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Post by Bob T on Jul 5, 2020 9:53:42 GMT -5
I don't know if you have seen it on FB but all the trails behind Walmart to Gary are being shut down. A hunt club has leased 18,000 acres and putting up around 13 gates. More trails in the area are also being closed. I am in contact with someone who knows the details.
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Post by Bob T on Jul 5, 2020 11:04:24 GMT -5
I am in communications with the person who has leased it and he is sending me a map.
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Post by David B on Jul 5, 2020 14:22:16 GMT -5
WindmillGap road now has signs saying “closed to all traffic”.
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Post by Bob T on Jul 5, 2020 14:56:59 GMT -5
The guy I am talking to is a mine inspector and he supposedly know what the plans are for WMG
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Post by Randy_R on Jul 5, 2020 15:48:15 GMT -5
Glad I didn’t ride that way yesterday. I hate to see less trails...,
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Post by Wiley M on Jul 5, 2020 19:08:47 GMT -5
Well that sucks!
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Post by Bob T on Jul 5, 2020 19:57:14 GMT -5
He just sent me some info I am tying to understand but it looks like a lot all the way down to Anawalt including Black Wolf mine, Totten Ridge, etc.
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Post by Bob T on Jul 5, 2020 22:03:53 GMT -5
Attached is a map of what is closing. I understand the area by the Welch football field is also under lease. HM new July 2 map shows the connector trail has been moved east
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Mike M
Seasoned Trail Rider
Posts: 152
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Post by Mike M on Jul 6, 2020 6:04:43 GMT -5
Bummer! I just rode the Anawalt, Totten Ridge, and Black Wolf mine trails into Gary about a month ago.
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Post by tylerr87 on Jul 6, 2020 11:32:40 GMT -5
We rode it yesterday. A lot of gates. Can’t imagine the locals will leave the gates alone.
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Post by Lonnie W on Jul 6, 2020 17:43:49 GMT -5
I may be wrong but it sure does look like someone is trying to force us to ride H/M trails, so much has change in the last 5 years.
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Post by Bob T on Jul 6, 2020 18:23:32 GMT -5
I think HM may have some issues with new land owner
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Post by Randy_R on Jul 6, 2020 18:54:23 GMT -5
The HM trails are more than when I started riding WV in 2006. We also ride far further - Sophia, Skyline, Gilbert, and War were unthinkable for a day ride.
We don’t explore locally as much as we did years ago but we definitely go further.
What’s the next place? It’s gotta be 80 miles one way. I do know it’s time to head back to Oceana at some point. It’s been more than 3 years.
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Post by Lonnie W on Jul 6, 2020 19:36:02 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, I feel H/M has opened up lots of area's to ride and I love riding their trail systems. I just see as they expand other places keep getting closed off.
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Post by Wiley M on Jul 7, 2020 7:45:56 GMT -5
State of WV really should get involved when some of these big tracks of land go up for sale to make part of the HM system. They would generate a lot more commerce from an expanded HM system and have control, with a lease you never know what’s going to change and when.
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Mike M
Seasoned Trail Rider
Posts: 152
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Post by Mike M on Jul 7, 2020 8:47:26 GMT -5
I saw somewhere that the hunt club is paying $30k to lease the land. Land owner gets cash and doesn't have to do a thing. If H&M takes over his land does the land owner get anything?
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Post by Bob T on Jul 7, 2020 9:19:23 GMT -5
Hunt club is paying far less, they only have 18,000 acres, the top part. I have been told that a chinese company has leased the bottom portion to get some slate/shale. I understand that Pocahontas Coal company sold a lot of land to a Texas company who is doing all the leasing. I don't think the state has any input at all. HM has shirts with Cabwaylingo on them. This is basically East Lynn.
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Post by David B on Jul 7, 2020 10:36:36 GMT -5
I think that we are in the Hayday of riding in WV now. We will see more private land closures due to out of state purchasers. Enjoy it now. Eventually only the pay to ride areas will be available. This may be after I am too old to care.
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Post by Randy_R on Jul 7, 2020 17:51:47 GMT -5
I take the opposite thought. Riding in WV will get bigger for next 10 years.
Here’s why: 1. Sxs have made it more accessible. 2. Famous BOBT maps have made trails easier to navigate. 3. More places to stay 4. Fits new social distancing model 5. Tons of great restaurants 6. Lower WV is doing better than 5 or 10 years ago - some of the trashiest places are gone. Less trash piles. Still bad but not as bad. 7. Mountaintop mining ruins land for anything but Offroad riding 8. Somehow it seems people have more $$$ to spend 9. Polaris, Can-am, and others will support lower WV since it helps sell machines 10. Makes great social media pics and videos
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Post by David B on Jul 7, 2020 18:01:36 GMT -5
I take the opposite thought. Riding in WV will get bigger for next 10 years. Here’s why: 1. Sxs have made it more accessible. 2. Famous BOBT maps have made trails easier to navigate. 3. More places to stay 4. Fits new social distancing model 5. Tons of great restaurants 6. Lower WV is doing better than 5 or 10 years ago - some of the trashiest places are gone. Less trash piles. Still bad but not as bad. 7. Mountaintop mining ruins land for anything but Offroad riding 8. Somehow it seems people have more $$$ to spend 9. Polaris, Can-am, and others will support lower WV since it helps sell machines 10. Makes great social media pics and videos All true Randy, after 10 more years who knows?
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