|   wheeled chainsaws on the singletrack... | phishin
May 20, 2002 10:25 AM | | I was decending the last half of a trail in town called the hochi-men. Its a really popular technical singletrack gem. Anyway, right before a really long curve I started hearing a sharp buzzing noise that sounded like a chainsaw being gunned over and over again. I actually thought it was someone doing trailwork. I expected to make the turn and find someone cutting through a log (there was a big storm last week and Ive been out for 2 so I figured a tree had been blown or struck down). I made the curve and to my dismay there were 2 guys on full size MX bikes tearing into the trail trying to get up a really steep incline. It was hideous, not only did they rip open the center of the trail but they left their nasty fumes hanging in the air for me to breathe.
On the way back to the trailhead I saw every spot where they had left their mark. The trail was torn up in numerous areas. Next time it rains those holes will be filled with mud.
It irritates me because they dont know any better and wouldnt stop even if they did. This is the best singletrack in Oklahoma. Its also the only good singletrack within 80 miles. If this continues it will probably be the end of it. The last thing it needs is an incline in MX jackasses tearing it up with their chainsaws on wheels. Its pretty sad.
What should I do? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks,
Jon |
| That's a tough one... | Fat-tire
May 20, 2002 11:03 AM | | I'm guessing motobikes are not banned from the trail. If that's the case, was this a one time thing, or are mx bikes common in this area? If the former, trail mainteance seems to be in order (it sucks, but what else you going to do?). If the latter, I could suggest getting a large group of mt bikers to go out on a weekend and "take over the trail" (basically make it a pain in the ass for these guys to ride there).
If there are other places to mx ride, but not mt bike, you might try reasoning with them, and tell them your deliemma--how this is really the only place to to ride, blah, blah.
Less that, you could more to AZ. We have a sh$%load of trails (for both mt bikes and/or mx bikes), and our summers are less humid that OK :-).
(Of course, if they are restriced from using the trails, call the authorities. If they get caught, maybe ask that they fix the trails as part of their punishment.) |
| deja vu... | airwreck
May 20, 2002 2:32 PM | | One of our best local trails is also known as ho chi min, difference is that it was created by motorcylces. One of the favorite MX activities is to diverge off the trail and go straight up the ridges, causing massive environmental damage in the process. The actual trail itself holds up well to the motorcycle traffic though, in fact the motorcyles are getting chased out and the trail will probably disappear without them. I actually thought you were talking about our area until I got to the OK part.
Anyway, sorry no suggestions, if your trail is like ours, neither the MTB's or the MX's have authority to use this land, but it seems like the motorized users are much more ambitious in their efforts to access the trails. Issues of rights and enforcement become blurred when anarchy is present. |
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