Mountain biker and wilderness relationship: It’s complicated
By Grayson Schaffer, Outside
On Aug. 7, President Obama signed into law a bill that converted just over 275,000 acres among the Boulder and White Cloud Mountains into federal wilderness — three separate areas collectively known as the Boulder–White Clouds.
For years, it’s been obscure and sparsely trafficked by hikers, mountain bikers, off-road motorcyclists, skiers, hunters, and cattlemen. The president’s signature brings to a close a long and sometimes ugly debate. But it has also left many local mountain bikers, who’ve long ridden trails in the Boulder–White Clouds, disappointed that they’ll no longer be allowed in.
The entire process has put riders in the increasingly familiar and uncomfortable position of opposing wilderness legislation.
According to the Outdoor Foundation’s most recent participation report, there are roughly 8 million mountain bikers in America and 10 million backpackers. And mountain biking, which didn’t exist to have a seat at the table when the Wilderness Act was passed in 1964, is only getting more popular.
For bikers, the insult is compounded because older and more clearly detrimental practices like cattle grazing and mining are grandfathered into wilderness areas, as are many airstrips.
Besides my ADD kicking in on the lengthy article, it was spot on. I like to consider myself as an environment conscious person. BUT, I love to mtn bike also. This has put me in direct opposition to any new wilderness areas at Tahoe.
Livestock that are allowed in wilderness areas might be much more environmentally harmful than a conscientious mtn biker. Such a shame that people can’t enjoy public property in a prudent manner. Wilderness areas give Sierra Club a bad name where mtn bikers have been an asset to the area.
Im very familiar with the Boulder/White Cloud area and worked with the Idaho Conservation League 20 years ago to get this area protected as Wilderness. I am so glad it is finally in the Wilderness system and there will be a lot of management challenges ahead for the Forest Service to overcome. This is idaho where wild lands means something different to every user. This area is well worth protecting in any way it can be. Hopefully all users will see that and not get all mired down in their own petty needs. Doubtful, but I can still hope..
The Wilderness Act is very specific as to use so if the managers keep to the original intent it should be a “no brainer”. IMHO