Other trail projects going on that you should know about....

On the initiative of our PR RADmin, Donny Schmidt, we met with the leadership of Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and Truckee Dirt Riders to discuss our favorite topic: dirtbike trails.
 
If you like mountain singletrack riding in areas such as Downieville, and you don’t know who Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is, then you should because they are the angels who have built over 90 miles of new singletrack and maintained over 1,100 miles of trails since 2003. 
 
Their current epic project is the planning and development of 300 miles of new multiuse (translation: dirtbike friendly) singletrack trail connecting the communities of Loyalton, Sierraville, Sierra City, Downieville, Quincy, Graeagle, Portola, Taylorsville, Greenville, Chester, Westwood, Susanville, Jonesville, Truckee and Reno.  How cool is that?
 
This massive undertaking beginning this year is estimated to take approximately 10 years to complete.  The project will be completed in three phases: (1) inventorying, planning and mapping trails, which includes coordination with all of the land managers and various communities; (2) completion of environmental studies; and finally (3) the construction of trails.  Greg Williams, the Executive Director of SBTS, estimates that the first two phases of planning and environmental assessments will take approximately three years. Yes, Greg and the devoted people of SBTS are in this for the long haul.  What a way to devote your life to making a difference and benefiting so many people who share the passion of trail riding.
 
The project will cost $9.1 Million, to be funded largely by California OHV grant funds and support by their community partners. In addition to the endless potential of braaapy bliss of having this trail system, the local communities will realize economic benefits as riders stop into town for resources like dining, fuel and hospitality. SBTS also anticipates job creation in connection with the maintenance of this trail system.
 
Separately, Truckee Dirt Riders have been working with the Truckee Ranger District by providing feedback regarding whats called the "East Zone Connectivity Project". This is a very large project initiated by the Forest Service to connect OHV trails in the Truckee area to create better, sustainable trail systems. One part of the plan is a brand new 70 mile motorcycle loop on Verdi Ridge that connects to the Prosser, Boca, and Stampede Reservoir areas and campgrounds. The plan should be in the public comment phase sometime in February 2020. They are also in the process of signing a trail adoption agreement to provide volunteer labor for maintenance on the existing dirtbike trails.
 
These are two great examples of how having a travel management plan through the local land managers (e.g., Forest Service and BLM) can mean great things for OHV users – like getting more access. 

We are going to continue to follow up on the progress of these projects, and do what we can to support them.

RAD can learn a lot from TDR and SBTS.  RAD and TDR are particularly interested in the development of new singletrack between Reno and Truckee.  I don’t know about you, but I would sure love to ride to Truckee, grab lunch, play on their trails and ride home on some sweet singletrack! Similarly, the Truckee guys can ride down to Verdi and check out our awesome distilleries and restaurants. Toward that goal, we have more meetings planned with the leaders of these two great organizations and look forward to collaborating with them.