Mountain Biking on Hiking Trails

“I'm starting to get into biking. I am saving now to get a Giant bike by february, when I move into college. I want to ride on the trails across the street from my school, but they all say NO BIKES.

I figure if I go early in the morning, around 6, who will notice? After all, do bikes really hurt any thing?

I was/am planning on riding on the hiking trails, but if I new how to tell I bike trail from a hiking trail I would use the bike trail. So how do u tell?”

“signs”

“Can Scorch bail you out of jail?”

“How much trail maintenance do you do every year, Tea?

I have never seen or known of a mountain biking group who build or maintain trail.

If you want a place to ride your bike, put in the time and effort.”

“The bike trails have a bunch of little crosses on the sides of them where people have died.”

“I suggest running around and banging coconuts together instead.”

“But this is a temperate zone.”

“A swallow could have brought them over.”

“Bikes are okay, if the other option is ATV's.”

“Look, it's not a matter of where he grips it...”

“Do they hurt hiking trails?

Damn skippy they do. Ever hiked at a place with ruts worn out through the mud? Ever seen a bank completely worn down from the bikes?

IMHO, bikes do more damage to a trail than do horses.”

“Bacpac, I'm like T roosevelt Senior, he highered a solidure to fight for him in the war. I pay my dues to NYNJTrail Confferance.”

“look for a local mtn bike trail club they can help direct you where to ride.

Here in Mi we have the Michigan Mountain Biker Association (MMBA). They do maintenance at least monthly on local trails and are a HUGE advocate for outdoors folks. Many of our trails(in SE michigan) are "multiuse" and if it werent for trail riders the trails wouldnt be.”

“You have a great, but rare, situation birch.

I haven't forgot about you either birch, just gotta find some spare time one day this week.”

“birch, Odd that my experience is exactly the opposite. All the trails were here before Mt Biking was invented.”

“Tea, go to your LBS and buy a book of local trails. They will say which trails are for bike use. Usually hiking trails are no fun with a bike anyway. Hikers tend not to like some of the more technical terrain that bikers find fun.”

“I have never seen or known of a mountain biking group who build or maintain trail.

bacpac

What a pomp-ASS thing to say!

Try this:
http://www.imba.com/tcc/index.html">Trail crew
At the bottom of the page I see links from 1997-this year for trail work. I was at a trail workshop/maintenance day at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, Coralville Reservoir, North Liberty, Iowa in either 98 or 99. As you can see - IF YOU LOOK WITH OPEN EYES - there's a lot of trail work going on. DOH!

There's also a manual on proper trail construction.

How much trail construction and maintenance are you doing, bacpac?”

“20 days last year.”

“I don't consider speaking the truth to be pompass. I have never seen or known of a mountain biking group doing trail maintenance.

How many miles have you built liz?”

“What is wrong with bikes on hiking trails? They are trails aren't they? Bikes don't use gasoline so they're friendly to the environment. What have people got to complain about? I ride my bike on some local trails and no one has said anything. They better not if they don't want to buy a new set of car tires. HAHAHAHa!”

“Do me a favor lizs and let me know the last time Subaru built bike trails in Arkansas.

Pompass #&%!$.”

“Bikes erode trails. Bikers never do trail maintenance.”

“Hikers erode trails to with those stupid looking shoes. Backpackers just want all the trails for themselves. Wrong bacpac dude. If I see you on the trail you better watch out. Old people can get run over.”

“You are wrong my young friend. I have repaired the damage caused by boots and the damadge caused by tires. Bike tear up a trail in a matter of months.

You are correct old people do get run over. Old people also jam sticks in your spokes and bend your bike.”

“Most places allow mountain bikes as long as they are leashed.”

“One way to get around the "no mountain bikes allowed" rules on backcountry trails is to completely disassemble the mountain bike and conceal it inside your backpack and continue hiking. Even if they saw a spoke sticking out the back, I think the rangers would just let you go.”

“I recommend running over old people.”

“Tea, it's best to stay off trails where bikes aren't wanted. It gives cyclists a bad image and you don't want it get a fine from land managers. Check with some local bike clubs about legal places to ride or some of the local bike shops. If you want to do some riding next year let me know. There's plenty of riding in PA. in state gamelands and state forest roads.”

“Bacpac, lots of the trails that are "bike trails" existed before mtn biking in Mi, they have been adopted.

And yes biking is VERY damaging to trails. Thats why groups like the MMBA have a strict code of ethics its members try to abide by...”

“heres some good stuff from the MMBA web site....


Rules of the Trail

The MMBA has adopted the International Mountain Biking Association's (IMBA) Rules of the Trail:

The way we ride today shapes mountain bike trail access tomorrow. Do your part to preserve and enhance our sport's access and image by observing the following rules of the trail, formulated by IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association. These rules are recognized around the world as the standard code of conduct for mountain bikers. IMBA's mission is to promote mountain bicycling that is environmentally sound and socially responsible.

