teamgrizzly
Member
- Nov 25, 1999
- 109
- 0
This is a copy of an editorial I posted on my website. To be honest it's my website, so I use it as my personal soapbox. I just decided to post it here so that other riders can read it and comment.
Mike Fodor / Team Grizzly Off-Road Motorcycle Club
The Ultimate Rant.
Do you like to ride? Of course you do. Do you think that the trails magically clear themselves from deadfall? Do you think that bridges fall from the sky? Do you think that trails magically appear from nowhere? Do you think that muddy sections fill themselves up with rocks and branches? I don't think you're that stupid. But then again...
I have to ask that question of myself when I look at what is going on in the motorcycle community. I don't know one of the areas in the Fraser Valley that isn't under some threat of closure or disruption. Scott Paper is threatening to shut down access to Herrling Island in response to some vandalism to their plantation and equipment. McNutt has access issues as well since the Municipality of Maple Ridge is not allowing access to the riding area through municipality property. It looks like a gate will be installed at Vedder Mountain to prevent it from being a torching spot for stolen cars and a vandals haven. Nicklemine is being logged and trails are being obliterated. Chipmunk Creek is also being logged in addition to being the site of a proposed ski area. And what do riders say when an area is threatened with shut down? "I'll go ride somewhere else or just slide under the gate."
Well excuse me stupid, I guess all the work of the Clubs and the PNWMA is worthless to you? As a member of Team Grizzly, I can say that if we are legally barred access to Chipmunk Creek, I will NOT slide my bike and chainsaw under the gate to fix trails. I will NOT put on the Piston Run Cross Country. But before that happens, I will NOT allow off-road motorcycle riding to become a criminal offense. But some people are NOT helping. In one day at Chipmunk Creek, ten riders passed our work party and none of them stopped to help. Hey dumbass, we're working to maintain the trails, the same trails you are riding on. Thirty minutes of your time would be nice and it would show your appreciation more than a simple "thank you".
Preserving our privilege to ride takes and effort from each one of us. It's not a huge effort but if each rider does their part the sport will be better for it.
Ride responsibly and don't drink and ride. There is a memorial to two riders at Chipmunk who were drinking then went for a ride. The fun ended when they were involved with a head on collision. Both riders died on impact. Also up at McNutt a mountain bike organizer was trying to build a race course and found it to be wrecked by off-road motorcycles. The result was an article in the Maple Ridge Times stating that all dirtbikers are a bunch of destructive irresponsible goons that don't pull their weight on the mountain trails. I hate being painted with that brush and I knew a few other guys who hate that brush too. I've seen riders racing along the forest service roads without even a helmet on. I've dealt with hikers and mountain bikers that have been quite annoyed with the behavior of off-road motorcycle riders. The enviro-nazi's love that stuff. It's the "divided we conquer" strategy for them. Respect other trail users, such as the hikers, mountain bikers, 4x4 drivers, hunters, ATV riders, and snowmobilers. We all love the outdoors, let us keep our privilege to play open.
Clean up after yourself. At one cleanup effort, it took a crew of over twenty guys and a full size garbage truck to clean up the mess in the parking area at McNutt. Sorry but I'd rather be riding. Just because one jackass put some garbage there doesn't allow you the same opportunity.
Less sound equals more ground. Other people get annoyed with the sound of loud bikes. If bikes were quiet then people wouldn't mind having a riding area in their backyard because it wouldn't bother them. The PNWMA is phasing in a requirement that all competition bikes pass a 96 dB sound limit and have spark arresters. After watching the BC woods go up in smoke this past summer, it would be crappy to be known as the "jackass who burned down Chipmunk." We have to more considerate in our concerns. I remember older riders reminiscing about areas they rode, such as Cypress, Sea Island, Stokes Pit, McLelland Pit, Triangle Rd, No 8 Rd. Landfill, Westwood, Mary Hill, Strawberry Island... Do you want to reminisce about being able to ride in areas such as Herrling Island and Vedder?
