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 Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
I know this topic has been talked about in the past, but it's been awhile and I was wondering what the REAL DEAL with these things are. I've heard that they are just a "pilot" program, and you are NOT required to purchase one, or if you get a ticket for not having one displayed while parked in the forest you aren't obligated to pay the fine. So, if anyone has some facts regarding Adventure Passes that can be backed up, please post the lowdown on these things.

Today, on our way to ride Holy Jim, we stopped by the BIG 5 on El Toro to buy one, and the chic there said that the powers that be had "recalled" them from the stores. Whats up with that? I asked her, and she didn't know.
Posted by Bdee riding a jamis dakar from long beach, ca on 02/02/04


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  •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
    Read all about it here: Adventure Pass Program homepage. A quick websearch for "Adventure Pass Program" will come up with a thousand or so links to a variety of opinions on the issue. If you bought more than one in the last year, you've bought too many.
    Posted by Big on 02/03/04

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    •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
      At the bottom of the page is a link to > legal info and disclaimers> then left side of that page is > permits and passes. That page includes the Clevland Nat. as PASS REQUIRED.

      What are you seeeing differently?
      Posted by Sore Thumb a Weekend Warrior on 02/03/04


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      •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
        You'll find my meaning in here
        I didn't say it wasn't REQUIRED, I just meant you only need one...to use over and over again...until you get caught. If you are buying ONE each and every time you go to the forest and park in an area where it is required, you are wasting your money. Is my drift being caught here, now?
        Posted by Big a Die-hard Enthusiast on 02/03/04

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        •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
          What I see is you are too cheap to spend $30 a year.
          Posted by Sore Thumb a Weekend Warrior on 02/04/04

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          •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
            No, not cheap. Some of us, even though we work harder than others, don't have the deepest of pockets. Any way, you missed the whole point. We're stickin' it to the man, here...got it now? Tell ya what...you just continue to keep paying your share and we'll continue to pay ours. Now, don't be Sore, Thumb. ;-)
            Posted by Big on 02/04/04

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            •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
              we use it every time we go. otherwise do a shuttle thing. better safe and sure than sorry or unsure.
              Posted by Steve K a 16 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Mongoose XR-100 from Canyon Country (Santa Clarita), CA on 02/04/04

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  •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
    For what its worth me and several others all got ticketed on our annual July Fourth Ride 3 years ago. None of us responded to the fine and no ill results came of it. Not a cent paid nor thought given to an Adventure Pass and I have yet to be reprimanded, flogged, punished, imprisoned, or quietly wisked away not to be heard from again.
    Posted by Albacore a 27 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Scandal from Sun City on 02/04/04

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    •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
      Cheapskate.
      Posted by GhostRider on 02/04/04

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  •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
    Well, I think the ticket costs the same as the pass. So you can use the nice convenient envelope for your payment. :-P
    Posted by Mytrustysteed a 30 year old Weekend Warrior riding a gary fisher sugar4+ from mission viejo on 02/13/04

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  •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
    Here is the dillio,I went up to Chilao last weekend and didnt bother to get one.We park at the Charlton Flats turn off(the campground was closed).On our way back we see a helicopter making a couple of passes nearby,we get to the Charlton Flats area and there is all kinds of cops,rangers and firetrucks.Turns out this guys car, 2 spaces down from us catches fire and burned for a while.We got a ticket for no pass and it calls for you to buy a 1 day pass and mail it in within 14 days of getting a ticket.I heard that the program is being halted but not right now I guess.
    Posted by Jmomma a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz Heckler from Newbury Park on 02/14/04

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    •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
      So are you saying that you could pay 5-10 bucks to get a daily pass ahead of time and definitely not get a ticket vs. taking the risk of getting a ticket and paying 5-10 bucks later. What they did for now was probably just temporary. Otherwise it would seem decent to take the risk all the time and only buy a daily pass when you have to. You'll probably wouldn't get caught most of the time and only need to pay every once in a while. Please clear this up a little if you know, jmomma.
      Posted by Steve K a 16 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Mongoose XR-100 from Canyon Country (Santa Clarita), CA on 02/15/04

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      •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
        It's not a real ticket. They can't make you pay.

