Will FATS Be Open?

[ricklee]

I see on the home page that FATS is scheduled to open on Mon. March26, is this definite? I will be coming from 200 miles away and would hate to be shut out from riding my favorite trail. If any local finds out the trail will not be open please post the info by this Sunday, I'm sure I am not the only one wanting to be among the first to ride the newly opened trail. Thanks

[seenvic]

FATS will be open Monday.

Unless it pours on Sunday. Check this website.

Deep Step may not be open yet. Upon inspection yesterday, it has a serious "landslide" issue blocking the trail in a pretty fast DH (if going CCW). Deep Step is still the wetest of the trails.

But overall, the trails are in great shape. ALOT of water moved across the trail in that huge rain event 3 weeks ago. In many places, the path of water moving across the trail is evident in a "damn that was alot of water" kind of way.

Deep Step and GW could use a crew of dip cleaners, armoring and some deberming.

Perhaps that can be accomplished after folks start riding it all again.

[bigtime]

any chance they can open it for Sunday? Gonna be a niiiice day!

[seenvic]

There have been alot of nice days in which we've worked on the FATS.

Where were you?

[bigtime]

I knew you were gonna say that, and you are correct. Unfortunately, I have had other things going on during most of the work days that's been posted on this site. I know that's an easy excuse and I probably could've made at least one if I tried, but the Saluda River was about 18,000cfs which doesn't happen but about once a year.

So what's the general rule about trail work days? Are people expected to volunteer time to every trail they ride, or should it be a localized thing? While I can't always make trail work days, I would not mind paying a fee to ride at FATS to help out in that regard. It's easier to drive an hour to ride, then it is to drive an hour to work. I know that sounds selfish, but it's the truth.

I'm sure I won't be the only person riding down there that hasn't been there on workdays.

[azdrawdy]

What seenvic stated needed to be said.

In all fairness, it probably was not directed at you in particular, but was general frustration that he feels, and so do I. He has listed numerous work parties for FATS, and attendance has been paltry at best. Everyone wants to ride, but no one wants to sweat OFF the bike.

We have the samecore group of individuals that show up for 99% of the workparties. They number usually between 6 and 12 people. When you have a brand new trail that is going through its first twelve to eighteen months of life, it will need attention. It needs to begin its maturity. It needs McCleods and Pulaskis and shovels and rakes. You know what? It needs volunteers. It does not need to be beaten down. If a person can find time to ride a bike on a trail several times a month, they can find time to volunteer four hours a couple times a year. Anything else is a BS excuse.

Okay, I am done, kinda.

Just led a work party on HC this morning. Six people (including myself and my SO) showed up. We got the BSA bridge cleared out and eight very large trees cut out, in addition to a lot of small debis on the trail. Houston, we have a launch for a very full BD07! Thanks to Michael, Daniel, Russell and Alice. Your help was needed and much appreciated.

Michael

[oddcouple]

Amen baby jesus,

If everbody thought like that we would not have anyplace to ride unless trails just happen.Like say spontaneous combustion.

Russell

[seenvic]

bigtime said:

So what's the general rule about trail work days? Are people expected to volunteer time to every trail they ride, or should it be a localized thing?

General rule is do what you can, where you want. The reality is that 90% of the work gets done by about 1% of the riders.

I'd think trailwork is a localized thing. But if you find yourself on a trail about once a month...that's kinda local!

Oh yea, this is not directed at you at all.

But imagine what we could do if everyone helped one or two days. Then imagine the trails if everyone just rode.

I'll close with if you can't help work, at least stay off the trails when they are wet. That's almost as good as as working.

[bigtime]

Fair enough. I think once FATS opens back up I'll be riding it at least once a month. So while I haven't made it to any of the work parties yet, I will make it a point to do so in the future...mainly because I think it's an incredible place and I almost feel guilty riding it for free. I definitely want to contribute.

Thank you guys for having the vision and making it happen.