New Years Day Ride! Old Forge @ Noon

Ride Tomorrow?

Anybody interested in riding tomorrow? Shed or PA. Also, what are the conditions on the ground--still snow? studs needed?

RIDE

Happy New Year;
I'm going to keep the ride location at Mont Alto again this Sunday due to conditions. Ride Time 9am. There will be man cards handed out for those who show. So far Me and Wit each have one for our showing and riding last Sunday. I didn't know we had so many sissies in our group!

Forest Association

I put a new link over there to the Michaux Forest Association. They have an interesting newsletter on their site, with columns from the District Forester and the new manager of Pine Grove Furnace.

Today's Picture

Skiing in Taos, NM. Studded tires would probably work here, but why would you want to? I hope everyone is having a great holiday.

Merry Christmas everyone

Sure, we have more snow, but the Dutch keep riding!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMv3OB6XHvQ

RIDE

Hey Gang
Once again I'm going to schedule the ride to be at Mont Alto. The weather doesn't look to good. You may be able to ride the roads if you have studded tires. Be safe. Ride time 9am...
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanuka!!!

WOMEN'S WEEKEND at RAY'S MTB PARK 2010

Ray's MTB Indoor Park is having another Women's Weekend February 19th-21! I went last year with some folks from PMBA (Philly MTB) and had a blast! Let's get an MBM posse together!
Plan is to get a caravan going out on Thursday night and stay until Sunday Morning. Ride Friday and Saturday.
Stay at the Holiday Inn near Ray's that has special discounts for Ray's customers--1/2 price rooms!
Check out the website for details and let me know if you are interested!
donnadotweiseratgmaildotcom
**If you're a woman and want to go, you need to RSVP on the Website--do it by Feb 1 and get a really cool t-shirt!!!

SUNDAY

I don't know about the rest of you but I don't think there will be a ride Sunday. But if the roads are passable I'm going to Liberty and get some skiing in. Give me a yell if you are going skiing at liberty! I'll go up early and help open the mountain so let me know today if you are going.

The Michaux Lectures

Joseph Rothrock

History

In the year 1785 a French nobleman and botanist F. Andre Michaux and his father, also named Andre, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to North America. For 20 years they traveled far and wide with special emphasis on classifying forest trees and plants. Then in 1817 the son returned to North America and was alarmed at the extensive destruction of trees and forests caused by logging and uncontrolled fires. In 1855, desperate to help stop the devastation, F. Andre Michaux left a legacy of $12,000 to be used to promote the science-based or "silvicultural" management of Pennsylvania forests. In the year 1877 a noted medical doctor and botany professor, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, was chosen as the Michaux Lecturer. The purpose of the lectures was to establish an understanding of forestry, especially in Pennsylvania.

From 1877-1894, on nearly every Sunday afternoon in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Dr. Rothrock eloquently and persistently promoted a new vision for forestry by drawing attention to the grave ecological effects of present practices. On a buckboard wagon pulled by two horses and carrying a camera and lantern slide projector, he traveled far and wide from lecture to lecture. Slides illuminated by an oil-burning lantern showed the flames and smoke of the fires consuming vast acreages of Pennsylvania forests and trees. Other slides showed the devastation caused by harvesting trees without further care for the site, also known as cut out and get out practices. The Michaux Lectures became very popular and led to a grass roots effort to promote sustainable forestry practices on a statewide basis. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, the only forestry organization in the nation, was established from this populist base of concern in 1886. Rothrock was elected as the Association's first president. One of its goals was to establish a state agency to deal with the widespread forest devastation.

During the 119 years since the beginning of the Michaux Lectures in 1877, the Rothrock supporters have become uncountable. These supporters from 1877 to the present have rehabilitated, conserved, and preserved the forests of Pennsylvania while still putting them to good use and protecting the environment. The Jewel of Pennsylvania book is an accurate, detailed record of the Pennsylvania state forest system.

Today, the rehabilitated and protected forests of Pennsylvania are vital to everyone for pure air, pure water, wholesome recreation, and an adequate supply of wood products.

