Knapps Castle

[jefedelosjefes]

I heard that Knapps in SB got plowed and basically all the singletrack gone in an effort to create a future firebreak / fire access road. Can anyone confirm this? That was one of my favorite trails in SB... bastards.

[Zark]

I've heard its been plowed, but to what extent, I don't know.
3 years ago the top portion was plowed, about 1.25 miles. Hopefully thats all that happened this time too. I've been too bummed on the news to go check it out.

[Edgy]

That would be a real bummer...that trial certainly rocks!

[Zark]

I got more info about Knapps. The USFS has plowed the whole ridgeline Knapps crosses, 4 blades wide. There's sections ofintact singletrack but on the whole its destroyed, a very sad event. RIP Knapps....

[Pat...]

:disgust::shakefist: I haven't even ridden it...

[dwnhiller]

why? they call it rehab! wtf! but if you put in a single track or cut a corner the enviromental impact is huge, but dozing 4 blades wide is rehab:lighten:

[Pat...]

Was it plowed as a fire line, or just for sake of plowing?

[jefedelosjefes]

Truly a sad day...

[Zark]

This was a fire break. This was not a vendetta against MTB or anything like that. The Entire Camino Cielo ridge has been plowed 4 blades wide. Plowing Knapps was probably to defend the few homes on Camino Cielo between Knapps and the Hwy 154.

I don't like any more than any of you, but I understand why it was done. A 250,000 acre fire is nothing to mess around with. One wind shift could have turned it directly to SB with pretty disasterous consequences.

Knapps is one of my favorite trails in the area and I hope it can be rebuilt and even improved. I'm trying to be optimistic about this right now ;)

[Pat...]

This sucks, but at least it was done for a very good reason. Is Knapps like the front country trails, where you can't just go work on it, w/o a bunch of BS?

[dwnhiller]

if all it is a firebreak fifty yards to the left should have worked as well

[Pat...]

Does anyone know how much of Romero has been plowed?

[nanhar]

We shuttled Knapps Castle on New Year's Day. For those of you familiar with the trail, it was used to transport firefighting equipment and has been closed up until a few weeks ago. The 1st half of the trail is now smooth double track and very fast. There are a few corners that are still not packed down and are quite loose. Once you hit the singletrack you find that much of the trails had to be recut because of the bulldozing. All in all, it is still a very fun trail. A good one for multiple shuttles and for honing your cornering skills and working on your speed.

[Zark]

I rode it on New Years Eve. It is still fun.

This trail still needs work and I'd like to encourage people to take it easy on the new singletrack in the plowed areas, they are still pretty soft.
And please stay off Knapps within 5 days of a good rain, the trail turns into gorilla snot that isn't fun to ride and really bad for the trail.

There will be a trail maintenance event on Knapps soon, I'll post it as soon as the date is determined.

[wydopen]

i actually rode my bike for once a few weeks ago..did knapps..its as fun as it was...

[5150dhbiker]

I'm riding it tomorrow at about 3, so I'll let ya guys know what condition it's in.

[BMCarter]

I hiked it today. It's a lot longer than i ever realized! You cover a lot of ground and elevation on the fire road.

I actually enjoy the trail a bit more now, i think some of the new sections are quite fun. Still a bit muddy down towards the bottom (the steep/rocky part), but the rest of the trail was great, damp but tacky.

[zmtber]

I think SBMTV just did some work on the trail recently but I could be mistaken

[BMCarter]

Yeah, the trail was great! They did a fantastic job, all of the turns have nice berms, and the trail was in perfect shape. I had to move a few rocks and sticks as I was hiking to the top, but other than that I was blown away with how great it was. I was expecting a trail that wasnt rideable.

My only complaint is it looks like some people are starting to cut an illegal trail that goes straight down the hill and bypasses the switchbacks that are in the trees. Pretty pathetic......

I need to get more involved with the group. I haven't lived in SB for the last year, but now I'm here until August.

