I really got freaked out today

[Teddyparker]

I was having a wonderful ride today in the state forest near my town. I am not the best rider so I spend a lot of time on the fire roads and dabble in the single track. I was having a great ride, so before quitting for the day I decided to practice on some of the single track near the parking lot. Just a very short way in on this particular trail I came accross two guys in the middle of having sex. Maybe I am a bit naive but I was kind of freaked out. It was 11 in the morning! People are there with their kids and dogs. I kept on peddling and got through the single track in record time (including the sections I walk/run). I feel kind of bummed because I have always felt very comfortable in this park and ride there quite often. I'm not so sure I feel that comfortable anymore. http://forums.teamestrogen.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[IFjane]

Teddy - I can understand why you were freaked out. While I realize that sometimes a couple can get so turned-on (even at 11 in the morning) that they WISH they could just go to it wherever they are, but I would hope they would find a private spot to do so. Next to a trail does not sound like a good idea to me!

[SheFly]

I was having a wonderful ride today in the state forest near my town. I am not the best rider so I spend a lot of time on the fire roads and dabble in the single track. I was having a great ride, so before quitting for the day I decided to practice on some of the single track near the parking lot. Just a very short way in on this particular trail I came accross two guys in the middle of having sex. Maybe I am a bit naive but I was kind of freaked out. It was 11 in the morning! People are there with their kids and dogs. I kept on peddling and got through the single track in record time (including the sections I walk/run). I feel kind of bummed because I have always felt very comfortable in this park and ride there quite often. I'm not so sure I feel that comfortable anymore. http://forums.teamestrogen.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

This is a known problem at HP (I assume that's where you were), particularly if you were parked on the road down closer to the police barracks. I'm surprised that this is the first you have seen of this type of "ahem" activity at this park....

My suggestion is not to ride there alone, although they likely will not do anything to bother you. I would also report it - the police are trying to be better about discouraging this type of activity here.

SheFly

[Teddyparker]

IFJane,
I agree. You'd think they would move furhter away form the trail and go behind a tree at least.


SheFly,
You are right I was in HP. I am there weekly 2-3 times. Today I was near the Jenkins Lot but I typically do a quick loop on the other side after work and save where I went today for days when I have more time. I have never come accross this kind of thing and not so happy to find out its a comon occurance. I have been riding and hking through there for many many years.
Unfortunately I do ride alone or I probably wouldn't ride much at all. I will report it to the Police. Thanks

[Teddyparker]

I received a reply from the local mountain bike association forum in regard to the incident:


"I'm sorry you had such a scare. It's unfortunate that some parks attract this type of lewd and lascivious activity. The Dept. of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) is aware of the problem at Harold Parker, and they're developing various strategies to deal with it. HP will have a new supervisor beginnning the first of the year, and part of his duties will include dealing with this.

It would be of great help for anyone riding HP to report these type of incidents and where they take place to the DCR. They can then make sure that the local police departments take action to arrest, and that a ranger patrols these locations. The N. Andover PD, for example, arrested 50 people this year for Lewd and Lascivious.

I recommend riding with a cell phone and calling HP's ranger head quarter at 978-686-3391.

Here is a note from the District Manager (who has read this thread).

=======

This is an unfortunate experience for anyone using our property. What to do? As a patron the best thing to do is what this woman did, no matter who the parties might be that are engaging in this kind of activity, keep moving on and let us know.

We are well aware of these activities and are very concerned that the Forest will continue to develop the wrong type of reputation. As facility managers it is our desire and intent to bring this kind of stuff to an end. To accomplish this we will need the support of our patrons, through them we can learn where these things are happening and then we can take action.

I hope that this one time experience will not sour this woman from returning to HP."

[mimitabby]

The next time this happens, blow your airhorn. The fact is, the "lovers" will become extremely uncomfortable and go away. They don't want you to see them, (one of them might be married) they were being airheads, obviously.
A little public shaming goes a long way.

Reminds me of something that happened in the early 1960's when i was an 11 year old girl. I was in the park with 4 other girls and I was the oldest one. A man approached us and exposed himself. We all started laughing derisively and pointing. He slunk away.

[Blueaegis]

A similar situation happened to me. Once I came to my senses I contacted the local police, they now patrol the park. They also asked me to encourage as many people to ride in the park as that will discourage that type of behavior. Even with the police patrol, I still have to be in a mentally "strong" mood to ride in that park.

[Maureen Valley]

Wow...the subject matter just keeps getting more and more interesting.

I used to run into this 'problem' when biking or walking along the Mississippi River Blvd. in Minneapolis near an area known for gay activity. They even had condom dispensers nailed to the trees. One thing I was sure of....some of them want to be seen. It's exhibitionism....pure and simple. Often it's random sex and the men could be seen cruising the woods looking "for love in all the wrong places".

