Why Mountain Bikes Need Regulating

Right on target, Ray!. Anyone who has used the local trails over the past several decades knows Ray Ford is the real deal. I no longer get out on the trails on my bike but I used to and I still hike them frequently. Bombing down the front country trails, ( Rattlesnake, Jesusita, Cold spring and Hot Springs in particular, Romero is less of a problem) which are already fairly crowded with hikers is just plain wrong. Weekdays maybe but never on weekends when it is crowded. Mountain bikes are machines and we need places to escape machines.

You make some good points.

Common courtesy and mutual respect goes a long way. Personally, I favor biking over hiking, and I don't always get out there for a deep reconnection to nature. But everyone who's out there has a right to be out there, so I try to be courteous to everyone. Courteous or not, I guess the sound of chain-slap coming down the hill isn't exactly a "sound of nature."

I don't like the possibility of being penalized for someone else's bad manners, but I see your points.

After reading your column, I still have no idea what you might mean by regulation.

My only take is that I've had several encounters with bikers where I walk around a curve only to have to jump out the way of a careening bike.

There should also be a distinction between cross-country mountain biking on trails, and downhill mountain biking. Cross-country bikers are out in nature for the experience of exploration and getting away from it all. The heavily padded downhill bikers are out there for maximum downhill speed, which is obviously more dangerous. I hike, horseback ride, and mountain bike on front country trails, and in my experience these are two very different trail uses with two very different safety profiles and compatibility with other trail uses.

Mr Ford, - From my observations there are actually very few trail users that have issues. They just like to be out there and are friendly and courteous. Its people like you that seem to need to push your agenda on everyone else that causes us to have to create task forces and take time and resources to resolve the issues that you help create. I took up biking because I was sick of fighting for waves. Now I have to fight for trail use? It is ridiculous. It is more important to keep the trails multi user friendly than to create yet another unhealthy exclusivity in our society.

So...uhh Ray,

I guess my 600cc, 4stroke, single thumper Yamadog is out of the question forever huh...some multiuse policy...how 'bout if I run it on ethanol?

I would say that anyone thinking that there aren't many trail issues out there is very out of touch with environmental concerns, policies and procedures. These issues are not all about "me" and 'I done this' and 'I done that'. It's all about creating a sound community philosophy regarding the environment and then upholding these principles through grounded policies. Maybe we all need to be just a little more aware of our footprints, be them carbon, wax, rubber or soles. The idea of "leave no trace" sounds about the best that idea at the least cost to anyone or anything, especially to Mother Nature...and if you haven't heard...she seems a little peeved with us homosapiens lately. It maybe time to morph into intelligent, smart, hypergreen eco-nutz...and lean toward that great bumper sticker "think like a coyote, act like a fish".

As I recall, most of the widening of Romero Canyon trail was done by the fire department last year when they bulldozed it.

Please don't blame the mountain bikers for that.

New bumper sticker; "Mountainbiking is not a crime!" (unless you're doing 40 with full armor on)

If we really want these trails to remain pristine, why don't we make them off limits to hikers as well? That way all the native plants and animals we remain undisturbed forever.

You can not seriously blame bikes on all the damage to the trails. I have seen more than a few dogs and hikers off the trails. Next time you come to a shortcut in one of the switchbacks, look for the footprints. Not all bikes are out for a downhill thrill ride. Just because someone is on a bike does not mean they do not care about nature as much as someone hiking. I hike the trails as often as i bike them. Some days i just don't have the time to walk an entire loop, and I take my bike instead. Am I a bad guy on the days i decide to bike?

Crazy mountain bikers... You don't have any right to multiple-use trails. Multiple-use means walking, or walking slow, or walking faster.

God forbid someone should impinge on Mr. Ford's views of what is and is not appropriate use of the local trails. Just because you wrote a book about the trails doesn't make you king of them, Raymond.

Judging by the variety of comments and issues with the front country trails, policies need to be analyzed and there does need to be a management plan. Years ago, it was common for myself and others to set out on horseback up Tunnel trail, Jesusita trail, and Rattlesnake trail. Nowadays, anyone knows that one would be exposing themselves and their animals to possible injury due to the presence of mountain bike riders on these trails (I do enjoy mountain biking during the week days on front country trails - how about having 3 or 4 days per week ok for bikes on some trails)....Anyway, I have a much bigger issue with the sight and pervasive smell of dog waste that litters these trails. I think that there should be laws about animal waste disposal, the trails should be policed, and dog walkers who do not dispose of the waste properly should be cited and fined.