Lower Oasis
The KCTS trail maintenance crew has started back on the trails. We’ll cover the trails that are already open, and then do our best to keep up with all the new openings as the snow melts. The rain made it easy to resculpt the bottom section of Lower Oasis trail this morning. By mid-summer the loose sandy material just doesn’t hold together and this well used trail inevitably falls apart, but for now it’s in great shape. As far as I can tell, the current snow-free trails are: Cemetery, Spring Cleaning, Rogers, Green Door, Sudden Exposure, and Lower Oasis. If you’re adventuring further afield, leave a comment with what you find.
May 5, 2009...10:20 pm
Let the Season Begin
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23 Comments
May 7, 2009 at 1:44 am
As a rider, trail builder, and member of KCTS, I was absolutely appalled about the “deconstruction” of lower spring cleaning. History seems to be repeating itself, as last year a local rider nearly went over the bars hitting the “original line” which had logs across it. This year a group of keen locals took it upon themselves to work on the line, adding 2 fun (and within the Whistler guidelines ie: no gaps) jumps. Today it looks like SEVERAL hours were spent tearing apart the jumps and berms. This is a waste of the KCTS’ funding to have the trail crew destroy a line. And for what? Was it crossing over into land that was not part of the agreement? From the downpour today the “new line” seemed to be holding a lot of water, unlike the original more “fall line” of the trail.
I know how much time it takes to Pulaski 50 feet of trail – it’s extremely labor intensive. So why was the trail crew spending time destroying a perfectly okay line? Whose directive was this? Was this from the top of the KCTS, or was this a random decision?
This is absolutely disappointing, and a waste of time and money considering Lower Oasis has blow down, and spring brings blow down, run-off and other things that mean damage to trails.
Whomever decided this was a worthy effort should be ashamed, as obviously this person hates fun in it’s purest form. Fun police with Pulaskis? Trail Crew, please don’t destroy – this is not as Nietzsche would describe as “Creative Destruction”, but seemingly spiteful and nasty. Unless the line needs to be closed as it is not within boundaries or upsetting landowners, or has stunts that are rickety and unsafe (again with IMBA and Whistler as build guidelines), they should be left as is; they don’t have to be maintained by the KCTS, but the KCTS should not have to waste manpower (and therefore dollars) destroying a trail.
May 7, 2009 at 3:23 am
Kelly,
Thanks for your feed-back. I understand that nobody likes to see their hard work disrespected, but the trail crew are just trying their best to balance the full spectrum of considerations (fun:sustainability:safety:access) when making decisions in the field. I realize that trail users feel a great sense of ownership over the trails they use, but the reality is that they are situated on private land, and that the private landowners do not want an unmanaged free-for-all on their land. We have made a commitment to the private landowners that these are responsibly managed trails and that we will keep trail users on the official trails (they do not want to see proliferation). So when the trail crew encounter unauthorized and anonymous changes to the trails, they are directed (by me) to attempt to restore the trail to its’ original intended condition. If trail users want to want to get involved in making changes, talk with us first, and we’ll work something out. We’re keen riders too, trying hard to make great trails for everybody.
Stewart.
May 7, 2009 at 2:53 am
I too am dismayed at this complete waste of $ and time. I hope the KCTS board carefully consider the decision to destroy a trail that was well within the guidelines. I would like to know the reason for the removal of the refurbished old line, which I should add was ridden prior to volunteers fixing it to its original state this spring (and more enjoyable than the poorly designed around). This type of action is divisive in the Rossland biking community and begs to question why one would want to renew their membership. And it is only one example of poor judgement that resulted in the changing of trail features enjoyed by many for years, often done without trail signage indicating these arbitrary changes. I, personally, have crashed on my bike due to trail changes that were unmarked (and unnecessary) by the trail crew in recent years. What will it take for this to stop? These concerns have been expressed to the board and yet I see no change. I consider myself a diplomatic person, but this is too much to go without comment.
