Mountain Biking - ***Santos Trail Warning!***

For those of you who ride at Santos in Ocala, FL I've just heard they've removed all man made structures after a kid broke his neck on one of the stunts. The officials apparently wanted to make the park safer for riders and have even removed the bridge over a ravine at the entrance of "The Vortex." There are no signs or markers, so if you're riding out of bounds or at night be VERY careful because it would be easy to fly into the ravine and severely injure yourself. Don't ask me how removing bridges makes the trail safer, but I figured I'd give some of you guys a heads up who haven't ridden there or plan on riding there in the near future. I think this sucks because there were some great stunts including an awesome ladder drop in the Vortex that were removed. Apparently the kid who broke his neck came up a log ramp and expected there to be another plank leading the way down from the log like there usually is, but somebody had removed the plank and the kid endo'd straight off that 4 foot tall tree and broke his helmet in half. So just some words of warning. In my opinion we're on borrowed time at Santos anyway because it's only a matter of time until somebody gets seriously injured and sues. So think twice about building/riding there if this is an issue to you. Hopefully I saved some of you a nasty crash ;)

What a bunch of morons! Removing the bridge made it safer huh?

That's what I dont understand. The kid who hurt himself was riding carelessly in the first place. He didn't bother to scope out the stunt before he rode it. I assume he just thought the plank was going to be there and just did an endo right off the edge. My buddy did the same thing, although the plank was there and he just lost his balance and endo'd. It's part of mountain biking. There are signs at the beginning of the park telling you that it is an inherantly dangerous sport and that helmets are required. I guess it's a liability issue, but if you ask me removing bridges is much more of a liablity issue to me!!

Well I hope you find a suitable place to ride to replace this system. Once it starts down this road the area closed signs will be soon to follow.

Yeah. I don't ride at Santos all that often, but when I'm in the mood to "freeride" I'll head out there for some fun dirt jumps and to ride some skinnies. But when all is said and done Reddick is a much better place to ride for the type of riding I like to do. I like technical singletrack, and it's hard to make a steady loop at Santos. Perhaps things will cool off and Santos and more stunts will be built, but it took years for the ones that were out there to be constructed, so who knows.

Dammit! Santos is one of my favorite riding spots! What did you mean by "riding on borrowed time" did you hear something?

No, I just think it's a matter of time until the area is shut down. People come out there at night to drink, do drugs, all sorts of stuff. And add the liability to this and it just seems like its only a matter of time until something happens.

we’re facing a similar situation here in toronto with the city officials ordering the removal of all man-made stunts in the don valley. the city’s afraid of possible law suits and whatnot from injuries that might occur. some of the guys from the dropmachine site have been in talks with the officials though, and they’re thinking that there’s a real possibility that they’ll allow some stunts in the future.

Rasheed,

In many ways we as canadian are lucky because of how effective the north shore and whistler (and surrounding areas) have been built up in co-operation with the muni's, cycling groups and builders. With the precedant set by the west coast trail closures in canada are insignifigant compared to the states. I imagine the guys at dropmachine will pull it off and if not there than possibly get an area to build. BEst of luck. :)

we’re facing a similar situation here in toronto with the city officials ordering the removal of all man-made stunts in the don valley. the city’s afraid of possible law suits and whatnot from injuries that might occur. some of the guys from the dropmachine site have been in talks with the officials though, and they’re thinking that there’s a real possibility that they’ll allow some stunts in the future.
Don Valley getting stunts removed? Damn, gotta ride them before they do that! (Never been there)

But of course, for me, places like Hardwood Hills, Albion Hills, Stouffville, and Boyd are closer, so :D

Don Valley getting stunts removed? Damn, gotta ride them before they do that! (Never been there)
from the stuff i read on dropmachine, the city is eventually going to remove all the man-made stunts found throughout the trail network. but for now, i think only stunts found in a certain section of the don valley - the trails found between the redway loblaws and the millwood bridge - have been removed. the city guys had gone down through a certain section of the trail and marked off a number of stunts with "remove". i think a few of the builders and other dropmachine posters have gone in already and removed the stunts themselves to keep in storage.

hopefully, if i get a chance to go riding down in the don anytime soon, i'll get to see just what's been taken out.

Thank god I left ontario...

Rasheed,

In many ways we as canadian are lucky because of how effective the north shore and whistler (and surrounding areas) have been built up in co-operation with the muni's, cycling groups and builders. With the precedant set by the west coast trail closures in canada are insignifigant compared to the states. I imagine the guys at dropmachine will pull it off and if not there than possibly get an area to build. BEst of luck. :)
i’m hoping things go well with the talks with the city. i haven’t ridden any of the stunts yet (still too chicken to), but it still sucks that they have to be removed. it’ll suck even more though if they don’t allow them at all in the future, or worse, if they lock off the don valley to all mountain bikers.

from the other stuff i’ve read though, there has also been talk on the forum about possibly getting a patch of land in the don to make a freeride park of some sort... i hope that comes about. it think it’d be really cool to have one right in the middle of the city.

to the florida guys who ride the trail mentioned in the first post by jim, i hope for the best for you guys. hopefully, that trail won't get shut down and they'll allow stunt building again.

Yeah, I doubt the trail will get closed down, but it's in the vicinity of the Florida Trail system so it's under watch by lots of eco-hippies and the like who don't really understand us or our sport. I think the trails were perservere, but I think the freeriding stunt building types will find better places to ride.

