Left FWT and GROC Board

In November of 2011 I joined the board of both the Friends of Webster Trails and the Genesee Reqional Off-Road Cyclists. Both of these groups help maintain the local trails I ride. In both groups I was a "Member at Large". My duties were nothing specific, other than showing up to monthly board meetings. Ideally I'd be contributing in some additional ways, but it wasn't happening. Life is busier than ever and I'm not finding the time and energy for a lot of things. So earlier this week I left the board of both groups. It's a bit sad for me, but I'll still be a member of both and contribute to trail work.

PUTP and JUNT

This morning was the third annual Monroe County Pick Up The Parks (PUTP) event at 7 county parks.  The Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) and the Genesee Regional Off-road Cyclists (GROC) both attended the event at Webster Park.  As a board member of both, and a Webster resident, of course I was there.
The Penfield Green Initiative also had a presence.

There was a great turnout.  I'd guess 50+ volunteers. But Webster Park is a big place so we split into small groups. The park already seemed to be rather clean so it was more like and Easter egg hunt or trying to find the hidden treasures.  The garbage tended to be along the perimeter of open areas where the mowed areas transition to wild vegetation.  The wind blows it there and I guess people throw trash there thinking it's out of sight, out of mind.  I started in a group of about six, but with trash being rare and along a single path, it quickly became obvious that working individually would be most efficient.

I hiked along open park field but soon found some trail to walk.  I actually found some really nice single track that I'll definitely be coming back to for some muni action.  I ride in Webster Park, but it's a big place and I certainly haven't seen it all.  I generally ride in the south end but today's work started in the north.

The majority of what I collected was soda cans and beer bottles.  At one location I stepped off the trail for a beer... bottle only to discover more and more.  There were so many of those old style Genesee bottles with no neck.  Then I found some stranger things, like a very nice serving platter, a bowl, a ladle, and two fancy glasses, all made of crystal!  Plus there was a small but heavy decorative crystal basket about the size of softball.  All this was on a brush and tree covered hillside well off a trail below a picnic area.  If only trees could talk!

With dozens of bottles, cans, and all this crystal, my garbage bag was heavy so I dropped it on the park road at the top of the hill and started a new bag.  I turned away for a few minutes and when I looked back the bag was gone and a car was pulling away.  I guess another PUTP helper was taking it away?  I don't know what happened too it, which is kind of too bad because I would have liked to show my finds off later.

After that I hiked further into the park trails and actually felt like I was lost.  Years ago when I got into muni I explored Webster Park and got lost.  A lot of those trails aren't great, and since I get lost in them I generally stick to my usual loop to the south.  I'm telling you, it's really very easy to get lost in this place.  There are very few trail signs although many of the trails are blazed with paint on trees.  But since I did see a few cool trails I feel like I have to get back in there and ride more.

So while being lost I continued to pick up the occasional trash, mostly cans and bottles.  I found something of a junk pile about 20 feet off one trail and was able to make a good dent in it.  It was mostly plastic oil bottles and beverage containers.  I didn't have space for the busted up toolbox.  It's weird how some stuff seems so out of place.  I'm not sure who was bringing this trash so far from their homes.

Eventually I started to recognize where I was.  I was in the area that I got lost in years ago!  But I kind of remembered a grassy muddy trail that lead to Holt Rd, and sure enough that's where I popped out.  I headed north, collection a small amount of trash along the tree line before eventually seeing the park area near the lodge that was the PUTP home base.
That pretty much ended my exciting garbage collection adventure.

Wow, if you've read this far you must be a connoisseur of fine writing. ;-)
Before I continue, here's my PUTP hike map:

Webster Park - Pick Up The Parks - 2012-04-28

After PUTP I met up with a couple of FWT board members to inspect a section of the John Unger Nature Trail (JUNT),  a short trail off of the Hojack.  There's a 35 foot section of unsustainable muddy trail that we'd like to have a boardwalk built over.  Likely a boy scout will do this work.

John Unger Nature Trail - 2012-04-28

Catching Up

Things have been busy lately and I have neglected my blog a bit, so here's a summary.

P90X
P90X Phase 3 has been a failure so far.  With spring here my mind is just not in it.  I'm also fairly burnt out on it.  I thing the biggest problem is the length of the workouts.  I think I'd like to create my own workouts that are about half as long.  I lost 10 lbs in two months, and got a bit stronger.  It was certainly better than continuing to be dormant.

Riding
While I read about the local mountain bikers getting out to the trails, I have yet to ride.  During the nicer weather my uni wasn't ready, life was busy, and I figured the trails were still a bit wet.  And whenever the weather hasn't been perfect I've shied away from riding.  But soon I will ride!!

Weight Weenie
During the winter I collected some lighter weight parts for my muni.  I'll be posting about those details soon.


FWT
I'm still somewhat active in The Friends of Webster Trails.  We have our monthly meetings, but I also attended a public meeting on March 5th regarding concerns about extending Whiting Road Nature Preserve's green trail to the north.  Some area residence are concerned about things like protecting deer, having hunters in the area, privacy, crime, and noise.  Fortunately for the trail lovers, the town decided to continue to allow trail development.  FWT will work with the neighbors to try to keep everyone as happy as possible.
I'm also planning on leading one of the two FWT trail work days each month.  The first one is two weeks away!
I've also been working a bit with another FWT board member to improve our maps and abilities to create and change them.

GROC
 I don't think there's been much GROC activity happening lately.  Everyone's probably busy riding!

Webster Park
Monroe County had a public meeting on March 21st for residents to offer suggestions on the Webster Park Master Plan.  The attendance was nowhere near what it was for the Powder Mill Park or Ellison Park Area master plans.  But a few from GROC and FWT attended, as well as people with a variety of other interests from butterflies to pickle ball!  As far as opening Webster Park to offroad cycling, for now it will not be considered.  Perhaps that's why attendance was light.  We must wait for the current Tryon and Bay Park West evaluation period to be completed, sometime around November.  So maybe next year.


That's all for now!

GROC Member at Large

Late last week I attended my first GROC board meeting and was voted in as a Member at Large.

So now I'm a Member at Large for both GROC and The Friends of Webster Trails.
Who better to have as a liaison between the a group of mostly two-wheelers and a group of mostly no-wheelers than a one-wheeler!

GROC Mobile Trail Maps

Lost on a trail?
Download the GROC Mobile Trail Maps app from iTunes for your iPhone or iPod!
Or download it for your Android!

As seen above, it's got maps for:

• Irondequoit Bay Park West (BPW)
• Tryon Park
• Dryer Road Park in Victor
• Ontario County Park (OCP)
• Letchworth State Park

Pretty slick and it's free!

GROC

I was recently invited to become a board member of GROC, the Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists.

GROC is an organization of volunteers that has brought the Rochester area so many shared-use trails.  They are the stewards of four parks in our region:

Dryer Road Park in Victor

Ontario County Park in South Bristol

Tryon Park in Rochester

Irondequoit Bay Park West in Rochester

Because of GROC’s efforts, Tryon and Bay Park West are the first two out of the 21 Monroe County Parks to allow legal off-road cycling under a shared-use pilot program.

Two years ago I started working with the Friends of Webster Trails.  Just over a year ago, GROC got the go ahead to start working in Bay Park West and I began helping them.

I expect to officially become a board member at the next GROC meeting.  Hopefully as a board member I can contribute to GROC in a bigger way.