Thursday daytime ride

I'm planning on riding during the day tomorrow. Start from Long Pine Res parking lot. Ride at 10:30am for about ~15 miles. Ride will include parts of the dark hollow course and the mash. Slow pace with lots of opps to drop out. Call in sick or take the day off. ([:o

29er parts

Does any one have any used 29er parts for sale? Need everything but the frame and fork. Wheelset (disc compatible), disc brakes, drive train, etc....
Let me know. It's a good way to make some extra cash before the holiday! Contact me here or thru mtnbkrchica@gmail.com.
Thankya

Ride report

It's not too often that we get 50 degree weather in the middle of December. Scott was smart enough to recognize this opportunity and post up for a Monday night ride. Lo and behold, seven riders showed up...to a night ride...in December! We were even able to pry the long lost 'shorts' off her spin bike to ride in the woods.

A few ride highlights:

- 3 hours and over 14 miles on a NIGHT ride in DECEMBER!
- the eerie, thick fog on tower trail
- riding down buckets without a light after my battery died (thanks to clowny and shorts for making a "mooch-wich" so that I could sorta see)


Great ride everyone. Get out today and enjoy the warm weather again cuz it's going away again soon.

RIDE

Hey All;
Sunday we will try Mont Alto again. Ride time 9am....Plan of ride ......Up shelf, lower coal hearth, sand, little dirt road to colonel wesling to spooge over too swift run climb the wall . Than maybe go down four logs to hearth and down buckets. Any miss spellings or naming oops.

Monday Night Ride - Mont Alto

The ice has left along with (most of) the hunters. Let's ride!

5pm Mont Alto.

For Sale--Crank Bros. Candy Pedals

On behalf of Zachariah...

FOR SALE:2 pairs of brand new in box Crank Brothers Candy SL Mountain Bike Pedals $60/Pair Contact Zach Adams at two9er@gmail.com

Sweet!

Picture of the Day

I had work in Las Vegas, so I went riding for the day at Bootleg Canyon. At least for me, this place was made famous by Interbike. This is where the manufacturers demo their new bikes each year. The area has sparse vegetation and pretty sandy soil. It rained a bit before we started riding which rendered the trail surface more tacky. The locals said it was the equivalent of a powder day. The terrain rolls. No big climbs, rather a series of small to moderate climbs. It is all built for biking. Lots of whoop de doos and big G-outs. Some of the really twisty descents were a blast. The trail surface in the photograph is typical. There are some short rocky sections. The riding here reminded me of the Book Cliffs area of Fruita, but larger. There are other areas to ride out here including some high elevation alpine trails and a trail network called Red Rocks. I will have something to check out when I return here next year. When you get tired of the rain, snow and cold, you can ride Las Vegas all winter long!

Snakeys?

While everybody else was snuggled in bed this morning, presumably with hands on snakeys, I was wakey-wakey and bundled up to mountain bike with my friends. It turns out Mooch and I must have some friends in common. After sitting in the parking lot trying to decide if I should solo or not . . . I drove back home, saddened by my experience.
Shame on you all. I hope it was snakeys and not the cold.
-SL

As some of you may have said.....

"Probably not a good idea to ride the last day of hunting season."

I will not name names as to protect those less than bright souls who went for a ride today. Well as I hear the story (because of course I would not be one of those less bright souls) a hunter is passed at the very beginning of the ride from Mont Alto genteel wave to hunter and back to bikers. Continue on about 2 miles over a little hill and bam!! Two hunters one gun drawn and pointed at the three riders. The hunter took a moment to put his gun down. Needless to say short ride out on fire roads! And many more hunters passed. Fortunately no more guns drawn on the quick return.

Night Road Riding isn't as good as Night MTB Riding

Wrench and I got out for my first ever night road ride and it was pretty fun - lower 20s, but fun.  We rode all over Montgomery County, MD.  My first light failed in his driveway at mile 0 and the second one failed at mile 18 so we had one light to share, Todd's, and it was flashing red by the end.  The wind was blowing pretty hard and there was some black ice you had to watch out for.  The town of Poolesville had their Christmas decorations up and it was cool riding through them at night.

That said, I much prefer riding the mtb at night.

Details here:  Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

We are doing a DC night ride on Wednesday, December 23rd from Germantown.  The plan is to ride into DC, check out the National Mall, the lights, eat dinner, and then ride back.  Should be 50 miles and plan on 4 hours tops.

