[pct-l] Bicycles allowed in the Wilderness HR1349 Tom McClintock CA US Congressman

[Jim Banks]

And Dana Rohrabacher, who represents a portion of Orange County in Southern California, is a co-sponsor of this legislation.  Rohrabacher is one of 24 Republican Congressmen whose district went for Clinton in the last election and who are being targeted by Democrats in this fall's election.  Rohrabacher has been a Congressman for many years, but his winning margin has been decreasing in each election.  If you live in his district, let him know how you feel about this legislation.  It may not do any good since he is a co-sponsor, but with the prospect of a very tight election this November, maybe he will change his position if he hears from enough of us.

If this legislation passes, it will forever change the PCT and other wilderness trails in a very negative way.  This has to be stopped now.  So no matter who your Congressman/Congresswoman is, let them know how you feel about this.

Jim Banks

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Pat Wormington
Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2018 7:15 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Bicycles allowed in the Wilderness HR1349 Tom McClintock CA US Congressman

I was informed by the Forest Service today that Tom McClintock,R, in the US House of Representatives, who represents District 4 in California which includes the Plumas National Forest and Tahoe National Forest land that the PCT passes through, introduced HR 1349 in 2017.  Bad, Bad news since bicycle riders here locally on the Plumas Forest have destroyed our trails in Lakes Basin.  With the trend of high snow levels during storms in the High Sierra, the rain makes the trenches created by the bicycles into gullies.  Mt. Elwell trail is no longer hikeable in Lakes Basin on the Plumas Forest, the trail is gone.  Obviously McClintock hasn’t ever experienced the disregard bicycle riders have for the right of way rules posted on trails.  Most bikes we see are traveling at maximum speed, more like a thrill ride, oblivious to other users of the trails.  I feel sorry for equestrians who would be risking their lives by sharing the trails with speeding bicycles in the Wilderness.  Horses are very powerful and a downhill speeding bicycle doesn’t stop on a dime.  Mt. Bikers have added rock to our trails making it impossible to see wildlife, walking on noisy rock.  Backpackers in the Wilderness don’t want to backpack on rocked trails.  Nice soft trail tread that is easy on our feet is more desirable to hike on.  

Pat Wormington
PCT 2009
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