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October 29, 2004
California League of Off-Road Voters - Candidate Recommendations
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With the election just next around the corner, I thought it important to post the link to the CA League of Off-Road Voters on which you can find a voter guide for California state and federal races. I hate to stereotype people but, in general, the candidates who are most supportive of our sport happen to have an (R) after their names. No one who recreates on an OHV should want to see Kerry be elected next week, except perhaps that idiot Democrat from Colorado I helped by mistake during the Colorado 500 in 1998.
I have seen dire warnings posted on the Yahoo forum SFDirtbikes and Thumpertalk. Like everything you find on the Web, you have to take it with a grain of salt. But I have no doubt that we, the OHV community, will be better off with George Bush as President. We also need to oust Barbara Boxer. As I wrote on the Yahoo forum: if Kerry is elected he will appoint the people who oversee the BLM and Forest Service. Given that he is more liberal than Ted Kennedy, I would hate to think who he would appoint to these positions and what would result.... Please vote and encourage everyone you know to vote too. There is a lot at stake!
Heading for the Creek tonight to meet with the BLM regarding enduro trails so there will be no post on Saturday or Sunday.
Happy Halloween!
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October 28, 2004
Comment
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Working the entrance this past weekend I was pleased to hear that several of the people driving in had attended one of the BLM meetings and that they had sent in comments. Here are a couple of additional comments that readers shared with me including a very well written letter from Josh of the Timekeepers.
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October 27, 2004
Fast One
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If you show up at the entrance to Clear Creek without a current sticker or license plate on your OHV, you are going to get a ticket if the BLM ranger is present. Word to the wise, don't do it.
I am constantly amazed by the stories I hear and explanations given for not having a current sticker. I think a couple of guys pulled a fast one on William this past weekend that I don't think he will fall for again. We had a number of vehicles lined up and I approached a truck pulling a trailer with bikes to tell them about the battle for Clear Creek. As I was introducing myself, they saw William approaching their trailer to check for stickers. One of them asked if he was checking stickers and I answered in the affirmative. Upon hearing this, one of them calls to William and tells him that they just passed a pickup down the road with a couple of guys with rifles getting ready to shoot a pig along the side of the road right near a ranch house. About a mile or two back, silver Toyota....
So William jumps into his Ranger truck and heads off down the road in search of the bad guys. I personally didn't check their bikes but they sure had a relieved look on their faces when William took off. A short while later William came back having not seen any sign of a couple of guys with guns in a silver Toyota a mile or two back up the road getting ready to shoot a pig from the road near a ranch house.
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October 26, 2004
The $64,000 Question
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The $64,000 Question is when the BLM is going to do something to protect sensitive resources in Clear Creek? Over the weekend I was out at the end of the paved road and found the gate to the KCAC mine wide open. Matt and I rode in to see if someone was working. We found no one. On leaving, we closed the gate and tried to make it look as though it were locked. It appears that someone with a high power rifle had blasted the lock off of the chain. They had also spun donuts with their 4WD all around the muddy flat before the gate. While I understand the mine is still the responsibility of KCAC, they only have one full-time employee, a bookkeeper in addition to the company president. The BLM was aware that a closed mine site was unlocked and did nothing for at least a week, maybe two risking the destruction of a revegetation project.
Back in August, Terry from the Timekeepers showed the BLM a route that dumps directly into the Larious drainage and the primrose site that cause the first emergency closure notice. To the best of my knowledge it is still open for some unsuspecting rider to ride into with no way out except to trespass on private property . I have shown the BLM two different ways into Upper Clear Creek that people are using. These are still not closed.
It would appear that the BLM is continuing to create controversy by their inaction. If they wait long enough some bonehead(s) are going to take advantage of the situation and make us all look bad. Again.
I think all of the stakeholders understand that the problem is the BLM inaction. Thus, the $64,000 question.
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October 25, 2004
Business as Usual
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Well, this past weekend ushered in the new riding season and it started much as any other riding season in recent memory, with the BLM being conspicuous by their absence. All, that is, except William, the law enforcement ranger. He joined Matt and I at the entrance on Saturday morning to greet visitors and inspect for green/red stickers. I lost count of the people driving in on Saturday and it would sure be helpful to have someone counting and asking how many days they were planning to stay. My ballpark estimate is about 150 people entered Clear Creek from Coalinga Road on Saturday and most appeared to there for the day. I suspect that there were some who entered on the New Idria side and another dozen from the Rambler camp. Not one of the vehicles entering the creek was a motorhome or pulling a camping trailer.