Come out and help. It's not that damn hard. We're not looking to break your back. It will keep you in shape and it can be great social fun. I've helped other clubs clean trail and it's been fun. Some guys have been kind enough to lend me their bikes for a quick spin and we've shared beers around a campfire afterwards. A lack of help was responsible for the closure of the Quickshift Hare Scrambles at Herrling Island and the Beyond Hope Hare Scrambles at the Nicklemine. The organizers just said "screw this". The Fraser Valley Dirt Riders are looking at pulling their Poker Run out of Herrling if they can't find a resolution to make Scott Paper happy. Team Grizzly may be known as a "racing" club, but we would love to organize fun rides and the like if we only had more members. But when there are only five guys that come out and clear a 30 km loop, it takes all our time to clean the area. The money from the event then goes back into the sport to cover the half a dozen chains, three bars, ten gallons of premix gas, ten gallons of bar oil, couple shovels, couple of mattocks, a couple of sierra saws, a couple of pruners and the bags of spikes used for bridges, as well at the stuff for trail signage. And that's after we pay for all the expenses used for the race.
That's my rant. Things are changing in the woods. There is even plans of introducing a registration and licensing requirement for all off-highway vehicles in the next few years. The ball is already rolling on that project. Where do you want to be? In front when you can get crushed or behind it where you can steer? Ask yourself that question the next time you ride.
To all those riders that firmly grasp a shovel and chainsaw to maintain trails, I express my heartfelt thanks for your effort. To all those riders who have taken their time to attend user group meetings, to fight the political fight for the sport, I truly salute you. To everyone else, I hope I made you think for a moment.
Mike Fodor
The preceding is the opinion of myself, Mike Fodor and not official policy of the Team. I would like to ask readers who feel that they should take action, start by copying the entire article and emailing it to their friends. Also if anyone would like to express their opinion can email me at teamgrizzly@hotmail.com
Dirt Biker's Ten Commandments
1.) Ride with proper gear at all times.
2.) Have a proper spark arrestor and exhaust silencer.
3.) Obey all private property and no trespassing signs at all times
4.) Appreciate our environment and our designated riding areas.
5.) Always be considerate of any others in the area.
6.) Move aside for a faster rider whenever it is safe to do so.
7.) Be aware of slower riders and pass with care.
8.) Offer assistance to other dirt riders if needed.
9.) Be free of drugs and alcohol when riding.
10.) Keep our riding areas litter free and take all your garbage with you.
(Thanks to the Fraser Valley Dirt Riders.)
Mike Fodor / Team Grizzly Off-Road Motorcycle Club
The Ultimate Rant.
Do you like to ride? Of course you do. Do you think that the trails magically clear themselves from deadfall? Do you think that bridges fall from the sky? Do you think that trails magically appear from nowhere? Do you think that muddy sections fill themselves up with rocks and branches? I don't think you're that stupid. But then again...
I have to ask that question of myself when I look at what is going on in the motorcycle community. I don't know one of the areas in the Fraser Valley that isn't under some threat of closure or disruption. Scott Paper is threatening to shut down access to Herrling Island in response to some vandalism to their plantation and equipment. McNutt has access issues as well since the Municipality of Maple Ridge is not allowing access to the riding area through municipality property. It looks like a gate will be installed at Vedder Mountain to prevent it from being a torching spot for stolen cars and a vandals haven. Nicklemine is being logged and trails are being obliterated. Chipmunk Creek is also being logged in addition to being the site of a proposed ski area. And what do riders say when an area is threatened with shut down? "I'll go ride somewhere else or just slide under the gate."
Well excuse me stupid, I guess all the work of the Clubs and the PNWMA is worthless to you? As a member of Team Grizzly, I can say that if we are legally barred access to Chipmunk Creek, I will NOT slide my bike and chainsaw under the gate to fix trails. I will NOT put on the Piston Run Cross Country. But before that happens, I will NOT allow off-road motorcycle riding to become a criminal offense. But some people are NOT helping. In one day at Chipmunk Creek, ten riders passed our work party and none of them stopped to help. Hey dumbass, we're working to maintain the trails, the same trails you are riding on. Thirty minutes of your time would be nice and it would show your appreciation more than a simple "thank you".
Preserving our privilege to ride takes and effort from each one of us. It's not a huge effort but if each rider does their part the sport will be better for it.
