No Trespassing In New England

We take trail signage very seriously at Overland Base Camp.  We make sure to follow those signs carefully.  One of the more common trail signs - on the kind of rides we like best - are "no trespassing" signs.  Of course, when we see these, we don't trespass.

The laws for no trespassing signs vary from state to state.  Regardless, essentially, if you see a "no trespassing" sign, don't trespass.

Sign Orientation 

The only subtly or confusion we hear about trail signs are in relation to the orientation of the sign.  Many people think that if they can see a sign they have to turn back.  However, it really depends on where the sign sits relative to the road or trail.  Here's the facts:  if the sign is perpendicular to the road or trail, you better stop and head back.  If the sign is parallel or closer to parallel than perpendicular, you can continue.  A sign that aligns roughly parallel to a trail simply means that if you go off-trail you'll be trespassing.  If the sign is on your left, sty out of that area.  If the sign is on your right, stay out of that area.  Stay on the trail and all will be well.

No Signs On Open Land

If you see open land with no signs anywhere, legally you can ride the trails if the following is true:

  • There is no fence
  • The land has not been improved - of course trails indicate improvement
  • The land looks unoccupied
  • The land has no posted sign

If these are true, you can assume the land is public for the use of anyone.  "The law tries to keep a balance between the rights of regular people to enjoy land and the rights of land owners.  [...]  Under the natural squatter law, land should be used by the community for productive purposes.  Unused land returns to communal ownership."  However, if you use this kind of land, and the land owner shows up and asks you to leave, you have to.

"No Trespassing" Signs

This is a good example of a "no trespassing" sign running parallel to the trail.  As long as the route stays to the left of the sign, we're legal.

Here are the basic statutes for each New England state.  They're all fairly similar but we want to keep them all straight so we've posted them all together.  We've also included the source link laws for each state.

Massachusetts

The laws do not clarify any details for signage except that "notice posted thereon" constitutes sufficient notice.  Trespassers can be fined and/or imprisoned, depending on the offense.  Refer to general law sections 115, 120 and 120B and 123 for more details.

Connecticut

"Premises that are posted in a manner prescribed by law or reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders."  Trespassers are charged with an infraction and levied a fine.  Refer to general law sections CGS § 53a-109 for more details.

Maine

Signage is to be posted in a way that is “reasonably likely to come to the attention of the intruder.”  Further, signage must indicate that access is prohibited without proper consent or that certain activities are expressly prohibited; signs must be placed at intervals of no greater than 100 feet; signs must be placed at all vehicular access points from public roads.  Trespassers are guilty of a Class D or Class E crime, depending on circumstances.  Refer to general law sections Chapter 17 Section 402 of Maine’s Revised Statutes for more details.

New Hampshire

The property has to display "signage to ensure that the property or land is considered a secured premises.”  Trespassing on a secured premises is a misdemeanor.  Subsequent violations of the law can result in a class B felony.  Refer to general law Section 635:2 for more details.

Rhode Island

"No trespassing signage that is visible."  Trespassing may result in a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.  Refer to general law sections 11-44-26 to 11-44-28 for more details.

Vermont

“signs or placards so designed and situated as to give reasonable notice.”  Trespassers are subject to up to 3-months in prison and a fine of $500, or both.  Refer to general law Title 13 Chapter 81 Section 3705 for more details.

Poison Ivy Management

This list of poison ivy preventatives and remedies is specific to the New England area.

Poison Ivy Season

  • May - October:  The poison ivy season typically begins in early May.  It tends to go from zero to one-hundred in about a week; once the first shoots begin to appear, it's time to be concerned.  The season ends in late October, depending on the climate.
  • Year Round:  Technically you can get poison ivy at any time of the year.  Even when the plant is not in season ivy vines and roots are still active.

What Poison Ivy Looks Like

Poison ivy is a bit tricky because it looks like a lot of other plants.  Here are some ways to distinguish it – in New England:

  • “Leaves of three; let it be.”  Three leaves per grouping – on each stem.  Typically the orientation of the leaves is like a playing card club – leaves are about 90 degrees to each other.
  • Leaves are shiny with oil.  Later season it tends to dry out.
  • It’s very low to the ground.  Never more than a foot high – usually around 10″ tall.  It can grow up to 4 feet high but it's rare to see this in the Boston area.
  • Leaf edges are smooth – no edge serrations or designs.
  • Poison ivy's color and sheen changes throughout the season:
    • Early Season - May:  Leaves are red and then turn to a pale green.  They can either be dry in appearance or very shiny.
    • Full Season:  Very bright deep green.  Smaller leaves are lighter green; bigger leaves are deeper green. 
    • Late Season:  September - October:  Leaves are reddish and tend to be drier in appearance - not shiny.

Where Poison Ivy Lives

  • Wooded areas - wherever you're riding.
  • It tends to grow around edges of shaded areas – not too shaded.  This often means the edges of trails – on which you’re riding.  It rarely thrives in direct sunlight.
  • It tends not to grow in grass; it doesn’t like competition.  It will usually be the only plant in it's spot; but it can be right next to other plants that look kind of similar.