May 7, 2009 at 3:59 am
It’s one thing to take down something that is renegade, unsafe, poaches private land, but I remember DISTINCTLY that users were encouraged to work on trails as long as they followed the guidelines set forth by the KCTS (again with the IMBA and Whistler guidelines) – at the open houses and at the potlucks on Trails Day.
I did not shovel one load of dirt on Spring Cleaning – heck I was out of the province – but to destroy some small jumps on the old line? I’ve seen enough after over 5 years of riding here and not complained, but this is the uncoolest thing I’ve seen. There’s blow down on Milky Way as of this afternoon that could be taken care of, and the teeter tooter on Snake fell down last fall – that is money well spent – throwing large heavy logs across and ripping out a dirt jump? How well does that go over with landowners?
My membership is up for renewal, and I’m considering not renewing it after tonight, which I find extremely sad as the board is working really hard on creating work for locals and those hit hard by the recession (namely the unemployed Forestry workers initiative is an awesome idea), expanding the network to include more of the greater Trail area, and working with Red, non-motorized users (the new two-way signing on Oasis is great – we need to be aware that walkers, joggers, and horseback users are non-motorized and have every right to be there as much as mtb bikers) & private landowners to come up with solutions for public use. One only needs to talk to a North Vancouver Shore user to know how difficult it is to build and sustain trails. But lower Spring Cleaning? For serious? In what exact ways is it not fun:sustainable:safe:access? Has the landowner complained? If so than I’m done, that is totally valid and in keeping with the Land Use Contract that is agreed upon.
May 7, 2009 at 4:16 am
sad to hear that lower spring has been re-deconstructed again…
we were waiting on your return from mexico to discuss the location of your jump in the mud bog. that is why we did not disturb your precious riding experience, we only were waiting on discussing moving the ramp to better handle the drainage and accomodate the old trail.
do you really think this is a good use of time cutting down trees to block old exits? you know that the exits to the wagon road will be cleared and for what? the crew quietly cursing us under their breath? you know that silly things like exits will be re-opened, and should realize that it’s the trail crew that looks stupid for cutting down lumber, wasting time.. and the trail looks like ASS! with crap everywhere.
im going out tomorrow… and i hope to find out they didn’t waste the entire day unbuilding trails and didn’t even maintain the ruts in the bottomost section below the wagon road…
why would a great season start like this? i thought we were a tight biking community?
we should be very sad…
…chicks loved those jumps… want to scare chicks out of rossland? this town suffers a 70:1 ratio at best… lets get them ladies ripping?
WAIT, NOW THATS GOING TO SOUND SEXIST
but really? we need all the beginner jumps we have, not to mention ladies to come to the bar after riding….???
NOW HOLD ON! TRAIL CREW TEARING DOWN JUMPS IS MAKING ME SEXIST….
unfortunate… i guess we’ll just need the jumps back so i can regain my status as an un biased women liker again…
mt
May 7, 2009 at 4:36 am
WHERE’S FRANCOIS?! He’s the best part of the blog!
May 7, 2009 at 4:39 am
why is it 4:41 am tomorrow in this post???
it’s still 9:41pm on the 6th!
sorry, complaining about the wrong rossland trail
mt
May 7, 2009 at 5:38 am
It’s a shame that volunteers (and paying members of the KCTS) did a lot of trail work, just to see the trail organization they belong to come and destroy it.
The trail was shoveled out, cleared up, and improved by people who are KCTS members. Some rickety features were removed for safety and we tried dealing with the 30cm deep drainage problem in front of the wood thing that was built to block the original line. The original line was revamped and was getting ridden again.
I don’t believe the full spectrum of considerations (fun:sustainability:safety:access) were considered at all in dismantling the trail. The 2 whoops on the original line were fun and didn’t require crossing the foot of water runoff that had pooled in front of the wood jump.
