Bent Sprockets plan to keep on pedaling after trail vandalized

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Shell casings littered the ground and bullet holes covered the kiosk at the Old Quarry Trails, located 5 miles east of Newcastle, on July 9, and a similar scene greeted Bent Sprockets President Jeremy Dedic again last week when the leader of the local bicycle group went to the trail to do some work, although no new damage was discovered. 
“You can shoot out there, but you need to be safe. It is not the way we want to be represented, not the majority of us,” Dedic said. “We want to stay neat; there were like 50 shells on the ground. And we want people shooting safely, making sure there aren’t trail users or livestock behind your target. They are both common in this area.”
Dedic has worked with the Bureau of Land Management to develop the bike trails at the old rock quarry on U.S. Highway 16, one mile southeast of the LAK Reservoir. 
Over the past six to seven months, close to 1,000 hours had been put into the development of the trail. 
“A lot of time and effort has gone into making some really nice trails,” Dedic said.
Dedic had reached out to the BLM in 2021 to begin establishing the Old Quarry Trails, and the location of the new path is pristine. There are roughly 5.5 miles of trail for the public to enjoy, with a total of 16 miles of trail in the works. They can be used for walking, running or biking.
Situated in a rock pit, the area is exposed to significant amounts of sunlight, which prevents ice and snow buildup. That means the community can enjoy the trail nearly year-round. 
“It breaks my heart to have the brand new trailhead ruined already. Volunteers made that trail, local citizens, like me and the other guys in the group (Bent Sprockets). We donated time and money.” 
While the cost to replace the sign may only be $500 — without installation — the vandalism occurred on federal property and the BLM is
interested in any leads that may identify the perpetrators, Dedic said. 
“The Bureau of Land Management is offering a $300 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the individuals responsible for vandalizing the kiosk at the Old Quarry Trails located 5 miles east of Newcastle,” an Aug. 1 press release states. “On July 9, the kiosk at the popular recreation area was found with multiple bullet holes.”
According to the release, the kiosk was installed in May 2022, following a collaborative effort between the BLM, Bent Sprockets, private donors and other volunteers. Further development of the trail was completed this summer following the BLM’s hosting of the Montana Conservation Corps. 
Anyone with information about the vandalism is encouraged to contact the Newcastle Field Office at 307-746-6600. 
Dedic said he and the other volunteers are still committed to finishing the work they began at the old quarry, and he gleefully shared a photo of the rock man that has been built to inspire  people as they arrive to use the path. Apparently it provides inspiration to the trail creators as well. 
“Great things are still going to happen here,” he said.