Trail Bikes in the Res.

Same here - a group of us almost got hit but for the squeal of hastily applied brakes. Later the same guys were lounging with bikes on a bridge, making it impassible. The response when we pointed out that bikes don't belong on trails: "Thank you."

Mountain bikers in the Res really are their own worst enemy. 

angelak said:
I almost got clocked by two riders this morning the reservation.  I mentioned i didnt think bikes were allowed on the trails.  It's the second time in two vists this week i saw riders.  Did the rules change, maybe? The riders today said they had permission. I doubted it very much.  I didn't come across any this summer.  Maybe they only violate the rules in winter when fewer people are around?

They lied to you. Bikes are not allowed on the trails. They did not have permission.

I was absorbed taking a photograph of a detail on a tree and they came out of nowhere and nearly ran me down.

I was so surprised, I forgot to get a shot of them!

You can go to the Essex County Sheriff's web site and send them a message about the bikes.  The more messages, the more likely they are to make an effort I suppose.

angelak said:
I almost got clocked by two riders this morning the reservation.  I mentioned i didnt think bikes were allowed on the trails.  It's the second time in two vists this week i saw riders.  Did the rules change, maybe? The riders today said they had permission. I doubted it very much.  I didn't come across any this summer.  Maybe they only violate the rules in winter when fewer people are around?

 This.

Many years ago there were mounted policemen (on horses, not bikes) who patrolled the trails -- the stable was where the mulch facility is now.  The current problem with enforcing the "no bikes" rule is that there's no way for the deputies to catch them in the act unless they happen to be in a parking lot when a biker comes out of the woods.  I don't think the rules have changed, there's just nobody backing them up.