[pct-l] Fair to Mountain Bikers??

[Chris Anderson]

Being from So Cal and experiencing bikers on a diverse selection of trails...well lets just say that as a hiker, I learn where to hike and when real quick.  These guys talk a big game about "sharing" and "being polite bikers" and "yielding"...and I'm sure some of them are really nice and know how to ride on a multi-use trail... I wish I would meet more of them on the single track trails, since I always seem to just hear them as I ditch the trail on a downhill as they scream to get the f- out of the way...oh wait, "on your left" is the polite way of saying that, as if I had a choice.  They will talk about equestrians as if we hikers don't have issues sometimes amongst ourselves and the riders.  They bring up trekking poles, spring-loaded free-standing tents, gas stoves, etc. as mechanical devices, completely ignoring that those devices are not "mechanical transport", nor do they offer the mechanical aid that a bike offers (multi-gears, brakes,
 etc)...they might as well call crampons mechanical devices because they offer traction (because, ummmm...the mechanical aid is in the device providing a solid point for torque for your legs)...hell, i guess if we aren't hiking naked barefoot then we don't meet their argument of how we are unfair for wanting an "unmechanized" trail.  They just won't get it, and never will.  Hike on is what I say, and throw a 'bow if they flank you illegally...
 
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Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat!



________________________________
 From: Heather <mom_and_alex at yahoo.com>
To: PCT List PCT Email Forum <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 9:05 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Fair to Mountain Bikers??
 
> Zorglub, what the heck is "fair" about messing with an existing trail designation to try to change it for your personal whims? 

But remember you are welcome on the trail. It would be Geat to share it with you. I'm just not willing to share it with your bike. So quit acting like you are taking this personally.

My stance will be incredibly unpopular, but here goes:
The PCTA is tasked with preserving the trail. They do so with the support of thousands of dollars and hours of volunteers' time. IF hikers were to collectively band together and agree to suspend all contributions and hiking on the trail for a year or two - pending the outcome of the review to consider wheeled access - well, it's called voting with the pocketbook. I know - easy for me to say, as I wasn't planning to thru-hike for a few more years.

Just a thought.  

Did I mention my husband and I rode mountain bikes near Similar Valley (Ca)? Only in designated areas, of course. We learned that it is awful to share trail use at such disparate speeds, for both hikers and bikers, especially where the path is narrow. 

I have no concept of the CDT - perhaps in mixed-use areas it is wider? 

Also, in my own strictly personal opinion, the people I have met from Colorado - bikers, hikers, wheat farmers and engineers - have been exceedingly polite, more so than other areas of the country where I have lived. That may contribute to a slightly more positive biker/hiker trail experience than occurs on the West coast. Or not.

Finally: 
Uh - rules that are blatantly unfair are unfollowed by whom? Oh, rule-breakers. And we should cave in to the threat that you will break any rule you don't find in your favor ... why?? Threats and bullying tactics, hmm.

(No, I didn't care for the "sticks in the spokes" sentiments, either.) Lets be constructive, team!

> 
> “We pray that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens — always full of the joy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:11 LB).
> 
> On Oct 10, 2012, at 1:00 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> 
>> Again, nobody's asking access to 100% of
>> the PCT, but being kept out completely is
>> unfair.  That might be why so many cyclists
>> are not obeying the current rules.
>> Rules that are blatantly unfair are rarely followed.
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