As an Assistant Coach of Monticello High School's mountain bike team, the effects of closing Ragged mountain were different than I expected. Now, the adjacent trails at Heyward are overcrowded with all types of users detracting from the experience.
I'm also a biologist and the lack of evidence for the effects of bikes on erosion of trails and impacts on ecology anywhere, much less Ragged is plain. There is no data out there either locally or in the literature that shows that mountain biking on established trails effect either plant or animal life or erodes trails any more than any other trail use.
Please consider amending your code to allow bikes again at Ragged mountain as a result. Thank you!
I recommend that you amend the code to align with the Ragged Mountain Master Park Plan, which would allow mountain biking on a 6.5 mile shared use loop (while designating 7.5 miles of trails as pedestrian-only). This gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy Ragged Mountain while still leaving a large amount of space for pedestrians to enjoy without encountering bikers. It is well documented that mountain biking doesn't harm wildlife or cause pollution, and instead brings our community together and keeps our population healthy.
Thank you for supporting a healthy, connected community.
Best,
Blaine
Dave Stackhouse, Board of Directors, Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club
7 months ago
As a Director of CAMBC, which has over 350 members within Albemarle County, and a resident of Charlottesville, I encourage you to change County Code 11-303 to allow biking and running. It is apparent that its intent was to "prohibit pollution of the water supply". Everyone knows bikes and running don't pollute. These are healthy outdoor activities that are good for our citizens and are a way to engage with nature. Engagement with nature fosters stewardship that is good for our natural areas.
I've heard arguments that the Ragged area is one of only 2 places for hikers that don't have occasional bicycles. This is simply untrue. There are 9 areas in the County to hike with no bikes, over 74 miles. And even Ragged has 7.5 miles of hiker only trails.
I've also heard that biking is bad for seniors. This also is untrue, biking helps seniors gain fitness. I am 75 years old and a biker. The Raggged loop is my favorite.
Please change the code to allow biking. It's the right thing to do.
Dear Board of Supervisor- I am asking you to please change the code to allow biking and trail running at Ragged Moutain. As a female, Ragged Mnt is a place I feel safe to run or bike alone. There aren't many trails close by where I feel that same safety. Ragged Mnt is beginner friendly - the surrounding bike trails are not beginner friendly. There a many hiking-only trails in the county - Ivy Creek, Sugar Hollow, James Monroe, Charlotte Humphris to name a few. RMR is a place I absolutely love to mountain bike and trail run. Please don't exclude portions of the community that love and care deeply for RMR. Thank you.
Thank you for considering ordinance changes that would include multi-use access to the trails surrounding Ragged Mountain Reservoir. I am a long time resident of the White Hall District and support multi-use access to all public natural areas.
I am a Charlottesville City resident who has enjoyed mountain biking at Ragged Mountain with my family for many years. Ragged Mountain has an amazing trail system that was design and built to accommodate multiple user groups. Studies show mountain biking has no impact on reservoir water quality. I ask that the Board look at the facts and vote to change the code and allow mountain biking at Ragged Mountain.
I live two miles from the beautiful Ragged Reservoir. It's a great place to hike, run and bike. Changing the code to allow biking will have NO impact on the natural environment and allow continued usage and support of the area. The trail system at Ragged Reservoir is already built and incorporated into the local mountain biking and trail running communities. I previously lived in Roanoke and frequented Carvins Cove. The Cove is a true outdoor recreation gem that combines human activities and environmental preservation with a safe water supply - an excellent piece of Virginia's green infrastructure. We can have the same here. Please change the Ordinance to reinstate shared usage at Ragged Mountain.
I'm an Albemarle County resident in the Hollymead area and used to regularly ride Ragged Reservoir with my middle school son and his friends. It was our favorite local ride in the area with beautiful lakeside views, and just enough challenge for my son to enjoy, but not beyond his ability like the Heyward trails tend to be with more steeper, more challenging terrain. We all know the cited "water quality concerns" put forth by some on the Board of Supervisors has been disproven by the studies done by the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority, so I'd ask those repeating these concerns to be more forthcoming with the reasons they want to ban some activities and not others. We're all reasonable people willing to engage in public discourse. But there are dozens of examples in Virginia (Carvin's Cove) and the mid-Atlantic alone that show how a public water resource and recreation trails can be used in harmony without any negative environmental or water quality impact. Please reconsider this ban!
