|   bass-ackwards IMBA | club
Jan 22, 2004 7:02 AM | | I note that IMBA is now giving money for construction of freeride trails. I thought dual suspension freeride bikes were developed so riders could handle tough trails without bruising their tender backsides. Now IMBA money that could be better used elsewhere is going to construct challenging trails, so freeriders have a place to play.
How about this: Everybody go back to riding full rigid, then no one will need special trails, and IMBA can go back to concentrating on keeping our trails open. |
| giving money? | airwreck
Jan 22, 2004 12:07 PM | | I like that.
Anyway, was at the Local DLNR trails advisory council meeting yesterday were it was mentioned that IMBA would be visiting to help design switchbacks on a new trail, and a "free ride trail" is also being considered. I should add that the council and the land managers are not cyclists, their actions seem to be a response to unauthorized stunts and jumps that were constructed on state land(and removed).
I am opposed to the state or IMBA using resources for this type of project, I have no problem with them designating an area and letting the riders who need this do it themselves. But I'll assume for now that if such activities are permitted on public lands, that the state will have to control them in some way from a legal aspect. We will see where this goes, and I'll do my best to help educate and advise the officials in this process.
Now as far as my own feelings go, it seems you and I have taken different paths in embracing the evolution of the bicycle. I consider myself part of the old(maybe not quite as old) school, having grown up in CO during the 70's-80's cycling glory days, and involving myself heavily in the early 80's scene.
Contradictory to your feelings I have embraced the big travel full suspension bicycle(all my other bikes get loving still) and the new possibilities it has opened in expanding the terrain that is now ridable. As un-eco-freindly as it sounds, I am all for exploring trailess riding and the development of increasingly radical trails, especially ones that are only navigable via bicycle, therefore eliminating potential hiker/horse conflicts. I only encourage the use of manmade structures to reduce pressure on sensitive areas, prefering naturally occuring "stunts". I like the idea of jump parks/bmx tracks, it's good for the kids.
From my perspective, "Freeride Trails" are not "constructed" but instead should be creative utilization of natural terrain features, emphasizing flow and difficulty.
In other words, let see what happens if we just ride.
Hope you can embrace the new forum format, your perspective would be missed.
Eric |
| club, you crossing over to New World, or what? (nm) | Hollywood
Jan 22, 2004 1:17 PM | | |
| Nothing personal, but I sort of hope not | Drewdane
Jan 23, 2004 6:35 AM | | SUSPENSION SUCKS!!! EVERYBODY MUST RIDE A FULL RIGID HARDTAIL LIKE ME! ONLY FULL RIGID HARDTAILS SHOULD COUNT AS BIKES! ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T RIDE FULL RIGID ISN'T A "REAL" MOUNTAIN BIKER!
It gets pretty old...
(BTW, I ride a hardtail) |
| Nothing personal, but I sort of hope not | Ebo
Jan 23, 2004 7:19 AM | | Don't take it so seriously. Different opinions are what it's all about. Club is a valued passionite. |
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