[pct-l] bicycles

[Lonetrail at aol.com (Lonetrail@aol.com)]

Hello out there
 
90 percent of our topics on Mountain Biking border on  polarization.  
Mountain Biking is here to stay like it or not. Lets get  along
We talk big but don't carry a big stick. The Biking Industry has lobbyist  
that put us hikers and backpacker to shame. In fact I believe we carry less  
weight then ORV, Equestrian and Outfitters.
 I was an outing Chairperson for one of the states back about 15 years  ago 
when MB was just making a start. The hikers were ramping an ragging and  making 
a lot of noise while the Biking Lobbyist were at the state capital  funneling 
our allotted trail money to widen out hiking trails for  MB.  If we learn to 
work together and had pretty  good understanding of each others problems but 
there is always a few  who violate and rules on both sides.
I dislike the most is the motorized vehicles that tear up any  trail even our 
PC. Yes, they are on the PC. In fact in one area they wait  to carry yes our 
Backpacker for a fee saving then about ten miles.  There I said enough 
 
Lonetrail
.  

The  exists etiquette and rules, the problems occur with those who break the 
rules  and ignore the etiquette. And the fact that lack of enforcement is the 
real  culprit.  Unchecked, people do the damnest things, no matter what area 
of  life you're talking about.  Laws and enforcement are necessary components  
of society, and they're sorely lacking outside of our urban areas.   
Vigilanteism is a very dangerous thing.

Bikers don't belong on the PCT,  but this discussion has ranged beyond the 
PCT to any and all trails and a  broad comdemnation and antagonism toward 
mountain bikers.  There's bound  to be ugliness that springs from that type of 
attitude and behavior, whether  perpetuated by hikers or bikers.   Can't we all 
just get  along?  Perhaps this thread should be shut down.

-=Donna  Saufley=-