Adirondack Park Mountain Biking Initiative
Steering Committee
November 29, 2001 9:30 AM
Attendance:
Steering Committee:
Lee and Judi Borland, Facilitators; Roseanne Murphy (for Randy Beach), Empire State Development; Paul Capone, Trails Chmn.; Brian Delaney, Trails Comm.; Robert Eccleston, Trails Comm; Steve Erman, APA Economic Affairs; Tom Martin, Regional Forester, DEC; Becky Getman, LPCVB, (for Ron Ofner)
Guests:
Chris Sprague, DEC Forester; Matthew Dougherty, High Peaks Cyclery; Gary C. Thomann, Trails Comm.; Bert Yost, Wilmington MTB Coordinator; Ted Christodaro, Inlet MTB Coordinator; Chuck Smith, Lake Pleasant/Speculator MTB Coordinator; Dean Nervick, Lake Pleasant Trails Comm.; Jeanne Ashworth, Supv., Town of Wilmington
I. Welcome and Comments from Facilitators Lee & Judi
1. Announced that Randy Beach, Regional Director, Empire State Development, is now on the Steering Committee, replacing Greg Campbell.
2. Remarks about Tourism Predictions for 2002: the media is reporting that places like the Adirondacks may see MORE tourism as people drive rather than fly, and prefer to be in a non-urban more serene environment when they are on vacation and for short trips.
3. The IMBA/Subaru Trail Care Crew (Jen and Rich Edwards) came to the Adirondacks in early August and put on 3 very successful Trail Building Seminars/Workshops. Those in attendance said they were very worthwhile and much was learned. Pictures taken at the 3 workshops (Inlet, Wilmington and Saranac Lake were circulated. A total of 55 people attended the workshops.
4. Publicity:
- Two (2) APMBI Press Releases dated 7/2/01 and 8/16/01 regarding theTrail Care Crew Workshops were published in several newspapers, as well as on thebikeadirondacks.com website.
- Judi and Lee Borland were interviewed on 11/07/01 by reporter Alan Wexler who writes for the Albany Times Union and the Adirondack Explorer. The article(s) will appear in these publications in the spring.
- Reporter Greg Melville interviewed Lee Borland, Bert Yost, Ted Christodaro, and Brian Delaney for a future article in Outside Magazine.
- Judi and Lee sent a letter to Drive Magazine (published by Subaru) with photos of the IMBA Trail Care Crew members Rich and Jen Edwards with their IMBA Subaru, and Judi and Lee, with their 2 Subarus.
- The website www.bikeadirondacks.org, set up by Tim Holmes and ANCA has been heavily visited online, with most “hits” going to the “Trails” section of the site. Our APMBI press releases and other information are on the site.
- Brian Mann of North Country Radio wants to do a story on the APMBI; he requested that one or more members of our group accompany him on a MTB ride outside of the tri-lakes area. This story has the potential of being aired on National Public Radio!
5. Lee reminded the group that the 1st anniversary of APMBI will be Dec. 12th. We have come a long way in a year!
6. Lee thanked the APA, DEC, ANCA and ORDA for hosting our meetings this past year.
A. Inlet: Ted Christodaro, Mountain Biking Coordinator
They have 20 to 30 members on their multi-sport committee for multi use trails, with a core working group of about 6. Their main thrust has been to reopen old, neglected trails, including snowmobile and XC ski trails. They have working on clearing about 40 to 50 miles of trail, logging 366 hours of trail maintenance. 8 members of their Trails Comm. have taken the DEC Chainsaw Course. They have applied to DEC to adopt trails and have received approval to maintain some trails on state Wild Forest. Ted handed out maps of several of their trails and described the work done on the trails. He brought samples of their trail markers. They have plans to open many more miles of trails. Their focus is to open trails close to town, campsites, lodging, “out their back door”. Much of the work has been done in Fern Park, which is half town land, half state land. They are members of NORBA and IMBA, and they run 2 mountain bike races a year (McCauley Mt. and the Black Fly Challenge). They hosted a Trail Care Crew Trail Building Workshop in August. They feel they will be “Ready for Riding” in the Spring, with 20 to 30 miles of trails ready.