During the last few weekends, the lower south facing trails have been packed with riders. People have noticed that the original line is fixed up and have been riding it. Now riders will come around the corner right into a bunch of sticks/logs/whoknowswhat.
Build trails. Don’t dismantle them unnecessarily.
May 7, 2009 at 5:37 pm
rode the trail this morning
FYI: IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR SOMEONE WHO AGREED WITH THE OPENED/ MAINTAINED JUMPS AND SAW THEM DESTROYED TO RUIN ALL OF THE OTHER SPRING CLEANING LINE OUT OF RAGE.
AWESOME!!! you have beautifully sabotaged your own line, wasted time, and incurred more local wrath, apparently you need more ‘build time’ to get in there with a truck or a skidder to properly shut down trails… or perhaps share the information from the precious IMBA SUSTAINABILITY BIBLE i hear so much of to defend all the the trail building techniques and riding styles out here….
IE:
as you know IMBA recommends ‘reclaiming’ old trails so they are invisible… (ie: page 211 in the trail solution guidebook)
—after having that crap thrown at us for years, how did you interpret cutting down trees and stacking them. there was a death pit cut on the trail. there are drainage and stunts thrown into the woods… the mini berms the crew built look like water holes all the way down the trail, and there was no cover up???
all we get as the public are detailed, wordy, lengthy politically correct BULLSHIT
in the real world. we learn from our mistakes, feel free to learn something new again, it’s a great feeling.
PS: ESPECIALLY NICE TO SEE THAT ALL THE TRAILCREWS TIME WAS WASTED BEFORE THEY COULD ADDRESS THE REAL CONCERNS OF MAINTENANCE ON THE LOWERMOST SECTION!!!
there is no singular ride experience vision.
there is only greed to be responsible for the entire rossland range riding experience – something i will fight to the death for, CHOICE!
mt the cyclist
May 7, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Wow Stewie, how about you give your ego a rest and put it away for awhile. Despite what you may believe there are people in this community besides you that know a bit about trail building. And I know this may be hard to swallow, but they might actually have more experience than you. And sure as hell there are people in this community that like riding trails that are “fun”.Yes Stewie, it is actually possible to have a trail that is safe, functional, sustainable and yes, fun too.
Your latest demonstration of trail dictatorship has finally shown beyond a doubt one of your greatest flaws:You can’t handle people doing something better than you. You wasted crew time and funding to dismantle a rebuilt line which even in it’s worn out state of the past few years was still better than what you replaced it with. And apparrently it’s more important to you to not have yourself outdone than to actually do your job. Really, how small is your penis?
You’ve done several things like this in the past, blocking of trail on Drakes, Sudden Exposure, Gobster, Spring cleaning, Technical Red (which isn’t even part of the KCTS network in which you have NO jurisdiction) the huge fiasco on KC ridge one of the oldest trails in Rossland. But I have to say I’m surprised at the boldness of this move. Dismantling a newly rebuilt section of trail, within standards which was being frequently ridden, just because you can’t handle somebody building a better section of trail than you. How fucking old are you? Forty something? Then why are you acting like a spoiled ten year old. Get a clue or get a new job, because we’ve had enough of your bullshit.
For everyone else reading this, I hope you can get down to the section of trail being discussed here and judge for yourself. I have long ago stopped supporting the KCTS because of Stewie’s actions. And I’d like riders in the community to stop and ask themselves if they want a trails manager who discourages volunteer work unless they’re doing what he tells them to do, who destroys the hard work of other riders in the community, drastically alters and destroys old (15 yrs plus) trail to replace it with switchbacks, has no clue how to build a decent and SAFE stunt, who openly wastes what little funding the KCTS has just to salve his own ego.
You’re an asshole Stewie and you don’t deserve your job.
May 7, 2009 at 8:21 pm
careful about the comments as he will delete them – which is the internet equivalent of “I’m taking my ball back and going home”……
May 7, 2009 at 10:11 pm
To Kelly, Matt, Master Blaster, et al.
