Trail Maintenance: When’s The Last Time You Helped?

Trail Maintenance: When’s The Last Time You Helped?

So, you think your helping out the environment by riding your bike? Think about Capitol Forest and the folks who helped save the forest there:

The “Friend’s of Capitol Forest” are the BOMB! I can’t say enough about the dedication they showed in cleaning up an area that, to me was nothing more than pure shit. Why in the world some people just don’t care about the environment is beyond me. My hat is off to all you volunteers who made a catastrophe into a mecca.

So, I say again, “When’s the last time you helped your local volunteer team clean up the trails you ride on? I will be starting a work party sometime in October to head to Fort Ebey State Park and do some trail maintenance. Care to join me?

trail-maintenance@crankybike.com

Here is something else: You know that their are a lot of trails being closed off to mountain biking. You need to step up to the plate and fight for our right to be there to enjoy what is most generally our creation. Take for instance Fort Ebey State Park. It has been talked about that they may shut down the park to mountain biking. Contact your Senator and complain! Here is a summary of what some social scientist say about impact on the environment:

Mountain biking, like other recreation activities, does impact the environment. On this point, there is little argument. But with regard to the non-human environment, people often debate whether or not mountain bikes cause more damage to trails, vegetation, and wildlife than other forms of recreation such as hiking and horseback riding.

A body of empirical, scientific studies now indicates that mountain biking is no more damaging than other forms of recreation, including hiking. Thus, managers who prohibit bicycle use (while allowing hiking or equestrian use) based on impacts to trails, soils, wildlife, or vegetation are acting without sound, scientific backing.

In contrast, if a manager prohibits one user group on the basis of providing a particular type of experience for another group, the evidence provided by social studies may or may not justify that decision. The wisdom of prohibiting particular user groups in order to satisfy the desires of other groups is a matter for politics rather than science.

So, stand up for your right to use the trails right along side the horses and hikers! The whole context of public trails and how they are managed is changing. To survive, land management agencies are relying more on volunteers, trail advocacy groups, alternative labor/funding sources, technology and professional trail contractors. Volunteer labor is fast becoming the main force in the effort to protect our trail resources. If we are to keep our local trails available, then we must all get our hands dirty by helping maintain the trails we use.

By the way, Mountain bikers make up a large part of these volunteers. The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and its 350 affiliated clubs around the U.S.and abroad have taken a leadership role and infused new meaning into the term “proactive trail advocacy.” IMBA’s trail advocates are working diligently with land managers to maintain some of our nation’s most heavily used trails. Involving volunteers increases their awareness of trail stewardship and natural resource issues. Volunteers who have experienced a day of “sweat equity” on their favorite trail know how rewarding the experience can be.

Once again, I ask you – when was the last time you went out and help maintain the trails you ride on?

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