Road closed / opened

[Michael Aos]

I had been picking random sticks and chunks of concrete / debris off of the new path and tossing them to the side.

I just finally realized it's been the SAME sticks / debris a couple times now.

So someone is coming behind me and throwing the same stuff back on the trail after I clear it.
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I'm thinking it is a case of someone taking umbrage at your actions period. They know you had no right to do it, so they undo it just to send a message.
Be careful, the next step is someone coming into your backyard to escalate or prove a point.

 

[Michael Aos]

One of the neighbors stopped and asked me what I was doing and why when I initially created the new path.

His body language suggested he wasn't especially happy about it, but he didn't SAY anything negative. Mentioned he didn't like the noisy ATV's either.

He was my first thought when all this started, but I can't think of any way he is impacted (benefited are harmed) either way.
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[Michael Aos]

It's just a matter of time now until someone dumps another sofa or mattress or washer or fridge there at the fork of the old / new paths.

My thinking has been if the property looks like it's maintained, maybe people will be a little less inclined to dump stuff out there.
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A softer approach would be to plant some flowers where you had the post. Most will respect that. The idiots won't, but after a couple times most will have been trained - and nobody gets hurt

 

[Michael Aos]

I never expected to prevent them from riding out there. I drive my little RTV500 on the Utilities access path. Kind of like a back alley.

I just moved the corner of their motocross “track” about 50 yards from my backyard. Everyone seemed fine with it.

As far as I can tell, I am the only one affected by the change.

Now my thinking is maybe someone doesn’t want a new motorcycle trail out there - period?

 

[Michael Aos]

I'm thinking you're on the right track.

My best guess at this point is someone doesn't want motorcycles / ATV's on the new path.

I still can't figure out why, but that must be it.

Guessing they just used what was at hand -- including my sign and post -- to obstruct the new path.
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I'm thinking it is a case of someone taking umbrage at your actions period. They know you had no right to do it, so they undo it just to send a message.
Be careful, the next step is someone coming into your backyard to escalate or prove a point.

 

[Michael Aos]

Funny you should mention that.

My dad owns a motorcycle junkyard. I grew up surrounded by motorcycles. I was buzzing around on a little Rupp Roadster 2 starting around 5. At about 12, I started riding a Honda XL175 all kinds of places I shouldn't. I created a motorcross "track" with my Honda CR125R in the farmers empty field behind my parents house. My first "car" was a 1968 Harley XLCH (brake and shifter are reversed from modern bikes). I had a Ducati M900 Monster and Suzuki DR-Z400S when I got married.

Those are just some of the highlights. Basically, if it ran -- or I could get it running -- I could ride it until it sold. Beneli, Bultco, lots of Yamaha's and Honda's.

I think whoever is trying to disrupt my new trail just doesn't want ANY motorcycles back there at all (but I'm still just guessing).
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Ok, I'm going to suggest something different..

A read recently where a noisy dirt bike was playing nearby and disturbing a neighbor. He was going to do something and then realized that if he was 40 years younger, he would be out there talking to them, finding out more about them and their bike, not trying to chase them off..

Perhaps you could stop and talk to some of them, explain kindly your situation and them to help you solve it... could we move the trail a bit to lessen the noise problem (as you tried)? Approach them from a how can we make a few simple changes to allow the area to stay open. They probably don't want to lose the riding area, so if a few changes can be made to stop it from getting shutdown completely, it benefits all involved.

 

[widefat]

Funny you should mention that.

My dad owns a motorcycle junkyard. I grew up surrounded by motorcycles. I was buzzing around on a little Rupp Roadster 2 starting around 5. At about 12, I started riding a Honda XL175 all kinds of places I shouldn't. I created a motorcross "track" with my Honda CR125R in the farmers empty field behind my parents house. My first "car" was a 1968 Harley XLCH (brake and shifter are reversed from modern bikes). I had a Ducati M900 Monster and Suzuki DR-Z400S when I got married.

Those are just some of the highlights. Basically, if it ran -- or I could get it running -- I could ride it until it sold. Beneli, Bultco, lots of Yamaha's and Honda's.

I think whoever is trying to disrupt my new trail just doesn't want ANY motorcycles back there at all (but I'm still just guessing).
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Memories - I started on a Simplex like this - . worked my way through just about every brand. A lady in the neighborhood let us use some of her land to make a track; I think it was around 5 acres. Those were great times.

 

[kthompson]

I also suggest you reach out to the land owner. Some of this can come back to haunt you what you are doing and what to suggest: as has been also suggest find out about local laws, if the land has any wet lands there may be laws there being broken and they can get serious on that, also have you checked with your state wildlife people on any game laws that might apply?

Also with so many houses near by have you tried a signed complaint submitted to the local government body? Have you talked to the local rep?

I also agree you are taking on some responsibility that may go against you.

 

[Michael Aos]

Turns out it was the neighbor I suspected (Russel). He lives a few houses down, and I've interacted with him a few times. My wife has purchased school-sales stuff (like candles, chocolate) from his kid.

We see him and his son walking their dog and generally roaming the field regularly.

Talked to him today. He was pretty livid / rabid, but from what I could gather his son doesn't like the new path.

The kid is "sensitive" (probably 10-ish, possibly autistic or some other developmental disorder) and thinks the new path is ugly and feels bad that a tree was harmed during the construction.

He started out with "It's not your field; I'll rip down all your signs and posts". "I have way more time than you", "If you want a war, I'll give you a war", etc.

He works nights at a local grocery store, so he definitely has more time.

I was eventually able to calm him down. I wasn't able to get him to explain how he benefits or is harmed from having one path open -vs- the other.

He did finally ask that I please block BOTH paths and quit messing around in the field. I told him I would consider it.

On my way home I found that he had already pulled up all my posts and placed them across the new path before he confronted me.
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[Michael Aos]

You called it! Exactly correct.

I'm thinking it is a case of someone taking umbrage at your actions period. They know you had no right to do it, so they undo it just to send a message.
Be careful, the next step is someone coming into your backyard to escalate or prove a point.