[pct-l] bicycles

[kraig.mottar at verizon.net (Kraig Mottar)]

I triggered nerves. Now there are people who hate and fear me, you don't need to. The first post on this thread was intended to learn what the rules were, not as a threat. I do not intend to break any rules. When I was told of the rules against bikes I expressed disagreement which was interpreted as attempted hostility. If it were I'd still be going on about it and throwing out insults, etc.
So you can rest assured that I am no threat, so you can put down the weapons and turn off the alarm. :-)

Kraig


> From: dsaufley@sprynet.com
> Date: 2004/12/03 Fri AM 10:44:38 PST
> To: eyakel@earthlink.net,  Jeff Moorehead <jeffmoorehead1@cox.net>, 
> 	pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] bicycles
> 
> I am a mountain biker and have worked with the trail crew, and hosted them, and will continue to do so for the remainder of my years.  I say with love in my heart to please be careful of broad generalizations about this or any other community.  There are boneheads everywhere, including in the hiking community.  Trust me, they've stayed here.  
> 
> I have also heard that there were reputed to have been a few who have volunteered to help with PCT maintenance (per Pete Fish's crew who maintain from the southern terminus to Kennedy Meadows).  
> 
> I want to state that I think Kraig's question was an innocent and honest one.  Outsiders -- defined by me as those who are oblivious to the world of long distance hiking, which is pretty much everyone outside of the hikers themselves and their immediate family and friends -- don't have a clue what the whole deal is about.  
> 
> I was a mountain-biker for years before I knew the PCT and all of you existed.  If I'd heard about or come upon the PCT, it would have been a natural thing to want to ride it, and to ask questions about it.  I would also want to disobey that rule because it appears incomprehensible and unfair from the mountain biker's perspective.  This is obviously the best trail EVER, bar none.  It makes bikers salivate, and God, I'd love to ride it (but I won't). Now, one can categorize the mountain bikers as a community that often breaks the rules, but please ask yourself how many in the hiking community break the rules about bear cans, and sleeping with their food -- also potentially dangerous behaviors that could impact the safety of others in the long haul.  There's a comment to start a war! 
> 
> Let's seek to educate the outsiders and newcomers, and to see and share the unique view of this community.  It's our best hope for the future of The Trail. 
> 
> -=Donna Saufley=-
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: eyakel@earthlink.net
> Sent: Dec 3, 2004 8:21 AM
> To: Jeff Moorehead <jeffmoorehead1@cox.net>, pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] bicycles
> 
> I have yet to meet a Mountain Biker who participated in a trail work crew.
> Just food for thought.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Moorehead <jeffmoorehead1@cox.net>
> Sent: Dec 2, 2004 5:25 PM
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] bicycles
> 
> Kraig,
>  It's not just a single, thin tread of tire creating the erosion. You know 
> as well as I do that there is an awful lot braking and sliding on rapid 
> descents. That causes major erosion! And then there is just the attendant 
> lack of concern for this effect when you know it is happening but you want 
> to preserve your rights. I went mountain biking in the Lagunas one time and 
> felt pretty bad knowing how much erosion that one descent caused. Never 
> again in a semi-pristine area. I don't care if it is allowed, I won't do 
> it-- it scars the landscape. Land boarding, too. Don't get me started with 
> that... 
> 
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