Horse Trails Destroyed by ATVs
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This is a rant. I was walking my dog recently along some trails that I often ride on. The local county forest has signs at each entrance clearly marking that there are no motor vehicles allowed. That doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter any. I’d walked less than a few hundred meters when the sound of a two stroke dirt bike came ringing through the trees. That’s because a provincial ‘trail riding’ federation has permission to rip through the forest. And although the trail they are to stay on is clearly marked, it’s obvious that more than one vehicle has wandered astray.
I have a few complaints I’d like to air. I’ve been riding on those trails for close to forty years. I know the amount of equine traffic that goes through, and I know the amount of damage done by horses and their riders over the years. Horses have left behind some biodegradable waste, hoof prints that pretty much disappear when it rains, and I know I’ve dropped the odd Kleenex when I’m out there. However, the amount of erosion and soil damage caused by the dirt bikes and ATVs is incredible. Apparently these folks like to bank their turns, because on every bend, there’s a huge pile of dirt alongside a deep rut. I can forget having a nice trot along sweeping winding trails unless I teach my horse to bank. And is it so hard to carry out your drink bottles, food wrappers and cigarette butts?
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And speaking of those ruts, I can forget having fun jumping over downed trees. A while back I was out riding and spied a little tree across the trail. I was smart enough to check the other side before taking the leap. It was a good thing I did, because on the far side was a deep rut dug out by tires that would have made the landing hazardous. And because anything with wheels can’t jump downed trees, the chain saws are brought out on a regular basis. We always go around or over downed trees, never thinking to ride with a chainsaw.
And, I sound like the Grinch, but the noise, noise, noise! I don’t like the noise, and my horse really dislikes it. She hears bikes long before I do, and things can get really hairy if the bikes get very close. Believe me, when I hear anything, I retreat to a safe distance. It pretty much ensures that we won’t see any interesting wildlife either. Riding quietly along it’s not unusual to meet deer, turkey and other birds. But everyone clears out when the bikes are around.
I have to give most dirt bike and ATV riders credit. Most of them are courteous, and if they see you, they’ll stop until you get past. Then there are the ones that aren’t. True, there are those people everywhere, but there’s something about trying to relax and enjoy your riding time that makes the rude and inconsiderate ones more irksome.
This all makes me want to stomp my feet. We used these trails for years without damaging them! We didn’t scare wildlife, litter or terrorize hikers! We were here first! I want our trails back! |
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