Stakeout

Fellow Marsh Creek night riders, following is today's excerpt from the dtownmtb forum on yahoo. Interesting turn of events, good news looks like Todd (our ambitious race course designer) has a r'ship and will try to  smooth things out...

hop_devil61:

“There was a group of three park rangers standing at the north end of the Struble trail on Wednesday evening, just before 6 p.m. I assume they were there to intercept mountain bikers headed toward the park, knowing many ride on Wednesday evening. 

We parked in the township lot off Shellmire Road. We shot down Dorlan Mill Road and then entered the park via the usual gravel road. Doing this allowed us to escape any contact with the park officials at the bottom of the hill. We didn't see any of them for the rest of the ride.

Thought I would pass that along.”

Todds:

“Vic...

Are you sure they were mc rangers and not the county park rangers? County ranger gave group some shit last ride for not riding single file...   Hopefully we will get it all worked out soon... I plan to meet with park guy next week when i am back in town...

Later…"

Robinforsomething:

“Not riding single file, that's awesome.  Are walker's supposed to be single file too?  What about dogs on a leash, should they be single file with their owners too?   What was your response?  I probably would have been speechless (and thought of a good comeback 20 minutes later).” 

Riding from the neighborhood probably helps maintain a low profile but until this thing blows over it probably makes sense when riding at night to avoid (or at least be stealthy in) high traffic choke points like the boat launch and the Dorlan Mill access road.  Of course if you are riding “lights out” then it will be hard to plead ignorance if you do get caught.  Anothe roption would be to tape a fishing license to your helmet - that activity is apparently permitted in the park at any hour of the day or night.

Never a dull moment...