Freeriding: Access Friend or Foe?

[pk]

There's no doubt that freeriding is the latest and greatest trend in mountain biking... but there are lots of issues related to it and the work that IMBA, NEMBA and other groups to protect trails and trail access.

Check out this small peice I wrote if you want to learn more?

Maybe you can post your comments too!

http://www.dirtragmag.com/articles/page.php?ID=393

pk

[johnbryanpeters]

How's the new trail at Lynn holding up? I noticed during the trail school this spring that when it got ridden, there was a tendency to overshoot the armored path.

J

[DVRider]

Phil,

Excellent article. ;D

While riding with Rich Higgins in Borderland earlier this year, I mentioned to him he was going to have a problem with "freeriders" over the next couple years with respect to cutting new lines.

Well it hasn't taken long. There are already many new lines and launches(no manmade stunts).

I've been scouting an area in Freetown to build a Freeride type trail. There is presently zero freeride activity in Freetown. Mostly due, I believe, to the distance you have to ride to get to the trails that would support that type of activity and because of the remote location of the forest( 1 hr from Boston, 1/2 hour from Prov.)

My question to anyone out there: How should I go about planning and pitching this project. I already have a couple people that would help me in the planning stages. Should I get a rough plan on paper and make a presentation. Or, before I waste my time should I approch the land manager to see if this would be a feasible project?

Freeriding in Freetown could also relieve some of the freeride traffic from the boston freeriding areas even if only for a day or two per season!

Dave Riding

[pk]

The latest IMBA Trail News focuses on freeriding and solutions. It stresses partnerships with freeriders and has a big list of ways land managers and advocacy groups can help provide freeride opportunities so as not to have a bunch of rogue trails develop.

pk