1. Ride On Open Trails Only. Respect trail and road closures (ask if uncertain); avoid trespassing on private land; obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Federal and state Wilderness areas are closed to cycling. The way you ride will influence trail management decisions and policies.

2. Leave No Trace. Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Recognize different types of soils and trail construction; practice low-impact cycling. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage. When the trailbed is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.

3. Control Your Bicycle! Inattention for even a second can cause problems. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations.

4. Always Yield Trail. Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely.

5. Never Scare Animals. All animals are startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise. This can be dangerous for you, others, and the animals. Give animals extra room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife is a serious offense. Leave gates as you found them, or as marked.

6. Plan Ahead. Know your equipment, your ability, and the area in which you are riding -- and prepare accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times, keep your equipment in good repair, and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. A well-executed trip is a satisfaction to you and not a burden to others. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear. Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

Spring Thaw Conditions

We strongly urge you to avoid riding the trails during the spring thaw period. Water from the melting snow cannot pass through the frozen ground, so it puddles on the trail surface. Tire ruts help channel this water and cause erosion. The rule of thumb is the ground has thawed when the earthworms come out.

If you want to ride and unsure of the trail conditions what should you do? Our suggestion is to call the park or check the MMBA bulletin board. If you don't get an answer from these sources, make two plans: one for the trail and one for nearby paved or dirt roads. If you get to the trail and find it muddy, switch to the road plan. If you're unsure, practice abstinence. Waiting a week or two for the conditions to improve isn't the end of the world. It may help save the trails and your equipment.

Of course another option is to ride when everything is frozen solid, typically in the early morning hours, but be watchful of icy spots.”

“Mtn bikers 'adopt' trails. How freaking convienient.

They ride on them, but never maintain them. Not exactly adoption.”

“wow bacpac, you are particularly hostile tonite. Ask the nurse for some more meds or a handjob or something.”

“I gave myself a handjob thank you.”

“Here in Souhtern Calif you can ride your mtn bike on the fire roads in the local mountains. Riding a bike in a wilderness area is a definate no-no.

Riding on a non-wilderness trail? Some trails are posted no bikes, and I've never encountered a mtn biker on any 'skinny' hiking trail. Most backcountry hiking trails I like to use are a little too rough for me and my mtn bike.

BTW, if you get caught on the local trail you mention, what is the penalty? Is your bike confiscated, or is there fine?”

“I dont know, but how would they catch me.

What is the park ranger going to run after me?”

“some have horses”

“There are lots of old threads you can pull up on this.

Bikers should stay off of trails marked for hikers only. I've almost been killed twice by bikers on trails they shouldn't have been on. Sometimes trails are dangerous for bikers...they go anyway. If you see a biker without a helmet, duck for cover...they don't care if they die and take you with them.”

“bacpac old men who put sticks thru the spokes of my bike only do it once dude.”

“Once would be enough, dude.”

“Sorry Tea. There are no bike trails in NJ. You'll have to move.

My trail maintenance groups strings up piano wire on the trails around Ramapo so wear a neck guard if you plan to ride there.”

“Can't we all just get along???

I've known a couple of people who rode mtn bikes. They had a similar approach to the outdoors as me - LNT, respect for wildlife and others. I would be SHOCKED if they were riding on trails designated No Bikes. In western NC there were at least three fairly large areas designated for bikes and as far as I know the people that used them were happy and didn't feel a need to go other places. Besides that most forest service roads were suitable for bikes, some of those were rougher than the trails.”

“V man,

I hiked some of the trails I want to ride and I noticed tier treds....so I'm not going to be the first.

i'm hoping that early in a week day morning I wont find tomany people”

“Its just a matter of right vs wrong and if doing the right thing really matters to you.

What other people do is irrelevent.”

“You do what you want of course, but realize that if you ignore the rules, your making it harder for yourself down the road and contributing to giving people that enjoy your sport responsibly a bad name.

Kinda like the hikers that leave their trash all over campsites.”

“I fairly frequently ride my ancient Rock Hopper Comp on trails designated only for hikers, just to try to ruin the trail for the trail rats.”

“Tea, I enjoy mountain biking too, but I respect the rules. I only bike on designated trails and roads. I also found some nice places to ride like abandoned coal and rock quarries and at an ATV park nearby.

It's not about whether or not you get caught. The rules is there for a reason, not just to piss you off. Think about it.”

“Teenagers think all rules are there just to piss them off...lol...”

“Wow. Another midget criminal.

What's the name of that trail again... ?”

“bacpac if you ever try that stick on me or any of my krewe you would be 9-ed so fast. don't diss us fool!!

Rules are for the old kooks. It's not against the rules to ride if there ain't no sign.

Officer if there had been a sign we would obeyed HAHAHAHAHA!!!”

“cool breeze, there's signs everywhere.

I hiked on of the trails that I planed to ride, and no way in hell could I bike through it. I'm going to find some other trails”