RIDE

SUNDAY will be at Mont Alto. Ride time 9am. Give some thought as to which trails you would like to ride. As always I have final say. HE HE HE Or LOL

club cinco

While the roots of MBM extend back to 1999, the Club underwent a reorganization in 2004 and we began our annual dues structure in 2005.  I would like to honor a group of individuals who have supported the club every year since then - Club Cinco.  Sure Las Vegas may have Telly Savallas and Players Club International, but Michaux has Club Cinco and in 2009 we induct these 17 inaugural members:

Brad Baylor

Trevis Benchoff

Wayne Benedict

Jerry Bonfiglio

Chuck Buczeskie

Ray Egolf

Charlie Ferrell

Dale Fitzsimmons

Jake Gettier

Aaron Hofelt

Bruce Kessler

Darius Mark

Joel Moats

Tanya Nitterhouse

Stephen Seeber

Mike Witter

Sue Witter

In 2010 we will be adding these 6 members who have already renewed for next year:

Paul Caulfield

David Hamilton

Martin Kell
Michele Mark

Rob Mazzei

Mike Mucker

There is still room for more and word is that while the parties at Club Cinco are awesome, the ones at Club Deux are even better.

Thanks for the continued support!

Darius

Will I Live Or Die?

This creature was embedded in my side after the ride today. My fearless wife removed it. It was still intact and alive after removal. Aren't these things supposed to be dead by now?

Rockville Bridge Cyclocross Classic

Some MBMers braved the weather to race in Marysville today. I was not one of them but I did watch and take pictures.
Don Pagano raced Cat 4 on a SS cross bike and was the first person to ride up the steep and slick run-up! He got a prize for that. Not sure where he finished but the dude is fast!
Joel Moats raced the Cat 2/3/4 Master 45+ men finishing 4th and winning the series!
Aaron Hofelt raced Cat 2/3/4 Master 35+ and finished 5th.
Zach Adams (race promoter) raced Elite Men (Cat 1/2) and finished 2nd.
Trish McMillen lead from the start and won the Cat 1/2/3/4 Womens race in only her 3rd cross race ever. That's her in the picture with a 35 second lead.
Paul Doty provided neutral support for the racers. Thanks Paul!

Another shirt

Drunken hooliganing.

Fer sale real soon, yep.

the state store

found this somehow thanks to google

Sunday

Hey Gang;
Upon special request we will be riding at Caledonia. Meet at the parking lot on the corner of 233 and 30. Ride time 9am

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME!

Please click the link over to the right and renew your membership for 2010 - or else:

233

The bridge is open on 233 to Pine grove for those that are interested. It's really pretty too.

Look at that!!

Bacon envelopes!!! Just goes to show everything is better with bacon!
http://www.jdfoods.net/products/mmmvelopes.php

Sunday Ride: Old Forge

Bad news--Once again, Dale has abdicated his responsibility and made me the ride leader. Let's do Old Forge. I understand there are some new trails there. If someone comes who knows the location, we can try them. Otherwise, we can do one conventional routes, which may or may not include Mackey and Sucker Punch.

We leave at 9:00. Have a great T-Day. Eat all you want, we will work it off on Sunday.

GW Nat'l Forest Casual Ride Dec 5th

Thought I'd post this out to our club. A friend (JoeP) is leading a casual ride at a not-so-casual place, Elizabeth Furnace, south of the borders in Virginia. He's posted a long ride (23 miles), which will take about 5+ hours at a casual pace.

You seasoned Meeshow riders will have little trouble with the trails and rocks, though the length and height of the climbs will be a lot different than around here. That also means that the long descents are a lot different than Meeshow also :)

It's about a 1.5 hour drive down 81 to the Strasburg, VA exit. Then about 8 miles from there.
It's some kind of hunting season there too, and this is a Saturday ride, so please don't get shot after I sent you there.

Ride post here:
The rest of that growing thread here. Details on whatever hunting season is somewhere in there.

Bike Lift in Norway?!

I thought MTS...... Michaux Trail Sanitizers would like this one.

Tuesday ride at Teaberry.

Tuesday night will be at Teaberry parking lot.
Bring lights. Ride time is 4:30pm.

Saturday 2

Flymaster B

RIDE

Sunday will be at the water shed in Maryland. Ride starts at the Hamburg road parking lot. 9am start time. Does anyone need to meet at the Sheetz on 40 & 66? I would like to drive stright to the ride. Let me know asap if you want to meet.

Rockville Bridge Cyclocross Classic

The Marysville Lions Club course is a lot of fun for all levels of racers. Zach Adams could really use some good people to help out at registration for his cross race in Marysville on Dec 5th. And he also really needs people to help tear down after the race that evening as well as a few key people to help set up on Friday. Can any of you help or know anyone who will? Spread the word about the race! It's up on bikereg.com and at http://rockvillecross.blogspot.com/!