        Do not support this voluntary program.
        Posted by Surly a 28 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a '02 Giant AC from Pasadena on 02/15/04


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        •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
          It's definatly a real ticket and a Federal one.Another words if it is not paid and it goes to warrant you can be arrested any where in the USA.My buddy is the one who got the ticket and he is just going to mail in an adventure pass.Knowing now what will happen Id say its worth the risk.Iheard that it is in the process of being rescinded but as of now it is still being enforced.
          Posted by Jmomma a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz Heckler from Newbury Park on 02/16/04

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  •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
    The Adventure Pass Program is still in effect so far, and even though its enforcement is apparently taken lightly by the Forest Service; any of the individual districts could at any time elect to strictly enforce it and pursue financial avenues for citations. They meet all the legal requirements with the current advertising and signage in the forests to step up enforcement at any time.

    It would be silly to push this issue to the point where it becomes a sore-spot to the forest service and they start upping the ante by towing cars from popular crowded trailheads.

    There are bigger issues facing mountain biking than an inexpensive fee that gives us access to thousands of miles of riding trails.

    Suggestion:
    Put a jar in your garage and once a week drop in 58 cents. At the end of the year you can buy an annual pass. Drop in an extra dime each week and you can get an additional pass for a second vehicle.

    Pretty inexpensive in my opinion.

    Thanks


    Posted by JamR a 48 year old Cross-Country riding a Few bikes from Capo on 02/16/04


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    •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
      Sorry JamR I dont agree.I already pay taxes that are supposed to be used for public lands I dont see a reason why I should pay more.A lot of other people feel this way too and from what I have read elsewhere it is in the process of being rescinded nationwide.If it had been a rousing success they would probably be working on a way to charge a 5 dollar fee to swim in the ocean.A cool thing to do would be to make everyone who rides do trail manteneince for a weekend,that would be fair.Hope you didnt buy your 2 passes already.
      Posted by Jmomma a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz Heckler from Newbury Park on 02/16/04

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      •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
        We all pay taxes, but I think it’s safe to say that the amount that makes it to the forests is relatively small compared to what goes to support the country’s infrastructure.

        I for one don’t have a problem paying a minor additional fee specific to my sport.

        Also, making everyone who rides do a weekend of trail maintenance is purely a fairy tale in my opinion. The amount of trail users who actually pitch in on a regular basis to maintain the trails is very small compared to the total number of users. Without groups like SHARE, CORBA, Warriors Society and other local clubs; our trail system would not be what it is today. Also in my experience, even within these groups; it’s usually the same core group of individuals time and time again showing up for regular maintenance sessions. Not a lot of new faces on a regular basis.

        How many hours have you spent on maintenance so far this year? Just curious.

        And yes, I did buy my annual pass….it’s not that big of a deal.

        Thanks



        Posted by JamR a 48 year old Cross-Country riding a A Few Bikes from Capo on 02/17/04


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        •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
          If you guys are ok with having to pay to go ride your bike thats fine.I am not,I dont feel like I should have to open up my wallet to use public land.A lot of other people feel the same way.It is not the amount its the principle,it is public land that we already have a right to use.From other information I have seen the fee's are being recalled.As far as to how many hours I have spent a big 0 so far and thats something I am going to work on, I am way guilty there.
          Posted by Jmomma a 42 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz Heckler from Newbury Park on 02/17/04

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          •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
            I have a great respect for people standing on principle if it’s truly a stance and not simply a cliché; and it is backed by factual knowledge and real action.

            Jmomma, please don’t take the following as a direct comment towards you, but rather to many of the similar posts we have seen on these types of subjects of the past few years.

            The typical “I pay taxes and should not have to pay for use of public lands” statement among other similar statements does not bring any real action or seriousness to an issue. Try reminding the Peace Office that your taxes pay his/her salary while in the process of receiving a citation…….it doesn’t go very far.

            Before people post information here such as the program is in the process of being rescinded, the ticket is not real or the program is voluntary; and recommend that others should simply take their chances….do a little research on the subject.

            Here’s a suggestion:
            There are 27 contact telephone and TDD numbers listed on the Adventure Pass Web-Site. Call the numbers and interview the staff on the current program policies and the future status of the program. Document the dates, times and contact information to keep a record of the conversations. This type of research will only serve to make one better informed and more credible when posting on this issue.

