His 1st Trail attempt was Pickle Trail as we now know it. It's the logical extension of Fisherman's Trail which was only a hodgepodge of paths leading to the small lake.Porcupine, The Wall, Gravity, Rockadendron, Thirsty Dog, Hemlocked & Loaded, Buddha, Split Rock, the Wildcat Cat loop, most of Mojo Swamp (and more) are just some of the trails built by Nature Jim. When I first laid wheels down at Wawayanda 20 years ago, the park consisted of mostly overgrown fire roads...Jim enriched the experience of every mountain biker who visited the park.
The trail he was working on at any given time was always going to be his most "amazing " creation.His trail building ability - and vision for a trail - was amazing. Trails weren't impossible, but challenging. I think I remember Jim telling me that Hemlock 'N' Load was his most proud trail. To this day, Hemlock is one of my favorite trails there.
Yes. As you say, adventures wete his specialty. All day, in the night with a just a full moon lighting the way. Amazing stuff that lots of people wouldn't imagine. Jim even started extreme snow shoeing from the top of Bearfort Mountain (not me sadly) everyone would leap from ledges into deep snow all the way down the mountain. All were surprised it could be done. That was Nature Jim.I was lucky to share many adventures with Jim. The fondest were XC ski adventures up in Wayway. We skied many of the trails before they were built. Jim was always exploring and searching beautiful parts of the park. Most skis were all day adventures completed after dark with fun times at his house. I often felt that I would not come back alive, but always came back feeling I had the best adventure. He would often sing at parties or in the emergency room, when ever it suited him. Jim loved living life to the fullest and was positive about everything. He had no patience for "no", just went ahead and lived "yes". I can't help but respect him for living his life that way. I am thankful that I went on that first night ride with him, even if I did get dropped and lost when my lights died. Someone came back and found me, and I had my first Nature Jim awesome adventure. I will miss him for sure. RIP Jim.
I remember that night and many mtb “adventures” with Jim. Still hard to believe he’s passed. RIP old friend.One of my fond memories of Jim was a bike trip to Kingdom. After a great day of riding (it's KT so of course it was great) me, Jim, Dick C, Joe and some others on this forum who may remember, were eating dinner at Junipers. It was a beautiful Vermont evening so we ate on the outside patio, enjoying the crisp air. Out of no where, Jim starts singing. He had such a great singing voice, and none of the other patrons were annoyed - in fact, a dude from another table chimed in and started singing too! It was a pretty cool sight.
Hahahaa! I remember crashing off Nature Jim's bridge, falling into the water where only my head and left shoulder stayed dry. That was in February!! Fortunately it was a balmy 41 degrees out and a fellow rider had an extra shell. @Dick C should remember, since he jokingly asked if I stopped to take a dip - he had no idea I fell into the water.Nature Jim,
Picture of my friend after not making your bridge. Covered in mud and laughing.
Thank you for the trails you created and the memories we are making on them.
RIP
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I remember that solo like it was yesterday.One of my fond memories of Jim was a bike trip to Kingdom. After a great day of riding (it's KT so of course it was great) me, Jim, Dick C, Joe and some others on this forum who may remember, were eating dinner at Junipers. It was a beautiful Vermont evening so we ate on the outside patio, enjoying the crisp air. Out of no where, Jim starts singing. He had such a great singing voice, and none of the other patrons were annoyed - in fact, a dude from another table chimed in and started singing too! It was a pretty cool sight.
I remember that like it was yesterday. Also you were ahead of the group and successfully cleaned it once or twice before the fail.Hahahaa! I remember crashing off Nature Jim's bridge, falling into the water where only my head and left shoulder stayed dry. That was in February!! Fortunately it was a balmy 41 degrees out and a fellow rider had an extra shell. @Dick C should remember, since he jokingly asked if I stopped to take a dip - he had no idea I fell into the water.