Newsletter, August 1997 by Danny Forer Bivouac-To sleep or camp under makeshift or emergency conditions. Mtn.Val and I were planning on doing a 50 mile race on Sunday, the Eagle Mtn Epic, which is held at Yuba Gap, about 35 miles east of Auburn. We decided that we would pre-ride the course and invite our regular Forest Knolls Freewheelers Tuesday group to join us. Upon arriving at the Ski Area, the owner, Gene West, informed us that only one section of the course had been cleared, and the other trails had not been ridden. He said that if we were not back by 6pm he would start looking for us. At about 10:30 our gang of four - Val, Jim, Brooke and myself took off. After a short time we left the ski area and proceeded on logging roads. The vegetation was mostly scrub, with some views of distant ridges. After about 1 hour of riding we started on the single track down to the American River. The descent down was spectacular. The trail was in good shape, going through lovely woods, and then into open areas with great vistas of the canyon. At one point I stopped to admire a giant rock wall that would have been at home in Yosemite Valley. The trail down was about 5 miles, dropping 3,000 vertical feet. Some technical sections, some steep, but mostly very ridable and one giant "Yahoo!" of a time. It was rocky, with some exposure on the sides of the trail, as we came down to the river. It was knee deep at the place we crossed the river. Brooke took a picture of me, naked except for my helmet, as I carried my bike over the rocks to cross the stream. Look for it on the cover of Bike next month. We lunched here on the sandy beach, on the far side of the river. We were at the bottom of the canyon, sitting in the warm sun, completely happy, enjoying the experience. We swam in the pool below the rocky rapids, and ate our sandwiches and power food by the water. Val had a filter and we filled our camel backs and bottles. The next section of the ride was on a trail that went for 7.5 miles, downstream, on the South side of the river. This section of trail was very little used. It was a scenic trail in the woods, somewhat above the river, but it had not been maintained, and there were numerous trees down and small creeks we had to cross. Typically we would ride 150 yards, get off the bike to go over a tree, get on the bike for another 75 yards, get off to cross a dry creek, get back on, go a short distance, get off... you get the picture. Anyway it took about 3 hours to traverse these 7.5 miles. We crossed the river again, this crossing fumed out to be a bit more exciting than the first one. As Brooke went across, mid stream her shoes came loose from her camel back and fell in the current and started floating downstream. She tossed her bike off her back, and made a diving swimming rescue of the shoes down stream. While she was doing this, her bike started floating with the current. Val rescued the bike, while a short distance below Brooke came up with her shoes, which luckily were attached together. We recovered on the other side, each of us thinking about what had just occurred. For myself, I wondered how we could complete the next 25 miles, if she had not rescued the shoes. While we used the pump to refill bottles I started to look for the trail. Couldn't find it. Went upstream, downstream and then upstream again. No luck, oh shit. Jim looked as well and he finally found a faint overgrown possible way out. This trail was even less used than the other one and was in really bad shape. We now had a 3 mile very steep uphill section to complete. Riding the bikes, even for 20 yards at a time, was out of the question. A combination of the steepness of the trail, and obstacles made riding impossible. In fact none of us, got on the bikes for anytime at all during this entire climb out of the canyon. It was the longest sustained push of my bike I have done in my life. It was now past 7pm and it was a race to see if we could get out of the canyon before dark. We all felt pretty good and pushed the bikes at a steady pace. Mosquitoes started to be a problem, each of us had a cloud above our heads, following us up the climb. We didn't have any lights, and we checked the map before it got dark. At 8:30 pm my altimeter said 4,600', and it looked like the top of the canyon was more than 1,000 vertical feet above us. No way we could make it. In all of my outdoor experience; bike riding, back country skiing, day hiking, trail running, canoeing, etc. I have never had to bivouac (see definition above). No matter how many mistakes or problems, or mechanical or bonks, I had always managed to somehow make it out. We had no chance on this trip. We had to spend the night and wait for light of the morning to continue. I always carry a space blanket (a thin mylar sheet) on my off road rides for emergencies, now was the tame to use it. Jim also carried one, but was surprised when he opened it to find out if was ~ very thin ground sheet, with no metallic coating. Oh well. It was very mild. Brooke took off her clothes, which were stall wet from her rescue in the river, and hung them on a tree to dry. As it got dark the mosquitoes finally left, and we sat and talked. I felt it was almost unreal. It was hard to accept that we would actually have to spend the night. We all felt pretty good. Brooke had some nausea, but other wise our spirits were high. We have done many rides together and the group was doing well. No complainers, blamers or worriers, which in times of unexpected problems makes things much better. We did a food inventory, and we each had about 2 power items left. There was a small crescent of moon above the opposite canyon wall and the stars were spectacular. There was no wind, no cloud cover, mild temps and in all ways a gorgeous evening. We tried to fit all four of us in one of the flat areas, side by side, end to end but it was too small. We paired off and talked for hours. During the course of the night we all got to know each other better, (not in the biblical sense) and used body heat to help keep each other warm. I thought I slept for a total of about 15 seconds during the night, but Mtn.Val said I was out cold for at least 12 minutes. She was awake all evening. We were sleeping (resting is more accurate) on hard dirt and it was most uncomfortable. Brooke's