ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Pockmarked trails a problem?

Re: Pockmarked trails a problem?

Jim Mitchell (navion@lsbsdi2.lightspeed.net)
Fri, 07 Feb 1997 19:35:36 -0800

> << I wonder about
> the hikers and bikers- do they expect a pristine, level, manicured pathway ?
> Is the complaint against horses based on pockmarked trails?
As a sort of retired mountain biker, hiker and runner I can say yes, potmarked trails
are a problem. Twisted ankles and a really rough and unpleasant ride on a bike are the
reasons. As a current endurance rider I can say yes they are a problem. Twisted
fetlocks on our horses and complaints from our trail friends using other modes of
transportation.
The bottom line is we must stick together or we will all lose trail access. Be
considerate and try to minimize your impact whatever vehicle you use. And I can happily
say that here in my area I ride with and around bikers, motorcyclists, hunters and
runners all the time and have yet to have a bad experience. Luckily we have lots of
areas to go in. Last Sunday I joined in a mountain bike biathlon and ran with my horse
on the run and rode him against some of the mtn bikes in the bike portion. All in good
fun and hopefully made some new allies.

> since the bikers are the ones terrorizing people on horses, children on
> ponies, walkers with babies in strollers, etc.

All groups have rude people but I know that most bikers are not this way. Everybody
just wants to be able to ride and run on their local trails.

Jim Mitchell
Bakersfield, Ca.

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