Consider changing the code to allow mtn biking at Ragged. Before 2012 trails existed around the two dams. County code limited activities to hiking, so only a minority used the trails. As as a result, when RWSA expanded the dam, destroying acres of woods, few cared. Afterwards the City permitted other activities, albeit without authority, and Ragged's popularity exploded. You see that in the out poring of support for mtn biking. A minority want this area for hikers only. I say we can share and build hiker only trails. Others that fear for the water quality. I say fish poop too. Others argue that this is a sensitive ecological area. I say that is a moot point after the dam was enlarged. I worked at Camp Holiday Trails then and the endless blasting, earth moving, tree felling and construction traffic on gravel Reservoir Rd turned the waters into red clay pudding. The planned water level increase in 2025/2026 will cause havoc too. Mountain biking does not. Change the code.
Dear Board Members- Thank you for considering keeping ragged Mountain Recreational area available to all the users in the community who have worked to maintain, build, and enjoy this area. The bikers, joggers, walkers, hikers, birders, boaters were all getting along really well and would love to keep doing so.
Please don’t restrict certain groups of users from this great community resource.
J. Nile Wagley, PhD
C’Ville Resident and business owner
Dear members of the board, I am writing to urge you to change the ordinance and re-include biking and running use for the loop trail around Ragged Mountain reservoir. The beauty of the reservoir and it's natural area should be open for enjoyment and connection for all of our community. There are many natural areas and trails in Albemarle county and the surrounding area that are already designated as hiker only including Sugar hollow, Ivy Creek, Monroe Highlands; as well as the entire Appalachian trail and Shenandoah National Park. The only trail that is affected by this change in code is the 6.5 mi loop around Ragged Mountain reservoir. The other 7.5+ miles are and would be maintained "hiker only" as was decided upon thru the master plan which was created and agreed upon eight years ago.
More people having access to trails and nature leads to more people invested in preserving it.
Please change the code.
Thank you,
Gwendolyn Hall
Charlottesville Resident and busines owner
I would just like to add my voice to those in support of shared access to the Ragged Mountain Reservoir trail system. We are so fortunate to have an amazing outdoor resource like this available to us right in town. I know I speak for so so many taxpaying individuals in a wide range of age brackets both in the city and county who consider this resource to be one of the great amenities of living in Charlottesville. To take this healthy outdoor option away from a huge cross-section of local tax-paying citizens for unknown reasons seems extremely unwarranted and unfair. With no erosion associated with bike usage on the trails and tons of trail building and maintenance expertise associated with CAMBC, I would like to strongly encourage the board to leave the trails open to riders. Given the fact that Hiker-only trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir have already been designed, I would hope that their could be some type of mutually beneficial arrangement in the offing.
as an out of towner…ragged mtn. is a must ride for me…it never disappoints…please open it back up…it cant do no harm…i ride at carvins cove as well…which is a similar setup..no issues there…
Dear Elected Representatives, I am a constituent of the Jack Jouett magisterial district and strongly support mountain biking at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir (RMS). Mountain biking is a healthy, family activity that creates jobs and promotes community. RMS is unique among county parks in its proximity to riders and the length of the trail system. Less time in a car means more time on the trail. The length of the trails allow for variety. There is no evidence that biking degrades water quality more than other human activities. Please amend the county code to allow mountain biking around reservoirs, Thank you, Zack Dameron, MD
Dear BOS,
I'm writing a second time to urge you to change the code barring runners and cyclists from the Ragged Mountain trail network. At this point, you likely know all the many reasons why we feel so strongly about equal access to outdoor resources. And, by now you've had a chance to review the studies that disprove claims about the negative environmental impacts of running and cycling around the reservoir's trails. I'm not sure what else I can say that will convince you of our logic, other than to add a last, more subjective but no less important detail: runners and cyclists who regularly use the trails around Ragged Mountain Reservoir do so because, well, they love the place. They love how it challenges them. They love how it motivates them to get outside and exercise. They love being in a beautiful natural environment that provides a bit of refuge from the craziness of everyday life.
It hurts to lose something you love.
Please keep that in mind.
