Interesting article.... (1 Viewer)

[gregnash]

So just read through this and thought it was rather interesting. Seeing as Moab is one of the places that I hope to visit very soon with my LC and my mtn bike I was interested in the take on this. I however have to agree with the first commentor that while my first inclination was to be pissed and boycott, I would love to see the ability to take some of these people on a portion of my trip (even biking if they are so inclined) to see that we are not all the terrorists that people make us out to be.

http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6817161/editorials/who-hates-4x4s-in-utah/

Speaking of bringing people along, anyone heard any more from the people of the open spaces comity and when/if they plan to join us on one of our runs? Hoping to have my brake issue fixed by then so I can do some trail runs, just got to get my hands on the parts (money really) and then borrow my friends shop lift so I can work her through.

 

[chicago]

Greg,

This is a HUGE thing going on in the landuse world!! As I'm to understand it, this would be the biggest monument designation ever !

Donno if you go on to pirate at all, but www.pirate4x4.com is probably the most active land use section on any board I visit.

Some of the information is speculative and inflammatory, but the passion on the topic is definitely there.

Mark was kinda the points person for the open land guy, but I'm thinking that he hasn't heard anything. Quite frankly we haven't had anything SOLID as far as a run that we could really invite him on due to the weather.

 

[chicago]

So just read through this and thought it was rather interesting. Seeing as Moab is one of the places that I hope to visit very soon with my LC and my mtn bike I was interested in the take on this. I however have to agree with the first commentor that while my first inclination was to be pissed and boycott, I would love to see the ability to take some of these people on a portion of my trip (even biking if they are so inclined) to see that we are not all the terrorists that people make us out to be.

http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6817161/editorials/who-hates-4x4s-in-utah/

Speaking of bringing people along, anyone heard any more from the people of the open spaces comity and when/if they plan to join us on one of our runs? Hoping to have my brake issue fixed by then so I can do some trail runs, just got to get my hands on the parts (money really) and then borrow my friends shop lift so I can work her through.

Btw, I get what you're saying about taking them out on the trail and exposing them to what we do!! The prejudice now is a tough one to overcome!! It's also OUR OWN FAULT!
There was a thing on FB pertaining to this...
One of the businesses on the petition was hiking the Moab rim. What did he find??? A NICE FRESH SET OF TIRE TRACKS not only off the designated trail, but also RUNNING OVER the marker stating that it was NOT the trail!! The main trail was a mere 30 ft away!!
The point is... There are ALWAYS people watching who desperately WANT us off the trails!! This type of behavior is IN EXCUSABLE and you just can't help but understand why these trails are getting stripped away when a$$holes like this are representing this community (like it or not)! And are making it that much easier for them to convince everyone else that its right!!

 

[gregnash]

Yeah I haven't really experienced this in the 4x4 forum strictly because this is my first true 4x4 (aside from some mud slinging in high school my only other experience offroading was the few times the wife and I would take the Ranger or Pathy up the access road from our place in Mound House to the Water Tank right above the Pick N Pull down here to watch the fireworks). I have experienced this type of stuff with mountain biking, normally with equestrians, but what many don't realize is that we are automatically "Guilty By Association."

I have gotten in heated arguments with people regarding biking vs. horse, cars, streets/trail use etc. only because they see me as someone that thinks I am above the law because they saw XYZ person blow through a stop sign or spook their horse/dog/etc. Anyways, we all have to work to change this perspective in every way we can, from TreadLightly to helping out when we see trash on the side of the trail or a section that needs repair.

 

[chicago]

Yeah I haven't really experienced this in the 4x4 forum strictly because this is my first true 4x4 (aside from some mud slinging in high school my only other experience offroading was the few times the wife and I would take the Ranger or Pathy up the access road from our place in Mound House to the Water Tank right above the Pick N Pull down here to watch the fireworks). I have experienced this type of stuff with mountain biking, normally with equestrians, but what many don't realize is that we are automatically "Guilty By Association."

I have gotten in heated arguments with people regarding biking vs. horse, cars, streets/trail use etc. only because they see me as someone that thinks I am above the law because they saw XYZ person blow through a stop sign or spook their horse/dog/etc. Anyways, we all have to work to change this perspective in every way we can, from TreadLightly to helping out when we see trash on the side of the trail or a section that needs repair.

Absolutely!!
I'm finding more and more prejudice AGAINST mount bikers from the hiker crowd too since I got back into it this summer. It's not different. The perception is that WE want in restricted access. However, 98% of us play more by the rules that the groups trying to shut it down.
Its amazing!! The hiker crowd is virtually UN restricted by ANY access and yet the want virtually everything all to themselves!?
I'm relatively new to this aspect (land use)) of the sport (wheeling and biking), and its HUGE and frustrating and daunting. I've gone to be so pissed about this stuff and how asinine some of it is that I couldn't fall asleep!!
Spressonmon is somewhat of an expert on these topics! He's been involved in this crap for years in both the cycling world and off roading.

Do what you can and that's all you can do!!

Glad to have you on board!!

K

 

[gregnash]

Yeah I have found the same thing Chicago... Really what it boils down to is those that really do not know or understand trail etiquette such as bikes yield to EVERYTHING and that the uphill rider has the right of way (can't tell you how many times I have run across this). Then you have the kids, douchebags, etc that bomb hills without checking the trail ahead of them only fly around a corner almost taking out a hiker. Since the wife and I occasionally trail run up Ash Canyon I have run across this almost every time we have gone. But don't get me wrong, the spandex wearing idiots are just as bad as some of the others.

Perfect example was last summer getting done with a ride in Ash Canyon, my house is only 2 miles of street from the TH. Going up behind the college to the TH there is a multi-use asphalt path that is used by everyone including equestrians. As I was on my way home I saw a woman riding her horse with a dog in tow, as I got up to her I brought myself to a complete stop and pulled off to the side of the path. I could see she was miffed when she got up to me and just smiled, tipped my visor and say "afternoon". She smiled and asked why I just didn't go ahead, to which I responded "Honestly, I do not know you or your horse and don't know if he is spooked by bikes. Figured it would probably be best to play on the safe side vs. spook him and cause and issue." She thanked me but said that she wouldn't have him out there if he was spooked that easily. She was amazed that I explained she is the FIRST person of many that I have run across that said that and did not berate me for being on a bike so close to her, etc.

While the outcome of this interaction was great (she again thanked me for the courtesy) it was astounding to her that there was so much prejudice for something so stupid. Thing is though we then have movies like Premium Rush that glorify stupidity of cyclist in major cities. Unfortunately, we get thrown in with that lot (Guilty By Association) and suddenly are the bad guys (if you were at the CC land use meeting then you remember the guy calling us Sprocket Jocky's).

Unfortunately, this boils over into many areas of land use and it has not become our job to educate and motivate in a reactive fashion instead of a proactive fashion.

 

[chicago]

And there's the cycle of these problems...

New wheelers going out and runnin anything they can, new cyclists flying down the trail and skidding around corners, new/ ignorant ATV guys blazing what ever they want....
However, hikers don't have halos either!! I DOUBT they're packing out, I've seen much erosion on hiking trails from switch back cutting and trash being left behind. Granted, many of these offenders are PROBABLY new and uneducated on the issues.

There seriously should be etiquette and information fliers w/ purchases of out door equipment. Bikes, lifts, tents, pack packs etc.