B. Lake Pleasant/Speculator: Chuck Smith, Mountain Biking Coordinator, and Dean Nervick, "Map Tech and Terrain Navigator" on the Town/Village Trails Committee. Their group’s goal is to promote a new non-motorized sport in their town. Snowmobiling is big there in the winter, and is heavily supported by the Town. Oak Mt. Ski area is being revitalized this winter, and they hope to take advantage of that terrain for mountain biking off season. They would like to build trails that would connect to other towns in the region. They already have 10.2 miles of trail in Perkins Clearing (Moose Country!) and 11.5 miles around Lake Pleasant. The Town recently negotiated with International Paper Co. with a lease to use a 15.2 mile loop contiguous to the ski area in 2002. In 2003 they hope to develop a “sister trail” in the Mossy Vly. This will involve an environmental permit as 300 ft. of trail crosses a wetland, and there is no way around this wet area. The plan would be to build an environmentally acceptable boardwalk there. They hope to have around 25 miles of trail “Ready for Riding” in 2002, working with existing dirt roads and trails. In the future they are looking at land adjacent to the ski area on the north, but would need a lease. There could be about 40 miles of trail with about 6 loops, but it would need a lot of work. They have been working with their local DEC Forest Ranger, Tom Aikens. They need to coordinate with Regional Forester Rick Fenton from the Northville office. They have about 7 people on their trails committee but need more. They want to interface with commercial groups like Oak Mountain; Oak Mt. management offered to let them use some of their equipment! Their goals are to accomplish Town to Town and end to end (loop) riding.
C. Wilmington: Bert Yost, Mountain Biking Coordinator
Bert gave a Power Point presentation, which included a brief history of their bike/XC ski club, beginning in 1996. Inspired by Dave King of Mt. Snow, the WMPS (wimps) Wilmington Mountain Peddlers was formed, as well as the Wilmington Area Mountain Biking Association. In 1996-97 they were involved in NORBA races. Their trails are multi-use trails, with beginnings as logging drag roads, hunting roads and trails, and XC ski trails. Their area encompasses the Town of Wilmington and area state and private lands. They have been working on the establishment of multi-use trails in the Wilmington Wild forest. The WMPS now includes about 10 members; they have been involved with the DEC in the Adopt-A-Resource Program, working with Planner Jim Papero. They hosted the Wilmington IMBA Trail Building Workshop in August. They applied for and were award an IMBA/Cliff Bar grant of $500., which they used to buy GPS equipment and clinometers. Bert and Rob Eccleston have mapped about 5 miles of trails. They are planning to map and develop a total of about 50 miles of trails in the Hardy Road, Ausable Acres and Flume areas.
D. Certificates of Recognition: Judi Borland presented each of the 3 Town Mountain Biking Coordinators with Certificates of Recognition for their Towns, their Mountain Biking Committee, and their Coordinator “for their outstanding leadership and dedication to providing increased sports recreation tourism opportunities for mountain bikers”.
III. Lake Placid - Saranac Lake Bicycle Pathway Project
The formal application for $796,575 in TEA-21 funding was submitted by ANCA on October 31, 2001. Lee and Judi wrote a letter of support on behalf of APMBI, which was included with the application. This is a “Rail with Trail” corridor management plan. ANCA got an initial $10,000 grant, in which Tim Holmes coordinated and laid out the bike path/corridor paralleling the “scenic” railroad track. ANCA staff has met with APA regulatory staff regarding permit requirements. The biggest challenge is how to avoid the wetlands. Ideas include a 4000-ft. boardwalk. The railroad right of way portions can have a paved pathway, but state lands can not. This pathway would make for a much safer route for cyclists, walkers, athletes, etc than the dangerous, congested Rt. 86. The project needs our support in the form of phone calls and letters to politicians. Lee and Judi will make a list of names to contact and distribute them to the Steering Committee. The APA and DEC have been strong supporters of the project concept.
