|   Appalachian Scenic Trails Anyone? | Justin900
Nov 26, 2001 9:48 PM | | anyone every ridden this trail? i know its supposed to be designated for hikers, but it sounds like a great place to bike.
if you've ridden it, which part and whats the terrain like? |
| Ummm... | DeRanger
Nov 27, 2001 5:14 AM | | ...the AT is a unit of the National Park Service and it is closed to mountain biking.
Riding closed trails, especially a national scenic trail, is a bad idea. It contributes to the sense that mountain bikers are not responsible trail users among hikers and other visitors - a line of knobby prints in the dirt may be all it takes to get our access privileges questioned, if viewed by someone who doesn't believe we belong on any trails anywhere.
Almost as bad an idea as riding closed trails is posting about it on a national bulletin board that's read by local, state, and national trail managers, park rangers, and park police officers.
DeR (90% probability of flamebait, but I'll take the 10% just in case.) |
| Two things: | Twilight Error®
Nov 27, 2001 5:52 AM | | 1. Its closed to every user that isn't on foot. The Appalachian trail was concieved, designed, built and remains exclusively a "Footpath through the wilderness". Okay, there isn't a whole lot of wilderness on the East Coast, but the AT runs through some of the most amazing terrain you could imagine. If mountain bikers start poaching the AT, we're going to loose the support of every hiking club that tolerates and helps with our trail maintence. The Appalachian Mountain Club is a rather powerful trail access society here in the East, there are always a few members of the local AMC chapter helping with trail maintence in Arcadia. Loosing their help and support would seriously affect the amount of trail work that we're able to do.
2. There are several sections of the trail where carrying your bike, nevermind riding it, would be almost impossible. Get above treeline in the White Mountains and try riding over car-sized talus in 75mph wind with freezing rain being driven up the sides of the mountains (in AUGUST!)...
I'd love to ride the sections of trail here in Ct, having hiked it many times I know several places that would make for an excellent full-day ride. As much I want to go out there, that trail is strictly off-limits. |
| This is not the way | cleatgrrl
Nov 27, 2001 10:43 AM | | to introduce yourself to this group. You're in college, right? Carnegie-Mellon University, if I'm not mistaken? You should know better. Even if you are desperate up there in Pittsburgh there are many other options for you for riding. Look around a little, but leave the AT alone. |
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