by Mike Udkow
Joaquin Miller Park has seen a dramatic increase in bikers, much to the displeasure of a small but vocal coalition of anti-bikers. They feel the park is overrun with bikers. Yes, there also are many more hikers and bikers in the park. In my mind it is great to see so many bikers and hikers enjoying the beauty of JMP, especially with no physical education, no recess and no team sports breaking up the daily Zoom monotony for these youngsters.
How can the biking community respond to the anti-bikers, some who have legitimate concerns? The solution is obvious: always ride in control and at a reasonable pace, especially on busy trails like Sequoia Bayview and Sunset. Call out and ring your bell when approaching hikers. I ride with a Timber Bell which is perfect in JMP with its many blind turns. Maybe less obvious for some: don’t ride off trail, don’t cut switchbacks, don’t ride up the trail dirt sidewalls and keep off the social (ahem illegal) trails.
Cinderella and Chaparral have their own challenges with blind turns and hikers hiking up and bikers blasting down. When riding always think that at the next blind turn that there might be a hiker (or even a biker) there. Be prepared to stop if necessary.
As a member BTCEB you are in turn a supporter of both Friends of Joaquin Miller Park and Friends of Sausal Creek. To that end when the Covid surge abates now that the trails have gotten some moisture, BTCEB will resume our trail maintenance activities. But we can only do it with your help and support. We will post trail workdays on our Meetup site when the time comes. Please plan to join us!
