[pct-l] Mountain Bikes and Trail Damage

[Edward Anderson]

On some issues there is no room for compromise. Allowing wheeled vehicles on the PCT and in Wilderness areas would be a serious mistake. There is no room for "compromise" if we are to preserve the trails and the serinity in those special places. I feel that Mountain Bikers who want to enjoy nature in those wonderful places have every right to see them - they should take their time and either hike or ride a horse like the rest of us do. 
 
It is absolutely untrue that, as one recent poster stated, " Well, all the serious studies have shown that on average bicycles impact trails slightly more than hikers and way less than horses".  What "serious studies" - and by who?  Especially when the tread is at all soft and also sloped, wheels make linear grooves. When it rains water will naturally run down those grooves, the erosion eventually results in ditches - which only become deeper. Then a parallel trail will be made, etc. Who, hiking or riding a horse on the PCT has not seen this. I have seen it especially on Sections where bikes have illegally used the trail. I have also observed it often on public lands where multiple-use allows bikes. The intermittent impressions made by the footprints of either humans or horses do not create continuous, linear grooves that become water channels.
 
MendoRider-Hiker
 

________________________________
 From: Brick Robbins <brick at brickrobbins.com>
To: Derek Fohs <derekfohs at hotmail.com> 
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Mountain Bikes and Trail Damage
  
On Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 11:33 AM, Derek Fohs <derekfohs at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> The Tahoe Rim Train Association has worked some compromises (alternating days, one-way direction, only certain sections) It's a good website http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=140&Itemid=157 I'm an avid mountain biker and prefer to ride where there are no hikers, horses, motos, or anyone else that matter.

The TRT "compromise" doesn't work.

On the TRT Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek, section, on a "No Mountain
Bike day," I passes 50+ Mountain Bikes. I challenged many of them
about riding on a closed day, and except for ONE, I got replies of the
flavor "F*ck you, will ride where and when we want." I think there was
MORE hostility because of this "compromise."

I talked to the director the TRT about it, and got an unsatisfactory
answer. I will not be giving them any money.
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