[5150dhbiker]

Haha, sounds like some people need help cornering!

[dwnhiller]

bmcarter how long did it take you to get at the top? takes me 2 hours pushing my dh bike. and your right you get a new respect for the trail hiking it and a i think it makes you faster

[BMCarter]

1:45 minutes. Took 14 minutes to get down..... I made the mistake of wearing my 510 shoes and got wicked blisters on both my feet.

But I actually enjoy hiking trails with my bike. You get much more enjoment out of the ride.

[Cult Hero]

There has always been a trail that cuts the switchbacks. It used to be pretty much an alternate line about 6 years ago and the USFS came and brushed to try and hide it. It has reappeared due to the brush clearing.

[Zark]

friendly reminder: stay off Knapps when its wet guys! Its been raining a ton and its going to take a LONG time to dry out. Lets not have it dry out with tread marks all over it ;)

[5150dhbiker]

friendly reminder: stay off Knapps when its wet guys! Its been raining a ton and its going to take a LONG time to dry out. Lets not have it dry out with tread marks all over it ;)

Don't worry...I won't go out there. My bike is out of comission anyways. Also, it's too cold to ride :(

But ya...Knapps is freakin' SWEET! I miss some of the parts that it used to have but overall, i'd say it's still way high up on the fun factor!

[gemini2k]

yo, got my 6inch bike today noah, it is HOT, GT sanction 2.0, simply glorious. 34-ish, and I can easily lose 3-4 lbs

[Zark]

Yeah Dan, thats sweet! I'm building up a mini-DH'r myself, 2003 bullit with a 36 talas, shooting for a similar target weight too.

[gemini2k]

ya i got 2 wheelsets for it, dt x-430 w/ 2.35 nevegals, and then mtx's with michi DH tires. I just curious if the fork is gonna hold up (entry level zoke 55)

[Zark]

Knapps Castle mainenance!
February 23rd SBMTV is performing maintenance on Snyder trail.
This will be primarily tread work, not brushing. So if you like shaping corners and rolling grade drainage dips this is for you! Give a little back to the trail thats given you so much fun!

I'll post more specific details as they become available
~N

[ultraNoob]

Zark... guess we'll see you in a few. Since you're doing maint on Knapps that sat... will you still be able to ride tunnel? I'll talk to OZ and Sluck to see what's up. They keep saying I need to pop my cherry at tunnel.

[Abstrakt51]

Some folks and I will be in your hood this Saturdizzle to enjoy the fruits of what SB has to offer. Holler.

[Pat...]

I'll be working on the new dh course at Chamberlin this Saturday. I'd like to ride in SB Sunday, but public transportation is bullsh!t and doesn't happen on Sunday.

[Zark]

SBMTV event: Snyder (knapps castle) Trail maintenance

In October, after the fire dozers obliterated parts of the Snyder trail, we did a restoration project. Sunday, Feb. 24, we will try to repair any water damage that threatens to undo all that hard work.

Meet: 8:30 at the Sears parking lot near the corner of La Cumbre and Calle Real. We will be carpooling.

Work: Snyder (Knapp's) trail - repairing trailbed rain damage.

Bring: Snacks, water, long pants, work shoes, gloves, bike helmet ( we will supply tools, gloves, helmets also).

Afterwards: 3:00 Late lunch of BBQ chicken, beans and rice. Sponsored by Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch.

to RSVP email pherning@sbmtv.org

[5150dhbiker]

Sounds fun. I'll be in Fontana though.

Ya, I rode Knapps on Monday and it most defenately needs work on the bottom section!!!! Other then that, the turns seem to be holding up pretty well.

It was some great riding too...we met some people that flew out from NH just to ride our trails for the week!!!!

[Zark]

So there was a reschedule of the maintenance to this past weekend, and not a huge turnout. I didn't know about it until the night before.