How To Avoid Poison Ivy:

  • Know what it looks like.
  • Wear long socks.
  • Try this:  Invisible Glove.  We’ve never used this.
  • Don’t ride in poison ivy areas during the season.
  • Don’t crash into it.
  • Don't ride through it; if you have to change a flat after riding through poison ivy, you will regret it.
  • Carry latex gloves in your repair kit in case you have to do mechanical work on your bike - particularly your tires.

What To Do If You Frolic In Poison Ivy

  • You want to wash up as soon as possible; within minutes is best.  However, we've continued rides for a few hours after rolling in ivy, cleaned up when we got home, and not contracted it - even though some of us at Overland Base Camp are very allergic.  There are two discret steps to washing up:
    • Step One:  Scrub with cold water - and no soap, yet.  Cold water is better than hot because cold water closes pores; hot water opens pores.  Closed pores make it difficult for the urushiol to get into your system.
    • Step Two:  Wash with soap.  The issue is that soap breaks  up the urushiol and makes it easier to absorb through your skin, so you want to remove as much of the oil as possible with cold water before applying soap.
  • We've found Cat's Tongue cleaning towels to work really well.  It appears to remove the oil without breaking it up.  It's a great on-ride trail fix if you end up in poison ivy.
  • Rubbing alcohol works marginally better than soap and water.
  • Tecnu works marginally better than soap.  We have not had good success with this.
  • Jewel Weed.  The fluid in the stalk of jewel weed helps prevent poison ivy.  If you ride through ivy, you can apply jewel weed salve to the area and help prevent the spread of poison ivy.  It typically grows in the vicinity of poison ivy.  Yellow flowers.  Here's a video that shows how to apply jewel weed.  Thanks to Matt Roy for telling us about this!
  • Shoes, gloves, clothing, and bikes that come in contact with the plan need to be washed.  Poison ivy oil can be active for a couple years.  Unfortunately, washing leather and suede doesn’t always remove all the oil.  Some people recommend Fels-Naptha as a home remedy for washing leather and suede.

What to do if you get poison ivy:

  • Symptoms appear within 3-7 days.  And last about 1-3 weeks.  Yay.
  • Hot water – as hot as you can stand it – helps reduce itching immediately and for a few hours; hot water helps draw out histamines that make the area itch.  Our suggestion:  pour hot water on a face cloth and apply to the rash; it feels so good and eliminates itching for a while.  
  • Ice water or ice cubes applied locally can reduce itching for a short time.
  • Anti-itch drugs can potentially help.  Benadryl or Lanacane are two examples.
  • Calamine Lotion:  The FDA has asserts that it has little, if any, effect.  We've found the same to be true.
  • It's not contagious:  Once you’ve got it you cannot pass it on to others.  Even if you have lesions that leak, the liquid does not contain urushiol.

Why Avoid Poison Ivy

  • Poison ivy oil stays on clothes, tires, pedals, brake levers, and anything it touches.  Even months later you can still get a rash if you touch those items that have been contaminated.  The oil can remain active for a couple years.  Even washing clothing does not typically remove all  poison ivy oil.
  • The more often you get it, the worse you tend to get it.  It is an allergic reaction.
  • Most people are allergic to it, about 85% of the population.  It’s super unfun to get it.  Very itchy in a bad way and it lasts for a couple-three weeks.
  • The poison ivy rash can cause long-term scarring.
  • The rash has a rather unpleasant appearance.
  • It's really itchy.  The more you scratch, the more it itches.

 Random notes:

  • I heard from Matt Roy that one of the reasons that poison ivy is so prevalent in the Boston area is that it was actually a crop raised by farmers.  Why would someone raise poison ivy?  Apparently its very high in vitamin C, cows are not allergic to it.  Farmers used poison ivy to feed cows.

Sources:

Dusk to Dawn Ride: Unique?

We’ve been doing some research and we’ve not been able to find a ride like Dusk to Dawn anywhere in the US.  We're surprised by this.  we’ll keep looking; if anyone knows of a similar kind of ride, please let us know.

Key defining characteristics of the Dutodari:

  • Timing - Only In the Dark:  We leave at sunset and wrap up at sunrise.  There are many 24-hour races and 1,200k rides, but none I can find that only roll in the dark.  Every 12-hour race I can find takes place in daylight.
  • Mixed Terrain:  Paved roads, dirt roads, singletrack, goat paths.  The Dutodari is about 50% pavement with the rest a mix of all types of dirt.  The closest types of night rides I can find are pure mountain bike or pure randonee.  No ride can I find has every type of terrain.
  • Route:  The Dusk to Dawn route is one big loop.  Most 24-hour races are laps - often of about an hour or so - designed for teams, safety, and overall ease of management.  We at the Dutodari like to make everything difficult to manage, therefore one large loop is the prescription.
  • Riding the Full Distance:  Many overnight organized offroad races are designed for teams that take turns on laps.  In this case, with on laps, each rider tests solo mettle.
  • Well Supported:  We have three well stocked food stops planned.  We also have an emergency vehicle on the course for safety.
  • Dusk to Dawn is a ride.  The closest corollaries I can find are races or timed events. Dutodari is a ride where the only clock is the sun’s movement under you and your own personal goals.

