[pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail

[Jerry Goller]

I've tried a variation of that argument on the girls in my neighborhood for
a different activity. They didn't buy it either......   ;o)
 
Jerry
 
 <http://www.backpackgeartest.org/> http://www.BackpackGearTest.org : the
most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
 

  _____  

From: Lars Nilsson [mailto:lars at standardarmament.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 1:06 PM
To: Jerry Goller; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail



That has always been the response from bikers and ATV users. At what point
have we compromised our way to no public lands that haven't been torn up by
machines?

 

If you keep compromising, at some point you'll have nothing left to concede.

 

"Public Lands" use is dictated by the Public.  Increasingly wilderness use
is day use or weekend use.  If the numbers of those in the public see us as
gatekeepers, keeping others out for our own provincial desires, even if
those desires are altruistically intended to benefit future generations,
then they will be more inclined to sweep aside our desires.  Increasing
access AND APPRECIATION of wilderness might be the best way of protecting
wilderness.  Like it or not the wilderness changes along with the
surrounding country.  The California grizzly bear is only found on our state
flag.  Muir hut and other buildings, the signs that help guide us, even the
trails we walk on are the result of machines or tools.  We will only
appreciate the wildness of nature as we interact with it, but even that
interaction changes nature.  Even our footsteps alter the landscape. 

 

 

Lars Nilsson

TrailSnail

  _____  

From: Jerry Goller [mailto:jerrygoller at backpackgeartest.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:51 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail

 

That has always been the response from bikers and ATV users. At what point
have we compromised our way to no public lands that haven't been torn up by
machines?

 

If you keep compromising, at some point you'll have nothing left to concede.


 

Jerry

 

 <http://www.backpackgeartest.org/> http://www.BackpackGearTest.org : the
most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.

 

 

  _____  

From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Lars Nilsson
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:26 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail

"There's an assault brewing on the parks here. The ORV and mountain bike
crowd are trying to get the Mill Creek Addition to Del Norte Coast Redwoods
SP opened to them. Do any of you have pictures of trail damage caused by
ORVs and mt. bikes, particularly in far northern California and southern
Oregon -- PCT or trails west."

I hike, but my sons bike.  They are courteous and stay mainly on fire roads
but do enjoy single track riding as well.  They resent the outright banning
of bikes on certain trails.  There are "bad apples" in all groups.  There
are wannabee ultralight backpackers who allow their alcohol stoves to blow
over in wind and start fires, causing far more damage than fat tires.  There
are hikers who insist they are "stealthy" enough that bears will never find
their food and so they don't need those pesky, heavy bear cans.  Too few of
us truly practice "leave NO trace;" do we ban backpackers or demand personal
responsibility and concern/respect for the back country from all who enter?

I am not suggesting that we pave the trails or put up neon signs, but there
should be some compromise that allows more people to enjoy the land in their
own way.  Woody Guthrie sang "this land was made for you and me".  As hikers
we recognize HYOH to mean that for some the fastest wins as does the last
one to Canada (assuming Campo is your trailhead). 

 

Lars Nilsson

TrailSnail

 

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