[pct-l] Opinions on the list -MTB

[JPL]

Very good.  I still  hold out hope that the MTB community will build their 
own trail.  But I have been accused of believing in the Tooth Fairy too! :)

-----Original Message----- 
From: Timothy Nye
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 5:56 PM
To: pct-l
Subject: [pct-l] Opinions on the list -MTB

Here is my opinion, for whatever it is worth.

The mountain bike issue is occurring in a dynamic, not static, environment 
as far as the trail is concerned.  Facts and forces external to the trail 
are and will continue to affect it's popularity, use and misuse and not just 
with mountain biking. Context is everything and discussing issues in 
isolation is necessarily going to result in a low probability of success in 
solving a problem, however defined, and is equally likely to lead a high 
probability of counter productive dissension and conflict.

The greatest attraction (and strength) of the trail community, at least to 
me, is it's openness and the acceptance of divergent opinions, ages, 
socio-economic strata; at least on trail.  In fact, thankfully, politics and 
other intrusions of the outside world are rarely, if ever, discussed. 
Other's opinions are almost always accorded respect whatever the topic. The 
key trait seems to be flexibility in dealing with everyday and unusual 
challenges as they are encountered on the trail as well as respect for 
others.

My observation has been that some at the beginning of a long hike over plan 
or approach things based on their past life experiences that are not 
necessarily relevant to a successful outcome, but it is what they know. 
Sometimes this results in rigid thinking and inflexibility. The trail is 
wonderful healer for that.

Dan, take a couple of deep breaths. Everyone appreciates your career in law 
enforcement. I know I do. But this does not mean that others not in law 
enforcement shouldn't deter lawlessness and have to embrace passivity when 
confronted with it. It really isn't really necessary and may even be 
counterproductive to your position to respond to every post that disagrees 
with your point of view. We know where you stand. We don't have to agree 
with it. It's nothing personal.

Here's what I see.

The primary parts of the trail frequented by MTBs are those that tend to be 
more level and forested. First snow and then blow downs, or their 
likelihood, restrict biking on those parts of the trail in the spring. The 
growing number of hikers and the increasing number of hikers hiking as part 
of a group will diminish the attractiveness of the trail to biking during a 
six week window during hiking season, which is variable and weather 
dependent.

The result is that most of the MTBs violating the trail do so in the fall. 
This diminishes encounters with thrus, but not with chunk or section hikers. 
(Except for Big Bear, which ALWAYS has mountain bikes on the trail) The 
evidence is that numbers of chunk hikers and section hikers have also 
increased and will continue to do so; probably more than thrus. This is the 
part of the hiking community that will most likely have conflicts with 
mountain bikers. Conversely, they are likely to also be the least 
knowledgable in how to effectively deal with it.

The potential exists for the increase in the number of hikers to result in a 
practical deterrent merely by their presence. That is, each one or group, 
becomes the equivalent of a barrier or obstacle in the trail.

Reporting resulting conflicts between hikers and bikers will foreclose any 
potential future official opening of the trail to mountain bikes. 
Additionally, if the number of hikers continues to increase into the fall 
shoulder season then the hikers themselves will likely deter from the 
enjoyment of the those biking the trail. In essence each hiker, or group of 
hiker, becomes the equivalent of a separate trail obstacle. If that occurs, 
then the number of bikers will diminish and reporting of fewer conflicts 
would allow effective enforcement action to be undertaken.

In the meantime. I stand my ground and I make sure that the offending bikers 
know I object to their presence. As far as being afraid of getting my butt 
kicked, that is a risk I am willing to take. But, in my opinion and 
experience, those who know they are in the wrong, and that others are 
actually in the right, are rarely going to violence; especially when they 
are physically capable of a quick exit. Even if it was a case of "flight or 
fight",which it is not, hikers are the tortoise to their hare and flight is 
the logical option.

IMHO





Sent from my iPad
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