VALLEY FALLS (Bolton Valley)INFO!!!

[Big Game]

I just talked with the attorney for the landowner of the parcel of land where the stunts were built. He told me that becuase of liability issues, mountain bikers do not have permission to ride there!!! I am unsure how big and what the boundaries of this parcel is, so until we can figure out where we stand, please don't ride there.

Also, he tells me that the landowner wants the stunts removed. I told him I would do my best to wrassle up a crew to get them dismantled. I know no one really wants to do this. But please consider, if we just leave these stunts up there, our opposition will use this against us to paint us an irresponsible. We want to be good neighbors. Good neighbors get invited to more parties. We're making great progress in the state getting more and more access, so we need to continue to put our best foot forward. If someone doesn't want us on their land, then we have to respect that.

I will post more info about our a clean up date.

If you are upset about this, then do something about it. Ask yourself what you have done to protect and enhance your favorite riding area. Do the land owners and land manager know what a valauble contribution you as a mountain biker has been making to the area?

[pk]

Hi BG,

Any more details about the situation and how NEMBA can help? I'm not familiar with Valley Falls at all.

pk

[turch]

For everyone's edification, we're talking about an area in Bolton, CT.

BG, let me know what I can do. I'd be happy to assist with rallying the troops across CTNEMBA.

[Big Game]

Valley Falls is also known as Bolton. Many many stunts were built...pretty much without permisison (meaning totally without permisison). The land still does not have any "no tesspassing signs" present...atv's have built a network of trails in there...from what I can gather, some of the stunt building started to meander off the private property onto Bolton Conservation Commisison land...well this got the land manager there kind of bent...so we figure he went around and destroyed the stunts that were built on his land...and some of the the stunts built on the private property were destroyed...by who..we don't know. Anyway becuase of the stunt building that occured on the conservaiotn land,. the cons com was telling people they could ride on the private land even though he had no right to tell people that. Well, now the private land owner was apparently contacted by the cons com. Te property owner hred an attorney. I talked to their attorney. Nice guy. Has law on his side.

I hope no one does anything stupid...we got other places to ride...if you look at this story there are big lessons to learn here...lets not repeat mistakes and try to make the best of the situaiton.

NEMBA could help out tremendously if we could get a work crew to dismantle the stunts like we did in Tyler Mill back in '01. Maybe, just maybe if we are supercool to landowner, they'll allow use to ride there (sans stunts, of course)...need to show land benefits when mountian bikers are granted access.

[pk]

Thanks for more info!

I agree that mountain bikers need to be as pro-active as possible and work closely with the landowner to meet his needs.

Can we get permission from the landowner to remove the structures? I bet if we got permission, picked a date and publicized it on the forum, bikerag.com, and the ctnemba email list, there would be a pretty good turnout.

pk

[Jisch]

Keep me in the loop, depending on schedules, I'll be there to help.

I have taken my family riding there a bunch of times. Its a great intermediate ride, excluding the crazy stunts.

John

[Big Game]

Trying to assemble a work crew to remove the stunts:

The landowner will be available the following dates: August 14, 15, 21, 21, 28 and 29th. Please let me know who can help and what dates would work.

[Jisch]

28/29 might work out for me, the others are definitely not available.

John

[w900l]

is that were 6 turns int 384? keep postin i can help W p.u truk tool and luggers

[Big Game]

yep where 6 turns into 384...awesome you have equipment...getting great response ..thanks peoples!

[turch]

Keep the info flowing. I know that CTNEMBA TM gigs are scheduled on both 8/15 (Mansfield Hollow SP) and 8/28 (Penwood) but these shouldn't necessarily stop the momentum that you've got going here.

[Big Game]

8-29 (sunday)?

[Slider]

I'm good too, tentatively. Jisch introduced me to the place not long ago, and it is close to home, so time for me to dip a toe into the community service pool.

Ride afterward, yes?

Slider

[Big Game]

Ok then 8-29. I'll contact their attorney. Let's get it done. Ride afterwards...oh yes.

[w900l]

ok with me what time and were

[Big Game]

It is confirmed. 8 am on Sunday August 29th. The landowner will unlock the gate. He'll be bring in a pick up to help; other pickups helpful. We'll meet in the commuter lot at the end of route 384.

[Big Game]

REMINDER THIS SUNDAY AT 8 am...please llet me know if you are in. Thanks! Anthony

[w900l]

im in do you want me to bring any tools ?

[Big Game]

Alright...bring sledge hammers, pry bars chainsaw, safety equipment, sense of humor, pick up truck...snirch..you bringing the clif bar love bars?

[Slider]

Sorry to back out so late, but I regret to say I am not in.

Slider

[w900l]

hope this is still on i am bring saw hammers pry bar to the comm lot at 8 am

[turch]

spoke with BG tonight and yes it continues to be a go. 8am, commuter lot at the end of 384.

[w900l]

ok c you there, thats of the first exit if you hit 384 from rt 6 rite?

[ShatteredFrame]

ok c you there, thats of the first exit if you hit 384 from rt 6 rite

That would be the one. You never "really" get onto 384, per se.

If you pass big orange plow on left (I believe it's Bolton's public works area) you've gone to far.

Commuter lot's pretty well marked.

SF

[Big Game]

THANKS!!!!!

Great job today crew ---- Snirch, Shattered Frame, Nebraska, "The Anvil" Mike, Clif "Section 187" and Dimples.

Good work indeed.