I believe that there is just one short section where ranchhand John Wool can bother you on the Lee Ranch. I was accosted by Mr. Wool prior to Bruce Dinesmore's crossing, and offered two other routes. Later I explored the other routes "suggested" to me by Mr. Wool and actually one of them is slightly shorter and more direct. The other propose route is over the high country and closed to motor traffic about half the year. The more immediate alternate route ends on the pavement within a few feet of the "official route." At that time I discussed the situation with the law enforcement officier for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) who controls the public land in that part of the state. Mr. Wool is well know to him, and to anyone else who travels out there.
However, I found if I was very polite he let me pass. I showed him my maps and my GPS that showed I was exactly where I was suppost to be. I extended the truth a bit and also told him I was being tracked by satelite and that if I deviated from the established route that my wife would be contacting law enforcement immediately. That was pre-SPOT and actually I was completely out of contact with anyone except Mr. Wool.
I called Adventure Cycling Association (ACA), and they said that they would look in to it. In my blog I suggested that ACA did not revise their map to accomodate the Lee Ranch because it might mess up their mapping donations. (They list the names of people who donate at least $100 for evey mile of the route.) I received a rapid reply from ACA that that was not true. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, nothing has changed even though a very reasonable solution was proposed.
The short section in question is where you make the left onto the wide mining road. A mile later you turn right and head out to a paved road. Instead, just go straight and you will end up at the same place at the paved road. Apparently the former is private property and the later is a county road. What could be easier to fix? Plus, you get some nice views of the old volcanic activity that you cannot see as well from the official route.
In any case, unless ACA fixes their map, the TD racers are stuck with possibly dealing with Mr. Wool. It is a shame, because as Mr. Dinesmore reported several years ago it is amazing country that very few people even know about, and even fewer ever see it. Apparently Mr. Lee wants to lock all the gates, and deny access to BLM public lands. The other ranchers do not want the gates locked because they have friends who come visit. Most of them carry guns, so they are not too worried about poachers and rustlers. In fact, one of them told me that he is surprised that Mr. Wool has not been hurt. However, bicyclists are a pretty safe targets. He told me a lot a foreigners "tresspass" and get lost. So, just pretend you do not speak much English.
Failing all of that, and you are not racing, there is another route over the high country. From Hunter's Camp (BLM) you go straight up to the Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area. A series of Forest Service roads eventually (about 40-50 miles later) bring you out just above the San Mateo Spring. That would be an interesting route too. Unfortunately, since only one racer travels the official route between Cuba and Grants once about every three years, there probably is not going to be any route changes, major or minor.
Nevertheless, I was thrilled when I checked the SPOT tracker yesterday afternoon to see that Patrick had taken the official route. Water off a duck's back indeed. Bravo Lantern Rouge! BRAVO!!!
Bravo Lantern Rouge!
I believe that there is just one short section where ranchhand John Wool can bother you on the Lee Ranch. I was accosted by Mr. Wool prior to Bruce Dinesmore's crossing, and offered two other routes. Later I explored the other routes "suggested" to me by Mr. Wool and actually one of them is slightly shorter and more direct. The other propose route is over the high country and closed to motor traffic about half the year. The more immediate alternate route ends on the pavement within a few feet of the "official route." At that time I discussed the situation with the law enforcement officier for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) who controls the public land in that part of the state. Mr. Wool is well know to him, and to anyone else who travels out there.
However, I found if I was very polite he let me pass. I showed him my maps and my GPS that showed I was exactly where I was suppost to be. I extended the truth a bit and also told him I was being tracked by satelite and that if I deviated from the established route that my wife would be contacting law enforcement immediately. That was pre-SPOT and actually I was completely out of contact with anyone except Mr. Wool.
I called Adventure Cycling Association (ACA), and they said that they would look in to it. In my blog I suggested that ACA did not revise their map to accomodate the Lee Ranch because it might mess up their mapping donations. (They list the names of people who donate at least $100 for evey mile of the route.) I received a rapid reply from ACA that that was not true. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, nothing has changed even though a very reasonable solution was proposed.
The short section in question is where you make the left onto the wide mining road. A mile later you turn right and head out to a paved road. Instead, just go straight and you will end up at the same place at the paved road. Apparently the former is private property and the later is a county road. What could be easier to fix? Plus, you get some nice views of the old volcanic activity that you cannot see as well from the official route.
In any case, unless ACA fixes their map, the TD racers are stuck with possibly dealing with Mr. Wool. It is a shame, because as Mr. Dinesmore reported several years ago it is amazing country that very few people even know about, and even fewer ever see it. Apparently Mr. Lee wants to lock all the gates, and deny access to BLM public lands. The other ranchers do not want the gates locked because they have friends who come visit. Most of them carry guns, so they are not too worried about poachers and rustlers. In fact, one of them told me that he is surprised that Mr. Wool has not been hurt. However, bicyclists are a pretty safe targets. He told me a lot a foreigners "tresspass" and get lost. So, just pretend you do not speak much English.
Failing all of that, and you are not racing, there is another route over the high country. From Hunter's Camp (BLM) you go straight up to the Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area. A series of Forest Service roads eventually (about 40-50 miles later) bring you out just above the San Mateo Spring. That would be an interesting route too. Unfortunately, since only one racer travels the official route between Cuba and Grants once about every three years, there probably is not going to be any route changes, major or minor.
Nevertheless, I was thrilled when I checked the SPOT tracker yesterday afternoon to see that Patrick had taken the official route. Water off a duck's back indeed. Bravo Lantern Rouge! BRAVO!!!