Because no one from the Hollister Office showed up, William is almost forced to stay in the canyon area in case there is a serious injury. I can certainly understand why the environmental community is so frustrated with the BLM.
We had one father/son duo approach the entrance coming down Coalinga Road from the west. After talking to them a bit we learned that they were from Fresno and someone in the Hollister Office had told them to drive through Coalinga, take Hwy 198 W to Hwy 25 N to Coalinga Road south. Talk about screwed up directions! They spent over three hours on the road going in a big circle. That should teach them to call the Hollister Office and ask for directions.
Sunday was not as busy as Saturday. Maybe about 100 people drove into Clear Creek. William was off on a search and rescue as one group of Saturday riders unexpectedly spent two visitor use days in Clear Creek. Fortunately is was a warm night, by Clear creek standards.
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October 24, 2004
Perfect Day
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If you weren't down at Clear Creek yesterday (Saturday), you missed one of the greatest days of riding ever. True velcro dirt. After four inches of rain earlier in the week, the trails and hills were awesome. If you couldn't make it up a hillclimb, it wasn't because of lack of traction. In fact, one rider told me there was too much traction?? It was the kind of day where you could do no wrong unless you had too much fun and impacted a manzanita bush as a couple of people in Rambler Camp managed to do. My riding partner, Matt, was one of them and he performed self acupuncture on the trail, not once but twice. Unfortunately I was leading and missed the entertainment.
Today was not as good, weather wise, with thick clouds right down on the ground in some places and some light rain. When you were able to get out of the clouds and able to see, it was just as good as Saturday.
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October 22, 2004
Volunteers Needed
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OK, it has rained - 3.5 inches since last Saturday night - and the new riding season at Clear Creek will probably start this weekend unless everyone who rides bikes stays home to watch the Cardinals and Red Socks. I can't imagine anyone staying home to watch the Raiders or 49ers this year.
I am looking for volunteers to greet people at the entrance to Clear Creek on Saturday and Sunday mornings, handing out information about the EIS and collecting names. If you are interested in helping, send me an e-mail with the dates that you can help and I will get in touch. My experience is that most people arrive between 8:00 and 9:30AM. After this, you are free to go riding.
There will be other opportunities to volunteer but this is one of the most important jobs - keeping the public informed as to how the BLM is trying to screw us.
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October 20, 2004
Kind Of Sums It All Up - Reader Letter
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As I indicated above, I encourage you to share your thoughts with your fellow riders. Got this one last night:
I wanted to say THANK YOU to Ed and the Salinas Ramblers for fighting the good fight. I rode CC on Sunday and it was AWESOME. Nothing like having 50 pounds of mud packing the bike! Gotta love it. Below you'll find a letter I'm sending to the Hollister Field office. My trucks is sporting the 'Save Clear Creek' bumper sticker! Keep up the good work,
Jeff
To:
BLM Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister CA, 95023
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am saddened when I hear that large parts of the Clear Creek Management Area will soon be closed/restricted to users of off road vehicles. As a South Bay resident, I’ve enjoyed recreating in the area for over 25 years.
My family and numerous friends use the area for camping, hiking and off-roading. The area is especially important to us when you consider how few areas are left to Bay Area residents who enjoy off roading. I find myself driving farther and farther from home to get to a place where I can ride my dirt bike, without dangerous crowds, where I can get away from the rat race.
Hollister Hills off road area is small and dangerously crowded. The same is true of Carnegie and Metcalf. Without Clear Creek, I’m forced to drive 4 hours or more to get to the Sierras or Mendocino. I also drive 7 plus hours to the Southern California Desert to get away from the crowds. If large areas of CCMA are closed/restricted, the remaining (open) areas will be dangerously crowded. With populations increasing, it makes no sense to close more areas, we should be opening more!
The proposed implementation of any alternative presented in the Clear Creek Management Plans (RMP/EIS) is unacceptable. Please listen to the people who use the CCMA, the people who actually go there and enjoy the stark beauty and rugged terrain. Don’t restrict access to those of us who love the CCMA. Preserve it for the people, not from the people.
