[Reef_Raider]

Good morning everyone!

I had a quick question in regards to the location and state of the trials in Ft. Pierce. After doing some research on the status of if the trails are open or not....I'm left a little confused. So my first question is I believe that technically this trail is not legal to ride (land ownership issue), but what are the views of the bike community? What are the Airborne members (group responsible for all the efforts there) opinions on riding there currently?

Also if the general opinion is that it is okay to ride the trail....I haven't been able to find a good indication of directions to the area or the trialhead. I would be coming from West Palm Beach to the south.

Thanks for your time!

 

[FloridaFish]

It's kinda tough to answer those questions on a public forum... i would like to invoke my 5th amendment right.

airbornemtb.org has good maps and location info

 

[Flboy]

Turnpike to the Fort Pierce exit. Turn east and take your first right on okeechobee. It is a dirt road directly next to the holiday inn express. that will lead you to the the trail head.

It is not legal yet ,but hopefully it will be legal in the near future. Everything is coming together properly, BUT it is moving at a snail's pace.

Technically you have to be an airborne member and sign a waiver to ride the trail.

 

[Guest]

Turnpike to the Fort Pierce exit. Turn east and take your first right on okeechobee. It is a dirt road directly next to the holiday inn express. that will lead you to the the trail head.

It is not legal yet ,but hopefully it will be legal in the near future. Everything is coming together properly, BUT it is moving at a snail's pace.

Technically you have to be an airborne member and sign a waiver to ride the trail.

Well heck brother, I am a airborne club member. I get airborne as much as possible when I am riding!

Ha!Ha!.....Seriously, as much as I have rode that trail, I did not know you had to be a Airborne MTB Club member to ride it, and sign a waiver. Heck, I sign a waiver with death every time I ride, so that should count for something.....Right?.

Anyways, hope all is well with you and all yours brother, been a long time seeing you guys.

 

[Reef_Raider]

Thanks for all the information guys! I guess I won't out right say it, but my trip up north was definitely worthwhile yesterday!

 

[Acme54321]

You have to be a club member and sign a waiver to ride an illegal trail? That place has been "almost legal" for 5 years.

 

[Flboy]

Sorry guys I am only passing along what I have been told. I beleive this is the policy of IDI the actual owners of the property. They agreed to let the trail stay open as long as they would not be liable if someone was hurt on the trail. The solution is a waiver to be signed and it is all to go through airborne ( the guys that have been fighting to make the trail legal).

This is not much different than the deal with the T.O.E. and the ridge riders. Hopefully this will all change in the near future and FTP will become legit, and won't suffer the fate of the grapefruit trail, RIP.

There is a lot of guys that ride the trail that are not members. I am pretty sure no one has got introuble for riding the trail.

Like Flfish said check the http://www.airbornemtb.org/

I should have plead the 5th too.

 

[Guest]

This is not much different than the deal with the T.O.E. and the ridge riders. Hopefully this will all change in the near future and FTP will become legit, and won't suffer the fate of the grapefruit trail, RIP.

No worries bro, I was just BS'ing. BTW, do not count out the life beat of the GFT yet. Its still there, just less of it. A small group will be there Sunday riding, so I will be able to better asses the trail from that point. :thumbsup:

 

[Flboy]

I rode it on Wed. and it was dead. I can see how it will come back in the future. It doesn't have a chance until Tillman is donewith the work. Looks like they destroyed more of the trail than they needed to to create the retention pond they built. Why the hell did they need to build that anyways?

I was hoping to see you up there, then I realized I wasn't going to see anyone because the trail doesn't flow anymore and is not quite ridable.

 

[Guest]

I rode it on Wed. and it was dead. I can see how it will come back in the future. It doesn't have a chance until Tillman is donewith the work. Looks like they destroyed more of the trail than they needed to to create the retention pond they built. Why the hell did they need to build that anyways?

I was hoping to see you up there, then I realized I wasn't going to see anyone because the trail doesn't flow anymore and is not quite ridable.