Contact Zach at...

fastforwardracingproductions@gmail.com

Saturday 1

nervous about the sneakers

then some Oregon All-State guy shows up with no seat.

Last night I had a dream

And it combined two of my favorite things in this world...



When I got tired I just fell over and fed.

park style

for reference, the pump track is at the top-right corner of this model

Ben Smith showed this at the Recreation Board meeting tonight to get a sense of how the Board feel about a street/trials/skills park at the old coal stalls, which are down the ramp from the pump track. We were looking for a "keep going", or a "you're nuts, forget it" response. Unanimous approval, and offerings and ideas of where we can get concrete pipes, parking curbs, concrete bollards, boulders, equipment rentals etc. An urban - industrial look and feel. .....So, we need to start sourcing materials and report back in 2 months. Any ideas out there??

RIDE

Hey All
Sunday will be at BIG FLAT. Might go north or might go south won't know until we get there. Ride time 9am....

2003 Jamis Dakar XC Comp frame

2003 Jamis Dakar XC Comp 17" frame, Fox Float R has been PUSHed, Cane Creek Zero Stack headset, quick release post clamp, it has the usual Michaux scratches but no dents or dings. $275obo (I currently have the frame if anyone wants to see it - Chuck)

Contact Dave McClain

davemcclain@pa.net

For sale: NEW Bontrager Revolt Super X tires and tubes

(2) New Bontrager Revolt Super X tires, 26x2.2, tubeless ready, 570g. $60 for the pair. ($45 each new)

(2) ultralight tubes, 26x1.5-1.9, 110g, 48mm stem, $10/pr ($8 each new)

(10) tubes, 26x1.5-2.2, $2/ea.

All of this is obo.

Chuck

cbuczesk@comcast.net

Too close to home

My cactus encounter was not this close.

Need to Mooch a Bike

Visitors coming the week of Thanksgiving. I wonder if anyone has a small MTB to lend, full suspension or front shock? Oh... and with gears please.

Wednesday night ride, 11/11

Dr. W and I are planning to ride from Mont Alto on Wednesday night at 5pm. All are welcome, come on out and join us. We'll do our best to avoid the werewolf on Turtle this week. Oh yeah, you will need lights.

Yesterday's Ride

Sorry guys, for the last minute reschedule, causing us to not hook up with you on Sunday. Hope everyone had good rides. By the end, I had cramps in muscles that I didn't know I had.

Saturdays at the log park

Saturdays Nov 14 and Nov 21 10:00-12:00-ish

Ride the rectangular composite logs at the 4th Street Skate/Bike Park in Chambersburg
for all those peeps who've ever said to me "I wish I could ride logs better....", I'm callin' you out Chief, Shorts, Mooch etc....
just show up, and when you leave you'll be a better rider

kid friendly with a playground on-site
it can be cold and windy there, lycra not required
bring a pair of sneakers or flat shoes to use in addition to your SPDs

you can also get your skinny game on here if you gots one

Rig Ride / werewolves in Michaux

How ghey is that? Yeah, I know pretty lame. Bucsneezy, Steve Nevada, and I all showed up with the same bike for the night ride on Thursday. Next time we might all wear matching jerseys too.

Mr. Wilson showed up too and we were off to a good start after a few weird mechanical and light related issues in the parking lot. At the end of Park trail Dave had to bail cuz his brand new Juicy brake lever was pulling all the way to the bar and doing a whole lot of nothing. We bid him adieu and hammered up Staley road at race pace. For some reason, bucsneezy thought we were racing. Johnny Utah was on his first night ride ever and on his brand new Rig to boot. It was a rude awakening to the world of singlespeeding.

It was a short ride as we decided to just come down Four Logs and Turtle and call it a night. The weather and trail conditions were pretty bad anyway. Night + spitting rain + leaves and roots made for an interesting ride and it was hard to find trails that I am very familiar with.

We stopped to regroup after the big rocks on Turtle and were standing there in the dark shooting the breeze when from right behind us we heard the freakiest noises of some sort of unearthly, bloodthirsty animal. It was one of the weirdest sounds I've ever heard in the woods. It didn't seem to get spooked even when I yelled at it. Needless to say we headed on down the trail pretty quickly.

Jim New Hampshire did great on his first night ride and SS ride.

Beware of the haunted woods of Michaux this year. There's some weird critters out there.

