Riders, Land Managers and Trail Solutions Create a Multi-Faceted Riding Resource in Florida
IMBA Trail News
Volume 19, Number 1
Spring 2006
 A young Florida rider goes big at Santos. |
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 Trail Solutions' Rich Edwards. |
 Rich Edwards, testing flow. |
 Wooden features at Santos are built to high standards. |
Santos Salvation
The Santos riding area, located just outside of Ocala, Florida, about an hour north of Orlando, lies within the boundaries of Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Once a hotspot for unauthorized stunts and unapproved trails, Santos has emerged as a model trail system, with flowing singletrack, bombproof wooden structures, a bike skills park with progressive challenges and jaw-dropping technical features at the Vortex quarry.
The situation wasn't as rosy a few years ago, when the popularity of unauthorized, poorly built freeriding stunts almost proved Santos' undoing. Faced with liability concerns after a rider was injured, officials at Florida Department Office of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) took action by removing all manmade structures.
At this crucial juncture, a convergence of forward thinking land managers, dedicated riders and IMBA's Trail Solutions program helped set the stage for the impressive riding area that we see at Santos today.
A Plan Emerges
Florida riders are fortunate to be served by Valerie Naylor and Mickey Thomason, OGT staffers who are also mountain bike enthusiasts. Naylor and Thomason met with local riders, including members of Ocala Mountain Bike Association (OMBA), and helped devise a plan to preserve the Santos trails.
"Mickey and I didn't need to be convinced that the riding resource here was too good to be ignored," says Naylor. "We also realized that knocking down a few features wasn't going to make the freeride scene go away."
A key factor that allowed the OGT to commit to developing the area was the existence of an IMBA-affiliate club, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association "In general, and managers are much happier working with a well organized group, rather than individual riders," notes Naylor. "The OGT saw that a partnership with OMBA would ensure that trails and the structures at the Vortex freeride park would be adequately maintained, and that other important considerations - like proper signage and control points - could be put into place."
The OGT also decided to establish a relationship with Trail Solutions, IMBA's trail construction service. "We felt that teaming with Trail Solutions would be the best way to ensure that riders would get a challenging, sustainable trail system," says Naylor.
Trail Solutions' Rich Edwards conducted an initial assessment in 2004, and developed recommendations for routing, signage and trail relocations to enhance the riding experience. He returned in 2005 and worked closely with both OMBA and OGT to complete the work.
The project yielded two new skills areas, a new 2-mile freeride trail, dirt jumps, a pump track, a wall ride and seven big drops - including a massive 20-footer. The skills parks introduce newer riders to features that will help them improve their skills before they hit the advanced trails or drops. Combined with a new campground and 40+ miles of cross-country trails, Santos has become a destination riding area.
"There's something at Santos for everyone, from the absolute beginner to pro-level riders," says Ben Blitch, a Trail Solutions trail specialist. "The Florida bike community came out in droves to help us realize a shared vision - the support we received from local volunteers was inexhaustible. Together, we created some incredible riding opportunities, and everyone loved doing the work."
Risk Management at Santos
How does a government agency like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails get involved in a project that involves giant drops and gap dirt jumps?
According to OGT's Valarie Naylor, one of the key concepts for land managers is that managing risk doesn't mean eliminating it. "Today's riders, especially freeriders, seek out challenges and an element of risk," says Naylor. "From a management persepective, you look for ways to manage those risks, such as signage to make sure that people know what they're getting into when they ride, good filters and a trail system that offers options for a wide variety of users."
The Santos trails employ a litany of risk management strategies, including barriers that restrict access to advanced features, like the biggest drops. Other safeguards include filters, skill development areas, and a trail rating/signage system that warns riders they should inspect features before riding them. Trailheads at Santos are marked with signs that inform riders of the challenges ahead, and inform them that by entering the park they have assumed responibility for the risks they encounter.
Finally, the OGT has implemented a rigorous inspection and maintenance plan, and is working with the Ocala Mountain Bike Association to develop a non-enforcement bike patrol.
