Monday’s Mailbag: It’s all about the (downhill) bike
The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
It’s all two-wheeled joy
Editor:
I just couldn’t help but respond to the two letters you posted fromMichael Jones and Chris Whippern (see “Friday’sMailbag“).First of all I would like to thank Pat Follett and Tom Spiegel for givingus the chance to do what we love, and that is to ride and race our bikes(see “Gravityracing (and riding) to be banned at Big Bear“). Without these twomen we wouldn’t have had racing at Big Bear! It worries me as a cyclistto read articles from people who would cheer the demise of something theyprobably have never done! All cycling is related whether it is uphill,downhill, track, dual slalom, or road racing. We all love the thrill andthe freedom that cycling gives us. It amazes me when people like thesetwo make comments that originate from either ignorance or that all familiarego problem of( mine is the only good cycling!)Without Big Bear there will be around 400-600 downhillers now lookingfor a new place to ride. Maybe we will go up to Tahoe and visit Chris!I would never as a cyclist wish for the closing of anything related tocycling, it is hard enough to enjoy our sport, without added hatred fromwithin.As for Michael, how do you know anything about Big Bear when you livein Idaho? If you have a problem in Idaho deal with it there but don’t cheerthe closing of someone else’s riding area! Can’t we all just get along?Mike Jennings
San Diego, CaliforniaUnited we stand
Editor:
Michael Jones’s comments on banning downhill bikes is ludicrous. “Downhill/freeridebiking is not mountain biking” I don’t even want to know how this knuckleheaddefines mountain biking. It’s obvious from his comments that he is closed-minded.I don’t care if you ride cross country, cyclo-cross, downhill, freeride,BMX, trials or tricycles. The cycling industry and everyone who enjoysriding off road is affected by this ban. It’s only a matter of time whenthe rest of the off-road cycling disciplines are shut down due to lawsuitsby environmental groups. The cycling world needs to unite (not be divided),and support organizations like IMBA and the Blue Ribbon Coalition.Doug Johnson
San Diego, CaliforniaRisky business
Editor:
It’s a shame that Big Bear has been beaten into hiding by some bullylawyers and a very unfortunate mishap. I obviously don’t know all the factsof this case but my guess is it will play out as so many other patheticstories in America. Ambulance chasers, and some fool claiming ignoranceof the risks of his actions. It would be great if VeloNews couldfollow this case with a closer eye to expose the details for all to learnfrom either way.I for one find it very hard to imagine many if any realistic scenarioswhere Big Bear could be at fault. Now I’m sorry someone got hurt, really,but how does this equal blame for Big Bear? Did it not occur to this individualthat hurtling down a mountain with trees, rock gardens, and steep descentsmight be risky?And to the misinformed folk who try to label DH and freeriding as ablemish on this sport . . . there are plenty of responsible mountain bikerswho enjoy this segment of the sport without causing problems for the forestry.I for one have raced DH for years yet I’ve never violated IMBA rules orbuilt hazards as the misinformed try to categorically blame and label.I have participated in regular XC trail-building, however, and ride my DHbike only when and where it’s appropriate and sanctioned. DH riders bringdollars to the ski resorts, and XC guys often don’t, which many fail torecognize. All the DH guys buy lift tickets, which is not the case withXC riders.Tucker Snedeker
The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.