[pct-l] Bicycle Usage Proposal

[Ron Dye]

I was somewhat ambivalent about bikes on the trail UNTIL I hiked the Tahoe
Rim Trail where they are allowed in certain areas.  While a lot of them were
respectful of the trail and hikers, others were flat out dangerous to
hikers.  At times we had to fall into the brush to avoid being run down.  We
actually had them ride through a stream immediately upstream from where we
were filtering water.  

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Greg Hardwick
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2010 11:29 AM
To: CHUCK CHELIN; Joel Fisler
Cc: PCT listserve
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bicycle Usage Proposal


Scope creep.

Also - I hate the idea when I am hiking and have to keep looking back to see

if a bike is coming.  I am in Phoenix and we have a lot of preserve trails 
that accommodate both.  It is also really disappointing to see these fools 
going off path to make a jump and also cascading rocks down the trail.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "CHUCK CHELIN" <steeleye at wildblue.net>
To: "Joel Fisler" <pct at fisler.ch>
Cc: "PCT listserve" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2010 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bicycle Usage Proposal


Good morning, Joel,

When discussing expanded use of the PCT there’s always concern about where
it will stop.  If bikes are allowed soon there will develop the “PCT
Cycle-Cross Race”.  Next will come motorcycles and the “PCT Motocross Race”.
Ridicules?  Each additional step towards mechanizing the PCT (semi) supports
expansion to the next step.



A practical difficulty arising from cycles, of either type, is peculiar
damage caused by wheels.  Whereas footprints – particularly pack/saddle
animal prints – cause some damage to the trail tread surface, the damage is
spotty.  Wheel damage tends to be one, long, more-or-less continuous,
relatively narrow, groove which absolutely begs water to follow and create
an erosion path.  Where I live – and perform trail maintenance – in the
rainy Pacific NW the problem is particularly bad.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Sat, Sep 18, 2010 at 7:52 AM, Joel Fisler <pct at fisler.ch> wrote:

> I totally disagree with the two postings.
>
> First of all, if you crash all the time and break your bones then you 
> might
> be better off hiking. But making this a general rule for everyone is 
> wrong.
> Furthermore you are confusing mountain biking with road cycling. Mountain
> biking on a paved road does not make sense at all. I am a mountain biker 
> and
> I try to avoid roads (even fire roads) as much as I can because for me the
> nice thing about mountain biking is that I can be AWAY from roads and cars
> and everything.
>
> Second: Personally I would love to do the PCT with the bike. Its an ideal
> trail, its usually not too steep, wide enough and smooth for bikes and you
> could bike for weeks and weeks. I am totally for that. In fact, I dont
> understand why in the US so many trails are off-limits for mountain bikes.
> In Europe you are usually allowed to bike on all the trails e.g. in the
> Alps. Using common sense (dont pass hikers with 20mph, be courteous etc.)
> avoids conflicts with hikers and I personally never had any problems or
> arguments with hikers. Why the need for all those regulations? Isnt the US
> all about freedom and non-regulation? Why having trails for horses or 
> hikers
> only, for bikers, for people with dogs etc. Why not allow everyone use the
> trails?
>
> Anyway, thanks for the link, I'll try to promote it where I can :-)
>
> Bye
> Joel
>
>
>
> On 18.09.2010, at 08:25, Melanie Clarke wrote:
>
> > tree root, rock etc.  Let's preserve our pristine trails for hiking. 
> > The
> > trail is no place for a bike!!!
> >
>
>
> ___________________________________________
> Joël Fisler - joel at fisler.ch - http://blog.fisler.ch
>
> HOME:   Hegibachstrasse 20, 8032 Zürich
> PHONE:  +41 43 4998365 oder "joelfisler" (Skype)
> CHAT:   fisler at mac.com (Messenger & iChat)
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>
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