[Tattooo]

The one time I went into the woods in super rural Mississippi without my standard gun/knife/brass knuckles combo was the time I really needed them. Got lost in deep "Deliverance" country.

However, got lucky and some folks brought me back the final 22 miles...

None the less, I'd rather have and not need that need and not have. Gotta take precautions.




Now an aside about this whole thing. I realize that RM and certain "concerned citizens" might view this as against our cause with biking trying to be viewed by the main stream as socially acceptable, white bread good fun. However, it begs to be said that we are going deep into the woods, and sometimes other folks use those woods for more nefarious exploits. Typically, those folks emplor nasty tricks and force to keep their doings off the radar. All I am advocating is being prepared, so before people start getting in a twist over this thread, just think it over a little before you start complaining to RM or SK6, or posting negative karma in the little green bars.

 

[sunnerbeanmtb]

nicely said tattoo and I will get your name tattooed on my ass if you give me your bike !!! AH!

 

[JYETI]

If we happen to get a group together sunner I have a SC heckler you could use also.

Just a thought.

 

[sunnerbeanmtb]

Thanks JYETI!! You guys are awesome!!!

 

[JYETI]

Anything we can do to get some women up riding with us. lol

 

[sunnerbeanmtb]

Yeah I need to invest into a FS....just dont have the cash right now

 

[JYETI]

This may sound dumb but what is FS?

 

[skatetokil]

This may sound dumb but what is FS?

A fully

 

[Tattooo]

A squishy

 

[JYETI]

How stupid am I? lol

 

[sunnerbeanmtb]

HA its ok...we all have our moments

 

[JYETI]

I think work is killing my brain cells!

 

[Matt H]

By "out of state tags" I mean DC...to alot of locals up here DC/VA is considered "out of state" IE: city folk.


I saw another interesting post on MORE's site about a rider that thought his windows were broken out by some rocks kicked up by a speeding pickup truck. Interesting. It happens every year 'round here. Someone trys to bully mtbr's around by sabotageing (sp?) trails, felling trees, mismarking trailheads, etc etc etc. I guess it's just gonna be a fact of life until MORE and IMBA help legitimize trails in the Shed.

KD1569
Cyclist

About 10 years ago I ran into sabotage - Barbed wire strung across a trail in the woods....and I still have the scars to remember it.

Thank goodness I was going reasonably slow, and standing up :-\

 

[dan wask]

Which watershed is this ? Loch Raven ? Down here at liberty I ride all of the fire trails both on my dirtbike and on my mtb. When ever I encounter anyone on my dirtbike wether they be hunting, riding, biking, or horse-ing I kill the motor and pull over, I even wave sometimes

Its a shame that this stuff happens, and it usually is the ATV kids. The dirtbike community has alot of problems with quads ruining berms and destroying single track.

 

[llkoolkeg]

As for the original subject, a '6-pack' race was held up there a year or so ago, and during the start, a group of locals (kids) came up another trail on ATVs. You could see that they weren't at all pleased with us being there, especially in the numbers we were. Once past us, they proceeded to throttle their ATVs fish-tailing and kicking up rocks at all of our cars. I didn't see any windows break, but cars were knicked and beat up a bit. It is believed by some that these are the same guys authorities chased up and down the road the night before, before zeroing in the camp spot and booting our race setup crew for the night.

I have seen quads, dirt bikes and even full-sized rock crawler wannabes back up in the trails before. Most of the time, they are piloted by mulletted young fredneck locs who peer over their shoulders for the law that never arrives until after they've split for the safety of their lincoln-log shacks. It's the same crowd that cruises around up there once school lets out with a case of Coors Light under one arm and dumpster leavings under the other, just waiting for night to fall so that "bill luvs shelley" or "bong hits rool" can be artlessly tagged onto boulders near the bottom of Hamburg Road.

 

[rm1]

that really sucks. Although I do see how people might be unhappy with new trails getting built up there. The one i rode last week was pretty slapdash, and I see no point to building trails unless you're going to actually put the effort in to make them quality. This one was nothing more than a scar on the landscape. Not fun to ride, not pretty to look at, and certainly not constructed with any regard for the natural flow of the area.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/images/smilies/nopity.gif


I see and hear this alot. Someone who got in over their head on a trail and instantly claims it as poorly built. Just because you cant ride it doesnt mean that it is a scar on the landscape. Frankly i have heard this exact same thing from a number of riders about every DH trail up there. If you cant ride a 12 inch wide skinny then dont come on some forum bashing what you couldnt do. I think a scar on the landscape is someone pushing their $3,000 bike instead of riding it.

As far as the broken windows goes i havnt seen or heard of anything and i am up there about 4-5 days a week. But i will definetly be keeping my eyes open for anyone that looks suspect

 

[skatetokil]

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/images/smilies/nopity.gif


I see and hear this alot. Someone who got in over their head on a trail and instantly claims it as poorly built. Just because you cant ride it doesnt mean that it is a scar on the landscape. Frankly i have heard this exact same thing from a number of riders about every DH trail up there. If you cant ride a 12 inch wide skinny then dont come on some forum bashing what you couldnt do. I think a scar on the landscape is someone pushing their $3,000 bike instead of riding it.

As far as the broken windows goes i havnt seen or heard of anything and i am up there about 4-5 days a week. But i will definetly be keeping my eyes open for anyone that looks suspect

Sorry jefe, I'm not going to talk **** about how great I am (cause I would be lying) but I've seen and ridden harder trail (Bootleg, Coldsprings, Snowshoe, LA) and this one was just ****ty. If its you that is doing this building, at least take the time to rake and pack your lines.

Every other trail I hit up there was well built and loads of fun even if I couldnt ride some of it. I build on my own land, and I can tell the difference between bad and hard.

 

[rm1]

My fault i thought we were talking about a MOUNTAIN bike trail. I know how leaves and loose dirt can make a trail unrideable.

 

[bballboy388]

hey rm1 do you ride a bright green bike... i think i met you yesterday. I was on the ruckus. I can vouch for this guy, the trails he took me to looked really sketchey at first but when you aftualy did the stuff it was all very sturty.