            Also, if this is such a sore spot with so many people; then do something about it. Print up some petitions and gather signatures to rescind the program (at least locally if you desire). I would venture to guess that if there was only one person at each major National Forest trailhead with a petition in hand for two or three weekends, enough signatures could be gathered to let the Forest Service know that someone is taking the issue seriously.

            I have always been a proponent of action. Don’t complain about a trail condition if you’re not willing to get out there and work a tool to correct it. Don’t complain about groups who do trail maintenance that you think is trail sterilization, if your not willing to show up and give some opinions on maybe a better way to fix or re-route a trail without destroying the technical sections.

            We have a lot of power as a group if we would elect to mobilize as a cohesive unit to make positive changes. Our sport still has many inequalities when it comes to trail use. We have limited restrictions in many areas while hikers and equestrians enjoy quite a few hiker & equestrian only trails. I still have not seen one “bike only” trail in my travels. We should be lobbying for a total multi-use trail system, or equal access to “bike only” trails.

            Again….do something!!

            If the Adventure Pass is the fire that burns your butt, then do the research and give people factual information and informed instruction on how to change the program. If riding is as important to others as it is to me, than be willing to spend a little time off the bike and give up a few rides periodically to help out in other ways.

            It’s a great sport, so have fun riding.

            Thanks


            Posted by JamR a 48 year old Cross-Country riding a A Few Bikes from Capo on 02/17/04


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  •  Re: Adventure Passes, whats the dilly?
    Look, if you think it's too expensive, then just go out there the last Saturday of the month:

    Free Days

    In an effort to ensure that people who feel they can't afford a pass have several opportunities to visit the forests each year without having to pay a fee, we have designated several "free" Saturdays when the Adventure Pass is not required. The Adventure Pass fee will not be required the last Saturday of every month. A validated daily Adventure Pass for any of the "free" dates may be exchanged for a new Pass at any Forest Service office. Campground and concessionaire fees still apply.

    Posted by SpecialEd a 40 year old Cross-Country on 02/17/04


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  •  Program is flawed...........
    In my opinion, the Adventure Pass program is flawed in so many ways, that to me, it’s simply not worth it to participate and say “I do” to the double-taxation that this program represents. Let me start by saying that in NO way am I cheap. If I was, I wouldn’t be living in So. Orange County and ride an XTR-equipped Intense. The money’s not the point – it’s the principle.

    The Adventure Pass is nothing more than a glorified parking permit. Go ahead and try to argue this one. You don’t need a stinking Pass to use the forest, only to park in or near it. So, if we were to ride our bicycles, walk to, or be dropped off at our forest destination, we wouldn’t need a Pass. Yet, if we drive, or ride a motorcycle, regardless of the number of persons in the vehicle, a Pass is required. Why don’t they just call a spade a spade and say it’s a parking fee?

    As for enforcement, I personally have had no problems with non-paid Extortion Pass tickets coming back to haunt me. However, I do know a few people who upon re-registering their vehicle registration, were hit with fines for unpaid Extortion Pass violations. It guess the enforcement is a hit or miss situation.

    I know that there’s a legitimate argument about our national forests needing additional funds in order to keep the Ranger’s staffed properly as well as for campground “improvements”. This is fine and dandy, but then the Pass should only be required to access areas where “improvements” have been made and are legitimate. There’s NO possible reason for someone to have to display a Pass when simply parking at the side of the road to enjoy the nature. Why should a Pass be required to park at existing parking lots at the bottom of the San Juan Trail, or on Hwy 38 near the Santa Ana River Trail when these parking lots have been there for years?

    The only location that I ride regularly where a Pass is required is San Juan Trail, which to me does not represent a location where any “improvements” have been made since the inception of the Pass. As for the trails, the only maintenance that I’ve seen done has been by groups such as the Warrior’s Society, SHARE, or Trails4All – not the Rangers and not with the Pass’s revenue. Furthermore, what really erks me is that the only times I’ve ever seen Rangers is when they drive around the parking lots simply to check to see if people have a Pass. Maybe their green trucks should have a new decal affixed to them stating “Extortion Pass Police”? What a waste of time and tax money.

