"SMS" wrote in message
...
Edward Dolan wrote:

Here is where SMS goes off the rails. Hiking trails are for hikers -
period!

They are not "hiking" trails, they are simply trails. I may not like
equestrians messing up the trails, and while hiking I may not like
bicycles on the trails, but hikers have no claim to exclusive use of the
trails, at least not based on impact to the trail or wildlife.

Nope, the trails were originally constructed for hikers and equestrians, not
for mountain bikers. If they had been constructed for cyclists, they would
be far different than what they are.

Nope, the above would never work in a million years. Try to get real why
don't you?

It works very well for water sports. Personally I don't think it's all
that big a deal, but some hikers like MV have lost all connection with
reality when it comes to mountain bikes on trails.

Vandeman is heavily into the impact on trails (erosion,etc.) from
mountain biking. I think he is probably the expert on that subject.

Oh please. If he's the expert, he would certainly have at least _one_
study, _one_ reference to support his position. He doesn't have anything.
He's good at ranting, but he has no facts or logic to support his
position.

It is common sense that cyclists and hikers have very different impacts on
trails. Frankly, I do not need any studies to show me anything in that
regard. My own observations are sufficient.

I am not that concerned with that particular aspect of it. I am concerned
about mountain bikers being on the trails without any right to be there.

Yet in case after case, mountain bikers have prevailed in defending their
right to be on the trails, and parks continue to open more trails to
bicyclists. In most cases, the park management has done a good job in
their trail designations.

It is nothing but pure politics, but that does not make it right. Very many
trails are not suited at all for cyclists, and it will send me into a rage
to see a cyclist trying to negotiate such a trail. However, many lowland
trails will work for cyclists, but still it would be better if they were
walking those trails. It is a matter of philosophy more than anything else.

I will side with Vandeman no matter how many so-called studies show
contrary results to his.

Of course you will. Facts and logic have no meaning to you. You base
everything on emotion. "You can't have a debate with someone who is
willing to make up the facts."

My contempt for facts is boundless. I do not worship them like you do. Facts
are for me to play with. I can make of them what I will.

Never confuse facts with logic. They are not the same at all. Philosophy 101
anyone?

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota