[ft-l] Backpacker website poll

[sneill at tampabay.rr.com (Skip Neill)]

I agree with Kenneth, very well said David. Another point that I haven't
seen raised as yet; bike traffic damages the trail. Here in the southern
part of Florida it is not as big a problem since we have no hills, but bike
ruts begin and accelerate trail erosion. One of my favorite trails in Ohio
was totally destroyed by erosion brought on by mountain bikers. I had a
biker that I met down in Myakka a while back tell me that there was no
evidence that bikes damaged trails. Sure! He also told me that if 'Someone'
would take care of the bike trails the way the foot trails were taken care
of, he would stay over on the bike trails. I didn't try to explain. I did
however, take his picture. I photograph all bikers I bump into on the foot
trails. It's easier than trying to describe someone a day or two later to
the Ranger.

Skip Neill
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kenneth Smith" <Ksmith855@cfl.rr.com>
To: <ft-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: [ft-l] Backpacker website poll


> Very well said. Thank you David
>
> Kenneth Smith
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David L Rohe" <drohe@fs.fed.us>
> To: <ft-l@backcountry.net>
> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 11:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [ft-l] Backpacker website poll
>
>
> >
> > It is not about the ability to co-exist.  That is possible, as has been
> > shown on multi use trails.  It is about the specified designation of any
> > particular trail.  36 years ago, the FT mission was started and
continues
> > to be a footpath the length of the state of Florida.  The definition of
> the
> > Florida Trail is footpath.  The people who build and maintain the trail
do
> > so to complete this footpath specific mission.  There is nothing wrong
> with
> > mountain biking, nor is there anything wrong with biking the length of
the
> > state.  But, if a person wants to do that, they need to follow the
example
> > of the FTA, not the same exact footpath.  Start a biking organization,
> > recruit volunteer members, pay dues, work with land managers to build a
> > trail that is designated as the Florida Biking Trail, a bike path the
> > length of the state of Florida.  Do not come in after someone else has
put
> > in the money, time, and sweat; look at them and say thanks, I'm going to
> > ignore the signs, the stated purpose of this trail, and do whatever I
darn
> > well please.  The greatest things in life require sacrifice.  The people
> > who build and maintain "Florida's Footpath Forever" (the Florida Trail's
> > official motto), have sacrificed.  If anyone likes to bike, then
sacrifice
> > the time and effort required to build something great.  I would support
a
> > Florida Biking Trail, I would support efforts necessary to see it done,
> but
> > not at the expense of others efforts to build a footpath, called the
> > Florida Trail.
> > Hatter
> >
> >
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