There is a perception among hikers and equestrians that mountain bikers don t care about the environment and anything about the open spaces other than the trails we ride on. Nothing could be further from the truth, and we need to show up at these clubs and tell them cyclists are there for the birds, trees, quiet, and beauty just as they are. That s why we are on the trails instead of on our road bikes or spinning away in a gymnasium somewhere. We like to hold races, just the way cross country runners do. It only shows that people like to compete in the out of doors in many different fashions.
Equestrians have their cross country events as well.
We are no different, and no more guilty of destruction of the environment or unsafe trail practices than any other group. If you were ever thinking of getting involved in advocating for the truth and standing up to demagogues and fear mongers, now is the time to jump in, go to some meetings, and reestablish a much-needed middle ground in the dialogues boiling around us. All rights reserved.