Loch Raven reservoir update

[From our mail box:]

The group ran into Dept of Public Works Natural Resource Div officer Simon Phillips on the fireroad. This was on the back side of the reservoir near the small dam. He was clearing the fireroad of debris when the group rode up on him. He informed us that we were riding on a fireroad that was not authorized for recreational use. He sympathized with our cause but was committed in doing his job by the book. The officers receive their direction from the Dept of Publc Works. It is in our best interest to be receptive and non confrontational until this is resolved.

The DPW is enforcing the laws that have been on the books since 1999 in regards to recreational use of the watershed. People will be given verbal warning with the second warning resulting in a possible $100.00 fine. Warnings and fines are discretionary. Blatant night riding well after dusk appears to be an automatic fine.

It is rumored that a MB singletrack user on the Seminary trail received a $100 hit Sat. This was overheard in Performance bike shop. Several riders on the Merrymans loop received warnings and or tkts also. If you have not heard, 8-10 riders on 11/18 were given $100 tkts on the singletrack climb out to Providence Rd from the fireroad off of the Seminary loop.

The fireroads that appear to be ok to use are- 1. Seminary fireroad. 2. Providence Rd and Loch Raven Drive fireroad near gate. 3.Jarretsvile Turnpike entrance across from white house to Merrymans fireroad. Parking back on Dulaney Valley Rd. 4. Loch Raven Drive across from small island. Fireroad sits back off of the road about 25 yards. Fireroad is on left before bridge with cement sides. Please check DPW website for verification and maps. <a href="http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/dpw/water/rnrs/index.php">http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/dpw/water/rnrs/index.php</a>;
You can use this web site to view the MB plan for Loch Raven. Map at bottom of plan page.

We were told that singletrack use is off limits to everyone at ALL. times. This applies to fisherman, hikers, joggers, equestians (horses), and MB. Sounds crazy but it sounds like that are going to follow the book with a magnifying glass.


Trail markings will be forthcoming. This will help designate trails that can be used for recreational use.

There will be a hearing on Mon 12/14 with the DPW and Mary Pat Clark (Balto City Council). Open to the public. Location and time will follow as soon as I find out. Please prepare concerns, ideas / solutions.

Finally, you are encourages to join MORE. They appear to be our best advocates locally. <a href="http://www.more-mtb.org/">www.more-mtb.org/</a>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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Thanks for the info above. I agree that the best solution here is to try to work towards a mutually agreeable resolution and I've been a bit put off by ideas circulating that a confrontational approach could in any way be constructive or helpful. It seems to me that with some sound thinking there may be an opportunity here to revisit the 1999 law. The resources available to bikers, hikers and trail runners around the Loch Raven area are among the most beautiful in the state and really only minutes from the city. As the city looks to promote health and wellness through physical activity it seems odd that access to such rich resources would be denied to us. Surely there is a route to agreement here. I for one would be happy to pay a small annual license fee and/or commit to trail maintenance days in exchange for access to the tremendous trail system available out there. I'm sure I'm not alone on this. In any event, for those of us who may not be able to attend the hearing on the 14th might we write Mary Pat Clark, David Scott (DPW) and Mayor Dixon on this? Is there a campaign already underway? Thanks.
Yes....I agree...be polite to the officers BUT NOBODY STOP RIDING...please
please see savetheraven.com for updated information.