MX Race at Foxboro

[Mr_Cheeze]

I just saw a Nemba e-mail concerning a giant MX race in the Foxboro trail system on Sunday, September 15th. This seems like short notice. I would like to write to my state government voicing my displeasure but would like to have an idea as to how long this has been in the works. We are just finding out about it two weeks in advance. I can't believe this was just put together.

They have had such races there in the past. Usually they were much earlier in the Summer, like June. And there is always considerable trail damage. I can't help but wonder if there is some logical reason why they had it later this year. To me, autumn is the best time of the year to ride. But now we have to contend with severely damaged trails that will be soon covered by leaves. Great.

I think we could all agree that these races shouldn't even be held at Foxboro, but we're not kicking money back to the state from our membership dues as you can be sure the state is getting from entrance fees and such from the race commission. I still plan on writing to them but not so naive to believe that it will make a difference in whether or not they plan another one for next year. But one can hope.

[johnnyt]

Are you a registered voter? If not then it won't make a difference what you write. Speak at the polls!

Maybe you can allign with the racing promoters, etc to organize a post-race trail repair session. While all of the racers are there it should take no time to fill in some ruts. On top of the improved trail conditions, there may be some improved relations. Sounds more like an oppotunity then a just something else to gripe about!

I am glad the folks who started NEMBA didn't have such a defeatist attitude!

[Mr_Cheeze]

I am indeed a registered voter who never misses a day at the pols, my condescending friend. But I fail to see how this issue is related to who gets elected. This is simply a gripe about how an Enduro race will ravage my particular favorite place to ride. And the damage will be so extensive, JT, that a simple trail maintenance day won't help very much. Nor is it my perrogative as a recreational mountain biker to arrange to fix the damage done by a nationally sponsered event such as this. They, i.e the racing commission, should be willing to do more than fork over a bit of cash that goes right into the state park service coffers to do with what they please in whatever timeframe pleases them. Of that much I am sure. I'll write because as a citizen, that's pretty much what I can do. And I talk about it here in hopes that I can persuade others to join me.

[johnnyt]

It is not about who is getting elected, necessarily, it is about a concerned voter communicating with officials who will be up for re-election in the near future. They want your vote and they are more likely to listen to you if you are a registered voter. Don't just send a letter, call them on the phone. I have found that elected officials want input from people like you and I. I call everyone on the ballet before election day to get their opinions on local issues. I have been on the phone for over an hour with state senators and congressmen talking about stuff that interests me. I think you will be suprised at the positive response you get from the folks that want your vote.

The other point I was trying to make is that it is not their (the mxers) responsibility to fix the damage (I wish it were!). As far as "they" are concerned they have and are doing everything right. That does not mean that you and I have to support their race or their sport.

At one of my favorite riding spots there are at least three enduro races per year. I have no idea how large they are compared to the Foxboro event, but I do know that you don't want to go there during the races for the entire day. The park is truly a multi-use place and the enduro races are limited to certain trails only. Their trails are clearly marked, as are the mtb trails and the hiking only trails. Horses can be ridden only where mtbs and mxers are aloud. As much as the mx races chew up the trails, they do have a right to their sport. I hate mx, jet skis and snowmobiles more then you can imagine, so I understand the frustration and in no way am I defending them. I am defending their right to persue their interest since what they are doing is legal (moral and ethical are open for debate).

My other point is that simply whining for the sake of whining does nothing. If it bothers you so much, then get off your bike and try to do something about it. That is not meant to be condescending. I know plenty of folks that ride mx, and although I despise their choice of activity, they are not bad people. Remember, what mtbers do to trails can be very offensive to hikers, but are we bad because we ride? I'd like to think not. So we join organizations like NEMBA, do trail maintenance, we ride only on open trails, we follow the laws and local rules and justify to ourselves that we are considerate riders. We also work with other organizations to bridge the ever present gap because no matter how low-impact we try to be on our bikes, it still does damage.

One last point...if one trail maintenance day won't repair the damage, schedule two, three, five or ten. If you truly love riding there, do something.

I'll make a deal with you. Put together a trail maintenance day after the race and I will drive the two hours from where I live to help. The only stipulation is that after we are done working on the trails, you show me some of the best riding Foxboro has to offer. Deal?

[2stroke]

Mr. Cheeze I'm sure the enviro-nazzi's down in Arcadia RI used the same argument to get rid of the EFTA race that was held for years. Too bad, the horticultural hell as it was named originally, was one of the best mountain bike races in New England IMO.

"I hate mx, jet skis and snowmobiles more then you can imagine, so I understand the frustration and in no way am I defending them. I am defending their right to persue their interest since what they are doing is legal (moral and ethical are open for debate)."

