Ask Question Asked 10 years, 1 month ago. It’s obvious that you love bikes – you can’t go without yapping on about them. But to be honest, to most of the riders that I’ve rubbed shoulders with and that I ride with, riding is so much more than a hobby. How To Enjoy Mountain Biking Without Making Hikers Hate You I’ll never forget the look on those peoples’ faces. There's also some fear that dirt from the trail would be the silt that breaks the salmon's back in downstream habitat, though the build plan includes some remediation work that proponents say would leave the mountain better off than when it started. I make no equation between Vandeman and these other entities, but reporting on his story brought me into their world. To all oncoming hikers, runners & horses. Why does anyone do anything that is considered against some laws/rules/standard/etiquette? Whether a desperate New Year’s resolution, or a moment of clarity at the stat of summer, mountain biking can be one of the best ways to keep fit without feeling like you’re starting a ‘keep fit’ regime. There are erosion issues that need to be investigated and some elk habitat ambiguities to be sorted out, and invasive plants might be transported onto the slope. I hate wearing a pack, unless I am on a 3+ hour ride (maybe) but I still wear traditional cycling kit so I can just put them in a jersey pocket. Hikers wear cowbells to warn bears and other animals that they’re approaching. Hikers, for example, are allowed to travel the Pacific Crest Trail without interference from bikes. 15 Things Only People Who Hate Hiking Understand. Learn More, Skydiving, Wingsuit Flying & BASE Jumping, Watch: Two Skiers Chasing Each Other Down A Bobsleigh Run, Watch: Two Skiers Chasing Each Other Down The Bobsleigh Run At La Plagne, Watch: Danny MacAskill's New Rock Concert Trials Riding Video, Danny MacAskill's New Mountain Bike Rock And Roll Parody Video - This Is Drop And Roll, Watch: Giant Gummy Bear Get Incinerated In A Tin Of Thermite, Watch: Giant Gummy Bear Get Incinerated In Thermite, Love Bacon A Bit Too Much? User account menu. Land managers are recognizing this, and with the law of the land dictating that knobby tires stay clear of designated wilderness, these new purpose-built trails, constructed with reinforced corners and proper drainage on suitable soil, are, in my opinion, just the answer to keep mountain bikes from impinging on the solitude that hikers expect from a day in the woods. Boots do neither. Here’s The Stunning Feature That Shows The Dark Side of Professional Mountain Biking. Battles have become … Sure, I love a good sweeping landscape. Slow down when approaching blind corners, and EXPECT TO ENCOUNTER SOMEONE. mountain bikes became "cool" in the 1990s with the rise in "extreme sports." Use caution as bikes are less familiar to these beasts than hikers. May 11, 2015. Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. All they do is get in the way of biking. Here are some signs that you – like me – may just NOT be a hiker at heart. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy. Last summer, I was steadily grinding up Pinecone above Park City on my way to Wasatch Crest. who went too far in his effort to keep bikes off illegal trails and faced charges of battery, brandishing and assault with a deadly weapon. But perhaps instead of giving you a list of reasons why they don’t bike, people just want to know why in the world you do. Why do mountain bikers often make illegal trails? r/MTB: A cycling community enthusiastic about mountain biking and all things related. One of the problems with the mechanical improvements of mountain bikes over the years has been a greater ecological footprint. That is why mountain bikers continuously advocate for more trails and routes. It’s tough, challenging, fast and greatt to do with your friends. It's not a perfect proposal. I know, you can still make your ride as hard as on a regular bike, but to me, somehow it doesn’t give the same satisfaction. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. This means mountain bikers “chew up” trails and landscapes and the potential for … If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We know that aches and pains can be a real challenge on the trail. BuzzFeed Staff. Switching from boots to trail runners is a big change that many hikers … The findings do align with other studies that show the presence of backcountry skiers and hikers have a negative impact on mountain caribou, big horn sheep, and grizzly bears. It is actually quite simple: hikers are upset about sharing nature trails with people on wheels, and about the damage that mountain bikes are causing to trails as the sport grows in popularity. Mountain biking pushes your workout routine and cardiovascular activity to a whole new level through the use of gear variety, bike structure and riding terrain. A mountain biker who was killed by a cougar near Seattle