Outside Insider
Get the inside perspective on what's happening on the outdoor scene. Weekly column by Ray Ford explores a variety of issues and topics.
Why Mountain Bikes Need Regulating
A Closer Look at the Front Country Trails
Ray takes a look at the reasons why we should be wary of mechanization of the front country trails. Read story.
Zaca Fire Impacts Drinking Water Treatment
City Confident Water Will Meet Strict Health Standards
Ray takes a look at how the Zaca Fire has impacted local water resources. Read story.
Go Online, Get Outdoors
Check out our new online outdoor guide. Read story.
A Spring Season Without Wilderness Trails?
Leadership Team Will Evaluate Burned Area Trails Soon.
Within the next several weeks Forest officials will make decisions about which parts of the wildernesses burned by the Zaca Fire will reopen for use. Read story.
Trails Council Honors Kalon Kelley
Kelley honored for his long time trail efforts.
As is often the case, many of those who have the most impact in our community are those who you hear little about. Kalon is one of those: dedicated to caring for our local trails and opening new ones for the public, he does it in a quiet and effective way. This Monday the Trails Council will present its Environmental Award to Kalon for these efforts. Read story.
Trail Organization Slammed For Supporting Multi-Use
Montecito Trails Foundation criticized for its support of multi-use on the trails.
Ray takes on Montecito Journal writer Lynn Kirst who slams local trail organization for supporting multi-use on the trails. Trail cooperation and tolerance take another leap backwards, worthy organization's image is tarnished, all because of one person's antipathy towards mountain bikes. Read story.
The Ideal Trail Partner
It is Time for the City, County and Forest Service to Partner Up
Chairman Steve Forsell pondered what might have been the most important question asked yet. “Is there a group out there the three agencies can partner with?” he asked. Read story.
Forest Closure to be Reduced
Some parts of the forest will be re-opened for recreation but much of it will stay closed
Though it will be good news to those who want to get back out into Los Padres Forest, many will be disappointed at how little access will be allowed. What has been a summer-long closure of most of the Santa Barbara backcountry may extend thoughout the winter. Read story.
Task Force Blues
Is the Front Country Task Force Doing its Job?
One might have thought from the agenda that the Task Force was closing in on some sort of proposal the commissioners could take back to their respective agencies. This is definitely not the case: there will most likely be lots more of what are becoming mind-numbing meetings before any recommendations will be on the table. Read story.
Trails Gone Gonzo
Is Free Speech Threatened on Trail Issues?
Ray Ford reports on the latest explosion in the ongoing biker versus hiker trail debate, an increasingly tense drama that now includes molotov cocktail threats and a crazy YouTube video of bikers racing down Tunnel Trail. Read story.
Trail Standards Needed
How can you manage what you haven't studied?
You'd think after six months of working on the front country trails, the public agencies would have a pretty good idea of the current trail conditions on each of the front country trails, have objective standards in place for measuring use, and a clear idea of who uses the trails and how often. Not so. Read story.
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