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  #1  
Old July 12th 11, 06:46 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
SMS
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Posts: 9,477
Default [OT] habitat

On 7/6/2011 2:45 PM, James wrote:

Marvelous how habitat grows back. I see it regularly in bush camping
areas. "This area is closed for revegetation."


It goes beyond that as well. Every single study on impact to trails has
shown that hikers and mountain bikers have similar levels of impact--the
impacts are slightly different, but similar level. Hikers have a much
greater impact on wildlife because they move through an area more slowly
and hence are there for a much longer time. Both hikers and cyclists
cause trail erosion and damage in different ways. Horses of course have
been shown to do much greater damage to trails than any other user,
besides having the most impact on wildlife.

The reason why some hikers are opposed to mountain bikes has absolutely
nothing to do with impact on trails or habitat, that's a smokescren. The
real reason is that they just prefer to hike without the additional
trail users in what they believe to be space that they are entitled to.
I don't blame them. I find it unpleasant to be hiking on a trail and
have bicycles zoom by too, but I don't go around making up stories to
try and justify why bicycles should be banned.

The reason you see these incredible stories being fabricated (and MV is
by no means alone in doing this) is because the argument of "we were
here before there were any mountain bikes so we should have exclusive
use" is so weak.

If MV was really concerned about habitat or trail damage he'd be
spending his efforts toward banning equestrians on trails, not cyclists.
But of course it's clear that he actually has no concern about either of
those.
  #2  
Old July 12th 11, 07:29 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
RonSonic
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Posts: 2,658
Default [OT] habitat


"SMS" wrote in message
...
On 7/6/2011 2:45 PM, James wrote:

Marvelous how habitat grows back. I see it regularly in bush camping
areas. "This area is closed for revegetation."


It goes beyond that as well. Every single study on impact to trails has
shown that hikers and mountain bikers have similar levels of impact--the
impacts are slightly different, but similar level. Hikers have a much
greater impact on wildlife because they move through an area more slowly
and hence are there for a much longer time. Both hikers and cyclists cause
trail erosion and damage in different ways. Horses of course have been
shown to do much greater damage to trails than any other user, besides
having the most impact on wildlife.

The reason why some hikers are opposed to mountain bikes has absolutely
nothing to do with impact on trails or habitat, that's a smokescren. The
real reason is that they just prefer to hike without the additional trail
users in what they believe to be space that they are entitled to. I don't
blame them. I find it unpleasant to be hiking on a trail and have bicycles
zoom by too, but I don't go around making up stories to try and justify
why bicycles should be banned.

The reason you see these incredible stories being fabricated (and MV is by
no means alone in doing this) is because the argument of "we were here
before there were any mountain bikes so we should have exclusive use" is
so weak.


I have the good fortune to live in an area that sees off road cycling as a
client base and contributor to the trail system, not a foe. We have our
trails that we build and maintain that are open to hikers and that are
closed when riding would be damaging, the hikers have foot traffic only
trails and there are trails that are open to horses. We alter the trails
when they start to become too permanent so that regrowth is a continual
process.

The trails that are open to cyclists are clearly marked as such and
everybody mostly gets along very nicely. None of them have formed factions.
Our enemies are common, wild pigs at the top with varying degrees of
rudeness being anathema to all. Yep, there are jerk mountain bikers, they
are rude to other riders as well. Nobody is rude to the horses, it doesn't
pay.



  #3  
Old July 13th 11, 01:08 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
James[_8_]
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Posts: 6,153
Default [OT] habitat

On 13/07/2011 3:46 AM, SMS wrote:
On 7/6/2011 2:45 PM, James wrote:

Marvelous how habitat grows back. I see it regularly in bush camping
areas. "This area is closed for revegetation."


It goes beyond that as well. Every single study on impact to trails has
shown that hikers and mountain bikers have similar levels of impact--the
impacts are slightly different, but similar level. Hikers have a much
greater impact on wildlife because they move through an area more slowly
and hence are there for a much longer time.


I have done both hiking and ridden the mountain bike on trails. I can
guarantee that I can walk passed an animal with less disturbance and I
would normally ride passed.

Often I walk so quietly the animals barely notice me, or just stand and
look. On a bike they hear more and see more rapid motion and take
flight in alarm far more frequently.

Realise that I am also a hunter, and as such am practised in the arts of
moving quietly and inconspicuously through the bush.

Both hikers and cyclists
cause trail erosion and damage in different ways. Horses of course have
been shown to do much greater damage to trails than any other user,
besides having the most impact on wildlife.


Horses also leave lots of manure that may contain foreign seeds, and it
is said heavy hooves damage delicate soil structures, in this country.

The reason why some hikers are opposed to mountain bikes has absolutely
nothing to do with impact on trails or habitat, that's a smokescren. The
real reason is that they just prefer to hike without the additional
trail users in what they believe to be space that they are entitled to.
I don't blame them. I find it unpleasant to be hiking on a trail and
have bicycles zoom by too, but I don't go around making up stories to
try and justify why bicycles should be banned.


I think they might feel cheated that the bicyclist covered a distance in
2 hours what took them half a day.

--
JS.
  #4  
Old July 14th 11, 03:48 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
SMS
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Posts: 9,477
Default [OT] habitat

On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:

Horses also leave lots of manure that may contain foreign seeds, and it
is said heavy hooves damage delicate soil structures, in this country.


