A group of Sacramento area bicyclists took off on a 150-mile ride on Oct. 20 to commemorate a similar record-breaking ride taken in 1917. Jeff Barker, 49, of El Dorado Hills organized the Centennial Ride to honor the 100th anniversary of Eugene Hepting and Abbie Budd’s bicycle trip from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe. The 1917 ride broke a long-standing record at the time for the fastest ride from Sacramento to Myers Station in South Lake Tahoe, according to newspaper clippings from the Center for Sacramento History.
“The whole idea was, let’s commemorate that ride,” Barker said. “Let’s see if we can put it together, because the bikes they rode in 1917 were pretty primitive compared to what we have now. The conditions weren’t all that good.”
The ride will take Barker’s group up the mountain towards Echo Summit in South Lake Tahoe. There was snow throughout the Sierra last night, but Barker said he and his group would be fine as long as they don’t hit more than 3 inches of snow along the way. He added that the previous night’s rain made for dust-free trail conditions along the first leg of their journey.
Barker was about 60 miles into the trip as of 2:30 on Friday when he stopped at Missouri Flat Road for lunch.
Hepting and Budd’s route was about 106 miles, but much of their riding was along what is now Highway 50. To avoid busy traffic, Barker plotted a similar route that hugs the highway and runs about 150 miles.
The 2017 route will take riders from the American River Parkway to the El Dorado Trail onto some rough Pony Express trails that will bring the cyclists up to the summit. The original end point for the ride, the Tallac Resort, is no longer standing, so today’s riders will finish at The Beacon in South Lake Tahoe.
Barker was inspired to honor the “two intrepid adventurers” after seeing a photo of Budd in front of the Echo Summit sign after he and Hepting broke the record to Lake Tahoe in 17 hours and 29 minutes. The original sign is no longer there, but Barker erected a replica sign for riders to take their photo with after they complete the ride.
Barker was extremely excited when he learned about the historic ride, and sent out an email on Oct. 19, 2016, to other riders to see who would be interested in joining him to commemorate the 100-year anniversary. One of the bicyclists who answered the call was Justin Leech.
“Jeff Barker really appreciated the historical value of what (Hepting) had done, so this was kind of a neat way to get people together and commemorate that,” Leech said.
Leech and Barker were joined by riders of all ages, including Folsom Parks and Recreation Director Robert Goss, to celebrate Hepting. The group was in good spirits despite the hard ride ahead, and was joking that they only had 14,500 feet to climb.
The riders took off from behind the First United Methodist Church on Jazz Alley between J Street and 21st Street, some on mountain bikes and some on cyclo-cross bikes. They decided on the starting location after Barker found a photo of the original Sacramento Wheelmen clubhouse in 1916 and recognized the tower of the church next door. Barker and his group will take a break Friday night in Pollock Pines before setting off on the more difficult second half of the journey as they make their way up to Echo Summit on Saturday.
Hepting’s legacy in the Sacramento area extends far beyond cycling. Hepting’s photographic record of buildings around Sacramento is the most expansive of his time, and his collection is the second most utilized at the Center for Sacramento History behind the Sacramento Bee archive, according to photo archivist Rebecca Crowther.
“Hepting literally went around on that bicycle and went down every street and took photos,” Crowther said. “He was the Google Street View for Sacramento.”
The Centennial Ride participants plan to return on Saturday night from their ride by car.

To read the original article in the SACRAMENTO BEE newspaper CLICK HERE. 
Photo Credit: Emily Zentner

