Ridecamp: Re: [RC] I am amazed, too

> Sharon Westergard goripper@xxxxxxxxxx
> Yes, let's ask Tribbys and Sarah.  And also ask Steph Teeter
> how we ended up with the Sunriver ride.  Heidi, you opened the door!

I settled for the fact that I got a private apology from Steph after the
fact.  Too bad others can't get on with their lives as well.  I hope that
Steph will forgive me for quoting a part of her private post here, but she
apologized that as an "overzealous and brand-new director" she had
"listened to the screamers" regarding the situation with the Sunriver
ride.  I appreciate her honesty and candor, and it has gone a long way
toward helping me get rid of some of my own anger about the backstabbing
that went on at that time.  I do know that at the AERC convention that
year, you talked to Dennis Tribby regarding Sunriver and then went to
Steph and reported something completely opposite to what Dennis told you. 
At the time, I was pretty angry with Steph for not checking her sources a
little better, but in retrospect, her apology is sufficient for me.  Move
forward, Sharon--the rest of us are trying to.  Including Steph, methinks.
> BTW, we've lost rides in Oregon this year not because of the Forest
> Service being hard to work with....we lost them this year because we're
> burning up!!!

As I pointed out, twice we went through the fire problem and still held
Paulina--granted, your fires were worse this year, although in both of our
cases, we had actual parts of our trail burned and had to accommodate
active fire-fighting efforts in our traffic control strategies--but it is
my understanding (per a guest post to this forum from Linda Tribby) that
AERC would have allowed a substitute ride for Headwaters, but that it was
the USFS that would not allow the use of an existing trail elsewhere on
short notice.  I don't see anywhere that Santiam even attempted to find a
substitute trail (maybe they did and just didn't make their efforts
public, I don't know)--and I'd imagine they would have come up with the
same problem.  I know Linda and Sarah tried hard to help the Oregon riders
out, and I'm not surprised that the USFS in central Oregon was the only
obstacle they could not surmount.
I just got off the phone with Linda Tribby--I understand they are still
battling to save the Bandit Springs campsite.  And no, Sharon, if that
ride is lost, it doesn't have a thing to do with fire--just more USFS
arbitrary rulings and interpretations of the regs without regard to the
public that actually owns and uses the land.  I sure hope you don't throw
the same rotten eggs at the Tribbys for their valiant efforts that you
have thrown at me.  Dennis, bless his heart, did almost all of the legal
research for my own efforts, and stood behind me the entire time, and I
wish the Tribbys the best of luck in their efforts to continue the fight
to preserve endurance riders' access to public lands in central Oregon.  I
was pleased to hear from Linda how many folks are beginning to get the
picture and are getting behind THEIR efforts now to save Bandit Springs
with public meetings and support.  And I hope everyone in the NW will
contact Linda to see how they can lend support.  She can be reached at
ltribby@xxxxxxxxxxxx
I was gratified by the number of folks who contacted me after the fact and
were sorry that they could not have done something to help in our own
efforts three years ago.  A few sniping posts on Internet lists from a few
detractors notwithstanding, most of the people in this sport are truly
caring people, and in this case, a great many were supportive of our
efforts.  To all of those who may be lurking, I offer you my gratitude and
a belated Thank You.  Steph has urged me to get over my bitterness about
this and become a ride manager again--and I hope those of you who
supported us in Oregon will make the trek to Idaho and ride, should we do
so.
And like so many others, I am amazed that a few folks continue to insist
on dredging up old grudges, when we have so many other more current topics
to discuss on this forum.
Heidi



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