MV is probably very opposed to horses as well but since one of his only
supporters is a real estate agent that bills herself as a "Horse
Property Specialist," he feels obligated to not publicly oppose them.

This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.


  #5  
Old July 14th 11, 06:40 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Mike Vandeman[_4_]
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Posts: 1,755
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On Jul 14, 7:48*am, SMS wrote:
On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:

Horses also leave lots of manure that may contain foreign seeds, and it
is said heavy hooves damage delicate soil structures, in this country.


MV is probably very opposed to horses as well but since one of his only
supporters is a real estate agent that bills herself as a "Horse
Property Specialist," he feels obligated to not publicly oppose them.

This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.


The trail users who cause the most damage, BY FAR, are mountain
bikers. They travel much farther & faster than anyone else.
  #6  
Old July 15th 11, 03:30 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
T°m Sherm@n
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Posts: 813
Default habitat

On 7/14/2011 12:40 PM, Mike Vandeman wrote:
On Jul 14, 7:48 am, wrote:
On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:

Horses also leave lots of manure that may contain foreign seeds, and it
is said heavy hooves damage delicate soil structures, in this country.


MV is probably very opposed to horses as well but since one of his only
supporters is a real estate agent that bills herself as a "Horse
Property Specialist," he feels obligated to not publicly oppose them.

This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.


The trail users who cause the most damage, BY FAR, are mountain
bikers. They travel much farther& faster than anyone else.


More so that riders of off-road motorcycles and 4-wheelers, and drivers
of off-road trucks?

--
Tºm Shermªn - 42.435731°N, 83.985007°W
I am a vehicular cyclist.
  #7  
Old July 15th 11, 06:01 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
RonSonic
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Posts: 2,658
Default habitat


"Mike Vandeman" wrote in message
...
On Jul 14, 7:48 am, SMS wrote:
On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:


This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.


The trail users who cause the most damage, BY FAR, are mountain
bikers. They travel much farther & faster than anyone else.

What makes you think that "farther & faster" equals more damaging. Farther
and faster means more efficient, less weight and less impact.

Where you startled by a rude cyclist out on a trail and this is what it's
all about?


  #8  
Old July 15th 11, 09:26 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Mike Vandeman[_4_]
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Posts: 1,755
Default habitat

On Jul 15, 10:01*am, "Ronsonic" wrote:
"Mike Vandeman" wrote in message

...
On Jul 14, 7:48 am, SMS wrote:

On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:
This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.


The trail users who cause the most damage, BY FAR, are mountain
bikers. They travel much farther & faster than anyone else.

What makes you think that "farther & faster" equals more damaging. Farther
and faster means more efficient, less weight and less impact.


BS. If you do X damage in one mile, then you do 10X damage in 10
miles. Did you flunk grade school math?

Where you startled by a rude cyclist out on a trail and this is what it's
all about?


It's all explained on my website. Do your homework. ALL mountain
biking is rude, whether it's in my presence or not.
  #9  
Old July 14th 11, 09:02 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Peter Cole[_2_]
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Posts: 4,572
Default [OT] habitat

On 7/14/2011 10:48 AM, SMS wrote:
On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:

Horses also leave lots of manure that may contain foreign seeds, and it
is said heavy hooves damage delicate soil structures, in this country.


MV is probably very opposed to horses as well but since one of his only
supporters is a real estate agent that bills herself as a "Horse
Property Specialist," he feels obligated to not publicly oppose them.

This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.



India has sacred cows, we've got sacred horses. I've ridden horses,
mountain biked and hiked on the same trails. No contest, horses trash
the place, but they're grandfathered in. It's ironic that many of our
local trails have seasonal closures during mud season, but the only
users who are excluded are bikers.
  #10  
Old July 14th 11, 09:38 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike,alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Mike Vandeman[_4_]
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Posts: 1,755
Default habitat

On Jul 14, 1:02*pm, Peter Cole wrote:
On 7/14/2011 10:48 AM, SMS wrote:

On 7/12/2011 5:08 PM, James wrote:


Horses also leave lots of manure that may contain foreign seeds, and it
is said heavy hooves damage delicate soil structures, in this country.


MV is probably very opposed to horses as well but since one of his only
supporters is a real estate agent that bills herself as a "Horse
Property Specialist," he feels obligated to not publicly oppose them.


This is a shame since if he could be educated to direct his efforts
against the trail users that cause the most damage he would give up on
mountain bikes and concentrate on equestrians.


India has sacred cows, we've got sacred horses. I've ridden horses,
mountain biked and hiked on the same trails. No contest, horses trash
the place, but they're grandfathered in. It's ironic that many of our
local trails have seasonal closures during mud season, but the only
users who are excluded are bikers.


You obviously haven't studied the SCIENCE (REAL science, not the JUNK
science created by mountain bikers). The SCIENCE shows that mountain
bikers have greater impacts on erosion, plants, and animals, partly
because they generally travel several times as FAR and as FAST as
other trail users, multiplying their impacts. (See http://mjvande/nfshost.com/scb7.htm.)
Besides that, horses evolved in North America, and hence arguably have
the right to go wherever they want to. BIKES, on the other hand, and
inanimate OBJECTS, and have no rights whatsoever. And there is no
right to mountain bike (see http://mjvande/nfshost.com/mtb10.htm).
 




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