Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site arizona.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!hao!noao!arizona!rogerh From: rogerh@arizona.UUCP Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: Mountain Bikes & The Environment (the use of wilderness) Message-ID: <16647@arizona.UUCP> Date: Wed, 17-Oct-84 23:43:09 EDT Article-I.D.: arizona.16647 Posted: Wed Oct 17 23:43:09 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 19-Oct-84 01:58:53 EDT References: <951@druri.UUCP> Organization: Dept of CS, U of Arizona, Tucson Lines: 26In response to that article by someone in Colorado who defends himself against the charge of cactus-bashing by snotting off at "college students" Look, I been a workingman, now I'm a college student, so watch your mouth, bub. I don't care how much cactus you got now -- if you stomp on it, you're gonna be living in a naked wasteland in a few years. That doesn't matter to me, but other people are going to be living in the wasteland you created. A case in point: one of my favorite Alpine meadows, Jefferson Park up in Oregon, has gone from a flower-filled wonderland to a hardpan erosion pit in three years thanks to stupid users. For heaven's sake, people (foot people and tire people), stay on the trails! Stay off the vegetation (as much as you can)! Be careful -- there are just too many of us. Please! There are some simple things you can do to preserve the woods: stay on the trails; in heavily-travelled areas, use existing campsites; use stoves instead of campfires. In very heavy-use areas, consider wearing smooth soled shoes (eg running shoes) instead of Vibram (does this apply to mountain bikes?). I think that mountain bikes are about like boots: use them respectfully, no problem; be stupid, much damage. Let's exert some social and moral pressure to make sure they're used well. Roger Hayes Tucson, Arizona