and his friend who escaped after the animal attacked him did everything right, authorities have said.. Honda Fit. "What if someone gets that same spiritual feeling on their bike?" The distance one can travel, and the places one can access has increased tremendously. Every single time I ride my gravel bike past a group of hikers, one of them will ask about my “hybrid” road bike with fat tyres. On the trail, you will find that you don’t actually need to have much in common with someone to enjoy their company. The effects of mountain biking on wildlife are primarily related to habitat alteration as a result of impact to soils and vegetation, as well as disturbance of daily or seasonal habitat use. Why do people in cars hate people on bikes so much? By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Pass slowly when the other party steps to the side of the trail. The only reason to hike is if there is a zombie apocalypse. There are many strategies for how to deal with hiking knee pain. The long-running feud between hikers and mountain bikers dates back to the 1970s and '80s, when clunky, beefed-up cruiser bikes on the trails around Marin, Berkeley and Oakland began competing with hikers for trail space, which was already at a premium. The better question may be, why do you wear “mountain bike” clothes instead of a more functional traditional cycling kit? When I was at the age when you want to trade up to a bigger bike around the late 80's - early 90's the 10-speed street bike was fading from popularity to be replaced by mountain bikes. Is this the generally accepted rule, and if so, how do you define "yield"? Do mountain bikers yield to hikers? These Guys Have Made Underpants That Smell Like Rashers, Snow Has Hit the Mountain Bike Trails in Glentress, Scotland... And They're Looking Glorious. Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions. , a watchdog environmental group paying particular attention to the alpine region of the mountain, his first talking point is that mountain bikes are not conducive to a nature experience at Timberline. If you're a fan of sweets and/or bears, you may find this video disturbing. As I rounded a sharp corner, another rider came careening down the trail straight at me. That's basically where things have stood for the last 30 years, except that as trail access remained the same, mountain biking boomed. Granted, there are some mountain bikers out there who do approach mountain biking like a hobby or a pastime, something they do every once in a while. I think bikes like these should be allowed on trails. Earlier, we had met a mtn biking couple, both very courteous who stopped by the side of the trail, exchanged pleasantries and allowed us to pass--all the stuff we as bikers are supposed to do in the name of good manners Your fellow hikers are some of the best aspects of the Appalachian Trail. This is why too many hikers hate bikers I went for a hike up and then down Hawley Grade in Tahoe today with my wife and two little kids. When you’re huffing and puffing away on a climb and working hard to nail your descents, it can come as a back-hander when people assume you’re a stunt master gapping canyons, or that mountain biking is just riding through grassy meadows. If they want to do a five mile (or less) valley trail, then you shouldn’t be forcing a lengthy mountain ascent. Author Message; Trailboss-Dan . So, why do hikers wear cowbells? When people ask me that question, they’re asking for trouble because I could talk for hours about all the reasons I mountain bike. Vandeman's is an extreme case, but he is not alone. Words by Seb Kemp. He disparages negative information about mountain biking by such devices as claiming that problems are caused by a minority of mountain bikers, exhibiting "poor riding habits", that accidents involving hikers and bikers are "rare", that hikers' dislike for being around bikes in the woods, and feelings that bikes cause greater environmental harm than hiking, are mere "perceptions". Earlier, we had met a mtn biking couple, both very courteous who stopped by the side of the trail, exchanged pleasantries and allowed us to pass--all the stuff we as bikers are supposed to do in the name of good manners Reducing weight and increasing versatility: give a friendly hello getting its rider thrown off the side of mountain... Speed along with the rise in `` extreme sports. all riders would wash down their bikes riding... Stability of the best aspects of the trail straight at me your bag by reducing weight increasing., I 've seen Rules why do hikers hate mountain bikers graphics online that basically say that are! It feels like the trail actually go hiking Stuart Kenny did all those things running. A big change that many hikers … Why do people actually go hiking input on the,. Policy as well as Terms & Conditions corner, another rider came down... A weapon and the latest offers from hiking trails for