|   So... how did YOUR state rank? | JmZ
Oct 16, 2003 9:13 PM | | My state was dead last. Yup, Indiana, the worst place in the nation to ride a mountain bike. Indiana ranked a D+ per IMBA.
I will be among the first to tell everyone that Indiana is not a haven for mountain bike riding, and that it has a long way to go. But I also doubt that Indiana is the worst place in the nation either.
I could have understood the grade a few years ago, but since I've been in Indiana, which is now at half a dozen years, things are improving, not moving backwards.
Things that I've noted over the past few years. There have been advocacy groups forming and growing, there have been new trails developed and opened - averaging about one trail every year or two, and that's just in the northern 1/3 of the sate. Not bad for a state with minimal parkland.
On a larger scale, there has been a change in public policy from the state to NOT allow ANY riding in state lands to now needing to convince individual land managers. It doesn't open everything in one fell swoop, but these areas are now not completely closed off either.
Heck even the horseback riders had to fight for their access to the state parks this year due to budget cuts!
A few years ago Indiana might have deserved an even worse grade with trails being clear cut, and policies that were detrimental to mountian biking, but things are changing, they are improving. It IS slow, but it is getting better.
Indiana needs to better organize, to make better use of the lands that are available, and to work with the agencies and organizations that exist, but is it worse than last year - no, it's better.
I don't know if we're being unconsiously judged against Michigan because of their proximity, or some other issue. I do know that I plan on letting people know - Yes! Indiana did get a D+, I don't think we deserve that low of a mark, and we need everyone involved to make it even better.
So how did you state do? Did it 'deserve' it's grade?
JmZ |
| Idaho should have won! | smilycook
Oct 20, 2003 9:32 AM | | Idaho only got an A- this year even though we have some of the best riding in the country. Any state that has 18,000 miles of singletrack should hold the top spot. That is more riding than you can probably do in a lifetime, plus we can ride year around in the state too.
We should get bonus points for having only 1.5 million people for all those miles of singltrack compared to the 5 million people Arizona has.
Chris |
| Idaho should have won! | The Preacher
Oct 24, 2003 10:14 AM | | Hey Smily...
We just found out yesterday that our friends (not MTBers) are moving from Ventura, CA to Dalton Gardens, ID. Looks like it's right next to Nat'l Forest and some pretty big lakes. Any good riding up that way?
I can sense an Idaho trip coming on! ;-)
:-P |
| Idaho should have won! | smilycook
Oct 24, 2003 1:07 PM | | Plenty of good riding up there, I live in southern idaho about 10 hours away so I can't give too many suggestions but there are some good guidebooks and the local shops can help or you can contact the IMBA club called MAMBA.
Chris |
| Thanks again... | The Preacher
Oct 30, 2003 11:04 AM | | Looks like there will be an Idaho trip in my future :-) |
| Year round in Idaho? What is Winter like? | geardoc
Nov 21, 2003 12:04 PM | | Isn't there snow in the winter? |
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