Your comments are truly amazing.
In order to present a case which accurately and succinctly portrays a grievance, and which suggests either a solution or compromise, requires a modicum of intelligence. Your entries, however, reveal an astonishing lack of focus and clear thinking, now leading to a downward spiral of petty complaints and personal attacks. There appears to be such childish joy being generated between your little group – might I suggest you develop your own blog site and you can continue ad finitum.
May 7, 2009 at 10:49 pm
childish joy??
welcome to rossland gail….
…we live here because we’re stuck in childish joy.
you know:
powder day?
bluebird beach day?
morning fog biking???
welcome to the debate, although im too lazy and don’t own a dictionary to understand your compellingly intelligent argument… i do know what i am talking about, and it shouldn’t take an iq test to find lower spring cleaning. unless the training wheels are still on.
we shall see what happens with the trail. if it truly gets eliminated (like so many before it, and certainly more to come) i will be happy to have stood up for the original line regardless…
…because these posts have already done what they’re supposed to, brought attention from the locals that use the network to the people who maintain the network. im sure your stoked to protect the kcts, but attacks on suggestions aren’t really relevant to the issue.
much more to the point, we all realize that destruction of trails is not our goal AT ALL, and are saddened by the additional sweat (or KCTS $$$ depending which team your on) poured back into rebuilds due to miscommunications (of which, im hoping that is what comes out of this ‘grievance’)
using the ‘blog’ as access to persuade the trail crew early in the season, freeriders can take advantage of the trail crew’s time on the shorter, more accessible network of melted trails (a large percentage of which are advanced +). dealing with these issues as the trails are maintained should help the trail crew to be more efficient and prepared for the tasks forthcoming. and like i said, once the seven summits is melted, we won’t see any ‘paid crew work’ in the mining school area until the leaves fall.
my point:
complain before destruction…
because whether it was a good idea or not, BOTH trails got damaged/destroyed by unhappy, uninformed riders somewhere along the line.
continue ad finitum (don’t really know how to use it yet, but thought it fit well)
May 7, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Dear Gail;
Using $20 college words in defense does not an intelligent argument make. Please take a look at lower spring cleaning before you assume anything. I was questioning the destruction of a trail, and will not stoop to electronic slander as it is admissible in the courts. Please, I implore you to take a look at lower spring. Things that are “bad” for trail building: erosion, “braiding of trails”, not taking into account wet/sandy/flat area, waterbars. Please read up on trail building, and please take a look before you “jump to conclusions”.
Fighting on the internet is futile and useless. We could open a debate forum in real life – although the anonymous nature of the Interweb seems to before out the “fight” in people.
I’m done.
May 8, 2009 at 12:16 am
I don’t agree with the personal attacks. They are unwarranted.
Who knows how old the original line is? I’m sure it’s been ridden since Rossland became the “mountain bike capital” of Canada.
The “newer trail” (2 years?) cuts off the original line for a 100m detour into a large runoff pool. The original line does not.
One of the issues was the water pooling in front of the wooden jump. The day we worked on it, it was a foot deep. We drained it, and sunk rocks into the boggy soil to slow the erosion. A group decision was made not to alter/move the wooden jump (to avoid the bog) until Stew came back from Mexico and was consulted. He was going to be asked if we could move it/improve it to avoid the bog and allow the original line to be ridden again to the wagon road. BOTH trails would have been ridable.
Instead, the trail crew went in and destroyed it.
May 8, 2009 at 1:31 am
Dearest Gail,
Would you like to know what childish is? Continuing closing off sections of trail that are not only active but clearly being ridden and continually maintained, because somebody (I don’t need to name names, we all know who I’m talking about) can’t get over themselves. Even more childish is cutting down perfectly good live trees to do it. An even further step would be to continue said activity even though said trails manager has received direct instructions from the KCTS board of directors not to block trail off, and to definately not cut down live trees to do so.
