Dirt wars

Sides of the fence

Posted August 3 2010 09:23 AM by Christian Hazel
Filed under: Editorials, Land-use Discussion & Issues, Christian Hazel

It's funny but coming from a Jeep/4x4 background you get used to the mountain biker versus off-roader banter and drama. But as a mountain biker I'm privy to a larger biker-versus equestrian clash.

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If you think mountain bikers don't like 4x4 enthusiast (some don't but the majority have no issues with us) you should see how most equestrian people feel about mountain bikers. Just a few months ago I was flat-out threatened by some hag on horseback. Even after I had stopped my ascent, pulled over to the side of the trail, dismounted my bike, and quietly waited for her and her group to pass she still laid into me. Makes me wish I had one of those CO2 air horns in my pocket.

Eh, regardless - most of the horse folk complain when trail conditions get torn up. Which, by the way is how the bikers favor it. So, to placate these wackos and protect the animals from possible injury they bring out the tractors and level off the trails about once every 2 years. Guess a couple days ago marked the 2-year point in the trail maintenance rotation 'cause this is what I was greeted with on my evening ride last night.

Yup - flat as a board and just about as much fun to play with. All the rocks, dips, and jumps are no more. Hopefully it'll rain a bunch and make my trail fun again but right now it's just a big, silt-covered climbing slog with no payoff. Damn.

Reader Comments:

1. Yeah, horse people are a special bunch. I get that they have the right of way and I'm OK with that. I understand that horses are generally dumber than a typical dog and they spook easily. I pull over all the time. I want to get kicked by a horse as much as the next guy. But what a liability to have them running around on trails. Plus they really tear up the trails more than any bike, motorcycle, or 4x4. Don't believe it? Run 10 horses up a trail and then do the same with any of the others. The horses hooves pitch scoops of dirt out of the trail. Plus they crap and piss all over the place yet the riders are not required to clean it up. It makes the trails rough and they stink.

The land use laws (at least in California) are so outdated it's not even funny. But you are right, horse people are typically a special kind of A hole.

John Cappa - Posted August 3 2010 10:33 AM

2. I run into it around here. Lucky for us the only real trail system that we have to share with the horse people the mountain bike trails are their own separate trail system and we have to use the horse trails to get to our trails. I do try and dismount for horses though, hikers; all I say is rider up and blast by them. STAY OFF THE POSTED MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS AND STAY ON YOUR OWN TRAILS!

mb823 - Posted August 3 2010 12:32 PM

3. I hear ya mb832. I was hauling probably close to 25mph on my downhill bike on a bike-only trail once. Came railing around a blind corner hidden by bullrush nearly parallel with the ground and there's this lady with a walking staff and eyes as big as saucers. She didn't move and I'm sure she had to have heard my chain slapping the whole way down. I locked up front and rear tires and wiped out into the bullrush. *** Glad I didn't hit her even though she was in the wrong - but a small part of me kinda wishes I didn't flinch and just plowed into her.

Christian Hazel - Posted August 3 2010 01:43 PM

4. Actually, walkers have the right of way over bikes. And horses have the right of way over everything.

But if it was bike only, I'd be pissed.

John Cappa - Posted August 3 2010 03:55 PM

5. Be glad you dont live in Marin County. I hear they put up wire at head level across the trail.

Some people are just morons and cant think past what is present at any moment.

In Williamsburg a guy who was fed up with people leaving their bikes locked up on side walks took it upon himself to then put superglue in the bike locks, cause that will get them off the sidewalks quicker.

crawlijuana - Posted August 11 2010 10:47 AM

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