Preventing Lyme Disease from Deer Ticks

Editor's Note:  We've made updates to this Journal entry.  We've given this information its own page.  View all the tick details here.

May is the beginning of deer tick season in New England.  Deer ticks often carry, and sometimes transmit, Lyme disease. 

Lyme disease is really unpleasant, varied, and difficult to diagnose.  We have friends that have gone years with misdiagnosis.  the best way to avoid it and get properly diagnosed it to become an expert in tick avoidance, checking, and elimination.  Here are some steps worth taking.

How to avoid getting bitten by a Deer Tick

  • Stay on the trail.  Avoid brushing up against tall grass and overgrown brush.  Don't bushwhack.
  • Ticks almost always come from thigh level or lower; they don't drop from trees on their prey.  They can come from above but the odds are significantly higher that they'll come from below.
  • Cover your skin:
    • Wear long socks - even in the summer.  Lighter colors make it easier to do tick checking.
    • Wear arm screens or arm warmers.
    • Wear tight clothing - bibs, fitted cycling jersey - so that a tick can't get past the selvege.
  • Use insect repellent with DEET in it.  the higher the concentration of DEET, the longer the protection lasts; for example, 24% DEET provides an average of 5 hours of protection.  DEET at 7% provides about 2 hours of protection.
  • Treat your cycling clothing with permethrin.
  • Wear a cycling cap.  While they are not likely to come from above, hair is a home for them.  A chapeau reduces the chance a tick can hide on you.
  • Make checking for ticks part of your riding routine:
  • Shave your legs:  Leg hair makes it much easier for a tick to hitch a ride on you.
  • Don't ride on deer tracks.  Not that most people would, but if you're into off-trail riding, deer tracks can be very tempting.

Spotting a Deer Tick

Deer ticks are very small; the young are typically about the size of a poppy seed.  Full grown ticks are about 2-3mm, or a tenth of an inch.  Pictured is an example of a deer tick an OBC scout found on body.  It's less than half the size of a sesame seed!  It is definitely a Nymph - probably a female.  Initially we thought it was a larva because it was so small, but this tick has eight legs; larvae have six legs.

Self-Inspection:  Post-Ride

  • Deer ticks can be very small – much smaller than you might possibly imagine.
  • If you’ve been on a muddy or dirty ride, wash up before self-check.  A deer tick can easily look like a spec of dirt.  Ideally, take a shower.
  • Only a close physical inspection will find ticks.  We find that using hands as a second set of eyes helps find the smallest small ticks.
  • Pay close attention to the edges of your bibs, socks, and sleeves.
  • Pay extra attention to your hairline and hair, in and around ears, arm pits, back of knees.
  • Ticks can get on your clothes and stay there for quite a while; check your clothes, cap, gloves, and shoes.
  • If you feel a vague scratch or itch.  Do a physical check.  This can seem frustrating - because we're almost always itchy somwehere.  However, you’re unlikely to feel a tick bite because they secrete a numbing agent.  So, if you feel any sensation at all it's likely to be very subtle. When in doubt, do a physical check.
  • Have your significant other help!

What to do if you have a tick on you

  • Photograph the site prior to removing the tick to document location of bite. Then photograph the tick after removing it. This will enable you or your doctor to determine the species - was it actually a deer tick? - and whether it took a blood meal from you - does it look bloated or engorged?  [Thanks to Leon P. for this tip!]
  • Remove the tick promptly.  The sooner you remove it, the less chance of infection; within 24-36 hours is best.
  • Grasp the mouth-parts with tweezers as close as possible to the attachment (skin) site. If tweezers are not available, use fingers shielded with tissue or rubber gloves. Do not handle a tick with bare hands.
  • Be careful not to squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick, which may contain infectious fluids. 
  • Gently pull the tick straight out with a steady motion.
  • After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the tick site with rubbing alcohol or an antibacterial wash and then wash hands with hot water and soap.
  • See or call a doctor if there are concerns about incomplete tick removal.
  • Do not remove ticks by using petroleum jelly, lit match, kerosene, nail polish, or other home remedies because they may actually increase the chance of contracting a tick-borne disease.

If you have been bitten and believe you might have Lyme disease

Does the following combination of factors describe your situation?  The bite is by a deer tick, likely to have jumped on you in an area where the incidence of Lyme is high, and the tick looks engorged.  In this scenario, a single dose of Doxycycline 200mg has been shown to decrease the risk of coming down with Lyme substantially, but it must be taken in the first 72-hours after removing the tick; the sooner the better.  Call your doctor right away.  [Thanks to Leon P. for this information!]

Content of this post are taken and edited from multiple sources:

  • http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/tickbiteprevention05.pdf
  • http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DPHS/cdcs/lyme/documents/lyme.pdf
  • http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DPHS/cdcs/lyme/documents/tickbites.pdf
  • Leon P.