RIDE

Hey all
Brett's having a ride starting at the Bendersville parking lot. Ride time will be 9am. There maybe two groups so no one will get lost. Sounds like it will be a good time with lots a riders.

FOR SALE!!!

Brand New Juicy 7 Brakeset!!

Front and Rear 165mm Discs for those of us with 2 wheels on our bikes!
Couldn't use them due to the fact that I'm an ebay e-diot and ordered 2 sets . . .

Asking $130.

Dave Wilson

Last Picture of the Day

Today was Dale Ball. This is a local ride in Santa Fe. The trails are on National Park and City Park land. The trail system is probably about 30 miles, with loops within loops. Lots of short climbs and descents. The trail weaves around very expensive real estate. There is a massive home in the upper left of the photograph. Trail surfaces are typically very smooth and very, very twisty. There are some short areas of loose small rock. I look forward to returning here. There is still lots of stuff to be ridden.

See all of you Sunday.

And The Winner Is...

Mohn's Lumber of Waynesboro, PA.

They placed the high bid in Wirt Road stumpage sale of $170,008.00.

Thursday ride!

OK. Bucsexy and I are riding from Mont Alto at 5pm on Thursday night 11/5. Bring your lights. I hope you can make it Cosmo!



Last fall's crazy warm weather

Picture of the Day

My wife decided I needed a vacation from biking. This picture is taken from the top of Acoma Pueblo. The Pueblo is the located 357 feet above the desert on a huge mesa. It is possibly the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in in the US. It is a remarkable example of adapting to a seemingly hostile environment. More bike pix tomorrow.

Mtec

Did you all see in the paper that Trevis, Josh, Aaron Himelfarb and brother took first place in the men's division of the Mtec race. Great job MEN.

Halloween Ride Pictures

Uncle Don took a bunch of pictures of today's Halloween ride. Looks like it was a fun ride and lots of good costumes. Too bad Mooch didn't have time to dress up.
http://singlespeeder.smugmug.com/Mountain-Biking-Events/MBM-Ride-Sunday-November-1/10175510_x84td#700302770_cREom

Today's Picture

Today we went up high. Rode to 9000 feet. Lots of snow. Not much oxygen. Rob wanted some ride info, so I will post the elevation profile. The trails are generally not very technical, the biggest challenge is the altitude. Spectacular views and fun trails with good flow. The vegetation and terrain is dramatically different from the prior two rides. On this ride, above 8000 feet, all hint of desert is gone. Below 8000, some desert plants will grow where there is lots of sun exposure. Tomorrow, either a short ride or day off. I am getting tired.

Today's Picture

Today's ride high dessert. Lots of cactus. A little snow.

I have a helmet you can borrow.

Feeling a little slow? This will get your speed up. Especially passing blinds and tree stands.

Today's Ride Picture

Hi from sunny New Mexico. They got 15" of snow last night in the high country so I probably won't get to experience climbing a mountain up to 12000 feet. On the ride I did today, there were no roots, branches or sharp pointy rocks. No mud. Just great scenery.

Pump

I'm bad with Names but the guy on the black Gary fisher Hi Fi I found your pump and sorry we lost you last Sunday OOOOOPS. You'll have to learn the 20% rule. (I did)
Chief

RIDE

Hey all ;
Sunday will be at Mont Alto. Ride time 9am. I hope to see some good pics. of the costumes. Have a good time and I hope nothing gets caught in your spokes (bucksexy).

HOOTERS

Now that I have your attention....what's the deal? Halloween Costume night ride Thursday night the 29th OR silly Sunday FUNday costume ride Nov 1st. I gotta know soon so I can take off work early on Thursday to make the ride time IF Thursday is the night every one prefers.

Lights and Yeti for sale

I'm selling my TurboCat S25 bar mount lights and TG15 helmet light. The S25 has the upgraded CNC machined bar mounts to fit a standard diameter bar. The batteries are Ni-Cd bottle shaped for the S25 and NiMH (roughly 2 decks of cards sized) and are in good condition. Two chargers will be included. Retail for the whole set is $534. I'm asking $150.




I'm also selling my medium 2003 Yeti Kokopeli. It is built up with a Fox Float 100RLC fork and Float RL shock, Shimano LX and XT drivetrain, and Avid BB7 185mm brakes, rolling on Bontrager wheels. All bearings are in very good condition. Asking price is $750. Contact me for pictures.

You can reach me by email at styer_family@(nospam)yahoo.com or by phone 7one7-337-oh936.