nausea got worse and she puked once and then felt better. We slept in our bike clothes, with only wind jackets. At one point Valerie realized she still had her gloves on. The mylar worked well and we were warm, Jim and Brooke under the plastic were not quite as comfortable. but still not cold. Finally, after what seemed like 30 hours, the sky lighted, the stars faded and I could get off the ground. I took a picture of Jim and Brooke huddling under their clear plastic sheet. After a delicious breakfast of chocolate GU, we started pushing the bikes again. Brooke's nausea got worse and she was not having much fun. We pushed up another hour and a half and finally got to a lumber road which means we were out of the canyon. Brooke was feeling worse, but we were still more than 15 miles from the car. The lumber road was flat and smooth, and it was fun to actually get back on the bikes for a change. We had one more fairly long climb, about a 1,000' up to Mears Meadow, which is the high point of the entire ride at 6,800'. Just past the meadow we came across Gene, in his jeep, who was looking for us. His trail crew was also on the lookout for us and he had called a helicopter rescue to be on standby, in case one of us was found injured. He also told us that he was out at 11 pm last night in the jeep to see if we made it out of the canyon. Gene went back to get Brooke and Jim, while Val and I pedaled back to the car. After showers we admired Jim's mosquito bites (maybe 35 individual bites just on one shoulder alone) and had cold drinks and snacks. We talked to Gene about the appropriateness of this course for a race, but he felt that after his trail crew worked on the trail clearing trees it would be OK. I am somewhat concerned about the amount of support that will be necessary on this remote long course, and hope that the competitors realize that they need to be self sufficient. In many ways this is more like an "ecochallenge' type event, than a standard mountain bike race. I wish them the best of luck. Equipment and supplies: Maps and compass-we had 4 different maps and used all of them.
STATS: 47 miles 7,600' of vertical 24 1!4 hours to complete course. Average speed of 2 miles per hour. By Paul Chourre Now I have only been to one or two ATB races and seen o fair share of ESPN coverage and glossy paged depictions of big names and big sponsors. Flashy vans filled with flashy bikes and decked out pro riders. Venues turn into fields of marketing blitz and well, I guess that's probably why I don't go to a lot of races (aside from the fact that I am too slow to race). I am a backyard kind of homebody type down to earth rider, which probably disqualifies me from covering an ATB race, but there is something about the Marin Knobular that sparks the smile of a good time with a great sport and special people. One need only take one look, for starters, at the core of local people that make this race happen. Chris Lang has put together a local group of more than fifty volunteers that, in cooperation with Mark Lowenstern of the Knobular Series, the BTC and the Marin Council of the Boy Scouts of America, do a great job. Add to the mix Gary Fisher, who to me is like having Bill Champlin show up at a benefit concert, and local favorites like Rachel Lloyd, back from injury for her first race and many other community riders, what more can I say. Well, I could bring up the all of the people that built the trails, or did I mention them already. The hard work of the BTC and the community spirit of Camp Tamarancho have created an oasis in the middle of a desert of not so tolerant land management. My perspective being derived from collecting parking fees and slopping potato salad on hungry but patient participants' plates, hardly covers the entire race, but I got to see both the record number 700 entrants and the community that makes it all happen. Ten dollars to park? Sure thing. One can ride or shuttle or enjoy the convenience of the automobile in this special place we are allowed to frolic in and the Scouts thank you very much for your contribution. Twenty-five dollars to ride there all year? You bet. Buy a one day ski lift ticket and compare. Oh, and by the way, would you like another scoop of potato salad with your chicken? Everybody worked hard to make it happen and everybody there appreciated it. The participation of the local sponsors who sell and service our bikes and their level of participation in this community event also adds to the sense of something created from within. This year's racecourse was a bit different in design due to the acquisition of a portion of Tamarancho by the Marin County Open Space District. Although B17, Wagon Wheel and Serpentine were designed to provide a loop for this sort of event, where there is a will there is a way. The Dead Heifer climb was its usual grunt and the use of the new Serpentine Trail reminded everyone that switchbacks could be your friend (and/or enemy) on any climb. The mandatory Cyclocross dismount was a new twist as Jim Jacobsen completed last minute course changes just as the first group of riders came rolling through. This year's race also had many positive aspects ranging from trail durability to the Boy Scouts themselves. Inspection of the trails used in the race by Jim Jacobsen indicated that, after thousands of laps by every level of ability spread among the classifications from beginner to pro, very little if any trail repair was needed after the race. This is an outstanding example of how properly built trails are exactly that. Amongst the observers this year were members from the Boy Scout Executive Council who wanted a first hand look at the event. They were very satisfied with the level of organization with which the event was run and everyone including the participants had a hand in that by treating the property with respect. Marin County doesn't have much to show for being the birthplace of mountain biking, but to participate in an event with this many community roots is truly pure quality. To roll the ridges and take in the beauty of the Bay Area stretched out before youwith the Sleeping Lady Iying majestically in her slumber and to know from inside what made this happen is as close as any one could feel to home. ©1997 Bicycle Trails Council of Marin |
Tired of This?