    I don’t feel that it’s worth my time to try and fight this fight by any other means than by simply not buying the pass. I have far too many more important things in my life to worry about…..

    Posted by EMan a 33 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Intense 5point5 EVP from Trabuco Canyon on 02/17/04


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    •  Re: Program is flawed...........
      You’re right, it is a flawed system and it can be called a parking fee for lack of a better description. But my guess is that this is the least expensive way to actually enforce the program with the limited personnel available.

      My posts on the subject do not mean that I agree with the program, but would rather see factual information listed on the subject. It is a current operating program and a reality; not a voluntary program or a bogus ticket.

      I also don’t have the time or inclination to worry about fighting this program, but I’m not going to roll the dice and take a chance on a ticket. Not to say that I have not parked without my pass displayed; I did it this weekend when I arrived at the trailhead and realized I left the pass at home after emptying out my truck. If I would have received a ticket though, I would have sent in the day pass fee and chalked it up to my stupidity.

      Things could be worse however if the Forest Service chose to really monitor forest use. I have stood in line many times to get a wilderness permit to go backpacking in wilderness areas, and I have been in some wilderness areas that do in fact charge for all modes of entry…not just a parking fee. One wilderness park in Central CA charges for car, bus, equestrian, bike and foot entry at the front gate. At the back unmanned gate there is a box to place your entry fee in an envelope to be filled out with your personal information with a two part numbered ticket attached. One part goes in the envelope and one you carry with you. If the ranger asks to see your entry stub and you cannot produce it, you’re cited on the spot. Even if you do produce a ticket stub, the Ranger still takes information from you and if later in the day, the matching ticket stub and envelope is not found in the box, you get a citation after-the-fact for non-payment of fee.

      Like I said before, if people simply ignore and abuse an issue this issues long enough, and enough unpaid citations stack up in the system, then maybe the next step will be the Forest Service towing vehicles found in the parking areas that have outstanding tickets listed on the system.

      A spade is a spade….it’s a flawed system, a difficult system to enforce, it’s an annoyance; but it’s a reality and that’s a fact.

      Posted by JamR a 48 year old Cross-Country riding a A Few Bikes from Capo on 02/17/04


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      •  Re: Program is flawed...........
        Its already on the way out.Senate bill S.1107.Which means that as far as I can understand,the fee program will only be used in National Parks only, not on National forest or BLM land.Im not trying to get all political,Im just not too willing to reach for my wallet without hesitation.I dont like it and I have rolled the dice.
        Posted by Jmomma a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz Heckler from Newbury Park on 02/17/04

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        •  Re: Program is flawed...........
          Jmomma,

          As far as I can tell from 10 minutes of research; the Senate Bill S.1107 is not to rescind the pass program, but makes the current “demo fee” program permanent. Also the proposed fee does still include the forests as they are part of the NPS administered areas.

          Also from the way I read it; the current hearings that have taken place in July 2003, Sep 2003 and Feb 2004 (which I believe was cancelled), were not hearings to squash the bill, but rather to extend the “demo fee” program for an additional 2 years while the contents of the bill gets amended.

          Again, all I would like people to do is post as factually as possible and not mislead others into believing that the forest ticket is nothing to be concerned with. Apparently from a previous post, they do have the ability to assess a fine on your DMV renewal. Also, some people may be driving around without the knowledge that they may have an outstanding warrant against them from an unpaid forest ticket that could eventually surface if they get pulled over for a minor traffic ticket.

          Here’s a summary of the original introduced bill:

          SUMMARY AS OF:
          5/22/2003--Introduced.
          Recreational Fee Authority Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish, modify, and collect fees for: (1) admission to a unit of the National Park System; and (2) the use of National Park Service (NPS) administered areas, lands, sites, facilities, and services. Requires fees to be based on an analysis of specified factors, including the benefits and services provided to the visitor and the cost and benefit to the Government. Directs the Secretary to establish the minimum number of fees and avoid the collection of multiple or layered fees. Requires proposed new fees or changes to be published in the Federal Register and prohibits them from taking effect for 12 months.
          Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with public or private entities to provide visitor reservation services and fee collection and/or processing services; (2) provide discounted or free admission days or use, modify the National Park Passport, and provide information to the public about various fee programs and program costs and benefits; and (3) enter into revenue sharing agreements with State agencies to accept their annual passes for NPS units within the State.
          Requires: (1) all receipts collected pursuant to this Act or from sales of the Passport to be retained by the Secretary; (2) 80 percent of the fees collected at an area, site, or project to remain available for use at that area, site, or project (with a specified exception); (3) at least 50 percent of the fees collected as a result of the sale of the Passport to remain available for use at the area where they were collected; and (4) the Secretary to report to Congress triennially on the NPS recreation fee program. Authorizes the Secretary to use not more than 15 percent of total revenues to administer the program.