Thank you,
Jeff
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October 19, 2004
He's Back
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Bill Dart is back on the job, working to preserve our ability to access our public lands. ORBA, the Off Road Business Association I wrote about a few nights ago has hired Bill as their new Land Use Director. Here is the press release.
Congratulation to Bill and to ORBA. I am looking forward to working with them on this and other land use opportunities!
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October 18, 2004
Wet Weather Closure Flexibility
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Last night I gave you the web sites to watch for rainfall amounts. Tonight I need to tell you about the screwed up wet weather closure criteria the BLM has for Clear Creek. The wet weather closure criteria published in the federal register claims to give the BLM "flexibility" but in fact does not. More...
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October 17, 2004
RAIN!!!
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I am pleased to report that it has rained in Clear Creek. Last night we got about 3/4 inch in Rambler camp. The rain gauge at the top of Santa Rita Peak (2nd tower) has recorded over an inch of rain today with most of it coming between midnight and 7AM. There is another small front moving through Salinas right now so I expect that we will see the that total increase later this evening.
We really needed the rain. It has been a very dry year with only 10.12 inches of rain recorded at Santa Rita Peak in the rain year that runs from October 1st through September 30th. The Hernandez gauge only recorded 11.58 last year and about .8 inch so far today. I believe that normal rainfall is in the 16-17 inch range. Last year we did not have over an inch of rain until early December. With another storm scheduled to swing through the central coast on Tuesday, the dirt should be in good shape next weekend, maybe even velcro dirt!
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October 15, 2004
ORBA
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I am writing this in advance as I will be off-line for a few days to attend the RAC meeting and to go riding. I did have an e-mail last night from Joshua D. Mackenroth, the attorney representing ORBA (Off-Road Business Association), with his thoughts and comments and I will be consulting with him on additional comments. I encourage everyone to take a couple minutes and read through this site. Check out the impressive list of member companies, a Who's Who of aftermarket manufacturers. I am especially pleased to see that Yamaha has followed KTM's lead and joined this organization. This should encourage the other manufacturers to join and give ORBA some real muscle.
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October 14, 2004
Comments
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I know that some of you have completed your comments and probably sent them in by now. If you would like to share them with the rest of the community, send them to me in an e-mail and I will publish them. I will only publish first names and home towns. Got this idea after reading some comments that a reader sent me this evening.
I would really like to know what you, the blog reader thinks. I don't claim to have a monopoly on ideas regarding Clear Creek so let me know what you think.
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October 13/14, 2004
The latest News
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Apparently the BLM has extended the deadlines for comments by 30 days. George Hill told me this afternoon that it was planned. He actually returned my call at lunch time with some answers to questions about the RAC meeting, I guess figuring I would not be at my desk. Surprise! Late Lunch! Can't really blame him though. I do it sometimes too. In fact, if I were him I wouldn't want to talk to me either! Anyway he told me that they planned to extend the comment period but it wasn't official yet.
Fifteen minutes later I get an e-mail from the BRC attorney saying he just received a letter from the BLM State Director announcing an extension but with no dates. I checked with the State Director's secretary and asked her to help me find the Federal Register Notice. She later called back and said that the extension would be published this Thursday. Right after her call, Don Amador sends me an e-mail with the press release that was prepared on October 8th by Sky Murphy who works for George Hill and Bob Beehler. The BLM - kind of like modern day Keystone Cops!
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October 13, 2004
Democrats - Two Faced?
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Clinton awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Yugoslavia -good...
Bush awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Iraq - bad...
Clinton spends 77 billion on war in Serbia - good...
Bush spends 87 billion in Iraq - bad...
Clinton imposes regime change in Serbia - good...
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq - bad...
Clinton bombs Christian Serbs on behalf of Muslim Albanian terrorists- good...
Bush liberates 25 million from a genocidal dictator - bad...
Clinton bombs Chinese embassy - good...
Bush bombs terrorist camps - bad...
Clinton commits felonies while in office - good...
Bush lands on aircraft carrier in jumpsuit - bad...
No mass graves found in Serbia - good...
No WMD found Iraq - bad...
Stock market crashes in 2000 under Clinton - good...
Economy on upswing under Bush - bad...
Clinton refuses to take custody of Bin Laden - good...
World Trade Centers fall under Bush - bad...
Clinton says Saddam has nukes - good...
Bush says Saddam has nukes - bad...