That's a fair opinion and I wish the more narrow minds in mountain biking shared it. If you haven't thrown a leg over a sled or dirtbike you should give it fair shake sometime. Quite a few of our mtbike gang enjoy motorsports for the same reason they like mtbikes.

don

[johnnyt]

Actually, Don, I was part of the mx scene for a while as part of a Kawasaki Team Green and have even been a flagman at Unidilla. I also took and sold photos at races in ny for a few years, so I feel that I know a bit of what the sport is about. It just doesn't turn me on any more. You are right, it is exhilerating! But for me, I'd rather burn carbs then gasoline.

So have fun out there on your "2-stroker", it will probably even make you a better mtber, but I won't be joining you unless it is on a "2-pedaler".

[CouchingTiger]

I think that the MX problem in the state of MA is just a narrowed version of the Mountain Biking problem within metro Boston. There simply are too many riders and not enough legal places to ride.

When you register your dirtbike in MA (which you have to do in order to ride trail legally) you are entitled to ride in (I believe) less than 6 places in the whole state.

The problem is that the state does nothing to help promote responsible riding, they just ignore the sport entirely. Sound familiar? Yep, real close to what goes on w/ MTBing as well.

If the conditions are good (dry), an enduro race won't cause any damage that isn't repairable. That assumes that it will be repaired. A fix can be as simple as closing the trails that were used and letting the self repair. You'd be amazed how fast even the biggest eco-disaster will fix itself. The problem comes when the race is held on common trails. IMHO, I don't really think the area is big enough for an enduro race and I think it gets too much "cross-usage" from other groups to warrant a race there. Again, the problem is simply if not there, where else?

********************
NOTE: OFF TOPIC
********************
The "I hate this or that just because I'm too cool or green or smart" argument is really lame. I hear people all the time who say that they hate SUV's or they hate BMW's or they hate whatever. You know, that comment usually comes from little jealous people who know they just can't have those things so they put them down to make themselves feel bigger.

To each his own and live and let live! You'd be surprised how many folks laugh at grown-ups riding silly little-kids pedal bikes. Maybe something isn't for you but you have no right to trivialize anything that anyone else does and enjoys. Motorsports ARE and always have been a mainstay of American culture. They are THE most popular and profitable form of entertainment in the country, period (yes, more then football or baseball and even more then the WWF). You don't have to like them, but realize that you are in the vast minority. Also realize that it's not just rednecks that enjoy these sports, it's probably folks like your boss or your boss's boss.

End rant.

-Couch

[Mr_Cheeze]

I think many of you either miss my point or just glossed over it in your exuberance to defend mx-ing. I have no beef with those who participate in such sport. I have a specific beef with the fact that they are holding an Enduro race at Foxboro. I find it interesting that some of you think that because they are giving the state money for the right to hold such an event that it makes it all ok that everybody else, including the wildlife, has to suffer such an extreme violation of the virtues of having a state park. Remember, it is there for the recreation of the residents of this state, to escape the noise and foul air and enjoy the outdoors. I'm no "enviro-nazi", but I do respect nature and this Enduro crap does only damage.

Sure, it's just one day. And I'll live and the wildlife will return fast enough. I still wish they did not have races at Foxboro and will continue to rail against them. Recreational mx-ers have never been a problem there so don't wrongly perceive me as being anti in that regard.

[BrianK]

Mr Cheeze, I think you're getting overly upset about the MX race at Foxboro.

First off, the place is a clearly marked multi-use trail system. It is a poor excuse for a nature reserve and I doubt it is inteded to be one. It is more of a land reservation for human recreation. If anything, this is a great place for MXers to have as well as MTB folk. I'd like more places like this that garuntee land access to trails.

The MXer's have there trails and we have ours there. And like I said, yes the place has animals, but it is not some huge forrest teeming with undistrubed widelife. It stopped being that a long time ago. If you want to turn it into a nature reserve, there's a lot more work that needs to be done there than just stopping MX races.

-BrianK

[knucklebuste]

I switched over from dirt bikes and atv's to mbking. Why? Because the nazi's that run this state don't want people to have fun. Everywhere I went, no you can't ride here. NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES, no no no. No having fun. We're not having fun, so you shouldn't either. You might not see what I'm getting at, but I ******* give up with the dirt bikes and ATV's. **** em' they win. Now what am I saying here? Wait 5 years, that's if we don't get nuked by Saddam Hussein since are government is too much of a bunch of pussied to get rid of him, and you will see the same signs I was talking about earlier in the post except they will read. NO MOUNTAIN BIKES, instead of NO MOTORIZED vehicles. This sad ass state is designed for work and the elite. They are taking over. They do not want you to have fun, and they will outlaw mountain biking just like they are doing with dirt bikes and ATV's .
Moral of the story:
NO HAVING FUN IN MASSACHUSETTS - NOT ALLOWED
wait and see and remember this post