          Posted by JamR a 48 year old Cross-Country riding a Few bikes from Capo on 02/18/04


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          •  Re: Program is flawed...........
            Not to sound like an alarmist, but....I agree with JamR regarding the dangers of driving around without the knowledge that they may have an outstanding warrant against them from an unpaid forest ticket that could eventually surface if they get pulled over for a minor traffic ticket.Lemme tell you a little story. Once upon a time, I was a native resident of the wondrous Rocky Mountains. In fact, I was practically raised in the woods by raccoons. My family would spend the entire 6-week summer break camping in National Forests without seeing a sign of civilization. We survived wild cattle with an angry bull in the middle of our camp, a flash flood, a decrepit bridge that threatened to collapse every year we visited the forest, freezing cold river baths from the melted snow runoff, fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and even the announcement of Elvis’ death over the AM transistor radio that I smuggled along. The only thing I liked more than camping in the mountains was camping with friends in the mountains. Heck, BadKharma and I were camping at the base of Pikes Peak at the young age of 14. We would backpack in for 7-8 miles to unimproved forestland and setup an elaborate camp: a hand woven hammock, personally dug fire ring and even an old school pup tent pitched between two trees on the side of a hill.... but that's an entirely different story.So it should come to pass that one day I would leave my homeland for the west coast. But before I set out on my journey, I was invited to celebrate my last days among my countrymen. We drove up to Jefferson County, that's Denver for you golden boys, and met at a grand lake. A lake! Now what the hell was I going to do at a lake? There are no trees to climb, raccoons to tame, or bears to rassle to the ground.One of the more worldly members of our clan secured the rental of watercraft; jetskis is what they called them. So I sat on the beach of this lake and watched with disinterest as the blasphemous few rode around on these jetskis things.After awhile a few of them actually got the hang of it and were able to stand on the back of the jetskis thing as they raced back and forth across the lake. Oh what I wouldn"t do for a bag of walnuts, a cardboard box, 8" stick, twine, and a curious gray squirrel.... but that's another story.Finally one of the reckless younguns decided to beach his jetskis thing and take a break. I casually sauntered over to the jetskis thing and tried to feign further disinterest as I studied the controls. Huh, a handlebar with a throttle. What could possibly be so hard about that? As I shoved off into the shallow water, the eager voices from the beach offered instructions on navigation and how to perform the most daring of stunts. I waved, more to ward them off than to bid them farewell. Let’s see, lie on the deck, hit the throttle hard, get up to speed, and stand. Sounds easy enough. I punched it. Hard. And it punched back. Right where it counts. While lying on the deck of the jetskis thing, my torso trailed off the end into the water. The jetskis thing suddenly transformed into a giant sized water pick and proceeded to give me a thorough cleaning in the nether-regions. My shorts were immediately jettisoned to my ankles as the ol’ twig and berries clung helplessly to my body. Wracked with pain, I managed to pull myself to my knees on the deck. I knew full well that my cohorts were watching my every move and I wasn’t about to show any signs of defeat.I grinned through the nausea at my countrymen and steadily increased the speed of the jetskis thing. After the assault on my dangling parts, my trembling body wasn’t ready to conquer standing. So I remained kneeling and slowly carved the watercraft through the water. In a matter of minutes I had mastered the fine art of navigating the jetskis thing in a straight line. Realizing the lake would eventually require more than the straight-line maneuver, I slowed the craft down and managed to turn around. Huh, that wasn’t so difficult. All I have to do is turn the handlebars. I raced back towards the beach and my awestruck clansmen. I swerved this way and that; creating what I later learned is called rooster-tails. I passed larger ski boats like they were standing still. I weaved through them spraying the crewmembers with these rooster-tails; leaving them slack jawed as they admired my mastery of the jetskis thing. As I carved around one particularly large craft I suddenly became aware of how close I was getting to the beach where my clansmen stood in utter disbelief. I cranked the handlebars for the grandest rooster-tail they would ever see. Suddenly I was thrown off the back of the jetskis thing and catapulted into the air. It was not unlike a stone skimming across the surface of a glass lake; a 160lb stone. To my relief the jetskis thing circled patiently while I swam over to retrieve it. As I clambered aboard the craft, a man with mirrored sunglasses stood atop the deck of a green boat and bellowed at me through a bullhorn to approach his craft slowly. For a fleeting moment I considered the chances of him offering a newly created career in stunt jetskis thing instruction. This was not the case.It appears they have this thing called a wake-less speed zone. And I failed to venture beyond it during my display of mastery in jetskis thing operation. I graciously accepted the lecture, $25 dollar watercraft ticket, and expulsion from the lake. The ticket never even made it to the beach. What did I care? I was two days away from hitting the road in search of a new life…but that's another story. Six months later I found myself visiting Durango, Colorado in the middle of a