Anyway we reworked the last singletrack segment before you hit the fireroad. The creek overtook the trail and we rerouted higher. Also new are the rock reinforced drainage devices and cleaned up lines in that area.
I'll let y'all know if any other maintenances are coming up.

~N

[BMCarter]

Any maintenence plans for San Ysidro or Tunnel?

San Ysidro is very overgrown right now, and unless something has changed, so is Tunnel.

Please keep us updated, hopefully I will actually be able to make it to a trail work day soon.

[5150dhbiker]

Yep, not only is tunnel overgrown but there are some rocks that still need to be moved (as of Friday). Since my bike is not good to ride right now I'll probably do a hike on there to clean some things up.

[BMCarter]

Yep, not only is tunnel overgrown but there are some rocks that still need to be moved (as of Friday). Since my bike is not good to ride right now I'll probably do a hike on there to clean some things up.

I'm down to do that with you since i cant ride for at least 2 weeks. :(

I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder, its so painful, and i have to keep it in a sling until it heals.

[5150dhbiker]

I'm down to do that with you since i cant ride for at least 2 weeks. :(

I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder, its so painful, and i have to keep it in a sling until it heals.

That SUCKS man! So that's why you're not comming down to Fontana this weekend.

Hit me up so we can hike it in the morning sometime before I have to go to work. I'll try to find a day where I don't work till 11 and we'll do it then. Ya, tunnel needs alot of work so I'll bring my cutters and start from the top down.

Anyone else down to help?

[BMCarter]

mornings dont work for me, i have class at 9:30 every day. :(

t/th after 12:30 do, or fridays after 11. or weekends.

[5150dhbiker]

Well, what a supprise...the one day I can go out and do some trail work in the morning I wake up feeling sick as a dog!

Haha, oh well, I'll try again after the race this weekend.

[BMCarter]

yeah, i wont be riding for a while, so i'm down to do it whenever. i just hope i'm better before spring break!

I sold the M3 today :( The guy is coming back to pick it up, and give me the cash on Saturday, so hopefully i'll be picking up a Tacoma in the next week or so. I owe you guys a lot of shuttles, haha.

[5150dhbiker]

yeah, i wont be riding for a while, so i'm down to do it whenever. i just hope i'm better before spring break!

I sold the M3 today :( The guy is coming back to pick it up, and give me the cash on Saturday, so hopefully i'll be picking up a Tacoma in the next week or so. I owe you guys a lot of shuttles, haha.

I know how that feels...I miss my BMW SOOOOOOO much :(

Btw, I'm down to get a bigger group together to do some work on Tunnel because I'm off all day Mon. and Tues.

Hey, Noah...let me know if you're down to help too (so far it's myself and Brent^^^). I'm tired of being scared of random rocks on tunnel...I miss my clean trail, hehe.

[BMCarter]

I can do Tuesday after 1pm

[BMCarter]

when are we going to do this?

[Zark]

I can't help out. I work until 5 every day, sorry!

[BMCarter]

now that we have more light, an after 5 might work?

and tomorrow may not work for me. I think i'm going to filmore to check out a truck. It sucks not having a car, so i need to find a new one asap!

[Zark]

Well today and Tuesday are out for me, but I'd be up for an after work deal at some point.

[5150dhbiker]

Cool. It looks like I'm about to head on up there right now since myself and kevin don't have working bikes, lol.

[Pat...]

I'll have time Wednesday from 10-2.

[5150dhbiker]

Well, I just now got down from Tunnel (started down at 2). It's looking really good now. We removed TONS of branches and rocks that should not be where they were.

Ya, we got a few compliments from some of the local hikers saying they liked that people were actually out working on it.

Can't wait to get back on there once I get my fork back from SRAM (sooo slow)!!!

[BMCarter]

Well, I just now got down from Tunnel (started down at 2). It's looking really good now. We removed TONS of branches and rocks that should not be where they were.