Clinton calls for regime change in Iraq - good...
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq - bad...
Terrorist training in Afghanistan under Clinton - good...
Bush
destroys training camps in Afghanistan - bad...
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October 12, 2004
Pinnacle Response
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Mark Paxton, a writer for the Pinnacle has a column this week about Clear Creek again, and this time he is complaining about "the smell, the dust, the piercing whine and the shredded landscape" associated with OHV use at Clear Creek. I wrote a lengthy response but the Pinnacle only permits 250 words or less. Here is what I submitted (in blue).
Alternatives to Clear Creek
I am writing in response to Mark Paxton's recent column, "Off-roading wars at Clear Creek". The phone book yellow pages list 23 recreation areas in the local area. Fort Ord is not one of them nor is Clear Creek or any of the other thousands of acres of BLM land in San Benito County. Of the 23, only one, Hollister Hills, allows OHV use. In fact, Clear Creek and Hollister Hills are the only legal places to recreate for OHV owners who live in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.
If Mark does not like "the smell, the dust, the piercing whine and the shredded landscape" (typical anti-OHV environmentalist dribble) then I suggest that he take a hike or ride his bicycle in one of these many other recreation areas that cater to people of his ilk.
Additional comments about Mark's column may be found at http://home.earthlink.net/~tobince/blog.htm
Ed Tobin
Other thoughts regarding his column:
The National Environmental Policy Act has required that land use plans and designation pass an environmental review and this was the case for the 1982 designation that he mentions. He conveniently fails to note that in 1986 Clear Creek was designated an open use area with unrestricted OHV use allowed except in mine areas and riparian (creek) areas. The 1998 record of decision also called for the trails and barrens to be managed as open unless posted closed but restricted open, cross country travel. It is this plan the BLM has failed to implement for the past 5+ years and which they are now attempting to change.
If the BLM had done their job, implemented the existing plan on the time schedule spelled out in the Record of Decision and protected the endangered San Benito Evening Primrose then this process would be a historical non-event. The blame for this controversial situation rest squarely on their shoulders.
Yes, there is asbestos in the Clear Creek Management Area and it is best to avoid inhaling the dust. In fact you should avoid inhaling any kind of dust for that matter. Most people do, preferring to recreate in Clear Creek during the winter months when the soil is wet.
Some inside the BLM and the environmental community have tried to create the myth that this area is popular with hikers, backpackers, cyclists, equestrians but this is an outright falsehood. I have recreated in Clear Creek for over thirty years and have yet to see anyone humping a pack or riding a horse. Many years ago, the Salinas Ramblers were approached by a mountain bike group wanting to stage an event from our property at Clear Creek. After checking out the area they decided that it was far from ideal and gave up the idea.
The area is popular with hunters and rockhounds and they all rely on some form of motorized access to enjoy their sport. My experience is that these activities coexist very well together. The current controversy is fostered by selfish environmentalists like Mark who are not satisfied with all of the recreation areas available to them already and who are demanding that the OHV community share Clear Creek with them.
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October 11, 2004
Resource Advisory Committee Public Meeting
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This is a very busy week. I have to finish up my DEIS comments plus deal with the situation concerning the Quicksilver enduro course. I will also be attending public meetings on Friday and Saturday and have to prepare comments.
If anyone is interested, there is a Central CA Resource Advisory Council meeting on Friday at Hunter Liggett. I think Ron Cash from the Ridgerunners is planning to attend. There will be discussion about Clear Creek by this group of civilian advisors to the BLM along with presentations by the Hollister Field Office. There is a public comment period at 2PM on Friday.
I was a member of the advisory group for five years from 1995 to 2000. A few of the people I served with are still a part of the RAC so it will be good to see them again. On Saturday they are taking a tour of the Joaquin Ridge and Rocks that the BLM acquired in the early 1990's and have kept closed to the public. Closed, of course, unless you care to hike 6 miles or belong to an elitist group like the Sierra Club or Native Plant Society who get permission to drive in.
The RAC meeting starts at 8AM on Friday at the Hacienda (Building 101, Infantry Road) on Ft. Hunter Liggett. Access to the Hacienda from U.S. Highway 101 (North). Take the ``Fort Hunter Liggett/Jolon Road'' exit just north of King City; proceed 18 miles to the intersection of Jolon and Mission Roads and the entrance to Fort Hunter Liggett. Continue five miles to the main post area where a series of signs will provide directions to the Hacienda. To enter the Fort, all visitors must have a valid drivers' license, vehicle registration, and proof of auto insurance.
