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It’s one of the few forums that allows anyone to participate w/out joining.
This particular forum starts with a question about why anyone would want to ride their bike on the road when there is a perfectly good trail right beside it or near it.
I’ve often had the same question. I will go way out of my way to find a trail rather than ride on the road. On the other hand, some people seem to avoid trails like the plague.
I love the topic of the discussion, but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Half the participants seem curious why the bikers are avoiding the trail and the other half keep answering because, “Bikers have a right to be on the road.”
Here’s what’s so frustrating about that:
Just because you have the right, that doesn’t explain why you do that. I have the right to play an accordion in a walk-refrigerator in Speedo tights. But why would I want to?
Often times, these people seem to be saying, “By gosh, I’ve got the right to impede traffic, risk my life, and piss people off, so by golly I’m going to do it.”
One other point that comes out in the discussion is, “Why spend tax-payer money on trails if people aren’t going to use them?” Although I don’t fully agree w/ that perception, I can see where others may find it valid.
This video shows the tremendous importance of fathers in the lives of their daughters. So all you present, past, and future dads, this one is for you. Happy Father’s Day; you’re important.
Heil Ranch may be one of the best intermediate mountain bike trails around. Technically, there is no trail called Heil Ranch Trail. It is a series of trails including Wapiti Trail, Ponderosa Loop trail, and Lichen Trail.
The reason I have such high praise for this trail is the thought and planning that went into it. As I have mentioned before, I’m not the mountain biker that I used to be. About the same time I realized I was mortal, my knees started complaining about the stresses of rigorous hill climbing. The combination of those two factors caused me to rethink my frequent forays into the tortuous roller-coasters of the hills.
But every once in a while, I like to explore a mountain bike trail or two. And that’s exactly what I did this weekend. I rode one trail on Friday and another on Sunday. And they were both awesome; I never went over the handlebars once.
Check out the Heil Ranch Everytrail Guide to see some pictures of the ride and directions to the trailhead. I’d like to hear what others think. Am I just a sentimental old fool who remembers taking my students on this trail a few years ago or is it actually as awesome as I perceive it. If you’ve ever ridden Heil Ranch, send me your thoughts/comments.
To celebrate, the U.S. Forest Service will waive the day-use fees associated with many recreation sites or amenities on national forests nationwide . Just think of all the trails you can explore, and it won’t cost you a dime.
So if $ was an excuse to keep you away from the great outdoors, now’s your chance to throw caution to the wind and visit one of your national forests.
