Malibu Ride trail incident

[guest@endurance.net]

Suzanne Malden ranchoelena77@hotmail.com
I realise I am entering the fray a little late, but have just returned
from a business trip to the East Coast.  I was a witness to the, by now
infamous, mountain-biker incident in the Malibu LD ride.  I was appalled
at the lack of caring shown by the perpetrators of the incident and even
more appalled by the lack of power we have to effectively do something
about the situation which apparently disturbed a good number of riders
after the event.  The hot-rodders did not even take the time to look back,
much less ask the biker whether she was OK or help her off the ground.  I
apologized to her on behalf of the riders, hoping that this would in
someway help diffuse the situation.  The biker was gracious enough to say
that she was OK and not to worry about helping her.

Immediately after the ride I talked with the RM who though sounding
empathetic, informed me that she really couldn't do anything about it as
these people were friends of the family.  Well, maybe we as riders can do
something about it.  How about posting entries next year on condition that
"X" rider does not compete?  The economic pressure of potentially a great
number of riders withholding entries maybe enough to make a difference.
Apparently, no infraction of the rules has taken place, so we need to
pursue other avenues  If we simply boycott the ride, we lose yet another
opportunity to compete in Southern California and ride over some
spectacular country.

Another thought is to campaign for rules that determine a person's
suitability for sponsoring juniors.  If they are observed to be riding
recklessly they should not be allowed to accompany juniors for a season or
more.  This particular individual also apparently did not understand the
meaning of a red ribbon in the tail as she galloped past my horse on a
single horse trail with absolutely no clearance or warning.  Sponsors
should also be required to wear helmets as an example of 'do as I do, not
as I say".  This individual was not wearing a helmet.

Suzanne