🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <40tbss$pti@fido.asd.sgi.com>, Radek Aster <raster@sgi.com> wrote:

>>some stuff snipped here<<

> > 3.  Do bikers need longer trails that hikers?
> 
> You're clearly approaching this question from the "MTB as recreational
> toy" perspective. In my mind a trail is a path from point A to point 
> B and as such the length of the trail is immaterial.
> 
> > 4.  If rugged terrain is an attraction for mountain-biking, could a
> > constructed track provide this, similar to a motocross track?
> 
> Again, I don't *necessarily* ride for thrills or recreation though
> this doesn't mean I don't get recreation from riding. Rather, I ride to
> get from point A to point B and as such the ruggedness of the terrain
> is immaterial. But, to be honest if two paths existed between the
> same two points, I'd have to say that the more *challenging* would be
> preferrable because it would be "road less travelled". :-)

This line of discussion seems to indicate that there's something wrong
with recreation, and with having fun. There's not. I hope that people
laugh, smile and generally feel good during and after they ride. That
thrill should come from the complete experience though, not simply the
thrills of fighting or flowing with gravity.

If all mountain biking were was backcountry transportation, it wouldn't be
much fun. Do hikers hike simply as a way to get between point A and point
B? No- the thrill is in the journey- seeing wildlife- flora and fauna,
picking berries, feeling the wind and weather, seeing how the environment
changes with the seasons, a little hard work with the reward of a great
view.....

We all have to be careful not to take ourselves and our activities too
seriously. The first reason I ride a bike is because it is fun and makes
me feel good- everything else is a side benefit.


> > 5.  Do you care, as a mountain-biker, about human encroachment upon
> > wildlife habitats?
> 
> ABSOLUTELY !!!

same here- most of us do (quite a different perspective from the motorized
folks)

-- 
Alan Boucek       aboucek@panix.com
       New York, New York