Are we stewards?

I look at it as a last dig before slamming the door on his way out.

When one person has a problem with a group....it be s generally the one that is the problem. Kinda like the divorcee that says my ex’s are all crazy.

Nothin wrong with this place.

 

Wow, I finally had time to read this whole thread..kinda sad, but humans are you know..human. @Mikie you've done nothing wrong IMO, these things just happen. I’m not a fan of the heaviness that comes with some of these debates, but that’s just me, I can choose to not read or just skim.
On another note, it’s tough to be on here lately because I’m injured and probably feeling a little sorry for myself. I can’t get on my bike therefore don’t feel like there’s much to contribute....wah, what a baby I know
I love imtbtrails

 

You're medically cleared for the pool party, right!?!?!?

 

It's tough to read through all the adventures that all are having while we are down for the count. But trust me on this. Your presence on the site along with updates, and glib comments are a huge contribution here.
Plus it keeps you in the loop of camaraderie and support. I know I certainly needed that as it made the days go by much faster.

If you have not ventured to "other" MTB sites, a big reason why many here enjoy this place as there is very little drama comparably. It happens on any social media but we do everything we can to make this a positive place. But passion can sometimes override level thinking and we can get off balance. Be glad you were not here during the big eBike debate. We lost some good folks...
But that is life!

You are very valuable to our community as is everybody at imtbtrails!

 

I am not a fan of the heavy stuff either. Every now and then my brain and finger respond with out me knowing. I have the choice to not read it, but the crack addiction is strong. Enjoy life don't get bogged down on things that are out of your control. I strive to get better at this.

 

Being a new guy around here, I always thought the “since you don’t ride anyway” comment was an inside joke between a few in the know. I also smiled when I read it because I use that line or something similar with my friends to motivate them to get off their couch and ride with the rest of us.

@Mikie I frequent 3-4 other MTB sites on a regular basis and this place is generally as mellow as can be. People come and go for all kinds of crazy reasons.

 

That I can do!

 

I’m not going anywhere, this place is my crack too @LLPoolJ
We love ya Mikie!

 

There are all kinds of things you can do, Sara, along with your yoga and PT. I almost wonder if an "Ask @mountaingirl sara" column wouldn't work. Are there poses or stretches to help with typical mountain bike issues? I've seen some stuff on YouTube, but we've got our own resident expert!

It's been talked about, but I don't know if it's happened.. Our injured reserve can stay involved by supporting or shuttling active riders. Maybe a friend has a ride they've been jonesing on but can't do it without support? Bingo!

I've done this in the past for a road riding buddy doing the Death Valley/ Mt. Whitney stage race. On the first climb of Day 1 (Towne Pass/25 miles/5,000ft) he raised his hand and signaled a flat front tire. I pulled ahead, had the spare wheel ready, did a quick wheel change and he sprinted back to position. On Day 2 he was bonking on the upper hairpins below Whitney Portal. I drove up and handed him some glucose tabs. Instant energy for the final push!

I've also supported riders in the High Sierra Fall Century, mostly because I think it's a great course and wanted people to enjoy it. All that took was driving around to help with flats, move food and beverages between Aid stations and protect the last riders by following with headlights and flashers-- offering encouragement and/or a ride if necessary. Helped with the VQ a couple times, too. All kinds of options and they can be rewarding.

Most of all, please know it's super cool having you around!

 

You are absolutely correct. The poor guy has some serious stuff going on in his life at this time (I don't know him but the evidence clearly shows it) and he was surely very upset about having to liquidate some of his goods. I truly hope he gets things sorted out in due time. He's a fellow fisherman and I dig that about him.

 

It's just fine to have opinions and it's also fine to voice them. That's just human nature. What we need to be careful about is how we voice them. None of us want to offend others any more than we want to be offended. That said, where e-bikes are concerned, I think we have done a fine job in voicing our opinions here with a little humor added in to soften the blow for those who may be sensitive to the subject.

 

We are a team here. That's how I see it. Not all of us can ride all the time, a few can't ride at all at this time. I feel for ya Sara but it's clear that you get "a fix" from being here and sharing the experience. We all contribute in one way or another, whether it's from atop a saddle or not.

I get my fix from reading what other's have posted in my absence and it's fun to participate in a group discussion. The backpack thread for example, is fascinating. And many past threads have also been and many future threads will be, too.

 

I think the greatest compliment to this place would be if non- or former riders still want to hang out and post.

 

We can only behave for ourselves.

I have, believe it or not. But I used to be a part of that world too.

Just don't log in. I did it for quite some time. I'm pretty sure on most days a large number of you guys wish I would go away again!

But my ex IS crazy! See also: a part of my reason for taking a break from this forum.

 

Fantastic to know, thanks!

But I am REALLY REALLY glad You are back!!!

Did I say I'm REALLY REALLY glad you are back?

