[pct-l] Bikes on the PCT

[Jim Banks]

To me, it is the very presence of bikes on the trail that bothers me.  Even
if every single rider were respectful, yielded to hikers, followed all the
"rules," etc. etc.  A bicycle, or any other mechanical device, on the trail
ruins the sense of peace, quietness, and tranquility that I seek on the
trail.   

I-Beam

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Devon Taig
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 3:23 PM
To: Stephanie Best
Cc: PCT-l
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bikes on the PCT

I have thru-hike both the PCT and the Colorado Trail. Although I am not a
mountain biker, I count anyone who is *respectful *of others on the trail
and who gives of their time, energy, and financial resources to help
maintain the trails to be an important ally. I am honestly happy that people
are using the trails even though I might encounter some additional (often
substantial) traffic while hiking. People using trails is a good thing!
Truly, there are parts of the Continental Divide Trail that probably
wouldn't be visible anymore if it weren't for bikers.
Now, on the other hand, when a person is riding a machine capable of the
kinds of speeds that a bike is, there is obviously the potential for a
serious problem or an injury; and YES, I have encountered problem cyclists
on the Colorado Trail that have scared me and my dog.  But I don't believe
in throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  I welcome cyclists, but I ask
them to *please* be respectful of hikers.  Know that hikers are *much*
slower than you and may not hear you coming (particularly if they have
headphones on).  Kindly dismount if you aren't able to ride around. Even
though you may think it is super-easy for a hiker to simply step off the
trail, if it is the 30th time they've stepped off in one hour, it gets
*really *old really quick to always yield. And lastly, *PLEASE slow down
especially downhill and on blind curves and never ride at night*.  The
biggest problem on the Colorado Trail in my opinion is that stupid Denver to
Durango bike race.  Racers, because they are riding so fast and often at
night pose a VERY serious danger indeed.  Racing has absolutely NO place on
the PCT or the Colorado Trail. You can't be respectful and race at the same
time.
It isn't bikes on the trail that worry me - it's people not respecting one
another.  Please, do that and we'll all get along fine.

Devon


On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 11:42 PM, Stephanie Best <stephintahoe at sbcglobal.net
> wrote:

> I have to strongly disagree with you Bob.  I live in a town (in CO) 
> with a huge mountain bike presence (the town is dubbed "Mountain bike 
> capital of the USA").
>  It has gotten to the point where my friends and I simply do not hike 
> during the weekends because we have the added bike traffic from the 
> Front Rangers who take over the trails.  We have been bumped with 
> handle bars, our dogs have been injured and we have been cussed out 
> for not hearing them behind us.  It is not my job to constantly be 
> looking behind me to see if I'm in a bikers way.
>  Not
> once has a biker yielded to me.
>
> I hope you will reconsider your position.
>
> Stephanie
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Bankhead <wandering_bob at comcast.net>
> To: PCT List Forum <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 9:12 PM
> Subject: [pct-l]  bikes on the PCT
>
> Mountain bikers and hikers can co-exist on the same trail. Look at the 
> Colorado Trail. With the exception of a few wilderness areas, 
> non-motorized bikes are allowed anywhere along its length. Parts of 
> the trail are included in the routings of the Leadville and 
> Breckenridge 100 mile races, and there is even an annual bike race 
> from Denver to Durango on the CT. There are designated biker CT road 
> routes around those sensitive wilderness areas.
>
> How do they do it? Respect for each other. Bikers put in hundreds of 
> manhours each year maintaining the CT. I've never met a disrespectful 
> biker on the CT.
> Quite the contrary, they are a great resource for hikers, often 
> sharing water, trail condition, and providing rides to/from remote 
> trailheads. Yes, the bikes do cut ruts into the trail tread, but 
> fixing that is where a lot of their maintenance hours go.
>
> The rules of the road are everyone yields to stock, and bikes yield to 
> hikers.
> Courtesy modifies that a bit such that descending hikers routinely 
> step off the trail for bikes pedaling uphill. It's a lot easier to get 
> going again for the hiker. Bikers are well aware of the presence of 
> hikers and make a concerted effort to avoid collisions on blind 
> corners and sweeping curves, even during the races.
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