What good is an employee if he can’t follow a instruction as simple as “if it lives, don’t cut it down”. Yes my attacks have been personal, petty and childish, and yes I had a lot of fun writing them.
The riders in this area have tried many approaches to ensure that the trails we ride stay maintained, intact and are improved. We maintain them when they need it, we improve when we see fit. But it’s a hard one to swallow when we continually find lines we enjoy riding covered with recently cut live trees and stumps. Not only is it a pain in the ass, it’s a safety hazard. Fortunately for many, we’re all pretty level headed here and have no intention of taking legal action when such hazards arise. But not everyone will be.
So I let loose before and wrote what was on my mind. This last act of trail dictatorism was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’ve been riding bikes here longer than most and what most people here don’t realize is that 90% of the trails here were here before the KCTS. Cherry Poopins, Milky Way, Full Monte and small sections of the 7 summits are the only new constructions from the KCTS. That means that everything else was built by volunteers.
And now we see with this last action, that although volunteer sweat and toil built this network, it’s no longer welcome unless Heir Stewie gets his way. So why does one man get to call all the shots for a network so large and diverse, ridden by so many people and built by many more people? Because he went to a couple of IMBA conferences? Because he has the amazing ability to build switchbacks on any kind of slope, regardless off fall lines and natural features?
Childish? Hell yeah! But I’m also pointing out the character of the man we have in charge of our most valuable, entertaining, and wonderful summer resource we have here, our trail network. If this network is for everyone to enjoy, how come we’ve been bringing up the same issues for the last three years?
So tempers flare and I resort to using the internet to spread my slander. Why? Because I know who will read this, I can say what I need to say, I can stay anonymous, and well, because I can. And I think for a more important reason, I’m tired of being ignored and I’m tired of civilized approaches because they don’t seem to work. I’ve gone to the meetings, I’ve raised my concerns, and taken in the bullshit and the lip service, and in the end Stewie continues to do what he pleases regardless.
And that’s my two cents. Happy Spring.
May 8, 2009 at 3:56 am
Wow people… go ride your bikes… Pale ale is clear and sets you up for milky way which is at it’s prime… beautifully damp.
May 8, 2009 at 5:34 pm
As the trail builder responsible for the Lower Spring Cleaning issue, I am certainly surprised and apologetic to the anger that I has resulted. Usually people I meet offer high praise to the work that they see, and not lengthy diatribes on blog sites. A simple solution would have been to discuss this line with KCTS Maintenance beforehand. For as a rule, I typically close all short-cuts, divergent paths etc for fairly obvious reasons. Anyone can phone Stewart or come-by the Shed (4th Ave) with plans, ideas etc and maybe save the vitriol for private.
May 8, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Another question one should ask is why in the hell does the KCTS board allow Stew to hire his own brother every year to do trail maintanence? I am sure there are Canadians who can do the job better. And shouldn’t we have a Canadian in Stew’s position?
My 2 bits….
May 8, 2009 at 11:53 pm
That seems completely off topic, Trouble…or is that just an alias for Stockwell Day?
May 8, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Trouble,
I feel it is important to address you in a personal and direct manner. I do not generally read this site but when your comments were brought to my attention I felt no choice but to respond to you directly.
Regardless of where anyone stands on this issue making xenophobic comments and hiding behind an anonymous post is unacceptable. If you have an opinion to state, stand up at the next KCTS meeting, (Tuesday May 12th, 7pm Rossland Fire Hall) and make an open and honest case for why multiple lines on trails should exist.
Prior to that, I would suggest you post a retraction of your racist and incorrect comments.
Sincerely,
Isaac Saban
KCTS President
May 9, 2009 at 2:28 am
“JUST RIDE” Eddie Merckx
May 12, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Super happy with the ride on lower spring cleaning today!
lower dirtjump line has been properly rebuilt and rides as well as it ever has.
nice touch breaking apart the trails with the large rock, looks very clean!
stoked,
mt