#!markdown
Well written Cam. As much as it is good that the alleged trail saboteur was
caught, this whole subject is a delicate one that needs careful consideration
of our words and actions in response.
As someone who has been riding for over 20 years and seen some of the dark
times when our ability to access trails has been threatened, this case needs
to showcase how responsible, intelligent and mature we are. Like Cam wrote, we
need to take the high road. Show compassion for someone who clearly doesn't
understand our sport and the people that take part in it.
I grew up riding shared trails in the UK and the concept of a "bike primary"
trail was the stuff of dreams. These old trails were primarily for horses to
use and we're hundreds of years old in many cases. We were the new kids on the
block. I had to be concientious and being polite and courteous to other trail
users was my way to enable me to ride there again.
I am very happy things have changed and trail networks for mountain bikes are
a thing of reality now. Let's not compromise what many people have worked hard
for by dropping to the level of writing threatening posts, no matter if you
regard them as a "joke" or not, to those that are against mountain biking they
are just more ammunition for them to use against us.
Jan. 29, 2015, 6:54 a.m. - Jonathan Harris
#!markdown Well written Cam. As much as it is good that the alleged trail saboteur was caught, this whole subject is a delicate one that needs careful consideration of our words and actions in response. As someone who has been riding for over 20 years and seen some of the dark times when our ability to access trails has been threatened, this case needs to showcase how responsible, intelligent and mature we are. Like Cam wrote, we need to take the high road. Show compassion for someone who clearly doesn't understand our sport and the people that take part in it. I grew up riding shared trails in the UK and the concept of a "bike primary" trail was the stuff of dreams. These old trails were primarily for horses to use and we're hundreds of years old in many cases. We were the new kids on the block. I had to be concientious and being polite and courteous to other trail users was my way to enable me to ride there again. I am very happy things have changed and trail networks for mountain bikes are a thing of reality now. Let's not compromise what many people have worked hard for by dropping to the level of writing threatening posts, no matter if you regard them as a "joke" or not, to those that are against mountain biking they are just more ammunition for them to use against us.