Respectfully,
Ari Blatt
Thank you to the Albemarle Board of Supervisors for taking time to review the inclusion of all users at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. As a father, mountain biker, and longtime coach for a number of our local youth mountain bikers, I can tell you that this closure has had a big impact on all who frequent these trails. The increased usage on surrounding trails is a reality. In addition all communities and all ages of cyclist, runners, & hikers benefit from the addition of longer moderate trails that are devoid of vehicle safety hazards, such as the those surrounding the reservoir.
In conclusion, I support the changing of Albemarle County code to create a healthier and happier community in the county we all call home by allowing hikers, runners, and mountain bikers all to have the opportunity to use the trails in and around the Ragged Mountain Reservoir.
Please change the code to allow all users at Ragged Mountain. Missing from the "Executive summary" is the extensive public input process, which included multiple collaborative community meetings after 2014. That colloboative community process led to the creation of a trail plan for Ragged that includes > 7 miles of hiker, and 5 miles of Shared Use trails. The cycling community has committed to helping rebuild the trail system again after the dam is raised and trails are flooded. The cycling community is one of the largest groups of trail stewards in our community, that have consistently worked with all community partners to plan, develop, consult, implement, and maintain, and enjoy sustainable trails throughout our community. The proximity of Ragged to the city, and connectivity to other trails allows many users to ride versus drive to this trail system. Please change the ordination to not exclude specific users who cherish and care for this park.Thank you for your work on this issue.
With bikes disallowed from the Ragged reservoir loop, the adjacent trails have become overcrowded. The reservoir loop is a safer and more kid-friendly trail for younger riders. Please consider updating the code to allow bikes again.
Thank you for considering ordinance changes that will increase public access to recreational opportunities, including cycling and running, on the trails around Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Shared use trail systems inspire more people to care for our natural spaces and build community, while enhancing the general health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors. Excluding cyclists and runners sends a message that all are not welcome, simply because they choose to move through the woods and experience the outdoors in a different way. During this divisive time in our country’s history, I urge you to support efforts that support healthy recreation and bring us together as a community.
As the coach of the Western Albemarle high school mountain bike team, we struggle to find safe but enjoyable mountain bike trails for our team to practice on. The ragged mountain trails have provided a place for us to teach middle and high school kids the fundamentals of mountain biking for the last several years. Please consider reopening Ragged Mountain Reservoir for mountain bikers to enjoy.
As an Assistant Coach of Monticello High School's mountain bike team, the effects of closing Ragged mountain were different than I expected. Now, the adjacent trails at Heyward are overcrowded with all types of users detracting from the experience.
I'm also a biologist and the lack of evidence for the effects of bikes on erosion of trails and impacts on ecology anywhere, much less Ragged is plain. There is no data out there either locally or in the literature that shows that mountain biking on established trails effect either plant or animal life or erodes trails any more than any other trail use.
Please consider amending your code to allow bikes again at Ragged mountain as a result. Thank you!
Dear Board of Supervisors,
I recommend that you amend the code to align with the Ragged Mountain Master Park Plan, which would allow mountain biking on a 6.5 mile shared use loop (while designating 7.5 miles of trails as pedestrian-only). This gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy Ragged Mountain while still leaving a large amount of space for pedestrians to enjoy without encountering bikers. It is well documented that mountain biking doesn't harm wildlife or cause pollution, and instead brings our community together and keeps our population healthy.
Thank you for supporting a healthy, connected community.
Best,
Blaine
As a Director of CAMBC, which has over 350 members within Albemarle County, and a resident of Charlottesville, I encourage you to change County Code 11-303 to allow biking and running. It is apparent that its intent was to "prohibit pollution of the water supply". Everyone knows bikes and running don't pollute. These are healthy outdoor activities that are good for our citizens and are a way to engage with nature. Engagement with nature fosters stewardship that is good for our natural areas.
I've heard arguments that the Ragged area is one of only 2 places for hikers that don't have occasional bicycles. This is simply untrue. There are 9 areas in the County to hike with no bikes, over 74 miles. And even Ragged has 7.5 miles of hiker only trails.
I've also heard that biking is bad for seniors. This also is untrue, biking helps seniors gain fitness. I am 75 years old and a biker. The Raggged loop is my favorite.
Please change the code to allow biking. It's the right thing to do.
