[pct-l] another try: bikes on the PCT

[brick@fastpack.com (Brick Robbins)]

My last post got truncated because I forwarded it.

Maybe this one will get through
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From: "PCTA Membership" <membership@pcta.org>
Subject: Bikes on teh PCT
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 13:38:47 -0800
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 >From: "Steve Courtway" 
<<mailto:scourtway@bpa-arch.com>scourtway@bpa-arch.com>
 >To: <<mailto:PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
 >Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 10:12:07 -0800
 >
 >Greetings folks, time to really get things fired up around here.
 >
 >Living in San Diego, and being a mountain biker as well as a
 >PCT hiker, I've found the 23.5 miles southbound from Barrel Spring
 >to Scissors Crossing a very exciting winter mountain bike ride,
 >unlike the hell most hikers report northbound in springtime.
 >
 >Now, before y'all get real fired up, here's why:
 >
 >1) this stretch of trail in on BLM public domain land - it says
 >so at the Barrel Springs trailhead, and the verbage in the sign
 >says you can do anything you want there.

Not sure what you mean by "time to really get things fired up around here" 
and then say "before y'all get real fired up, here's why;"  There's really 
nothing to get fired up about.  The PCT is a hiker and equestrian 
trail.  If you are riding a bike on it, you are doing so illegally, and are 
subject to a fine.

 >2) I would not even consider riding on well used portions of the PCT,
 >due to the obvious reasons, but this section gets little use.

The PCT is designated as "non-mechanized" in the Comprehensive Management 
Plan for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the official document or 
authority that guides the federal government in its management of the 
trail.  The Pacific Crest Trail Association fully supports this 
designation.  The Comprehensive Plan does not suspend the "non-mechanized" 
classification for any section, regardless of use.

 >3) I take care not to thrash the trail, and havn't advertised the ride to
 >anyone.

We appreciate the fact that you have not, until your posting on the PCT-L, 
advertised your illegal activity.

 >4) I feel bikes, when ridden right, don't do any more damage than horses
 >to the trail.

Not the point; horses are legal.  The issue of more or less damage depends 
entirely on the soil and frequency of use.

 >4) I would be interested in specific prohibitive information about doing 
this,
 >(not just "there's no bikes allowed on the PCT!!!!!!!") if anyone has any.
 >I've been on the ethics fence on this one for awhile.  Is it not true use
 >of trails can
 >be regulated in State / National Park land, but not BLM public domain land ?

It is not true; you have been mislead.  Since your posting on the 
PCT-L  contains questions that may need further "official" response, I am 
forwarding your message and my responses to Mark Conley, BLM State Trails 
Manager, and Peggy Hernandez, PCT Manager for the USDA Forest Service, the 
agency responsible managing for the entire trail.  I'm sure they can dispel 
any doubts you may have based on my comments.

s/Bob Ballou
Executive Director
Pacific Crest Trail Association
<mailto:director@pcta.org>director@pcta.<mailto:director@pcta.org>org