Dern, I was just there over Thanksgiving. When did this kid break his neck?

BTW, this is NOT the first time this has happened there. I know of two other times riders have ridden beyond their abilities and broke their necks. One guy had to be medi-vac'ed (sp?) out of the "pit". The other was bunny hopping a log and caught his back tire and did a Christopher Reeve and landed on the top of his head.

So, there may be continued discussions, but I don't think they'll close the trails.

L8R

Just checked another local message board. Here's the discussion: http://www.allfreechat.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002487&p=

The funny thing was I was THERE on Thanksgiving. At one point, we were at the trailhead and saw a fire truck go by. My guess is they were going there to get the kid! WIERD!

L8R

Here's a picture of the ramp going "UP", the other side (Which you can't see is where the plank was removed)

Sucks, these trails (and stunts) were a blast to ride!

L8R

Dern, I was just there over Thanksgiving. When did this kid break his neck?

BTW, this is NOT the first time this has happened there. I know of two other times riders have ridden beyond their abilities and broke their necks. One guy had to be medi-vac'ed (sp?) out of the "pit". The other was bunny hopping a log and caught his back tire and did a Christopher Reeve and landed on the top of his head.

So, there may be continued discussions, but I don't think they'll close the trails.

L8R


Actually it happened on Thanksgiving day.

Here's a picture of the ramp going "UP", the other side (Which you can't see is where the plank was removed)

Sucks, these trails (and stunts) were a blast to ride!

L8R



A2.. when did they put that plank in there? Never saw it before!! By the way... any chance you're racing at Razorback this weekend?

Yeah, I was there on Thanksgiving day! Got there about 10:00 a.m., spent the day and left at sunset (@5:30).

That plank has come and gone several times. I don't get a chance to make it up to Santos all that often. It's a bit of a haul, and to make it worthwhile, I like to spend the night and spend the whole weekend.

As far as Razorback, NO! I'm no racer-boy. I've raced before and enjoyed myself, but it takes a time commitment that I do not have during this point in my life. Work, wife, and 3 year old son, really take most of my time. If I were racing again, I'd have to commit to a series of long training rides during the week. Right now, I only get a chance to ride about 8:00 p.m. or 5:00 a.m., and I'm NOT a morning person. I end up riding for about and hour a night 3 nights per week and then a good 2 or 3 hour ride on Sunday. If I were to start racing, I'd want to double or triple that, and add a long road ride on Saturday. Plus, I spend all day Sat. with my son, I'm not ready to give that up.

Have fun, I really enjoy the trails at Razorback. I also don't get a chance to ride there often (it even further than Santos). Last time I rode there was the 12 hour race in Feb.

Speaking of which, are you going to do the 12 hour this year? I'm considering it. Maybe we could hook up?

L8R

someone broke their neck on that puny little bump? sounds like that kid did not belong there (in terms of skill level)

12 hours of Razorback? Man, that's a tough course for a ride for just the afternoon much less 12 hours! But I suppose I could always give it a try. Are you still doing the Iditaride?

12 hours of Razorback?

Not solo, as a 4 person team. It's not too bad that way. Figure about 45 mins to 1 hr. / lap, so each team member should turn out 3 laps.


Are you still doing the Iditaride?


Yep, 50 miles of off-road riding. Probably won't walk for 3 days after. Jan. 24th. I've got a lot of miles to put in between now and then to get ready. I've never spent that much time in the saddle continuously on my mtn bike. Road bike, yes. Mtn, NO!

Oh yeah, H.Star is doing it with me as well!

L8R

Hmm.... I'm seriously considering the Iditaride. Seems almost massochistic though :o


Still gonna ride at Santos or Razorback the day afterwards?

Here's a picture of the ramp going "UP", the other side (Which you can't see is where the plank was removed)

Sucks, these trails (and stunts) were a blast to ride!

L8R

Just gotta say I wouldn't ride that. It looks completely unsafe. I am willing to ride skinnies but if they seem unstable or weak at all I will gladly walk them.

Bah, pansy! A few crushed vertebrae is a minor pentence for such aerial glory!!

a2psyklnut, are you a member of Ridge Riders? I was wondering where you got the picture, being as I took it?

Bah, pansy! A few crushed vertebrae is a minor pentence for such aerial glory!!

3 ft aerial glory. If I am gonna kill myself I would ride the Jah Drop...;)...

Man, forget that junk. If the pro freeriders cant land it I'll just assume that I can't either :D

a2psyklnut, are you a member of Ridge Riders? I was wondering where you got the picture, being as I took it?



No a member, but I'm signed up on the message board. Sorry for not giving credits. I posted the link above, but pulled the picture for the benefit of the lazy!

L8R

Hmm.... I'm seriously considering the Iditaride. Seems almost massochistic though :o


Still gonna ride at Santos or Razorback the day afterwards?

I so look forward to that "new boy in prision" feel I know I will have after the ride :eek:

Yeah, the next day ride may be a bit optimistic!

However, somehow I have a feeling that my masochistic tendencies will prevail. (I say this now!)

I'm sure my opinions of riding my bike on Sunday will be significantly different somewhere around mile 49.

L8R

Jim311 you may want to consider the Croom 50 if you don't do the Ididaride. At this point I am unsure if I can make Croom, but maybe. http://www.swampclub.org/Croom%2035_50.html

Veddy interesting...