|
By walker on 3/24/2008 on walker's blog Everyday more news seems to come forth about mountain bikers being restricted/prohibited/removed from trails. You name it, we get the blunt of the proverbial big stick coming from the smooth talkers from god knows where. I just read the "news" section on www.yourmtb.com that the Full Tilt in Telluride, a multi-day event and part of the Mountain States Cup will drop the downhill race this year. I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just frustrated with the bad news! I'm doing something about it though. For starters, I'm an IMBA member, a Trails2000 member and I write my congress person when I want my voice heard. It really isn't difficult to do. Here's how: Step 1: do a google search with these terms: "state senator _______________(your state)" Step 2: click on this link: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=(YOUR STATE WILL BE HERE) Step 3: write a good letter. Here's what I wrote below... Dear Honorable Salazar, I keep reading stories about mountain biking areas closing or under the potential threat of closure. WHY!?! Study after study shows that we impact the land WAY LESS than horses do and yet they are provided more options than ever. What's more, I've seen these horse riders. They liter, SHOOT ANIMAL LIFE and are loud and obnoxious. OK, maybe it isn't right to harp on one group, I'm only doing it to illustrate a point: MOUNTAIN BIKERS ARE THAT GROUP NOW!!!!!!! The proposed forest planning should include the MOUNTAIN BIKER USER GROUP! I'm an editor and make my living, flooding some money into small town Durango, CO, through mountain biking. Please help us!!!
Try it folks... It won't hurt to use your democratic voice!!! |
WRITE YOUR SENATOR: Here's How...
BrandonST says:
 It really is a tragic thing isn't it. The following is a generalization, and does not reflect every single hiker >>> I time and time again see the litter and damage created by people walking the trails. If I see one more discarded coffee cup in the middle of the trail, I'm going to run over the next walker I see, instead of doing what I usually do, which is pulling over to let the hikers safely go by. And that's another thing, even though I'm always really courteous, I ALWAYS get that dirty look. I physically remove myself from the trail, sometimes even stopping dead to let these people go by, and I get nothing but then giving me the "stink eye". You barely ever see a powerbar/gel wrapper discarded, empty water bottles, and if a rider is drinking coffee on his ride, then there's something wrong there. Bikers, on the most part care for the trail a great deal more. Walkers can walk almost anywhere, we have less and less places to ride due to these types of legislations, so we tend to care for what we have. I guess maybe hikers/horseback riders complain more, and the sqeaky wheel does seem to get the graese. I think we do have to be more active. A good start is becoming a member and supporter of IMBA. These are the people who are fighting for your rights, keeping trails open, and keeping them in good shape. I don't think there should be any serious mountain bikers that don't cough up the $40+ to help support our own cause. Another is to get involved yourself. Sign petitions, start petitions, go out and clean up your local trail, making it better for all who use it. I don't know, just some ideas. But, the truth of the matter is, when politics is involved, it's sometimes an uphill battle that has already been decided upon. MTB'ers get no love.
|
Post new comment
There's much more on YourMTB.com... | Sign up for The Weekly Ride |
1 comment