i've never heard the term plodding leaf peepers before, it's pretty funny. But this is so far from reality. i've had a few negative experiences with hikers before, but they are far outweighed by very cordial and positive experiences.
The one thing that i find interesting is that the term "thrill seeking" is somewhat true. In the sense of the technical challenge of backcountry riding, but riding also encompasses many of the aspects of hiking. It's all in the pace and intent of your ride. All the same i personally don't see the point in arguing the validity of comparing who appreciates a nature experience more or less, and that this somehow justifies your right to be there versus excluding others outright.
Yet this is an argument backcountry riders encounter often, even occasionally from fellow mountain bikers.
So from this guys perspective, it's a given that mt. bikers are a symptom of growing user conflict. Wow, nice...
Hmm i cannot argue that point with this guy if i can argue that a near total ban on singletrack trails completely undermines by effectively "eliminating" that experience.
It's not like we completely like the riding restrictions at Middle Fork Snoqualmie, but that is one example of how to effectively manage trails that are pretty popular. My stance better yet is provide more backcountry experience in the 90 corridor, which will provide for dispersal of users. That's why Ollalie is so important in that this will be a third riding option on the 90 corridor west of the pass. the other option being Tiger Mountain....
You could include Grand Ridge/Duthie as well, but i think the classification of a suburban park would be more appropriate considering the trails meander nearby rich peoples back yards.
My first reaction would be comparing the ratio of hiker/horse to that of bikers. i'm curious to know what opportunity is allowed in these 25 parks, i suspect we're talking about gravel road. i think i've browsed upon some singletrack being open to mt. bike riding in the East Coast?....
At any rate there is absolutely no access to singletrack trail on National Park Land in Washington State, and it's unlikely there will be if this ruling change is upheld. Anybody know of any trails in this state, on National Park Land that would be worthy of paying a fee at a gate to access, that's not in Wilderness Designated lands?
Be careful what you ask for. My own personal feeling is that as time rolls on, the logic to undermine access to mountain bikers has evolved from a gamut of unsubstantiated attacks, to now highlighting user conflict. As time goes on the arguments expose the underlying fears, and the primary reason people have fought against mt. biker access. And that simply is not wanting to share trails.
The ratio of what trails are open versus what are not could not prove this point any better.
http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/12_08/12_18_nps.html