Dear Board of Supervisor- I am asking you to please change the code to allow biking and trail running at Ragged Moutain. As a female, Ragged Mnt is a place I feel safe to run or bike alone. There aren't many trails close by where I feel that same safety. Ragged Mnt is beginner friendly - the surrounding bike trails are not beginner friendly. There a many hiking-only trails in the county - Ivy Creek, Sugar Hollow, James Monroe, Charlotte Humphris to name a few. RMR is a place I absolutely love to mountain bike and trail run. Please don't exclude portions of the community that love and care deeply for RMR. Thank you.
Thank you for considering ordinance changes that would include multi-use access to the trails surrounding Ragged Mountain Reservoir. I am a long time resident of the White Hall District and support multi-use access to all public natural areas.
I am a Charlottesville City resident who has enjoyed mountain biking at Ragged Mountain with my family for many years. Ragged Mountain has an amazing trail system that was design and built to accommodate multiple user groups. Studies show mountain biking has no impact on reservoir water quality. I ask that the Board look at the facts and vote to change the code and allow mountain biking at Ragged Mountain.
I live two miles from the beautiful Ragged Reservoir. It's a great place to hike, run and bike. Changing the code to allow biking will have NO impact on the natural environment and allow continued usage and support of the area. The trail system at Ragged Reservoir is already built and incorporated into the local mountain biking and trail running communities. I previously lived in Roanoke and frequented Carvins Cove. The Cove is a true outdoor recreation gem that combines human activities and environmental preservation with a safe water supply - an excellent piece of Virginia's green infrastructure. We can have the same here. Please change the Ordinance to reinstate shared usage at Ragged Mountain.
I'm an Albemarle County resident in the Hollymead area and used to regularly ride Ragged Reservoir with my middle school son and his friends. It was our favorite local ride in the area with beautiful lakeside views, and just enough challenge for my son to enjoy, but not beyond his ability like the Heyward trails tend to be with more steeper, more challenging terrain. We all know the cited "water quality concerns" put forth by some on the Board of Supervisors has been disproven by the studies done by the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority, so I'd ask those repeating these concerns to be more forthcoming with the reasons they want to ban some activities and not others. We're all reasonable people willing to engage in public discourse. But there are dozens of examples in Virginia (Carvin's Cove) and the mid-Atlantic alone that show how a public water resource and recreation trails can be used in harmony without any negative environmental or water quality impact. Please reconsider this ban!
Consider changing the code to allow mtn biking at Ragged. Before 2012 trails existed around the two dams. County code limited activities to hiking, so only a minority used the trails. As as a result, when RWSA expanded the dam, destroying acres of woods, few cared. Afterwards the City permitted other activities, albeit without authority, and Ragged's popularity exploded. You see that in the out poring of support for mtn biking. A minority want this area for hikers only. I say we can share and build hiker only trails. Others that fear for the water quality. I say fish poop too. Others argue that this is a sensitive ecological area. I say that is a moot point after the dam was enlarged. I worked at Camp Holiday Trails then and the endless blasting, earth moving, tree felling and construction traffic on gravel Reservoir Rd turned the waters into red clay pudding. The planned water level increase in 2025/2026 will cause havoc too. Mountain biking does not. Change the code.
Dear Board Members- Thank you for considering keeping ragged Mountain Recreational area available to all the users in the community who have worked to maintain, build, and enjoy this area. The bikers, joggers, walkers, hikers, birders, boaters were all getting along really well and would love to keep doing so.
Please don’t restrict certain groups of users from this great community resource.
J. Nile Wagley, PhD
C’Ville Resident and business owner
Dear members of the board, I am writing to urge you to change the ordinance and re-include biking and running use for the loop trail around Ragged Mountain reservoir. The beauty of the reservoir and it's natural area should be open for enjoyment and connection for all of our community. There are many natural areas and trails in Albemarle county and the surrounding area that are already designated as hiker only including Sugar hollow, Ivy Creek, Monroe Highlands; as well as the entire Appalachian trail and Shenandoah National Park. The only trail that is affected by this change in code is the 6.5 mi loop around Ragged Mountain reservoir. The other 7.5+ miles are and would be maintained "hiker only" as was decided upon thru the master plan which was created and agreed upon eight years ago.
More people having access to trails and nature leads to more people invested in preserving it.
Please change the code.
