[pct-l] bikes on the PCT

[a-lindaf@microsoft.com (Linda Fullerton (Wasser))]

For more on solitude and the reasons for limiting access to wilderness ,
read Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire" (if you haven't already worn out
three or four personal copies and given away another dozen).

-----Original Message-----
From: CMountainDave@aol.com [mailto:CMountainDave@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 1:37 PM
To: scourtway@bpa-arch.com; PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] bikes on the PCT


I think you re barking up the wrong tree. Your questions on mountain
biking 
on the PCT would best be answered by asking the PCTA and the BLM
directly. 
Personally, I think the reason mountain bikes are not allowed even on
little 
used parts of the PCT is because many hikers like to have at least a
sense of 
some solitude. Therefore the more restrictions on use, the better. Sure,
it's 
an elitist thing, but so is the concept of wilderness itself. Many, many

potential users are excluded from using it, from developers of condos,
to 
view mongers, to poachers using wheel barrels. I guess we feel that
since the 
trail was made for and by horse riders and hikers, only they should use
it. 
Mountain bikers and dirt bikers each are large groups of people. The 
reasoning, as I see it, is that they should and could construct their
own 
trails, where allowed by law, so that the PCT won't be over popularized
and 
we lose the sense of solitude that now exists on large portions of it. 
Basically, its a matter of whether or not solitude is seen as a
worthwhile in 
itself.  Isn't the sense of solitude one of the reasons quotas are
placed in 
wilderness areas? A floodgate could be opened if mountain bikers (and
then, 
eventually, dirt bikers) are allowed to use the PCT. I, for one don't
wish to 
see an europization of American public lands. I saw a slide show on the
Alps 
once. I was very dismayed to see you could not escape civilization
ANYWHERE. 
The common theme was that the land was there for everyone to enjoy and
all of 
it must therefore be made accessible. Hence climbing huts, gondolas,
blasted 
tunnels, and hordes of climbers and tourists filled every nook, cranny
and 
peak. Solitude simply did not exist. It had been sacrificed to the
common 
"good." Saying access should be allowed to everyone on the PCT will
result in 
the same thing happening here. If the Grand Tetons and Grand Canyon were
in 
Europe, there would be gondolas everywhere. Why? Because inaccessible
land 
has no tourist value. Those that say we must share just can't comprehend
the 
loss of inaccesible places being made easily accessible.  So, in
conclusion, 
how about building your own trail, where multiple use laws exist,
instead of 
using ours. I promise not to hike on it. 
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