Thanks for the heads up! :thumbsup:

Yeah, a buddy told me that they were laying tree stumps across the trails among other just plain mean and ruthless things. Enough to get them in a lot of trouble if someone gets hurt because of their doings. I will definitely be checking it out Sunday, though I have not rode it that much this summer. Been doing more urban assault and riding other trails in FL.

Can't wait until we move up to the Asheville area in NC in the next year. No worries with riding up that way, either XC, AM, or Gravity......

 

[Flboy]

One of my buddies just moved there a monthy and a half ago. He is super stoked on the place.

 

[Guest]

One of my buddies just moved there a monthy and a half ago. He is super stoked on the place.

I haven't even moved up there yet and I am really stoked over this move. BTW, not to get too off topic here, but I rode the GFT today and I was totally ambushed to what I witnessed bro. The GFT is nearly 80% gone, with only just a little biddy part of the east section left. I cannot believe that after all the damage and destruction done out there from the past to this present day, that the 6' drop with the 10' gap is still there in the east section. Both the drop and the rolling drop along side it were still there and in prime condition. Just mesmerizes me about that. :eekster:

Anyways, maybe in 6months to a year it will be back with some type of life beat once more. Only time will tell. RIP for now GFT. :cryin:

 

[FloridaFish]

damn, how are they destroying the trail? earth-movers, vegetation clearing? just wondering if the elevation changes are still present.

 

[Guest]

damn, how are they destroying the trail? earth-movers, vegetation clearing? just wondering if the elevation changes are still present.

By earth-movers along with vegetation removal. The entire trail west of where that single double DJ that was coming down from ridge line next to the big oak tree is totally gone. The only part of the GFT's entire ridge line that is left is from where the two DJ's are in the mid-section (where that sandwich drop used to be and the bottom trail comes up) and east of that. My heart totally drop to my feet. All these years working and building up the GFT and then come out to see what I saw today was just very depressing.

If the GFT is left alone for at least six months and allow the building and construction to cease, there is a great chance for another life beat again. Awesome possibilities, but just have to wait. Hopefully this will lead to better days for the GFT, but not holding my breath. Man, I can't wait to move to NC.

 

[Flboy]

It will be there again I am sure, jus twill be quite a while. It would be foolish to try to do anything while they are doing construction. probably just piss them off and woudl do more damage.

Flfish, the ridgelines are biger now, but not with the same canal dredged dirt, and there are trees stacked up on the trail in multiple places. Kinda weird how it is totally destroyed then you come up to a short section that is in pristine condition.

I think the kids that live in the hood right there will continue to ride what is left and that should kinda keep it a viable base for rebuilding in the future. If I lived there I would still play on what is left. Although I would drive 5 minutes to ride there though.

 

[Guest]

It will be there again I am sure, jus twill be quite a while. It would be foolish to try to do anything while they are doing construction. probably just piss them off and woudl do more damage.

From what I have heard, the Tillman District may end up leveling the entire woods and have it like it is on the north side of the Tillman Canal. Only time will tell within the next 6 months or so. I will continue to session in the east section and whats left of the mid-section for now when I am not riding other trails out of town. The other two local trails are no where near as fun as the GFT. I guess I will be spending more time in Ft. Pierce again. Man, I hope we never loose that one, that is another version of the GFT but without all the FR stuff and bigger rollers that the GFT did offer and may once more.

It would be real sweet if they actually build that FR Park out at the BMX track in PB, but it may be more talk than action from this point.

 

[Flboy]

Chili when are you planing on hitting FTP next?

 

[Guest]

Chili when are you planing on hitting FTP next?

Not sure at this point, but I would like to get some of the guys here to make a group trip down there within this month. I will definitely give you a heads up to what date in advance. I just wish it would cool down a bit though.

I am aiming for within two weeks hopefully.

 

[Flboy]

not cooloing down anytime soon. Aactually the afternoons are nice. Say around six ish.