Ride responsibly and don't drink and ride. There is a memorial to two riders at Chipmunk who were drinking then went for a ride. The fun ended when they were involved with a head on collision. Both riders died on impact. Also up at McNutt a mountain bike organizer was trying to build a race course and found it to be wrecked by off-road motorcycles. The result was an article in the Maple Ridge Times stating that all dirtbikers are a bunch of destructive irresponsible goons that don't pull their weight on the mountain trails. I hate being painted with that brush and I knew a few other guys who hate that brush too. I've seen riders racing along the forest service roads without even a helmet on. I've dealt with hikers and mountain bikers that have been quite annoyed with the behavior of off-road motorcycle riders. The enviro-nazi's love that stuff. It's the "divided we conquer" strategy for them. Respect other trail users, such as the hikers, mountain bikers, 4x4 drivers, hunters, ATV riders, and snowmobilers. We all love the outdoors, let us keep our privilege to play open.
Clean up after yourself. At one cleanup effort, it took a crew of over twenty guys and a full size garbage truck to clean up the mess in the parking area at McNutt. Sorry but I'd rather be riding. Just because one jackass put some garbage there doesn't allow you the same opportunity.
Less sound equals more ground. Other people get annoyed with the sound of loud bikes. If bikes were quiet then people wouldn't mind having a riding area in their backyard because it wouldn't bother them. The PNWMA is phasing in a requirement that all competition bikes pass a 96 dB sound limit and have spark arresters. After watching the BC woods go up in smoke this past summer, it would be crappy to be known as the "jackass who burned down Chipmunk." We have to more considerate in our concerns. I remember older riders reminiscing about areas they rode, such as Cypress, Sea Island, Stokes Pit, McLelland Pit, Triangle Rd, No 8 Rd. Landfill, Westwood, Mary Hill, Strawberry Island... Do you want to reminisce about being able to ride in areas such as Herrling Island and Vedder?
Come out and help. It's not that damn hard. We're not looking to break your back. It will keep you in shape and it can be great social fun. I've helped other clubs clean trail and it's been fun. Some guys have been kind enough to lend me their bikes for a quick spin and we've shared beers around a campfire afterwards. A lack of help was responsible for the closure of the Quickshift Hare Scrambles at Herrling Island and the Beyond Hope Hare Scrambles at the Nicklemine. The organizers just said "screw this". The Fraser Valley Dirt Riders are looking at pulling their Poker Run out of Herrling if they can't find a resolution to make Scott Paper happy. Team Grizzly may be known as a "racing" club, but we would love to organize fun rides and the like if we only had more members. But when there are only five guys that come out and clear a 30 km loop, it takes all our time to clean the area. The money from the event then goes back into the sport to cover the half a dozen chains, three bars, ten gallons of premix gas, ten gallons of bar oil, couple shovels, couple of mattocks, a couple of sierra saws, a couple of pruners and the bags of spikes used for bridges, as well at the stuff for trail signage. And that's after we pay for all the expenses used for the race.
That's my rant. Things are changing in the woods. There is even plans of introducing a registration and licensing requirement for all off-highway vehicles in the next few years. The ball is already rolling on that project. Where do you want to be? In front when you can get crushed or behind it where you can steer? Ask yourself that question the next time you ride.
To all those riders that firmly grasp a shovel and chainsaw to maintain trails, I express my heartfelt thanks for your effort. To all those riders who have taken their time to attend user group meetings, to fight the political fight for the sport, I truly salute you. To everyone else, I hope I made you think for a moment.
Mike Fodor
The preceding is the opinion of myself, Mike Fodor and not official policy of the Team. I would like to ask readers who feel that they should take action, start by copying the entire article and emailing it to their friends. Also if anyone would like to express their opinion can email me at teamgrizzly@hotmail.com
Dirt Biker's Ten Commandments
1.) Ride with proper gear at all times.
2.) Have a proper spark arrestor and exhaust silencer.
3.) Obey all private property and no trespassing signs at all times
4.) Appreciate our environment and our designated riding areas.
5.) Always be considerate of any others in the area.
6.) Move aside for a faster rider whenever it is safe to do so.
7.) Be aware of slower riders and pass with care.
8.) Offer assistance to other dirt riders if needed.
9.) Be free of drugs and alcohol when riding.
10.) Keep our riding areas litter free and take all your garbage with you.
(Thanks to the Fraser Valley Dirt Riders.)
