There is only one trail system within a 90 minute drive of where I live in South MS. I didn't make it out to ride today since the 
's family was in town for Thanksgiving.
However, a buddy of mine that rode today called me with some very disheartening news. The USFS has clear cut (bulldozed down to the top soil) about 15 acres of land. The trail just disappears after about a mile and a half.
This is the main trail and the heart of the trail system that has been ripped out. The secondary trail systems are still intact, but we've lost 3-4 miles of single track from what I understand. The most disturbing part is that the dozers are still out there and appear ready to go to work first thing in the morning.
I am in pain thinking about this. After Hurricane Katrina, there were a lot of guys that spent a lot of time and money getting these trails back up and running. My bicycle club is sponsoring the March 1 opener to the South Central Regional Championship Series on these trails and a crucial part of the course is now gone. There is no trace of it left. The mountain biking community down here is fairly small after the storm and I'm not sure it will survive any further damage done to the trail system. There just aren't enough guys willing to build new trails nor enough riders left to give it the proper foot print.
I know this doesn't directly effect anybody on this board outside of me, but I'd like to ask for a favor if you have time. Please call the De Soto Forest Rangers station and complain about the destruction of the Bethel Road Trails. The number is 601-528-6160.
's family was in town for Thanksgiving.However, a buddy of mine that rode today called me with some very disheartening news. The USFS has clear cut (bulldozed down to the top soil) about 15 acres of land. The trail just disappears after about a mile and a half.
This is the main trail and the heart of the trail system that has been ripped out. The secondary trail systems are still intact, but we've lost 3-4 miles of single track from what I understand. The most disturbing part is that the dozers are still out there and appear ready to go to work first thing in the morning.
I am in pain thinking about this. After Hurricane Katrina, there were a lot of guys that spent a lot of time and money getting these trails back up and running. My bicycle club is sponsoring the March 1 opener to the South Central Regional Championship Series on these trails and a crucial part of the course is now gone. There is no trace of it left. The mountain biking community down here is fairly small after the storm and I'm not sure it will survive any further damage done to the trail system. There just aren't enough guys willing to build new trails nor enough riders left to give it the proper foot print.
I know this doesn't directly effect anybody on this board outside of me, but I'd like to ask for a favor if you have time. Please call the De Soto Forest Rangers station and complain about the destruction of the Bethel Road Trails. The number is 601-528-6160.
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