Morgan

Race Across the Sky Thursday

Race Across the Sky is screening at the Regal theatre in Harrisburg off I-81 on Thursday. We're planning to go. Should be a great time! Anyone else interested?

For those that don't know, it's the movie about the Leadville 100 and the race between Lance and Dave Wiens this year.

Thursday earlier ride

There are a few of us who in an attempt to maximize daylight plan to ride on Thursday @3p from Caledonia parking lot. Plan to start with Secret and go from there. If you are interested the weather is supposed to be beautiful!

SUNDAY

This Sunday is the YMCA Mtec race. Not sure what trails they will be doing but some of our own will be doing the race. So maybe we can ride from Mont Alto and do secret trail and catch some of the race or maybe not. Mont Alto ride time 9am.
Put this on your calender: Nov. 1st I would like to do the watershed. I'll post time and location next week.

Wednesday Ride

There will be at least two of us riding Wed @4:30p from the gas line on Rattlesnake Rd.
Anyone want to join for the "easy" trails?

If you need directions refer to a previous post on 9/29/09.

Tuesday Back O' The Pack

Once again work takes me away this week so I'll miss the Tuesday night ride. Check out the comments for where and when the BOP ride will happen this week.

Also

If it is nasty in the am I will comment on this post an afternoon ride weather permitting. I'll try to have it up by 10:30

OH NO

I was made aware that there is a bridge out on 233 going to pine grove at michaux rd. So make sure you take a different rt to get there this Sunday. If there are any changes I will have them up by Sat. on this blog.

Showing off for the camera at Iron Cross!

Don just sent me the link to some GREAT pics he took! IC lite and IC! I had to put the two of me on the Blog! Find yours and through them up!
Maybe I could have went a little faster if I wasn't having so much fun!

Swift Run / Snowy Mtn

Here's the next one. No trails looked to be affected by this one. That double-track line running from Swift Run Rd on a northeast diagonal to the other double-track, is the Curran Trail. Curran is an official trail, and though not a sweet singly track, it is useful as a climb back up from Old Forge to the fire tower.
Block 6 does get close to a trail that leads to another trail that was cut 2-3 years ago.

From the Gut Pile

RIDE

This Sunday will be at Pine Grove. Meet at the furnace parking lot. Ride time 9am. I would like to ride the old race course so bring all your rock crawling stuff. If you don't like rocks you better stay home. If it is raining to hard I'll be staying home. lots of love Chief

And Now, For Something Completely Different

I don't feel like reposting the pics.

Two bikes. Both apparently dead.

The last functioning local On One Inbred.

My monster truck.

I have no mountain bike.

Don't get sidetracked by this.

Read the 3-4 posts below.

They are way more important.

Our local District office has shared their GIS layer of trails and deer fences with me. They also just sent me the Wirt Road timber sale layer. Shown above is the official trail network in the timber sale area. Trails from their latest official inventory are shown in Blue. GPS trails in Red. Notice that little piece of Blue at Tarburner Spring, aka Red Doghouse. That's that blazed snowmobile trail. The Beige is the current timber sale boundary.

It would be easy to overlay race-approved trails to this map.

Short Term / Long Term

Good discussion down below.  Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how that proposed timber sales affects Turtle - certainly not significantly.  It depends on how deep they run that single tree selection (#8).  Where Turtle is at that point is largely populated with very young trees.  It would have a very small impact on Lower buckets.  However, it will likely destroy most of Upper Buckets and all of Charcoal Hearth (clearcut sections 13-17).  Hermit?  Do we really care?
Since it is probably not feasible to inventory the entire trail system, walk it, and get it all set aside safely before this sale perhaps a short-term strategy would make sense. 

Our former IMBA rep, Frank Maguire, now works full-time for IMBA he was successful preserving trail corridors in Rothrock State Forest (Longberer Path) when they faced a similar timber sale.  He may be of some assistance to us in his new role at IMBA.  Turtle and Charcoal Hearth are significant connector trails that open up many loop opportunities - either would be a significant loss.

It is clear that there are more recreational user days in the Michaux State Forest than ever and this trend is likely to continue.  It is equally clear that if we don't speak up for our user group it is likely that no one else will.  So the long-term strategy is also important.  Ironically, due to the work of hikers years ago some of the trails we enjoy like Raccoon Run and Secret trail will never be logged.  With fewer and fewer hikers out there these days - it's our turn to get things done.