Their Fair Share : Cyclists Donate Time and Labor to Maintain O.C.’s Public Trails for All to Use--and to Improve the Mountain Biker’s Image

With the encroachment of new homes and commercial development slowly engulfing the Foothill Ranch area of Orange County, the entrance to Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is barely visible.

Even the customers of the new supermarket are oblivious to the entrance nestled into a hillside, only a few yards away.

On an early Sunday morning, a group of about 100 cyclists wearing colorful biking gear streams into the park’s entrance like a colony of fire ants entering its hill. But the riders won’t be spending an afternoon of rigorous biking. They plan to give back to their playground by helping out with a trail-maintenance program sponsored by a nonprofit volunteer group called Share-Concerned Cyclists of Orange County.

Working in conjunction with the state parks service, Orange County and Cleveland National Forest rangers, the group is devoted to maintaining the trails for all to enjoy.

Because of county and state budget constraints, the group’s labor--using shovels, pick axes and clippers to trim back over-growth and repair the trails from overuse--proves invaluable.

“Sometimes we take a hand-selected crew and work with the rangers doing special projects,” says Bob Loeffler, president of Share. “We build bridges that require a lot of time and work on areas that have suffered major erosion damage.”

In the past, mountain bicyclists have been criticized by lower-impact trail users who charge that bikers create excessive erosion and damage to the trails and that some riders are unconcerned about the park’s environment.

Established in 1988 by a handful of Orange County biking enthusiasts, Share was formed because the group realized it had a responsibility to maintain the trails and to enhance the image of the mountain bicyclists.

“Mountain bicyclists were given a bad rap,” says Jim Meyer, 51, one of the group’s first members. Other trail users “tend to think of mountain bike people as young radicals and uncaring, but it’s just not true.”

Share also plans to expand its duties by helping rangers patrol the parks. “Mountain bikers are the fastest trail users,” Loeffler said. The main directive “is to keep bikers on the trails, keep speed down and show a little more etiquette for other trail users, but if anyone has a problem that they need assistance with, we can get the word out fast.”

Share is always looking for volunteers. “We always get more people while we are out riding,” Meyer said. “We seem to be a pretty gregarious bunch.” When bikers go by, we ask, ‘Are you guys here to ride or to work? Grab a shovel and stop for an hour and work,’ ” Meyer said.

When the group finishes its work for the day, the members are treated to a pancake breakfast, raffle and booths that provide maps and information on Orange County trails and groups.

With the trails now well-trimmed and in good shape for the coming winter rains, the bikers enjoy their breakfast and camaraderie of old and new friends.

“I think people are getting more aware of their (responsibility to the trails),” Meyer said with a sigh. “We know we have to pay to play.”

Share memberships are available for $20 annually, $15 for students 18 years or older. For families, it’s $20 for first membership and $10 for each additional member.

Share also hosts rides every Sunday afternoon at various Orange County trails.

For information and latest trail conditions and closures, call the Share hot line at (714) 222-3334.