raging snowstorm. I was meeting my future first wife’s parents. Being the responsible young man that I was, I insisted on asking her father for her hand. And being the responsible young man that I was, I was in desperate need of some new wheels since mine were being repossessed. So I picked out a beauty from the used car lot and went out on a little test drive with the future first wife. The baby blue 1972 Ford Pinto station wagon was a far cry from luxury but what it didn’t have in snoot factor, it more than made up for in style. I especially liked the adhesive bathtub stickers shaped like ‘60s war protest flowers randomly stuck to the outside of the doors, hood, and roof. As luck would have it, because I was plainly a blessed man, Durango speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Now I don’t know about you, but when I get behind the wheel of a baby blue 1972 Ford Pinto station wagon with adhesive bathtub stickers shaped like ‘60s war protest flowers randomly stuck to the outside of the doors, hood, and roof…I can’t help but want to see what that baby can do. I was clipping along at an easy 37 mph when, yes you guessed it, all of a sudden I hear a familiar bellowing voice from a bullhorn requesting me to bring my craft to a complete stop. Only this time I wasn’t driving a jetskis thing in Jefferson County. Heck, I was barely 3 blocks from the car lot. One look in my rearview mirror snapped me back to reality. By the time the officer approached the sporty baby blue 1972 Ford Pinto station wagon with adhesive bathtub stickers shaped like ‘60s war protest flowers randomly stuck to the outside, another patrol car pulled up. It seems the whole town was looking for this car. An APB must have been issued as soon as I left the dealer. I surrendered my paperwork and assured the future first wife that this was obviously a case of overly suspicious sheriffs. After all, the car didn’t even have any plates.The officer returned with my information and kindly asked that I step out of the car. Now I’m no moron, maybe a Rocky Mountain hick, but I’m certainly smart enough to know when a sheriff is serious. He asked me if I knew about the warrant out for my arrest. WHAT?! Yes, he said, it appears you have a reckless speeding ticket on your record from Jefferson County. NO WAY!! I proclaimed calmly as I shoved my freezing hands into my pockets. All I heard was FREEZE!!It seems the second patrol car wasn’t there by accident. I slowly turned around to see the gaping hole of a firearm pointed right at me. Well obviously the plates were more of an issue than I originally thought. So followed the officer’s instructions to the letter. The impression of an adhesive bathtub sticker shaped like a ‘60s war protest flower formed on my forehead as he read me my rights, handcuffed me and proceeded to frisk me for contraband and what not. Do you have any weapons on your person? I felt it was a ridiculous question for a man to ask when he’s frisking me, so I retorted with an equally ridiculous answer. Watch out for that bazooka in my front pocket. He didn’t seem to find the humor. In fact, I doubt he ever asked the age-old question, are you happy to see me or is that a ---- in your pocket? So I was finger printed, photographed, and thrown into a holding cell without my shoes and belt. Recalling Arlo Guthrie, I searched for a roll of toilet paper so I could have me an ass-cape. No such luck. An hour wandered by and eventually the arresting officer opened my cell and asked me if I had a hundred bucks on me. A hundred bucks? What kind of place was this? If they think they can force a bribe out of me, they have another thing coming. I said no, only $90 and change. I was counting on it for the Pinto. Remember the Pinto? He let me stew on it for another hour before he returned. This time he just pointed at me indicating I should follow him. I couldn’t be sure but it seemed he had a smirk on his face; like he was suppressing a laugh. The imprint from the adhesive bathtub sticker shaped like a ‘60s war protest flower on my forehead was probably bright red by now. In fact, as I followed him to the clerk, virtually every officer I came across was either winking at me or wearing a goofy grin. Now I was getting worried. That imprint from the adhesive bathtub sticker shaped like a ‘60s war protest flower was apparently sending the wrong signal to the boys. So I put on the meanest grimace I could muster and tried real hard to walk like John Wayne. By now, I doubted very much that a hundred bucks was going to get me out of this jam.Sure enough, we walked up to the clerk and met a man wearing blue jeans, a pin striped shirt and tie. I thought, who’s this joker? The country judge I’m supposed to pay off? The arresting officer couldn’t contain himself any longer. He broke out into uncontrollable giggles along with everybody else within earshot. When I called in your driver’s license I received information on a $100 warrant for your arrest, he said. It said you’re wanted for reckless speeding in Jefferson County. I knew the amount on the warrant was wrong since it would normally be much higher. I didn’t get to read the faxed copy of your warrant until we got to the station. Here it is.Wake-less Speeding, it said. The whole precinct broke into laughter. This man says he’s your girlfriend’s dad. He’s come to pay the $10 that you don’t have. You have an appointment with the Jefferson County courthouse to answer for your warrant. Normally we wouldn’t indict someone over 90 miles for less than $500 but since we already processed you, you’re obligated to show. I paid the $90, had to cover the expenses of the airplane ticket to Denver, lost my job for being away for so long, and was fined $185 for not paying the Wake-less Speeding ticket. I only hope that you have learned from my misfortune.
            Posted by Upchuck on 02/18/04