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October 9, 2004
The End Is Near.
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The decision is not mine, but I fear that the Salinas Ramblers have run their last Quicksilver National Enduro. Yesterday the BLM delivered yet another map to my house with instructions for documenting our route for the 2005 event. This is the third map they have given the club and each one has been different. The Club met with them back in early August and explained what was wrong with the first map and what we required to hold a national enduro. The President and Trail Boss asked the BLM if they could "just run last years course" with some minor changes. I thought we came away with an agreement on this since they had already done an Environmental Assessment on these routes.
We got a second map showing the 2004 course and other open routes. We marked up this map with some changes and returned to the BLM at the Hollister meeting last month. They had difficulty understanding the changes and notated what they thought were our changes and sent us back another map. This time though, they red lined many of the single track trails that we use on the AA third loop, essentially eliminating the loop. In their letter they state that the red routes are "not available" this year and later in the letter state that the "routes used must be in the existing BLM route inventory". Based upon this latest map I do not see how we could run a challenging D36 enduro, more less a national caliber event.
They also noted in their letter the following condition: "Route segments classified as "red" during last year's State Soil Loss Survey must be rehabilitated prior to use. BLM is willing to assist in this effort". So now it appears that route maintenance is the responsibility of the clubs and the BLM is "willing" to help? Isn't that nice of them.
The bottom line is that the OHV community is being penalized because of the utter failure of the Hollister Field Office to do their job competently. All of the routes that we have historically used for the enduro have been GPS'ed at some time in the past. Unfortunately, the BLM has screwed up their GIS database repeatedly and either lost or discarded the inventories that included these routes. Hence the red lines all over the map. We went through his same drill last winter and GPS'ed some missing routes. Even these do not appear in the database.
I don't know what it is going to take for them to understand what the enduro clubs and the general user population needs in the way of resources but a good start would be a new management team in Hollister.
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October 8, 2004
1000
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That is the goal that Justin has set for the sale of bumper stickers this riding season. By my estimates, we are over a quarter of the way there and it hasn't even started to rain yet. I think this is a very obtainable goal and I think we can do even better.
Please talk to your local dealer and have them order some for resale. If you are in a club, have the club order a bunch. The Ramblers just ordered one for each of our 60 members! I want to see everyone entering Clear Creek sporting one of them.
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October 7, 2004
Friends of Metcalf
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For all readers in the South Bay, I encourage you to get in touch with the Friends of Metcalf group. This is a volunteer group dedicated to improving and preserving Metcalf OHV Park. I picked up one of their flyers on Sunday while I was at the Prime Time hare scrambles. Also met two rangers who manage/patrol Metcalf. They both seem like very nice guys who are interested in promoting our sport.
There may be a lot at stake at Metcalf. Seems that the adjacent property owned by United Technologies is up for sale. UT used the property to design, build and test rocket motors. I have not done any research on this issue/opportunity so I suggest you speak directly with the leader of the group. My experience is that a change usually hurts our riding areas. What if the property were sold to a developer and rezoned residential. Bye bye Metcalf. Not saying this is what will happen, but if you enjoy the use of this park, it behooves you to get involved.
Main contact is Jim McCloud (Home: 408-448-0648 Cell: 408-375-8935 e-mail: jcmc4321@yahoo.com)
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October 6, 2004
Dirty Laundry
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Can we film the
operation? Is the head dead yet?
You know, the boys in the newsroom got a running bet
Get the widow on the set! We need dirty laundry! (Lyrics
by Don Henley)
The Monterey Herald ran an
article yesterday written by a reporter for the LA Times and no doubt
inspired by some lawyer chasing a potential asbestos lawsuit. These
lawyers are just "dying" to find someone dying of an asbestos related disease.
It means big bucks to them. They really hope that someone that worked at
the KCAC mine or processing plant gets sick and dies so they can sue and reap
huge rewards. Of course, the lawyers will argue that Big Business made big
profits off of asbestos and lied to their customers and employees about the
risks associated with New Idria asbestos. Where the truth lies we may
never know.
But, as the article states: "...no matter what the experts determine, unless one of the former workers is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, there may be no cause for an injury claim."
