Anyone riding dirt bikes in Moab next 2 weekends?

[btggraphix]

Either of the next two weekends? I'll be there both weekends.....this one I'll have company but the second one I'll coming back from Arizona and camping somewhere near the trailhead, not exactly sure where...but with short days this time of year I'll probably be out grabbing some brews somewhere in town Saturday evening.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'll might have my bike there Thanksgiving weekend. Just depends on the weather and what trails our group ends up selecting.

 

[btggraphix]

T-day weekend is a great time to be there....

I have gone many years at Thanksgiving and love it. It's pretty empty and gets even more so. In fact, my favorite is the Monday AFTER Thanksgiving. I like to ride Slcikrock Trail that day as there are usually about 5 cars total in the lot instead of overflowing like usual. It's nice having empty so you don't have to take crap from the Mt. Bikers who don't think you belong on the trail (you know, the one MC's created?)

There are a bunch of trails (especially single track) being closed....I think the 1st of 09...and a group I know is doing a sort of "Last Hurrah" on these trails over those two weekends. We will be doing approximately 70 miles of single track each day (Sat/Sun) of those two weekends. I don't think I have been on any of them so I just couldn't turn down the last chance to ride them. They are running the ride and I get to tag along and not deal with any logistics so it should be cool. It's an invitation thing though so I am not sure if I can invite more people....but it might be possible. That's why I didn't really post any details (not my decision.)

Been up the last few nights late putting on a new spring (finally) and other odds and ends to my XR650R. Fresh tune, valves adjusted, new tires front and rear, (did I mention new spring!) throttles cables and grip readjusted (those had been driving me crazy) etc.

Ready to roll! :roost:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...There are a bunch of trails (especially single track) being closed....I think the 1st of 09...and a group I know is doing a sort of "Last Hurrah" on these trails over those two weekends. We will be doing approximately 70 miles of single track each day (Sat/Sun) of those two weekends. I don't think I have been on any of them so I just couldn't turn down the last chance to ride them. They are running the ride and I get to tag along and not deal with any logistics so it should be cool. It's an invitation thing though so I am not sure if I can invite more people....but it might be possible. That's why I didn't really post any details (not my decision.)...

Hate to burst your bubble but the Record of Decision for the new RMP has been signed and the BLM is enforcing it. It was signed October 31st and they immediately began signing routes that are no longer on their motorized travel plan. This isn't to say they can't ever be reopened but at this point there isn't even a procedure to do so and their closures should be respected as to not impede any future happenings.

There was a group from MotoUtah.com that ran into some BLM troubles just this last weekend, they were on legit trails but the BLM attempted to enforce their new group size permits

 

[btggraphix]

Hate to burst your bubble but the Record of Decision for the new RMP has been signed and the BLM is enforcing it. It was signed October 31st and they immediately began signing routes that are no longer on their motorized travel plan. This isn't to say they can't ever be reopened but at this point there isn't even a procedure to do so and their closures should be respected as to not impede any future happenings.

There was a group from MotoUtah.com that ran into some BLM troubles just this last weekend, they were on legit trails but the BLM attempted to enforce their new group size permits

Well, I'm just joining up with a group...one of the local groups (non-profit) that works with the BLM USFS etc., and this is a small fund raiser. I'd be really surprised to find out they weren't aware of exactly what is and wasn't open, and they are specifically doing these rides as a last hurrah. It was completely my assumption regarding the dates of closure, I just assumed it was the 1st of the year. In any case, the group is small (what is the new group size limit?) and won't be going anywhere that is signed as closed I am sure. So no worries there, but I do hope the plans don't have to change. I know a trail up north is one of the rides.......


Sad to see so many of the long distance single track trails get closed...not just Utah but all over. There are a few high on my list I want to make sure to do before they are closed right here in Colorado.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Well, I'm just joining up with a group...one of the local groups (non-profit) that works with the BLM USFS etc., and this is a small fund raiser. I'd be really surprised to find out they weren't aware of exactly what is and wasn't open, and they are specifically doing these rides as a last hurrah. It was completely my assumption regarding the dates of closure, I just assumed it was the 1st of the year. In any case, the group is small (what is the new group size limit?) and won't be going anywhere that is signed as closed I am sure. So no worries there, but I do hope the plans don't have to change...


Sad to see so many of the long distance single track trails get closed...not just Utah but all over. There are a few high on my list I want to make sure to do before they are closed right here in Colorado.

I'm not familiar with the particulars of the single track, however I am familiar with the 4x4 routes which were closed as of November 1st and the BLM is enforcing them as such. This club and trail leader also works with the BLM on projects throughout the state, hence why it stung a little more when their trail leader was threatened with a ticket for organizing the activity.