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            •  Re: Program is flawed...........
              For a second there, I thought you were gonna break into a chorus of Alice's restaurant. :-D
              Posted by El Jefe a 34 year old riding a Blinging V10, ghetto Stinky, Azonic P, & a SS Kona Cowan from Trabuco Canyon on 02/18/04

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            •  Re: Program is flawed...........
              I apologize for the lack of paragraph use. The html coding didn't go thru. Must have been due to the size of my post. For a while there, I think I was channeling with STP...


              Posted by Upchuck on 02/18/04


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            •  Re: Program is flawed...........
              Similar thing happened to me, but with a fix-it ticket. Borrowed a friends GTO when I was 17 and was pulled over for noise due to his modified muff’s. Received a fix-it ticket under my license even though it was not my car. My buddy sold the car and never took care of the ticket.

              Two years later I was stopped for speeding on my bike down from the Orange Hill Restaurant and found out about the outstanding warrant. Was taken to the Orange P.D. and released after posting $120.00 bail. Went to my court date and pleaded guilty with an explanation. The judge sympathized with the fact that it was not my car, but also let me know it was my responsibility to follow through with notifying the courts on the status of the fix-it ticket. He dismissed the case but I forfeited the $120.00 bail.

              Stupid things we do can always come back to bite us. It’s not worth it, especially when it’s so inexpensive to avoid it in the first place when it comes to the price of an annual forest pass.

              Posted by JamR a 48 year old Cross-Country riding a Few bikes from Capo on 02/18/04


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          •  Re: Program is flawed...........
            Take a look at the OTBR.com site,go to messages,go to trail access and politics and look at the "Pass" posting.The most recent message has info on the bill.And as far as the ticket goes,it was a fixit ticket requiring you to mail in a 1 day pass which is being done.I never said anything about blowing it off,if you do that you will have a federal warrant.If it makes you feel better to pay,go ahead,I dont agree with it and will roll the dice again.Upchuck,you have way too much free time,lol.
            Posted by Jmomma a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz Heckler from Newbury Park on 02/18/04

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