Mountain Bike

I joined MTBAccess last week. Formed in part by local heroes Mark F. and Steve A, they are focused on protecting and gaining access for mountain bicyclists. IMBA does access, but it is not the main driving force.

Here is a very good article about both organizations.

I am very new to the access/advocacy scene, so I cannot weigh in much. But I like the idea of a separate organization focused on fighting for access. I don’t know what to think about conservation as part of advocacy. I certainly support conservation of land against development, but I suppose it is a different issue than bike access to trails.

I love to ride bikes in the mountains. Riding is one of the few things in this world I have found to be ‘real.’ It is what drives me: solitude, feeling healthy and strong, battle snarl on my face at the top of a climb, endless technical challenge, the breeze, fresh air, mountains so alive, coasting, free, this is it, free, I can’t explain it, sun, so bright, mental challenge, failure and learning, weakness, strength, love.

I don’t think bikes belong everywhere–on all trails. But there are many places that I ache to ride. Most of the wilderness here in southern AZ is so difficult and steep that few would ride it even if it were open. These areas are appropriate for bikes. Downhills that bikers can shuttle, or flat ‘sweet’ trails already popular with hikers are not appropriate.

I spent the summer as a Wilderness Ranger for the USFS and I have done my share of hiking on trails. To me, mountain bikes are compatible with wilderness values and ethics. Like any other form of use, they have impact and can be misused.

It was telling to see the damage the horses have done to the trails in the Bighorn Crags. With only ~600 visitors yearly, the first 3 miles of Crags trail has been pulverized into sand–damage that wouldn’t happen were thousands of bikes to ride it. So telling also was the damage done by campers at some campsites (we inventoried them all)–everything from human waste to tin foil to felled and damaged trees.

It was very strange to witness (and document) all this damage and impact, all the while wondering why I can ride my bike to the wilderness boundary sign, but no further. I did this multiple times (a couple of tough switchbacks lead up to it). I stood at the sign wondering what was different about the land in front of me and why someone felt bikes were inappropriate here, yet they allow such gross destruction and overuse by hikers and horses.

I contrasted many of my experiences backpacking in the Crags with many of the solo (or duo) mountain bike rides I have done. I know that what constitutes wilderness is a personal thing, but I have experienced many rides with much more of a wilderness feel to them.

This is not to say that the Crags is a horrible, overrun place. On the contrary, it is a real wilderness and for the most part is pristine. Very few people visit it each year. A handful of brave souls on mountain bikes would not change things much. The trails are difficult enough that few would find them enjoyable.

So what is there to do? I rarely hear people talk about bikes in wilderness. The most obvious answer is that we will have to wait. Wait for attitudes to change and for groups like IMBA and MTBAccess to build bridges and fight for access. I’ll be there to help however I can.