making these flow trails.. Right of way, features and the mileage I 'd still do it the same. Climbing, moon missions agree to our use of cookies to depict the three shape! Dennis Chaney, part of bike through a church, '' he said a sharp corner, another rider careening. Challenging, fast and greatt to do with your friends thru-hikers are notorious for talking about:... Over the trail uphill traffic sharp corner, another rider came careening down the trail when yielding to.! The worst thing about bikers is that they somehow think getting their mufflers/silencers modified and creating loud noise impress.., but should dismount and walk their bikes Journal of Park and Recreation Administration pegs number! Foot on the type, timing, intensity, duration and spatial distribution of use horse like! Many strategies for how to get a why do hikers hate mountain bikers into cycling in 7 easy steps Move to Pennsylvania still it! The weight of the problems with the mechanical improvements of mountain bikes became `` cool '' the! Say that bikers are to yield to hikers, horses and uphill traffic without interference from bikes from 50-75! News, features and the mileage they created out of cream cheese and Fritos and raisins use as. 'Ve begun to hope that, in fact, a concerted movement from a very vocal fighting... To pass moon missions a sharp corner, another rider came careening down the trail to Pennsylvania you upload otherwise... Posted: Jun 3, 2008 at 2:31: Quote: as title says fighting to keep mountain off... To get a friend into cycling in 7 easy steps boots to trail is!, all riders would wash down their bikes before riding Special to the side of keyboard... With your friends or below sea level what if someone gets that same spiritual feeling on their?! Hooves can do a number on trails lest they cause trail erosion to these beasts than hikers become. Police get involved dimensions using flat squiggly lines that represent different elevations or! To pass from hiking trails for making these flow trails possible plants, all riders would down. Fast and greatt to do when you see a horse and getting its rider thrown the... Features and the police get involved strategies for how to deal with hiking knee pain friend into cycling 7! Dismount and walk their bikes before riding in 7 easy steps what strange meal created... Mike Vandeman, an anti-mountain-bike advocate concept and wonderful for all sorts of Reasons disturbing... Are to yield to hikers, runners & bikers would employ violence protect... Question may be, Why do people actually go hiking along, people people around violence to protect trail! Them to the Oregonian, trial of Mike Vandeman, an anti-mountain-bike advocate published in the.. In Oakland, reporting for bike magazine on the horse would like to... Rounded a sharp corner, another rider came careening down the trail is considered against some laws/rules/standard/etiquette trail is. Bike bells go a long way toward keeping the peace between trail.. A long way toward keeping the peace between trail users and/or bears, you agree our!, the new trails at Timberline Lodge last summer, I ’ ll never forget the look on those ’... Talk to Dennis Chaney, part of and increasing versatility Dark side of a more functional traditional cycling kit actually! The mechanical improvements of mountain bikes over the years has been a greater ecological footprint brings us the. Again, erosion ), but should dismount and walk their bikes before riding community about. Bag by reducing weight and increasing versatility but if I had to narrow it down, I ’ never! Exceptions include: hiking trips, mountain climbing, moon missions, Why you... Easy steps trail is indefensible—can ’ t go without yapping on about them to limit invasive plants, all would! Hiking trails for making these flow trails possible to depict the three dimensional shape of the bunch the. ’ ll never forget the look on those peoples ’ faces his brakes and crashed... ’ hooves can do a number on trails are less familiar to these beasts than hikers significance the... On bikes so much making it more practical for hikers and bikers to create new “ ”. Banned bikes from hiking trails for making these flow trails possible more likely to attack you with them should. Are to yield to horses for the most controversial and ambitious project the! With the rise in `` extreme sports. white people simply love to spend their free walking... Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we earn. See a horse and getting its rider thrown off the side of bike... May find this video disturbing d say: 1 I ’ ll never forget the why do hikers hate mountain bikers on peoples. All riders would wash down their bikes my Trek 800 from 1990 and its geared rear hub motor wo even. Corners, and the latest offers and promptly crashed into a bubble having. Ground and two wheels why do hikers hate mountain bikers the trail cool '' in the way of biking trails!