1 wildwood canyon state park a unique cluster of canyons with multi-use trails and incredible views...

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Wildwood Canyon State ParkWildwood Canyon State Park a unique cluster of canyons with multi-use trails and incredible viewsa unique cluster of canyons with multi-use trails and incredible views

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Set aside in 2003 as a State ParkSet aside in 2003 as a State Park

Dedicated to recreational use“A great place to visit, go hiking,

bicycling or ride your horse”……… Supporters of Wildwood Canyon State Park

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Recreational users have shared the trails in Recreational users have shared the trails in harmony and courtesy for decadesharmony and courtesy for decades

Trail etiquette was observed Speeds were recreational All trail users could enjoy a safe and

peaceful visit Since it has been

state park, all users

have been respectful

of each other

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Wildlife was comfortable and at ease…Wildlife was comfortable and at ease…

Sharing their home with passive multi-use recreational visitors

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All that changed in late 2011All that changed in late 2011

Recreational bicycling speed became

competitive racing speed on

“sweet, swoopy, downhill single track”………….………….SoCalDirt.org March, 2012 Newsletter

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Early in 2012Early in 2012

State Parks granted SoCal Cycling a permit to host a

2 day race on behalf of high school mountain bike teams from all over southern California.

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Changing Wildwood CanyonChanging Wildwood Canyon

The host team was from Yucaipa High School.

This race was called the Hog Canyon Classic and was held on March 10 & 11, 2012.

Practice runs on their new illegally built “race track” began in earnest.

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The 2 day raceThe 2 day race

Impacted Wildwood for 4 months– Trail alteration began in Dec, 2011– Permit not approved till Jan 13, 2012– “Training” and “trail grooming” occurred from

December to March

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Since December, 2011Since December, 2011

The “racetrack” has attracted student and adult racers, not all have been courteous.

Downhill speeds approaching 25mph have left all other users uncertain of their safety.

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The 4.5 mile race course has impacted all of The 4.5 mile race course has impacted all of Wildwood Canyon State ParkWildwood Canyon State Park

It uses all the scenic areas and the most

fragile trails. Wildlife is shy Other users are fearful Neighbors are besieged Red= race course Black= other trails

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Trails were altered and bankedTrails were altered and banked

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More banked turns, purely forMore banked turns, purely for speed speed

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Brush was cut, cleared and left in piles

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According to sponsor SoCal CyclingAccording to sponsor SoCal Cycling

287 high school athletes and their families, friends, and coaches attended the race on March 10 & 11, 2012

To their credit, the race organizers and an estimated 700 people left the staging area free of trash

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Race weekendRace weekend

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Wildwood Canyon Park was unsafe for othersWildwood Canyon Park was unsafe for otherson race weekendon race weekend

A neighbor wrote…..” There were hundreds of mountain bikers with their families and guests. It was a loud, noisy and crowded event with cheering and bullhorns all weekend. A deer was spooked into our yard and across the street by the noise. “……………..” We don't know where to turn to ask for help to preserve the beauty and serenity of this park. We hope you can help. “

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The track is still in place one week laterThe track is still in place one week later

More bicyclists hear about it daily on YouTube and Facebook and will continue to come and use it as a track, with little concern about other users in their path.

Want to see videos of the speed achieved on Wildwood’s downhill single track trails?

Go to YouTube and search “Wildwood Canyon State Park Yucaipa”

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According to the permitAccording to the permit

Trail modifications were to be repaired at the completion of the race.

Live Oak roots were exposed and erosion bars were flattened in the building of the race track.

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Sadly, this is happening all over CaliforniaSadly, this is happening all over California

Multi use trails very quickly become exclusive use trails for mountain bikes as all other trail users and animal life are driven off the trails.

Trail hikers and riders should be able to enjoy a peaceful stroll without being knocked flat by speeding bikes.

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Mountain bike mentalityMountain bike mentality

More often than not, mountain biking is an aggressive, hard-driving sport in which participants challenge themselves and others to take on nature.

Those riders and the sport itself drive technology for increasingly sophisticated gear, with heavy duty shocks, wheels, and tires to facilitate speed over difficult terrain.

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Mountain bike factsMountain bike facts

Riders wear protective gear, designed with the riders’ needs and safety in mind.

There is no protection for people, horses, or wildlife in their path.

Increased speed and ability to be aggressive on trails has a huge impact

on all other trail users and the Park’s limited resources.

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Different perspectiveDifferent perspective

It is vital that decision makers understand that mountain biking, in this case, brings an entirely different state of mind than that of most visitors to Wildwood.

The majority of visitors come for the tranquil setting, away from the stress, intensity, and pressures of city life.

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Send letters and emails, start petitionsSend letters and emails, start petitions

Letters to the editors of the Sun, Press Enterprise, and News Mirror

Express your concerns in a petition and send to State Parks, 17801 Lake Perris Dr., Perris, CA 92571

Email all of the following with your thoughts on racing use

and imbedding a racetrack in a state park. Dir. of State Parks, Ruth Coleman, rcoleman@parks.ca.gov Dir. Southern Division, Roni Clark, rclark@parks.ca.gov District Superintendent, Ron Krueper, rkrueper@parks.ca.gov Park Superintendent, John Rowe, jrow@parks.ca.gov Dir. SoCal Cycling, Matt Gunnell, matt@socaldirt.org

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Can this continue to happen?Can this continue to happen?

Of course it can if you remain silent.Let’s not wait till someone is injured

or killed on the trails

that so many fought

for years to preserve.SoCal Cycling hopes to

make this an annual event.