Nancy Silvers was crestfallen when her volunteer group's request for a North Carolina Trails Grant was rejected. That group, the Raven Rock Equestrian Restoration Project, had hoped to use the money to replace the worn bridle trail network at Raven Rock State Park near Lillington.

Her crest didn't stay fallen for long.

Last week, Raven Rock got word that $50,000 from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund would be allocated to the project, which aims to replace the park's worn and eroded eight-mile bridle trail system with a new, 10-mile network.

Raven Rock staff and volunteers from Silvers' group have slowly been chipping away at clearing the new trail. Park Superintendent Paul Hart hopes to stretch the money to finish clearing the trail, establish erosion control, install culverts and grade the trail.

"We're hopeful we'll have enough funds to do that," Hart says.

If they don't?

"We have also planned for some contingency funding in case it runs a little more than that," says N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation spokesman Charlie Peek.

For the most part, Hart says, the trail will be natural surface, which will keep the cost down. By comparison, the refurbishment and expansion of Umstead State Park's 14.5-mile bike and bridle trail network cost about $1 million; that multipurpose network was replaced by a screened gravel surface intended to reduce injuries to horses and mountain bikers.

If the Raven Rock were projected to cost more than $100,000, it would have to go through a full competitive bidding process. Because it's not, Hart says, it can operate on a streamlined process that should allow work to begin by the end of summer.

"If all goes according to plan, it will hopefully open next spring," Hart says. "At least the West Loop."

The new network will consist of two loops, East and West. The West Loop has been flagged and partially cleared. The path of the East Loop is still being determined. The existing trail will remain open until the new trail is done.

The region's horseback riders have been desperate for places to ride. According to the N.C. Horse Council, the bulk of the state's 225,000 horses are stabled along the I-85 corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte, but most of the state's horse-friendly trails are in the mountains or coastal plain. In addition to Umstead, a 5.5-mile stretch of the American Tobacco Trail in Wake County is open to equestrians, and plans are in the works to develop trails at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and Harris Lake County Park.

The new trail will be open only to equestrians and hikers. But mountain bikers shouldn't despair.

"That's something we're looking at for the future," Hart says. The park is updating its general management plan, which includes plans for a mountain bike trail. Hart says to expect a draft of the plan later this summer.

For more on Raven Rock State Park,call (910) 893-4888 or go online to http://ils.unc. edu/parkproject/ncparks.html and click "Visit a Park." To read a column on regional horse trails that ran in March, visit www.newsobserver.com keyword: tio; click on "Recent Stories," then "More room to roam."

Bike traps?

A report circulating on the Carolina Tarwheels chat line (www.tarwheels.org) tells of a cycling sting operation of sorts in Utah. Seems Utah drivers have a particularly tough time sharing the road with their cycling brethren. According to the Ogden Standard-Examiner (www.standard.net/standard/ news/51015), five Utah police agencies are putting plainclothes officers on bikes, sending them out into traffic and seeing how they fare. Should they find motorists unwilling to share, they'll simply radio up the road and an awaiting patrol car will have a chat with the offending road hog.

The concept received an enthusiastic response among the Tarwheels, who pedal in a state that isn't exactly known for biker friendliness, either. Could such a sting happen here, they wondered?

Good question. So TIO approached the local municipality most likely to conduct a similar exercise: Cary.

Cary is one of only two local communities deemed bike-friendly by the League of American Bicyclists (Carrboro is the other). Its transportation plan makes ample use of wide lanes and bike lanes, and its greenway system is growing. It also has a 10-member bike patrol that works as part of the police department's impact team.

Might Cary's cycling cops go undercover?

"We have not put bicycle officers in plain clothes to monitor the safety of cyclists," says Susan Moran, Cary's public information officer. "We have used the cycle team, or impact team, on crimes on greenways."

If problems arise, though, I wouldn't put it past Cary's finest to pedal undercover. Remember those inflatable patrol cars Cary used a couple of years back to deter speeding?

Hickory Nut Gorge

Last month, state legislators approved creation of Hickory Nut Gorge State Park near Lake Lure. TIO takes a trip to Rutherford County for a peek at what this emerging state park might offer when it opens. Look for it in Sunday's Travel section.