So it’s better to bicycle OFF of the trails, where the cryptobiotic soil and untouched ground is? I don’t think so.

As for the 48 hrs in jail, luckily you’re young enough to shrug it off as a learning experience, and now you have a story that will last you a lifetime.

And how about those guys who had to pay $240 for the helicopter evac out of the park, when they weren’t injured and didn’t need rescuing? Hell, the tours in Vegas will run you $400 and up, sounds like a bargain, even though the park service was using the most expensive means to remove them. Maybe they should airlift drug dealers to the county lockup, and charge them the airlift fee, too? How many hikers get hurt each year and need rescuing? Dozens and dozens, but they still let em all keep traipsing their dumb asses down there anyway. Well yeah, you gotta get all the money you can out of em. Stop the hiking and the park will dry up. Why not though, cause hiking leads to some people getting lost and or hurt? You have to protect people from themselves, right?

It’s interesting to see how the mtb ethics pretty much goes completely against the rules of the National Park Service.

1. STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS to avoid trampling native vegetation and fragile desert soil.

2. SHOW COURTESY AND RESPECT TO ALL TRAIL USERS. We’re all members of the trail family seeking quality experiences. We must learn to share. Our motivations are not different than those of other trail users regardless of our mode of travel. Show concern for a clean, quiet backcountry experience.
Keep the trails as natural as possible.

3. YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO OTHER NON-MOTORIZED RECREATIONISTS, and allow adequate room for motorized vehicles that may need to pass you.

4. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION when approaching or overtaking others and make your presence known well in advance.

5. MAINTAIN CONTROL of your bike at all times.

6. DO NOT DISTURB wildlife or livestock.

7. DO NOT LITTER. Pack out what you pack in, and pack out more than your share whenever possible.

8. RESPECT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY, including trail use signs, no trespassing signs, and leave gates as you found them.

9. BE SELF-SUFFICIENT. Destination and travel speed will be determined by your ability, equipment, terrain, and the present and potential weather conditions.

10. DO NOT TRAVEL SOLO when bike packing in remote areas. Leave word of your destination and when you plan to return.

12. USE APPROPRIATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

Sorry for the rant, but this all just makes me sick. If these guys had driven the whole way in a 2 mpg Ford Excursion Expedition or whatever, they’d have never raised a single eyebrow, as they’d be JUST LIKE the other 25 million herd-minded sheep in this country. Oy.

Miss ya guys. Hope yer not takin’ the soapboxers too personally or gettin any more like bitter old men. Use this space to relax.

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There.

Best wishes:

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