Following the presentation from each Town MTB coordinator, the coordinators were asked what they needed from APMBI to be more successful. Some of the points brought forward were:
1. Ted Christodaro suggested that we need to get national and regional publicity and advertising going, e.g. get articles re the different towns in the three national biking magazines.
2. Bert Yost suggested that we sponsor an “Adirondack Series”, with coordinated dates between the participating towns. The final races could be rotated year to year.
3. It was suggested we get linked with the “Adirondack Discovery” Program: provide an introduction to mountain biking in various Adirondack towns, do some trail work and a ride. Basic riding techniques should be covered.
4. Gary Thomann is involved with Mountain Bike Clinics with the Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club (MTB and road bikers) on Monday nights. They set up wooden boxes and ramps, etc., and have a 4 ½ mile track time trial. The clinics are free; they are covered under a regular committee liability policy because no fee is charged. Gary also suggested that Speculator consider including some trails in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, since there are some good riding opportunities in that area.
5. Bryan Delaney suggested we do “Fam Tours”, and invite the writers from various biking magazines, etc. Do a 3 day tour. Brian has information. Donna Small of the Visitors Bureau could set up the publicity and help with the organization.
6. DEC “Adopt a Resource Program”: DEC gives guidelines on width and location of trails, and what can and can’t be cut. Coordination with the DEC is essential. Workers are covered for Workers’ Comp. Insurance. Workers have to be 18 yrs. or older. (Bert has the form to fill out.) Young people under 18 are limited in what they can do, due to the child labor laws. They can be used if they are part of an organized group (e.g. Boy Scouts), or if they are covered by their own organization (e.g. Northwood School?) In any case there are limited chores they can do.
7. It was felt we need to work toward having a coordinated map or maps of the trails in the whole Adirondacks— the goal would be to eventually have one like the Slatyfork, WV, or Moab, Utah maps. We would need to line up sponsorship to finance the preparation and publication.
8. Trails connecting towns. Tom Martin discussed the Comprehensive Snowmobile Trail planning and the big issue of the need for community connections. Some trails will be on the edges of and perhaps, even into wilderness and primitive areas. These can be within 500 feet inside of the wilderness boundary. Some parallel the existing highway corridors; some include abandoned railroad beds. We could probably hook into these during the bike riding months. The Governor is committed to the development of multi purpose trails. We need to partner with the snowmobile community in the development of trails.
9. Wilderness vs. Wild Forest:
No motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed in Wilderness. In
Wild Forest, mountain bikes can be ridden on any trail unless posted, and at present none are posted.
10.Grants: Gary Thomann suggested the NYS Trails Council and the NYS OPHRP as a resource. The former “ISTEA” money is now DOT TEA-21 money. Application can be made by the Towns for grants. Towns have to do cost matching but can include the value of volunteer or town paid labor in their match. Gary will email the information to Judi.
11. Bert Yost stated their need for Kiosks and signage. They need to use the official design by the DEC. Tom Martin said that the DEC would build the kiosks and signs if the Town supplies the materials. (Hazleton Lumber has offered to donate the lumber to Wilmington.) After the Unit Management Plan is in place for an area, the DEC can budget for kiosks, signs and trail maintenance.
12.Signage: Paul Capone asked whether signs on private land could comply with those on public land. Tom Martin said that the DEC already does make DEC foot trail signs for private land. The APA only gets involved in areas where they have jurisdiction, so private land signs may not have to have permits.
13.Tom Martin agreed to email to Judi the names of the DEC planners, and Judi will send them with the Minutes.
14.Becky Getman brought and distributed the brochures that Ron Ofner promised us on the Adirondack Coast Bikeways and Essex County Mountain Bike Routes, the Lake Champlain Bikeways, and the Adirondack Coast Bikeways.
V. The Economic Impact of Mountain Biking
Lee distributed a report prepared by Wayne Glass, Director of the Technical Assistance Center at SUNY Plattsburgh in which he researched the impact of mountain biking in other areas of the country where it is more established. He concluded that based on the economic impact in those areas, that it could also have significant impact in the Adirondacks also. A copy of the report is attached to these minutes.