Remember, no dust is good for your lungs, regardless of the source, so be smart and safe. The best practice at Clear Creek is to ride when the soils are wet/damp and avoid riding in clouds of dust. Another suggestion is to lead but then that can be a huge risk itself.
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October 5, 2004
Prime Time
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I would like to thank all of the riders who purchased Clear Creek bumper stickers at the Prime Time Hare Scrambles this weekend. All profits from the sale of the stickers go to the Clear Creek Legal Defense Fund (CCLDF). Also thanks to the Timekeepers for selling the stickers and for furnishing all of the riders with an information sheet on Clear Creek. A special thanks to Mike Z. for creating the handout and then strategically placing it in the one place everyone would see it - in the porta-potties. Talk about a captive audience!
Congratulations to Jordan Brandt of the Salinas Ramblers for his first OA of the season in AMA District 36 Hare Scrambles, a wire to wire win that left at least one member of a competitor's support team wondering out loud what the others riders had to do to beat Jordan. My reply was simple - tell your rider to go faster. The simplicity of the answer evoke a huge laugh in acknowledgement of a simple truth.
Picked up a bunch of product donated by Western Power Sports that we hope to raffle or e-bay to raise money for the CCLDF. Will keep you posted on this. Thanks to Rex Halepeska, the local Territory Representative for WPS for organizing the donation.
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October 4, 2004
Maize
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Saturday was set aside for quality time with the wife because pretty soon I will be spending plenty of quality time with my bikes at Clear Creek. We headed over to Hollister to Swank Farms to experience the Great Corn Maze. Several members of the Ramblers have gone over to the maze both this year and last so we thought we would check it out. We did it in the early afternoon under a hot sun and I was good and sweaty when we worked our way out. Next time we will have to try it at night with flashlights. That should be very cool.
It would also be pretty cool to have a timed event in the maze. Start every runner a minute or two apart and then see who can navigate through the maze the fastest while hitting all of the check points. It would be something like orienteering which I did in ROTC during college. In fact, maybe I will set up a motorized version of "score orienteering" down at Clear Creek some day. Probably will need a permit from the BLM, though. If this sound like something you would try, let me know.
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October 3, 2004
Zoom Zoom
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There's a small store on the El Camino in Santa Clara that is stocked to the ceilings with the stuff you need to ride a dirt bike (or street bike). It was my favorite place to shop back in the day when I would commute to the south bay. While I don't miss the commute, I do miss shopping at Zoom Cycle.
Danny told me today that he had purchased 50 Clear Creek bumper stickers to sell to raise funds for the Clear Creek Legal Defense Fund. So. if you are wanting to get one of these stickers for your truck, trailer, motorhome, bike or forehead, stop on down at Zoom Cycle, 3413 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408-248-5780. Buy out the first 50 stickers and Danny said that he would buy another batch. Like me, he wants to see everyone heading down Hwy 25 the next riding season displaying a SAVE CLEAR CREEK bumper sticker.
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October 2, 2004
We can only dream!
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All recreationist are not created equal. Read about how the BLM treats the non-motorized sports crowd at Fort Ord - volunteer day. Don't know about you but the BLM has never provided a free lunch for OHV volunteers at Clear Creek let alone a live band. The OHV community has had to provide our own lunches when WE have organized a volunteer day.
Yes, this is the same BLM office that until recently could not keep our restrooms clean or stocked with toilet paper at Clear Creek. What's the difference? Leadership and caring. The BLM has a dedicated group managing Fort Ord that works out of a separate office located at Fort Ord. The group is led by Eric Morgan, the Fort Ord Project Manager, and he has put together a good program and has a staff that cares about the area.
Will we ever see such a program at Clear Creek? We can only dream!
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October 1, 2004
Head-Ons, Part 3
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Many years ago I was doing my homework, so to speak, learning as much as I could about the asbestos in Clear Creek. One of the authorities I contacted was a respected scientist with the US Geologic Service by the name of Malcolm Ross. Malcolm had studied the soils in Clear Creek and written about them in scientific journals. I called him at his office in Virginia and had a nice chat with him about Clear Creek. I really wanted to know his opinion of the risk I faced riding at the creek so I asked him very pointedly. Prophetically, his response was that my greatest risk at Clear Creek was cresting one of the bald hills and hitting another rider head-on as they were coming up the other side!
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