by Jim Jacobsen The 6th Annual Marin County Mt. Bike Festival was a great success. Over 60 exhibitors and venders, a drawing for a $3500 full suspension bike, and an observed teals contest provided an incredible variety of information and entertainment. A special half mile single track was built to demonstrate full suspension bikes provided by local dealers and frame manufacturers. Speakers included experts like John Castellano who sharpened the focus on this year's theme: full suspension. The festival is the main fund-raising event for the BTCM and this year we netted nearly $10,000 to support our trail building, Mountain Bike Basics classes, and other programs. The entire weekend was made possible by the extraordinary efforts of over 100 dedicated volunteers from all over the S.F. Bay Area. The efforts of the organizers of this event, Steve Hoxie, Abby Minot, Dion D'Amico, Larry Farrell, Albert Delima and Shan Wilson made this the well run event a pleasure to attend. This year's recipient of our Pioneer Award was State Park Ranger Pat Robards. Pat was the visionary who combined disparate groups in a common goal: creating the first multi-use single track trail system in Marin. Pat first convinced the Bay Trail Committee to concentrate their efforts on building trails in property they already had access to. He then proposed that this trail should be multi-use to avoid law enforcement problems. As an equestrian who patrols China Camp State Park on horseback, he is pleased with the finished system. He also encouraged the BTCM to hold monthly trail maintenance sessions that eventually built about one third of the system, and has grown to our present two mile per year trail construction crew. Michael More, BTC member since 1993, has been appointed to the Trails Committee of the Marin County Open Space District. The trails committee consists of 9 members, 6 commissioners and 3 citizen members. Michael is the citizen member representing the bicyclists. There were a total of 4 applicants, all of whom Michael felt were well qualified for the position. Congratulations Michael! Next issue look forward to a featured article from our new representative. Marin County Board of Supervisors approved giving MCOSD Rangers authority to issue citations at their July 1st Board meeting. Also, illegal trail building will now be a misdemeanor. Chris Bramham, Chief Open Space Park Ranger, simply sees this as another "tool" to use to try to change the behavior of people breaking the rules. The rangers must minimally go through standard Peace Officer training, which amounts to a 40 hour course in constitutional law. Plans are to have the program fully implemented by early next year. The BTC turns 10 this year. In May of 1987, the BTC's first general meeting was held at the Mountain Theater. In June 1987, the first newsletter was published. In September of 1987, a Bay Area wide meeting of mountain bike access groups was held which laid the groundwork for the eventual formation of IMBA. To commemorate this and acknowledge all the hard work and dedication from our numerous volunteers over the years, we will be having a PARTY! Of course it will involve a bike ride, and plenty of beer. The tentative date scheduled is Sunday, October 5, 1997. Stay tuned for further details, or call 4577512. On the second Friday and Saturday of each month, volunteer trail building is being done on MMWD lands. Currently work is in progress on the Madrone Trail on Mt. Tam. (Closed to Bikes). The BTC has been volunteering a lot of time on this project. If you are interested in building good will and volunteering, call MMWD at 4595267. Due to the recent purchase of the Wagon Wheel trail, by MCOSD, some Cascade Canyon residents have expressed concern over increased use of the trails in the Cascade Canyon area. Two meetings have been held thus far, to voice and address concerns. The BTC has offered to hold Informational Outposts in the area to educate everyone of the rules and proper trail etiquette. If you would like to volunteer your time to do an informational outpost, call us at the BTC. (456-7512) We will be doing these in August and September. Long time Marin County Parks Open Space and Cultural Commission (MCOSD) Commissioner Jean Berensmeier has not been reappointed for another 4 year term. Jean had been chair of the trails committee for the past 18 years, and adamant in her belief that bikes belong only on fire roads. .Supervisor Steve Kinsey has selected Charles Curley of Larkspur to serve on the Commission. The MCOSD has 16 members 2 appointed by each supervisor for o 4 year term 5 appointed by the entire board for 2 years and o veterans representative. In Marin Municipal Water district (MMWD) news .3 year board member Sean White has resigned due to o conflict of interest. His job with the Sonoma County Water Board involves stewardship of their watershed. Their contract with the MMWD) is being restructured to directly pay into a land stewardship fund, thus Sean would be on troth sides of this transaction. A new board member has not yet been appointed. While riding on the Pioneer Cabin Trail near Ketcham. Idaho two bycyclists from San Anselmo happened upon two hikers whose first response was an accusatory "Are bicycles allowed here?" The immediate response from the bicyclists was simply "Are you from Marin?" When the answer from the hikers was "Yes we are" the mystery was resolved somewhat. It is a shame to hear about the export of intolerance to Idaho where
bikes are allowed on trails throughout the entire stote. The hikers were
allowing their own home grown biases to detract from their experience. |