A number of options to reduce illegal activities while continuing to allow access across Scotts Flat Dam spillway were proposed during last night’s special meeting of the Nevada Irrigation District’s Water and Hydroelectric Operations Committee. Photo credit: Jon Piland
About 80 people attended the public workshop to share their thoughts and ideas about how to continue public access on NID’s facility. The district installed fencing and a gate across the top of and along the edge of the spillway in August after being prompted by increased regulatory, safety and health concerns, including unsafe jumping into the lake, illegal camping and campfires, excessive trash and graffiti.
NID staff will conduct an internal review of the numerous ideas presented and an ad hoc committee will be formed to further discuss the issue and explore alternatives. An ad hoc committee may be comprised of representatives from local organizations including, Cascade Shores Homeowners Association, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, Forest Trails Alliance, Single Track Action Riders, Sierra Express Bike Racing Team, Bicyclists of Nevada County, and other community leaders.
Photo credit: Jon Piland
CLICK HERE to see original article in YubaNet.com
CLICK HERE to see original article and photos in The Union

October 3, 2017 -  On Monday Congressman Tom McClintock spoke on H.R. 289 Guides and Outfitters (GO) Act.
Floor Statement, The Honorable Tom McClintock (R-CA), Committee on Natural Resources
Excerpt: "For example, the California Endurance Riders Association had been using the El Dorado National Forest for many years. In 2009, when they sought a simple 5-year 10-event permit to continue doing exactly what they have been doing without incident for decades, the Forest Service demanded $11,000 in fees. They paid these fees, but the El Dorado National Forest management nevertheless pulled the approved permit and halted the process on utterly specious grounds.  It then demanded an additional $17,000 fee, causing the Endurance Riders Association to cancel what had been a long-term civic tradition that had been a boon to the local economy.
In 2010 this outrage was repeated after the group spent $5,800 for the “Fool’s Gold Endurance Run” that had been an ongoing event for more than 40 years."

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 289, the Guides and Outfitters -- or GO Act -- offered by my Natural Resources Committee colleague and California neighbor, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. 

For many years, we have seen increasingly severe restrictions on the public’s use of the public land.  One of the most galling aspects of this exclusionary policy is the use of exorbitant fees to prevent many group events and small business services that are often the economic mainstay of small mountain communities like those in my district in the Sierra Nevada.  

This abusive practice was made possible by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act in 2004.

It unleashed a flood of complex rules, regulations, and court decisions that have gradually increased the cost of permit administration for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, which these agencies, in turn, have used to raise fees on the public to cost-prohibitive levels.

For example, the California Endurance Riders Association had been using the El Dorado National Forest for many years. In 2009, when they sought a simple 5-year 10-event permit to continue doing exactly what they have been doing without incident for decades, the Forest Service demanded $11,000 in fees.  

They paid these fees, but the El Dorado National Forest management nevertheless pulled the approved permit and halted the process on utterly specious grounds.  It then demanded an additional $17,000 fee, causing the Endurance Riders Association to cancel what had been a long-term civic tradition that had been a boon to the local economy.  

In 2010 this outrage was repeated after the group spent $5,800 for the “Fool’s Gold Endurance Run” that had been an ongoing event for more than 40 years.

Hardest hit are guides and outfitters – the folks who make it possible for visitors to fully enjoy our national lands.  They’re the small businesses that provide specialized knowledge, skills and equipment that new visitors just don’t possess. 

Both the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have used FLREA to require these small businesses to pay for permit processing and environmental analyses that require more than 50 hours. These fees, along with complex planning requirements, have virtually shut down so many legitimate and traditional public events and uses.

Efforts to encourage the agencies to modify and streamline the process have failed, even when those efforts were supported by agency policy.

The GO Act is a long-overdue relief of these practices.  

It amends FLREA to streamline the recreation permitting process and allow for increased public access to recreation opportunities on federal lands.   

The GO Act was crafted in consultation with a wide-variety of recreation groups throughout the country and aims to reduce the cost and complexity of these permits.  

I commend Representative LaMalfa for listening to his constituents and to thousands of recreation service providers throughout the country who are begging Congress to make these changes. 

I urge adoption of the measure and yield back.
Source: Congressman Tom McClintock

Related Information:
House Passes Bill to Increase Recreation Opportunities on Federal Lands
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2, 2017 -Today, the House passed H.R. 289, the bipartisan “Guides and Outfitters Act” or “GO Act.” Introduced by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), the bill removes bureaucratic roadblocks that inhibit outdoor recreation and increases opportunities for all Americans to access and enjoy the nation’s federal lands.

