Mountain bikers unite to oppose wilderness plan

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=82706

Mountain bikers unite to oppose wilderness plan

Expanding federal wilderness would block popular trails

The Associated Press
June 29, 2004

MOUNT HOOD - Many mountain bikers are opposing a plan that would nearly
double the size of federal wilderness on Mount Hood because it would make it
illegal to ride some popular trails.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said that his plan to add 160,000 acres of new
wilderness in one of the nation's most visited urban forests will meet a
growing demand for backcountry recreation. But Paul Thomasberg, 41, a bike
racer from Bend, said mountain bikers "aren't feeling that love."

With commercial logging on federal forests diminishing, mountain bikers are
becoming the most vocal critics of proposals that restrict access to public
lands.

They claim that the Mount Hood wilderness expansion would shut them out of
at least 100 miles of trails. That not only would crowd riders onto other
trails, they said, it also would counter any aspiration Oregon has of
becoming the next mountain-biking mecca.

Mountain bikers are the first to admit that they lack the political clout of
a Sierra Club or other conservation groups. But they're learning.

Members of Oregon bike clubs have gone to at least three community meetings
about Mount Hood's future. They have had two sessions with staff members for
Wyden and Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

Conservation groups also have met privately with mountain-biking
representatives to see whether they can agree on a wilderness plan.

However, there are varying opinions about Wyden's proposal within biking
groups.

"I think the threat on forests from development and logging are too great to
stall over a few trails here and there," said Bonnie Lynch, 47, who started
mountain biking six years ago.

Other mountain bikers say that Congress should consider alternatives to
wilderness that would protect the forest from logging but still allow
mountain biking.

"The bottom line is we're not against protection," said Douglas Van Zandt,
44, a member of the Columbia Area Mountain Biking Advocates.

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 22:38:45 +0000, Jerry Bone Jr wrote:

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=82706

Longer article from yesterday's Oregroanian: (You will have to enter your
zip code, 90210 is a good one)

http://www.oregonlive.com/search/ind...oregonian?fpfp

http://tinyurl.com/2uo4j

gabrielle

Gabby says:

Longer article from yesterday's Oregroanian: (You will have to enter your
zip code, 90210 is a good one)

And your age... The Oregroanian is obviously an agist concern - it wouldn't
accept 1900 as a year of birth, so I put in 1999. Definitely a paper for the
young at heart ;-)

Steve "interesting article, too"

Jerry Bone Jr wrote:

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=82706

Mountain bikers unite to oppose wilderness plan

Expanding federal wilderness would block popular trails

The Associated Press
June 29, 2004

MOUNT HOOD - Many mountain bikers are opposing a plan that would nearly
double the size of federal wilderness on Mount Hood because it would make it
illegal to ride some popular trails.


Yet more bogus proposed wilderness. This slope started back in the
early 70s and it's getting steeper and slippier every year.


Other mountain bikers say that Congress should consider alternatives to
wilderness that would protect the forest from logging but still allow
mountain biking.


Either that or quit banning non-motorized vehicles from wilderness.

Greg

--
Destroy your safe and happy lives
Before it is too late
The battles we fought were long and hard
Just not to be consumed by rock'n'roll

Longer article from yesterday's Oregroanian: (You will have to enter your
zip code, 90210 is a good one)


http://www.oregonlive.com/search/ind...oregonian?fpfp

http://tinyurl.com/2uo4j

I wonder how much support for Wilderness there would be if hikers were
banned.

--
Pete Rissler