Invasion

Bonelli is a nice place to ride; there are some terrific views from its high hilltops, and some terrific views in its deepest hollows. The best of the views can only be reached via dirt road, or even narrow trail. That is a good thing, it should encourage people to get away from their motors and experience the world under their own power.

So what was going on at the end of December? On four separate occasions I crossed paths with drivers who had decided to test their motor vehicles on the dirt. I am not talking jeeps or four-wheel drive type vehicles. No these were 70's sedans, and street racers with oversized foils on the back. The worst was the souped up golf cart driven by two guys, who appeared to be getting New Years off to an early start, through the jungle and doing their absolute best to kick up as much dust as possible. Swerving back and forth through all that organic matter is a guarantee that the resultant dust cloud will be raised to maximum effect.

It had become rather disconcerting to realize I could be descending along the backside and come face to face with a road hog in that narrow space. I did that once, and it wasn't a pretty ending.

Well, we have nearly made it through January now and those off-roaders seem to have disappeared. Perhaps it was just too much free time during the holiday season - you know, idle hands and devils work and all that. Once everyone headed back to work and school, and the free time evaporated...

Honestly I am surprised that we don't see rogue drivers at the park more often. Most of the barriers blocking access to the dirt roads, even the basic chains, have been snapped or broken, and lay in the dust, so there is really nothing to prevent someone from turning their wheels from the pavement. I mean there is still propriety, the sense that it is wrong but, everyday, we are bombarded with examples of how weak that barrier can be in the minds of people.

Now it seems that even the, seemingly, solid barriers have come under attack - someone really had a cow with this one a couple weeks ago, and it still hasn't been fixed/replaced:

Note to the county parks department - I have designed quite a few barriers over the past fifteen years, and would gladly offer my services.