“I am very pleased that my bill, the GO Act, passed the House today. This legislation will help guarantee access for all people to enjoy the outdoors, even federally controlled lands. HR 289 helps guides and outfitters in rural areas to have more access to recreation opportunities on our public lands. Hunting, fishing, whitewater rafting, biking, trail hikes, horseback riding, and general enjoyment of the outdoors will be easier to do with less Washington bureaucrat red-tape and impossible fees to get in the way. This is a common-sense and fair bill that streamlines the permitting process and allows more local economic opportunities for the people back on their lands. I look forward to a positive and timely result in the Senate,” Rep. LaMalfa stated.

“For many years, we have seen increasingly severe restrictions on the public’s use of public lands. One of the most galling aspects of this exclusionary policy is the use of exorbitant fees to prevent many group events and small business services that are often the economic mainstay of small mountain communities like those in my district in the Sierra Nevada. The GO Act is a long-overdue relief of these practices. I urge its adoption,” Subcommittee on Federal Lands Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA) said. 
Source: House Committee on Natural Resources

(Read the total text of the Bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/289 )

For everyone who is interested in the most historical trail in the Gold Country, here is some of its story. The Western States Pioneer Express National Recreation Trail (its official name) was designated in 1975 and goes from Beals Point to just west of Foresthill and is 50 miles long. It overlays the California Landmark #585 designated in 1957 that is known as The Pioneer Express Trail.

Trail historian, Donna Williams, and others, placed the National Recreation Trail (NRT) decals along the length of this trail in Folsom Lake and Auburn SRA in the late 1990's under the direction of California State Parks and the land managers for Bureau of Reclamation so the route was finally identified as a National Recreation Trail. 

Even though the official name is the Western States Pioneer Express National Recreation Trail, many of us shorten it to the Pioneer Express Trail in the Folsom Lake SRA and the Western States in Auburn SRA, and because of that, the history and its designation is being lost on newer trail users.

For safety, the Pioneer Express section in Folsom Lake SRA is designated as a hiker-horse trail because almost the whole length is quite narrow and has steep drop offs. (see photo) The bicyclists can leave their bikes at home and join the walkers with children and equestrians who love the Western States Pioneer Express National Recreation Trail for its quiet atmosphere and views of Folsom Lake and the north fork of the American River.

You may access this trail from many staging areas in Folsom Lake and Auburn SRA, including some on this sign.

Today Kahl Muscott, District Administrator for the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (ARD), sent this email regarding the Auburn BIke Pump Park:
"ARD will continue the Public Hearing for the proposed Auburn Bike Park on Monday, October 23rd. The meeting will take place at 6pm at the Canyon View Community Center (471 Maidu Dr., Auburn, 95603). The agenda, when created, will be posted on the ARD website www.auburnrec.com."
The location selected for the bike park has become a controversial issue. The vote to go forward or not with the bike park in the Maidu location was slated to be voted on during the regular Board meeting on October 26, so this is a special added meeting.

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Previously posted on Sept. 29, 2017
NO VOTE ON AUBURN BIKE PARK
Photo credit: Auburn Bike Park website. Auburn Recreation District had planned a yes or no vote last night on going forward with the Auburn Bike Pump Park at the controversial Maidu location. But, after considerable comment and no agreement, Board members Jim Gray and Scott Holbrook proposed to continue the discussion and vote until the next Board meeting on Oct. 26, and Gordon Ainsleigh abstained. Board members Mike Lynch and Jim Ferris were absent.

Those opposed said are not against building the bike park, only the Maidu location (which affects the Western States-Pioneer Express National Recreational Trail) and proposed the alternate Regional Park Site that is already owned by ARD which has few drawbacks. The pro-bike park folks were numerous, and want this bike park built, regardless of the location.

Copies of the environmental documents can be found on the front page of the ARD website CLICK HERE.