A. IMBA Epic Ride: APMBI was invited by Tim Blumenthal of IMBA to submit an application for a proposed IMBA “Epic Ride”. The Ride is a 2 day event, with about 35 participants. Day 1 is a trail work construction or maintenance of the trail to be ridden, and Day 2 is a riding day. If our nomination for a ride were selected, we would gain excellent publicity; a picture and description of the ride would be published in the yearly “IMBA Epic Rides” magazine and over 250,000 copies distributed nation and world wide. The Trails and Steering Committees previously agreed we were not ready to submit an application this first year, but we’d like to try for 2002 or 2003.
Paul reported that the ride selection criteria used in past Rides
appear to be: ride time of 4 to 6 hours; length of 20 to 30 miles (less if very
technical); includes a variety of terrain and trail conditions, esp. singletrack;
a difficulty level of intermediate to expert; minimum of 1500’ elevation gain
over entire route; includes places of scenic beauty or historic interest. Paul
and his committee suggested 3 different rides that might be good candidates:
Paul described the Burndtbridge Pond Trail in the Cranberry Lake Wild
Forest the Uncas Trail in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest and the Shelving Rock Trail in the Lake George Wild Forest. Paul had colored topographic maps and a spreadsheet on the 3 trails, which were circulated. He asked for input for other possible candidates.
Gary Thomann has some other ideas, one of which is about 26
miles, lasting 6 hours. He felt we need a good trail that an intermediate can ride, and have a good experience, so they would recommend it to others.
Epic Ride in 2002 or 2003? A group discussion ensued:
1. Let’s DO IT RIGHT—we get just one shot at this.
2. Steve Erman felt it should be an exciting ride; a kiosk could be placed at the trailhead with information including a map of the Epic Ride Trail and all other Adk. MTB trails.
3. We will need the right tools to get people there, including good maps of the trail. We could put the maps on the website in advance of the Epic Ride.
4. We need a good “package” for people to want to come.
5. Roseanne Murphy said this is a huge opportunity for the Initiative but we need to do it right. We would be getting national exposure. We need to have facilities nearby to support the influx of tourists an Epic Ride would bring, and good transportation, and housing.
6. We could put our candidate trails on the website and invite bikers to ride and to critique them.
7. Gary T. suggested we put about 15 bikers on each of the candidate trails and have them critique them.
8. Steve E. emphasized that the trails would each have to be in good shape. We could get prison crews to work on them!
9. We would need to request that if selected, our Epic Ride be scheduled in July, Aug. or Sept. due to our Adirondack weather conditions, and the earlier season of black flies.
10. Lee suggested that he, Judi and Paul place a conference call to Tim Blumenthal and ask questions and clarify how we need to go about selecting and submitting a candidate for an Epic Ride, and ask about the timing--whether it would be best to apply for 2002 or 2003.
B. Signage
Paul asked that we clarify what standards we need for signage and kiosks on state land and private or town lands.
Tom Martin said that DEC standards must be followed on state lands; the regional foresters have published standards in a DEC sign manual. Each of the 3 Towns and other towns can get that information from their regional forester.
Private land signage is up to the wishes of the landowner but it would be best if they were uniform or similar to that used on state land. Tom said the same goes for kiosks. They could be built by the DEC, with the towns supplying the materials. Trail registers could be built into the kiosks.
The three mountain biking coordinators present expressed an urgent need for the signage standards. Lee requested that Paul and his committee get the Trail Marking standards to the Towns by December 31st so the Towns can get their signage ready for their approved, completed trails before the spring riding season. Tom Martin agreed to assist them on this.
Other: The AATV Annual Meeting is Dec. 3 & 4 in Lake Placid. Steve suggested it would be good to have a report from APMBI on our progress and program.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2002, at 9:30 AM at the APA in Ray Brook. Plan to arrive at 9 AM for coffee and networking!
The meeting was adjourned at 1 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Borland, Co-Facilitator, APMBI