[pct-l] Forest Service to consider allowing Mtn Bikes on the PCT

[Maxine Weyant]

I think mountain biking is a wonderful sport but it should NOT be allowed on the PCT.  It's very destructive to the trail tread, and there's a big issue with safety.  I don't agree that 98% of mountain bikers are courteous.  In my experience, it's been about 50%.  

When I was on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, in the sections where mountain biking was allowed on the same trail as the hikers, there were numerous times when I was almost nailed by cyclists whipping down the trail.  Having to suddenly jump out of the way, or just being suddenly surprised when you're wearing a heavy pack, can cause injuries or worse--falls.  I once almost flew over a 100 foot cliff while I was mountain biking near Mt Rainier when 2 careless cyclists came careening down the trail at full speed and rounded the corner.  To avoid a head-on collision, I had to brake vigorously and my bike skidded off the trail.  Fortunately, the cliff had ended just a few feet before our encounter so I ended up face-first in the huckleberry bushes about 8 feet below the trail.  We really don't need that type of encounter on the PCT, especially when we have so many horses (not to mention hikers zoning out, listening to their mp3 players.)  Why invite tragedy?   

Sure, maybe the PCTA could make more money by collecting donations from mountain bikers, but their first duty should be to protect and preserve the PCT, not just to preserve the PCTA.  I'd be happy to donate even more to keep the bikes off the trail, but if the PCTA doesn't take a vigorous stand against allowing bikes on the trail, I'd be likely to send my donations elsewhere.   

It's my impression that with government budget cuts and USFS staffing cuts in the last 10 years, far more trail maintenance is performed by volunteers, not by the USFS.  And while horses may do a LOT of damage to the trail tread, equestrian groups like the Backcountry Horsemen do a LOT of the trail maintenance.  If bikes are allowed on the trail, trail volunteers will have even more work to do.  I don't think the USFS should open the trail to mixed use and invite accelerated trail erosion and rutting if they can't pony up the funds and manpower to maintain the trail.  I don't think the volunteers who maintain the trail will appreciate the added burden that mountain bikes would impart.   

Most non-wilderness areas already have a lot of trails that allow mountain biking,  If mountain bikers so badly want a PCT-equivalent experience, perhaps a separate PCT comprised of other trails and fire-roads could be set aside for multi-use.   And if the PCTA wanted to promote and assist in the development of such a separate route, provided it was funded by the bike-enthusiasts, I'd be in support of that.   

Dys-feng shui-nal