Just call the police and report them.

Good luck....the authorities monitor these areas for awhile...then they lose interest.

Happy Holidays to all,
Maureen

[SouthernBelle]

There was an interstate reststop near here that used to be known for this sort of thing. They finally had a sting operation there and it was quite surprising what locals got arrested.

I don't want to ride or walk or drive up on any 'PDAs' whether straight, gay or er something else. Heck, I'm tired of seeing tongue kissing on TV!

[pyxichick]

Maureen,

I know the part of the Mississippi river park you're talking about. It's about a mile from my house. I went for a run down there once and slowly realized that there were a lot of single men just sitting on park benches and such, and not a whole lot of other people. I don't run down there anymore, and even when I run or ride by at the top of the bluff, I can't help but think every guy I see on the path is out cruising for some action.

Unfortunately, it's true, the authorities don't really seem interested in curtailing the action, because if they were, I'd actually see a cop over there once in awhile.

I guess it's just good to know where these areas are, so you can avoid them.

[Tuckervill]

There's a park like that in Memphis, and also in Little Rock. During the day, if you go to the playground with your kid, there will be several men walking one at a time into the woods, or just sitting in their car waiting to see who shows up.

A few years ago I read that someone I went to school with, who was married to another classmate, and who had grown up to become a middle school principal, was arrested for that kind of thing at one of those parks. They were in the restroom, though. It's just sad, and now I don't let my boy go in a men's room in a park unless I check it first.

Karen

[CycleChic06]

Teddy,
That's crazy! I'm glad you posted that, I've never been to HP, but I a bunch of friends who go there, some by themselves. I'll pass this story on to them.

Emily

[SheFly]

We are well aware of these activities and are very concerned that the Forest will continue to develop the wrong type of reputation. As facility managers it is our desire and intent to bring this kind of stuff to an end. To accomplish this we will need the support of our patrons, through them we can learn where these things are happening and then we can take action.

I hope that this one time experience will not sour this woman from returning to HP."

TeddyParker and CycleChic - note that this is NOT new behavior at HP. This has been going on in this park for at least 10 years (or as long as I have been riding there). There is similar activity at the Middlesex Fells reservation.

The rangers in both cases are VERY aware of the issue, and are working hard to try to curtail it. Keep riding in the park, and if you encounter something like this again, report it just as you have this time.

I usually ride out of the Jenkins lot as well, and haven't seen this so much up at this end of the park. When I first started riding there, it was REALLY bad in the first big lot down by the police barracks - trollers everywhere, and you could tell who they were. We stopped parking there and went up to Jenkins (all the good singletrack is up that way anyway ).

I have a lot of friends who ride there on a regular basis, and have not had this kind of encounter, so I wouldn't think you would expect to see something like this on a regular basis. The other thing is, that as a female, you're not their type, so you shouldn't have to worry for your safety . Also, as someone else pointed out, there's a good chance that these guys are going home to families, so they want to be as anonymous as possible.

I hope this hasn't scarred you too badly, and that you'll keep going back! HP is an awesome place to ride.

SheFly

[Teddyparker]

Teddy,
That's crazy! I'm glad you posted that, I've never been to HP, but I a bunch of friends who go there, some by themselves. I'll pass this story on to them.

Emily

Emily,
Let me know if you or your friends are looking for a riding partner. I would rather not ride alone at HP anymore.

[Teddyparker]

TeddyParker and CycleChic - note that this is NOT new behavior at HP. This has been going on in this park for at least 10 years (or as long as I have been riding there). There is similar activity at the Middlesex Fells reservation.

The rangers in both cases are VERY aware of the issue, and are working hard to try to curtail it. Keep riding in the park, and if you encounter something like this again, report it just as you have this time.

I usually ride out of the Jenkins lot as well, and haven't seen this so much up at this end of the park. When I first started riding there, it was REALLY bad in the first big lot down by the police barracks - trollers everywhere, and you could tell who they were. We stopped parking there and went up to Jenkins (all the good singletrack is up that way anyway ).

I have a lot of friends who ride there on a regular basis, and have not had this kind of encounter, so I wouldn't think you would expect to see something like this on a regular basis. The other thing is, that as a female, you're not their type, so you shouldn't have to worry for your safety . Also, as someone else pointed out, there's a good chance that these guys are going home to families, so they want to be as anonymous as possible.

I hope this hasn't scarred you too badly, and that you'll keep going back! HP is an awesome place to ride.

SheFly

Thanks,
Your words make me feel alot better! I appreciate it. I went to Bradley Palmer instead today, it was fun...but I love Harlod Parker.
Jane