Excerpt from their ordeal:
A couple weeks ago one of the clubs that I am a member of had scheduled a trail ride. Just an average trail ride on public lands, to enjoy "open" trails that are 100% legal to ride. There were 7 riders that showed up for this "organized" ride. There were also 2 BLM Rangers that showed up with their citation book in hand. They threatened to issue a citation to the Ride Leader if he followed through with his plans. The BLM Field Office that sent these Rangers had contacted the Ride Leader a few weeks prior and informed him that the "club" would need to apply for a permit. The Ride Leader explained that he knew the laws and regulations very well, and that he did not agree that a permit was required for a non-competitive, non-commercial, club trail ride on legal trails. Then, the night before the ride, the BLM contacted the Ride Leader again. This time telling him that they had decided a permit WAS definitely needed, but now there wasn't time for him to get one. The BLM explained that since this ride had been "organized" and advertised to the public on the club's website, it DID require a Permit. Once again, Big Brother BLM insisted that the ride could NOT take place. The morning of the ride, at the advertised trail head there were 7 riders ready for a fun day.....until 2 BLM Rangers showed up with ticket book in hand. They once again threatened to cite the Ride Leader if he followed through with his "organized" ride.

 

[btggraphix]

I'm not familiar with the particulars of the single track, however I am familiar with the 4x4 routes which were closed as of November 1st and the BLM is enforcing them as such. This club and trail leader also works with the BLM on projects throughout the state, hence why it stung a little more when their trail leader was threatened with a ticket for organizing the activity.

Excerpt from their ordeal:
A couple weeks ago one of the clubs that I am a member of had scheduled a trail ride. Just an average trail ride on public lands, to enjoy "open" trails that are 100% legal to ride. There were 7 riders that showed up for this "organized" ride. There were also 2 BLM Rangers that showed up with their citation book in hand. They threatened to issue a citation to the Ride Leader if he followed through with his plans. The BLM Field Office that sent these Rangers had contacted the Ride Leader a few weeks prior and informed him that the "club" would need to apply for a permit. The Ride Leader explained that he knew the laws and regulations very well, and that he did not agree that a permit was required for a non-competitive, non-commercial, club trail ride on legal trails. Then, the night before the ride, the BLM contacted the Ride Leader again. This time telling him that they had decided a permit WAS definitely needed, but now there wasn't time for him to get one. The BLM explained that since this ride had been "organized" and advertised to the public on the club's website, it DID require a Permit. Once again, Big Brother BLM insisted that the ride could NOT take place. The morning of the ride, at the advertised trail head there were 7 riders ready for a fun day.....until 2 BLM Rangers showed up with ticket book in hand. They once again threatened to cite the Ride Leader if he followed through with his "organized" ride.

Muchas gracias for the details. I will forward this text to the guy who has it organized just in case. I believe there are 5 people on the list, but that may not include the leader and the sweeper...making it possibly 7.

BT

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Muchas gracias for the details. I will forward this text to the guy who has it organized just in case. I believe there are 5 people on the list, but that may not include the leader and the sweeper...making it possibly 7.

BT

I'm hoping it was a really isolated case and possible a misinformed ranger. Have a great ride and post plenty of pics when your back. Looks like I'm leaving the bike at home that weekend. :bike_rider:

 

[btggraphix]

I'm hoping it was a really isolated case and possible a misinformed ranger. Have a great ride and post plenty of pics when your back. Looks like I'm leaving the bike at home that weekend. :bike_rider:

Too bad....always hate to leave the bikes behinds. They get mad.

FWIW, I heard the group size limit requiring a permit (unless it's commercial, or a race I think....) is actually 25. That is good if true as sometimes our camping group might have more than 6 riders if all the kids go.

I hope to learn more about the "new deal" so to speak, of what is happening out there, after the next two weekends.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Too bad....always hate to leave the bikes behinds. They get mad.

FWIW, I heard the group size limit requiring a permit (unless it's commercial, or a race I think....) is actually 25. That is good if true as sometimes our camping group might have more than 6 riders if all the kids go.

I hope to learn more about the "new deal" so to speak, of what is happening out there, after the next two weekends.

Well, that is for a basic group. Where it gets sticky is the BLM requiring permits for any "organized activity" as well as the location and uses of the groups. While the new RMP has distinct stipulations, they are somewhat vague on their new permit policy.

I'll be in a red Tacoma or blue Land Cruiser, traveling with other Cruisers. Wave if you see us

 

[btggraphix]

a few pictures, as requested....

Typical view of the trail. Nothing terribly technical, just endless desert landscape and an unassuming trail....

Didn't take many pictures on the trail. The group was really high talent level so I was making sure I wasn't holding anyone up.

I did take a few pictures of the campsite:

Hanging out with an elevated lower leg after riding. I had a flukish accident and apparently damaged my knee. Looking north.

Same exact spot, looking southeast:

Same spot, looking southwest:

New angle....from in front of the rig, looking west-northwest:

Sunset, looking west:

Window with a view, looking more or less north, towards the bookcliffs:

We could just barely see the tops of semi trucks on the interstate, but the only lights we could see were the lights of a few gas wells off to the north. Interesting that dirt bikes (or mountain bikes) will no longer be able to access those trails, but they will still be drilling gas wells and building piplines in there...