Fountainhead Powerlines access?

[wolfram]

I've got a simple question for those in the know. Just tried to ride the South Run power line ride described in Scott Adam's book #34. This ride starts at South Run Rec center near Burke lake and proceeds down to Hampton Rd and then onto the Fountainhead single track. First Section ok, but when the power lines cross Ox rd 3 no trespassing signs and a locked gate put up by Virginia power blocked the dirt access trail. I couldn't find any other trail in the vicinity without scaling a fence, so I proceed down the road. After completing the Fountainhead single track I made my way down Henderson Rd but again could not find the single track described in "Mtn. Bike America Washington/Baltimore" at the intersection of Henderson Rd. and Ox rd. Does anyone know if this ride is still possible? thanks jeff

[mtbmore]

I forwarded yor post to Stu Moulton the Fountainhead Trail Liasion to see what he knows. I sem to remember VA Power deciding to close that section a few years ago but I will defer to Stu.

Scott

[Widebody Driver]

A simple question, eh?

Well, ask a simple question and get a...simple answer? Not quite!

Power line riding has it's hazards. I won't even begin the RF hazard discussion...but...you’ve already encountered the dreaded "No Trespassing" hazard. IMBA is pretty clear about their admonition to "Ride only on open trails." I’m not a lawyer and I’ve never played one on TV so, the legal advice I’m about to give is worth exactly what you’re paying. I believe that Virginia Power does own some degree of control over who is allowed onto their right of way. My understanding is that, generally, they prefer that only their crews have access to the Power Line right of way. Even though they may not vigorously enforce the prohibition of public access, criminal trespass can have consequences. Further, where their right of way abuts private property, those private property owners do have unequivocal right (some may be eager to exercise their right) to bar transit across their property.

There is, to my knowledge, NO LEGAL ACCESS to the Fountainhead MTB Trail from the Power Lines. Where the Power Line right of way passes through NVRPA parkland, the only access to Fountainhead is via horse trails (closed to MTB’s) in the Port Charlotte area. Remember IMBA's admonition: "Ride only on open trails."

Scott's book is pretty clear about the connection from the South Run Power Lines to Fountainhead. "As an added bonus, cyclists can continue from the power lines at Hampton Road (turn right on Hampton Road) and head down to Fountainhead Regional Park where more singletrack awaits the eager cyclists." Just ride the pavement to Fountainhead and enjoy the MTB trail from the trailhead by the parking lot.

So, Jeff, you did the right thing! Unfortunately it's not as much fun to ride the pavement (Hampton Road) to get to Fountainhead. But, it is the right thing to do.

[Dirt]

Wasn't there a big hubbub in that area? If memory serves me correctly, one of the homeowners was claiming that the power line trail was part of their property and they were threatening riders with a gun for tresspassing.

I don't remember what the final solution was, but I do remember mulitiple people on this list commenting that they'd been threatened by the home owner.

Does anyone else remember this?

Happy Trails.

Peter

[redmanrocks]

The problem is with the homeowner that lives on the second residential road that you hit when going west on the power lines towards Hampton Rd. He's a fat pasty white guy with a huge nasty pasty wife and they love to sit out in their yard and wait for riders to come down the power lines. After a few encounters (love to f' with this guy!) last summer with this guy and his wife I've just detoured around through the neighborhood on the first residential road (go right), hang your first left, proceed back to the power lines, and then dive in on the gravel road at the Vepco substation. You only miss 2 downhills and 2 climbs...big deal. Never saw him brandish a weapon unless you want to consider his nasty fat wife some kind of human turd bomb. I rode this trail for 7 years before that neighborhood was built and never had a problem until last summer. This mail is not intended to offend anyone other than the 2 pigs on the power lines.

[Dirt]

LOL Tell us what you really think! Don't hold back now....

Thanks for the info about where the problem folks are. I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm out there.

Peace...

Peter