Thank you,
Gwendolyn Hall
Charlottesville Resident and busines owner
I would just like to add my voice to those in support of shared access to the Ragged Mountain Reservoir trail system. We are so fortunate to have an amazing outdoor resource like this available to us right in town. I know I speak for so so many taxpaying individuals in a wide range of age brackets both in the city and county who consider this resource to be one of the great amenities of living in Charlottesville. To take this healthy outdoor option away from a huge cross-section of local tax-paying citizens for unknown reasons seems extremely unwarranted and unfair. With no erosion associated with bike usage on the trails and tons of trail building and maintenance expertise associated with CAMBC, I would like to strongly encourage the board to leave the trails open to riders. Given the fact that Hiker-only trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir have already been designed, I would hope that their could be some type of mutually beneficial arrangement in the offing.
as an out of towner…ragged mtn. is a must ride for me…it never disappoints…please open it back up…it cant do no harm…i ride at carvins cove as well…which is a similar setup..no issues there…
Dear Elected Representatives, I am a constituent of the Jack Jouett magisterial district and strongly support mountain biking at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir (RMS). Mountain biking is a healthy, family activity that creates jobs and promotes community. RMS is unique among county parks in its proximity to riders and the length of the trail system. Less time in a car means more time on the trail. The length of the trails allow for variety. There is no evidence that biking degrades water quality more than other human activities. Please amend the county code to allow mountain biking around reservoirs, Thank you, Zack Dameron, MD
Dear BOS,
I'm writing a second time to urge you to change the code barring runners and cyclists from the Ragged Mountain trail network. At this point, you likely know all the many reasons why we feel so strongly about equal access to outdoor resources. And, by now you've had a chance to review the studies that disprove claims about the negative environmental impacts of running and cycling around the reservoir's trails. I'm not sure what else I can say that will convince you of our logic, other than to add a last, more subjective but no less important detail: runners and cyclists who regularly use the trails around Ragged Mountain Reservoir do so because, well, they love the place. They love how it challenges them. They love how it motivates them to get outside and exercise. They love being in a beautiful natural environment that provides a bit of refuge from the craziness of everyday life.
It hurts to lose something you love.
Please keep that in mind.
Respectfully,
Ari Blatt
Thank you to the Albemarle Board of Supervisors for taking time to review the inclusion of all users at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. As a father, mountain biker, and longtime coach for a number of our local youth mountain bikers, I can tell you that this closure has had a big impact on all who frequent these trails. The increased usage on surrounding trails is a reality. In addition all communities and all ages of cyclist, runners, & hikers benefit from the addition of longer moderate trails that are devoid of vehicle safety hazards, such as the those surrounding the reservoir.
In conclusion, I support the changing of Albemarle County code to create a healthier and happier community in the county we all call home by allowing hikers, runners, and mountain bikers all to have the opportunity to use the trails in and around the Ragged Mountain Reservoir.
Thank you,
Josh Bullock
Please change the code to allow all users at Ragged Mountain. Missing from the "Executive summary" is the extensive public input process, which included multiple collaborative community meetings after 2014. That colloboative community process led to the creation of a trail plan for Ragged that includes > 7 miles of hiker, and 5 miles of Shared Use trails. The cycling community has committed to helping rebuild the trail system again after the dam is raised and trails are flooded. The cycling community is one of the largest groups of trail stewards in our community, that have consistently worked with all community partners to plan, develop, consult, implement, and maintain, and enjoy sustainable trails throughout our community. The proximity of Ragged to the city, and connectivity to other trails allows many users to ride versus drive to this trail system. Please change the ordination to not exclude specific users who cherish and care for this park.Thank you for your work on this issue.
With bikes disallowed from the Ragged reservoir loop, the adjacent trails have become overcrowded. The reservoir loop is a safer and more kid-friendly trail for younger riders. Please consider updating the code to allow bikes again.
Thank you for considering ordinance changes that will increase public access to recreational opportunities, including cycling and running, on the trails around Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Shared use trail systems inspire more people to care for our natural spaces and build community, while enhancing the general health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors. Excluding cyclists and runners sends a message that all are not welcome, simply because they choose to move through the woods and experience the outdoors in a different way. During this divisive time in our country’s history, I urge you to support efforts that support healthy recreation and bring us together as a community.
As the coach of the Western Albemarle high school mountain bike team, we struggle to find safe but enjoyable mountain bike trails for our team to practice on. The ragged mountain trails have provided a place for us to teach middle and high school kids the fundamentals of mountain biking for the last several years. Please consider reopening Ragged Mountain Reservoir for mountain bikers to enjoy.