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PREVIOUSLY POSTED 8/29/2017:  
Proposed Auburn Bike Pump Park hearing postponed to Sept. 28, 2017
Photo of the Folsom Bike Pump Park. The Auburn Recreation District meeting regarding the Bike Pump Park has been rescheduled due to the amount of responses and comments made to their environmental document. Here is the note from ARD:

From: Kahl Muscott <KMuscott@auburnrec.com>
Subject: Proposed Auburn Bike Park - Hearing Reschedule

Good morning all –

The date of the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (ARD) Board hearing to consider the proposed Maidu Bike Park project and environmental document has been changed to September 28, 2017. This change was made to allow additional time for ARD and the Bureau of Reclamation to review and consider all comments received on the environmental document.

You are encouraged to attend the Board hearing at which verbal comments on the project will be received. The hearing will take place at the Canyon View Community Center (471 Maidu Dr., Auburn, CA 95603). The meeting will start at 6:00pm.

Copies of the environmental documents can be found on the front page of the ARD website CLICK HERE.

Please share this message with anyone who may be interested in attending.

Thank you,

Kahl Muscott, District Administrator
Auburn Area Recreation and Park District
(530) 885-8461 ext. 102
www.auburnrec.com

For three hours, passionate pleas for and against a bike park proposed for a vacant property on Auburn’s Maidu Drive filled a packed hall with emotion and vitriol.

But supporters and opponents left Thursday night with a ‘no-decision’ by the three board members and the promise of yet one more hearing in what has been a five-year process to develop a bike park in Auburn.

The next hearing date to consider final approval of state-mandated environmental clearances has yet to be established. But the board voted to have it take place no later than the next scheduled meeting of the parks panel Oct. 26.
The three members of the board present at the marathon hearing on the project – Jim Gray, Scott Holbrook and Gordon Ainsleigh – voted in favor of the continuation. The two other directors – Jim Ferris because of medical reasons and Mike Lynch, who was out of town on previously scheduled business – were absent.
Ainsleigh said Friday that he favored the continuance to allow other directors to be present and to study the possibility of another Maidu Drive location nearby.
The location Ainsleigh said should also have a look west of the China Bar entrance to the Auburn State Recreation Area in a clearing off Maidu Drive that could be better patrolled by police and has fewer trees to be cut down, he said.
The location might also be popular with neighbors in the Eagle’s Nest neighborhood, he said.
“”We would have to have Bureau of Reclamation approval and the ability to move quickly in that area,” Ainsleigh said. “With a younger crowd in that area, they might feel different about this. We want to find that out.”
Ainsleigh has asked staff to poll residents near the potential new site before the next hearing date.
“We would throw away $100,000 (in study costs on the current proposed site),” Ainsleigh said. “Odds aren’t very good. But it’s worth asking the question. This could be less painful.”
The possibility of a bike park on the Maidu Drive property, adjacent to Recreation District offices and across from the Placer County Water Agency works yard. drew vocal proponents and opponents at Thursday’s hearing. The district put out 147 chairs and District Administrator Kahl Muscott estimated that as many as 50 people had to stand when the seating filled. The meeting started at 6 p.m. and ended at 9:38 p.m.
An LaBarre, a neighbor of the district’s administrative headquarters, told the hearing that a survey of the neighborhood found overwhelming opposition on several grounds, including traffic congestion,\.Jeff Dunkle, an Auburn resident since 1972, said he supported the park as an opportunity for children to have a recreational option not now available to them.
Eleven-year-old Dash Tebbs agreed, noting it was a chance for kids to be outside and be themselves.
Carol Euwema, another nearby resident, cited potential liability over bike crashes at the site and problems resulting from cyclists using trails not open to them.
“You see the signs about no dogs allowed unless they’re on a leash but 60 percent are off-leash,” Euwema said. “Signs are no good if you don’t have enforcement and if there’s no enforcement, it’s a liability.”

To see the original article in the Auburn Journal newspaper CLICK HERE.