 

Wonderful response, it’s always a super feel good to help others! I love volunteering at ultras too!
As far as yoga, I’ve thought about posting but knew there were some good instructors on pinkbike so I didn’t offer.
Maybe I’ll come up with something on a weekly basis. And re the shuttle, that is yes, just let me know you guys , esp before surgery while I’m somewhat mobile!
You’re a good thinker Kioti, I like the positive spin, thanks a bunch!

 

Good point on the team thing...I’ll get outta my head and into the game. You’re a good one too Snake

 

Let me try this hypothetical: how about I come over and put a sticker on your car. And I post it on social media as a place where stickers belong.

Stickers are fine where they belong: affixed To my own property, by me and me alone.

The golden rule applies outdoors as well as indoors.

 

So funny how I got grief about my sticker and nobody else did about theirs. It makes me want to stick more of them out there.

 

LOL it's a freaking sticker.

Now for something a little more serious;
I saw a butterfly today.

 

It's not about the sticker...

There are about 100 ways someone could have questioned the use of a sticker as being similar to vandalism or poor stewardship. But I think the holier-than-thou approach will assuredly evoke an emotional response. Ironically, the emotion didn't come from the target of the post, but from someone who questioned the tone of the post/thread. And, as we have already recognized, this was a straw that broke a fellow camel's back. As I stated above - overreaction on both parties, methinks.

 

In my little brain...the reason we are not good stewards is not stickers on posts unsightly as they are, (unless it's a black and white Andre the Giant sticker). Andre is cool. But I divest in my thought process. The biggest reason is when we get near the walker we do not slow down and thus dust them, make them feel scared and in a group the dust, it just goes on and on.

But in reality we are good stewards at least most of us. We keep trails open and do less damage than a dog, if you call keeping trails open damaging. Where we do get into the gray area is where too many of us use the same trail and make it into a quasi fire road. I keep track of this data where: I ride trails that are never ridden, new trails that are only ridden by me, main trails, new alignments on main trails, runoff / erosion, and healing of trails. I enjoy taking note of these things as I modify and codify my hypothesis in my regular riding routine. If it ever were to rain again my mind would shift back to whats sprouting & blooming and when & where and the aspects of the flora and fauna. Then I would look less at the tracks of trail users and the general condition of the trails. But rain to me is just a fading memory. The OC team is lucky, they have a cleared off hill that will need some low impact love as the chaparral has now begun to regenerate. Now plants that have not been witnessed in a very long time, will show and once again participate in the renewal process.

So, it is like city people telling us the world is over populated and such, when we know the world is empty of human kind and those dwellers are just living too close to each other. The people that never get out or occasionally get out think we are yahoo's when we are the eyes, we are the early alert system, we are the ones who rescue and escort lost people out of our wonderland. We are the ones who scoop up lost keys, lost hats, and litter (some of us pick up litter). Let those people who walk their dogs in 100 yards and pick up poop in a bag tell us just how bad we are. There is something about that saddle, those tires, that isolation, that silence, that effort, it makes us special, as we are the stewards of the trails and that is where you will find us.
Happy trails to you

 

I was rolling through one of the steeper sections of twisty ST on my ride this morning. I don't use a bell because my Hope hubs are SUPER loud. I was moving at well within the Park speed limit and I saw a senior citizen ahead of me. He saw and or heard me coming and moved off the trail. I slowed a bit and as I said "hi" he blurted out "you'd better slow down before somebody gets hurt!".

I looked at it like this: If he was able to ride like we can, he would be doing it, too.

 

Wow... I was out of town for a few days, and the place goes to hell! Although I'm sorry to see Dusty go, he obviously has other things to worry about right now, and he seems to be wrapped a little too tightly. Hopefully he gets everything sorted out. I'd still ride with him if I ever see him out there, though...

@mike - Great question. You understand and interpret "leave no trace" at a level that most of us don't. I'm not going to drop GU wrappers on the trail during VQ, but I don't see the harm in a sticker on a pole that already has 100 others. Is that wrong? In the zero trace sense, it probably is. Damnit- now I'm going to be talking to my conscience next time I think about placing a sticker.

And I'll fess up: I'm guilty of two applications... Well maybe 1.5 applications. One on the Maple Springs Totem Pole and the one in the parking lot at Black Star earlier in the thread that @BonsaiNut posted.

 

How did I miss this thread? Just lost in my Floop forum...
Come back Dusty! Cornholio where r u? RidenRox???

Texts/social media = no human expressions and feeling = miscommunication ??
Some study said that over 1/2 of communication occurs w/o use of words but comes from body movement and facial expression....
ie ".. that is bad.." could be bad or could be really good...

 

Maybe we should all take some time to find our inner Floop.
Become one with it, then learn to transcend it.
I am the Floop, the Floop is me.

 

That'll be me after work today. Brought the bike in with me. It'll be extra fun because I forgot my water bottle in the fridge.

 

A Floop a day keeps melts the tension away.

 

I’m gonna go with....:.yeah, no.

 

Fixed it for ya.