🚀 go-pugleaf

> In the early 1980's I actively raced motorcycles in the Desert. At that
> time, individual races were held almost every weekend. Most often in
> different areas and on different routes. Generally, routes were re-used
> once a year to some degree. Many of these routes when left alone for as
> little as 8 months revealed no sign of previous travel.  Ribbons had to
> be placed to mark the course.

> I am not denying that repeated use of any one route or small area will
> not cause damage. Such is evident in the Lucerne Valley and El Mirage
> Dry Lake area. Both are small designated ORV areas, that are overused.

> In contrast, 4-5 times per year we camped and rode in the Eastern
> Mojave. An area soon to be closed by S-21.  Most riding was on existing
> two track roads.  Some travel was cross-country. In that mode, a good
> sense of direction and knowledge of landmarks were essential to your
> life. Through all the years we spent in the Eastern Mojave, I can count
> less than a dozen occurrences where we encountered other riders. Also,
> outside of the two track roads I mentioned. We never, ever,  found
> traces of our previous paths through the desert.  With that experience,
> I believe ORV damage to the open areas of the Mojave (Eastern etc.) is
> a lie!  I doubt that Eric, like most enviro's, has ever ventured in to
> the area to investigate for themselves. Yet, they sheepishly absorb the
> "Big Lie" from the radical and often mainstay environmental
> organization then, arrogantly pass judgment on an entire form of
> recreation.

> Patrick J. Chicas
> FOLMA #6

Agree completely with the above.  I started riding in the Eastern
Mojave back in 1970.  We would ride trails, roads and cross country.
You did have to have a good sense of direction to find camp.  Rode that
area for many years.  Saw every season the desert had, turtles,
beetles, lizards, flowers you name it we saw it.  We were there to ride
and have fun.  It did not hurt/destroy the desert.  More times then not
we noticed the trails would sprout vegitation within 6 months.  One
good rain and the cross country marks were gone.  This environmental
garb we are being fed is just noise.  Problem is the extremeists seem
to winning this round.  That's OK nothing we can't fix in the future
when the pedulum swings the other way.  For now I take my real riding
enjoyment to Baja where I take great pleasure in knowing the extremists
can't do jack about it.

Brett
94 XR600R