{"id":2456909,"date":"2020-04-07T22:56:01","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T04:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/mountain-bikers-continue-to-stay-socially-distant-notice-wildlife-closures-and-stay-off-wet-trails-as-spring-arrives\/"},"modified":"2020-04-07T22:56:01","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T04:56:01","slug":"mountain-bikers-continue-to-stay-socially-distant-notice-wildlife-closures-wet-trails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/mountain-bikers-continue-to-stay-socially-distant-notice-wildlife-closures-wet-trails\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain bikers: Continue to stay socially distant, notice wildlife closures, wet trails"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.4240506329114\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-323950-573\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled gallery-container\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1024x769.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A racer competes in the Audi Power of Four mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 in Snowmass. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>A racer competes in the Audi Power of Four mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 in Snowmass. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1024x769.jpg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1024x769.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A racer competes in the Audi Power of Four mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 in Snowmass. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Jeremy Wallace\/Aspen Times file photo | Josh Fanshel climbs the Airline Trail into Sky Mountain Park outside of Aspen.\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Josh Fanshel climbs the Airline Trail into Sky Mountain Park outside of Aspen.<\/strong><br \/>Jeremy Wallace\/Aspen Times file photo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1.jpg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/biketrails-atd-040820-1-1.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Josh Fanshel climbs the Airline Trail into Sky Mountain Park outside of Aspen.\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/mountain-bikers-continue-to-stay-socially-distant-notice-wildlife-closures-and-stay-off-wet-trails-as-spring-arrives\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/mountain-bikers-continue-to-stay-socially-distant-notice-wildlife-closures-and-stay-off-wet-trails-as-spring-arrives\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText DropCap\">As the snow melts and the novel coronavirus lingers, getting out on the mountain bike trails will become difficult to pass up. And while local officials are encouraging people to get outside and exercise, it needs to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/public-land-managers-around-aspen-say-comply-with-social-distancing-or-facilities-must-close\/\">done in a way that won\u2019t go against social distancing protocols <\/a>or ruin the trails for other riders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cYou can definitely go to trailheads and go out and do exercise, but it\u2019s not really meant for you to do with a ton of friends and hang out in the parking lot,\u201d Pitkin County Open Space and Trails director Gary Tennenbaum said. \u201cAs long as you practice social distancing and you really limit your group size, getting out for a bike ride is completely healthy and really something that will reduce your stress and it\u2019s totally something we want people to be able to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">However, the spread of COVID-19 isn\u2019t the only concern. Many of the trails in the Roaring Fork Valley, especially from the midvalley up, are far from ready and it\u2019s important that people stay off of them despite having cabin fever.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The reasoning is twofold: seasonal closures for wildlife and limiting trail damage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col\">\n<div class=\"row at-donation at-donation-mobile p-0\">\n<div class=\"col-xl-4 p-2\">\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/AT-logo-white.png)\" class=\"p-0 mt-2 mb-2 h-75 text-center rocket-lazyload\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/AT-logo-white.png\" class=\"logo m-0 p-0 invisible\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/at-banner-paypal.jpg)\" class=\"col-xl-8 p-3 text-center rocket-lazyload\">\n<h3 class=\"d-inline mr-3\">Support Local Journalism<\/h3>\n<p><button class=\"btn d-inline\" type=\"button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/donate\/?utm_source=article&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=donation&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=mid-article\">Donate<\/a><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIf the trails are dry, we are not telling people to hold off. Our biggest thing is don\u2019t ride muddy trails,\u201d Tennenbaum said. \u201cAnd whichever ones are closed seasonally are still closed seasonally. Wildlife doesn\u2019t know anything about this virus whatsoever. So the reality for the seasonal trails is you need to say off of those until they are open.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">There are many trails that won\u2019t be open until later this month, if not well into the summer months, for wildlife, and notably for elk calving. Regardless of the weather or any pandemics, wildlife has priority in those areas and recreation is strictly forbidden until those closures are lifted. This includes popular routes such as the Government Trail.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThat\u2019s one of the reasons a lot of people enjoy living in Colorado and in the mountains, is that we are sharing our spaces with beautiful creatures and we want the populations to remain healthy,\u201d said Mike Pritchard, the executive director for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfmba.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association<\/a><i class=\"fas fa-external-link-alt\"><\/i>, which does a lot of trail maintenance in the valley. \u201cBut respecting those closures is important for the mountain bike community as a whole because when we respect the closures the land managers gain confidence when they build, let\u2019s say, a new trail that has to have a similar closure. They can proceed with confidence that that sensitive season and that closure will be respected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Other trails that may not be in sensitive wildlife management areas can remain closed as the trails dry. Whether it\u2019s the county or independent organizations like RFMBA, one message remains the same: do not ride on muddy trails. Tennenbaum called it a \u201cmajor no-no\u201d and Pritchard wanted to emphasize the work and manpower that is involved to repair trails damaged while ridden in wet conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe\u2019ve got our slogan out there on a bunch of trails in the valley; we like to say, \u2018Ride dirt, not mud.\u2019 It\u2019s not just in the spring. It can happen all summer long, especially in late summer and monsoon season with afternoon thunderstorms,\u201d Pritchard said. \u201cSo if people are patient and wait until the trails are dry, it means less maintenance. It means trails stay in better shape.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Pritchard said most mountain bike trails are built in a way where water runs off the side and not down the trail itself. When trails are ridden while wet, such as during mudseason, small ruts can develop, as well as berm-like features that can trap water on the trails. This, over time, can ruin trails and ruin a rider\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cA lot of the spring season we spend time educating people about those closures and openings, and the reminder is to ride dirt, not mud,\u201d Pritchard said. \u201cWe are lucky we live in a fairly dry environment where the trails do dry out pretty quickly after rainstorms. But whether it\u2019s after a rainstorm or in the spring when a lot of snow is melting and the trails are still wet in certain sections, you are right to bring up that ruts can easily be formed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">As it goes every spring, mountain bikers are encouraged to stay away from those wet trails and out of wildlife areas. While Gov. Jared Polis has extended the state\u2019s stay-at-home order through April, Tennenbaum said there is nothing wrong with going for a ride as long as people follow social distancing protocol and stick to the dirt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Unfortunately for those in Aspen, this can mean longer drives to find dry trails, including trips out of the valley. And as long as COVID-19 continues to be present, such travel is discouraged. Meaning, locals will need to be extra patient and extra smart about their two-wheeled adventures this spring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI would emphasize people need to be kind to each other and friendly and they need to step off the trail extra distance and turn your face away, if that makes sense,\u201d Pritchard suggested of riding crowded trails. \u201cIt\u2019s a time to go out and enjoy this pursuit solo. At this point I wouldn\u2019t encourage people to gather or even ride with a group of friends, even if they are trying to keep their distance. It\u2019s just not a good time for that yet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:acolbert@aspentimes.com\">acolbert@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/mountain-bikers-continue-to-stay-socially-distant-notice-wildlife-closures-and-stay-off-wet-trails-as-spring-arrives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A racer competes in the Audi Power of Four mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 in Snowmass. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times Josh Fanshel climbs the Airline Trail into Sky Mountain Park outside of Aspen.Jeremy Wallace\/Aspen Times file photo Show CaptionsHide Captions As the snow melts and the novel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2456909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-local-news"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-18 05:42:05","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2456909","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2456909"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2456909\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2456909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2456909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2456909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}