Ya, we got a few compliments from some of the local hikers saying they liked that people were actually out working on it.

Can't wait to get back on there once I get my fork back from SRAM (sooo slow)!!!

you guys all done, or does it need some more work?

turns out i'm not looking at a truck tomorrow, it sold. so if the trail needs more maint i'm down for tomorrow.

[5150dhbiker]

I'll let you know but it looks pretty good right now. I really need to ride it to be able to tell what it's like, but it seems to be good.

[5150dhbiker]

Knapps looks good! I must say that the section at the very end did catch me off guard though! I didn't know about the line you guys made going to the right! haha!

[BMCarter]

Knapps looks good! I must say that the section at the very end did catch me off guard though! I didn't know about the line you guys made going to the right! haha!


Seriously. I rode it a few times late today, and I finally found the line on the right the 2nd time, after I crashed on the left the first time. Noticed the new line as I was laying on the ground trying to find my bike! :imstupid:

Trail looks great though!


One of my friends brought it up, but at the next trail work day, someone (hopefully me as I need to get out there) should build some ramps or jumps so you can clear all the ruts from the water going across the fire road. They claimed a few tubes today. Anyone else agree/disagree with that?

[Zark]

Knapps looks good! I must say that the section at the very end did catch me off guard though! I didn't know about the line you guys made going to the right! haha!

Its kinda a two line deal, smooth line with a skipper jump on the right and a rocky, chunky mess on the left that starts off with the waterbar to end all waterbars.:banana:

BMcarter. I was thinking the same thing w/ skipper jumps over the ruts, but I think its going to take mechanized assistance to work with anything up top. Its too dry to work with and concrete hard. My feeling is lines are starting to form already and ruts are great for testing suspension setups:banana:

[BMCarter]

the waterbar to end all waterbars.:banana:



Yeah, no kidding! I think that might have been what threw me off the bike. All I know is I'm unable to brake when my tires aren't on the ground. haha

I guess if we get some more rain (like that's going to happen) I'll just hike the top part with a shovel and at least try to make something to help hop over them.

[Zark]

Yeah, no kidding! I think that might have been what threw me off the bike. All I know is I'm unable to brake when my tires aren't on the ground. haha

I guess if we get some more rain (like that's going to happen) I'll just hike the top part with a shovel and at least try to make something to help hop over them.

I had a feeling that one was gonna kick hard, but I didn't really know how hard until I rode it this weekend!:huh: I'd like to say it'll wear down.....but we made it with rocks and mud, its gonna last!

Yeah, if we do get any rain it might be workable up top.

[BMCarter]

Hit a booby trap today on tunnel.

It was up near the top, where the trail gets narrow and steep, and goes around a blind left hand turn. Someone built a 2ft high wall of rocks, right across the trail. Of course I went OTB and I was LIVID!!!! Some hikers came walking up as I was moving it/cursing like a sailor and were way confused until I told them what i was doing. Luckily that was the only on I came across today.

[The Mexi-can]

just lift the front end and plow it, the suspension should take it......

[5150dhbiker]

Now I'm kinda glad I didn't ride tunnel with you this morning!

That sucks though.

[BMCarter]

Looks like it's supposed to rain tomorrow!

Who wants to go up with me and try to make some jumps over the ruts tomorrow afternoon if the rain has stopped. If not, then I'll be doing it Thursday morning.

Brent

[m-dub]

I rode it yesterday and its fun as ever. Big thanks to all that have done trail work! Love all the little kickers.

[Abstrakt51]

SB peeps. Anybody free this Thursday to show some Canucks around on your local trails? (Tunnel/CS) 2 super cool dudes from Quebec who are touring CA for 2 weeks to see what we have to offer. We showed them Laguna and some other local DH spot and they tore the **** out of it, so we figure they need something a bit more challenging.

A few of us locals may be able to come up as well but its still up in the air. Let me know and I'll have them get in contact with you.

Thanks