Morrison's Mountain Biking Page
 

Francis, Marla Streb, and Me
Francis (founder of MtbREVIEW.com), Marla Streb, and Me at InterBike '99.
 

Marla's Outside Mag shot
...and Marla again


 

Below are photos I took at the NORBA Finals up at Mt. Snow in August '01.

If you recognize any of these riders, let me know and I'll add their names to the pics.


 
  


The big issue today in mountain biking is trail access.  The "hikers" (walkers), in many places, have, like holy crusaders, claimed the trails to be theirs, and have worked hard to prevent mountain bikers from accessing key riding areas around New Jersey.  Katy and I -- enjoying both mountain biking and hiking -- may bring, I believe, a more balanced perspective to this ongoing debate between, fundamentally, two different groups who when working together have demonstrated powerful results in trail improvement.

As hikers, the Morrison family truly enjoys the challenges offered and the pristine beauty that abounds in areas like the the Catskills and Adirondacks.  Almost all of our favorite trails in these parks are completely inaccessible for mountain bikes. We  have observed that, for the great majority of hiking trails (as opposed to walking trail or jeep roads) access is made a non issue by virtue of the terrain.

With that being said, we live in an area rich with options on where to hike.  Conversely, our local options on where to mountain bike are very limited.  Note the dearth of local "Where to ride" information below.

New Jersey hikers have been effective in keeping mountain bikers out of South Mountain Reservation in Essex County.  And according to urban lore -- their actions are downright terroristic at times; i.e., the booby trapping of trails in South Mountain with invisible fishing line strung across the trail at neck height, combined with broken glass strategically placed on the ground.  I've ridden in South Mountain.  The terrain is perfect for riding with a mixed network of jeep roads and carriage trails with interconnecting single track. Also, volunteer trail maintenance workers have shown up in big numbers as a way of proving that the trails will be well maintained and even improved on.

The bottom line is that parks such as Minnewaska, Ringwood, Waywayonda and the Morris County Parks are real demonstrations that mountain bikers and hikers, two groups of taxpayers, can co-exist.  The more options riders have, in this densely populated area, the better for all of the local trail systems and their local economies.

Recently I received a letter in the mail from a group calling themselves New Jerseyans for Low-Impact Trail Use.  Click here to read the letter .  What a bunch of horse shit!  Why don't these "hikers" (walkers) go and hike on terrain that's not rideable?

Needless to say, the area this guy is trying to "protect" is the Blue Mountain Lake section of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area .  This place could have a gazillion rider traipse through every weekend and it wouldn't look worse for the wear.  It's hardly fragile in any way.  BML is about an hour and a half from NYC, and is not that easy to find.  Click here for trail map and directions.  BML is perfect for beginners and intermediates.  If you're bringing someone out for a ride for the first time, BLM is perfect -- nice rolling terrain on jeep roads, offering a good mix of scenery with a nice overlook just south of Hemlock Pond, facing north and west.

Bottom line -- there is more nonrideable terrain than rideable terrain.  I suggest that you take the opposite action that is recommended by Bob and commend the Parks officials for opening up more trails to mountain bikers.

IMBA's rules of the Trail

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and input on this issue.  My e-mail address is dave@dwmorrison.com .

Where to Ride Your Mountain Bike in the NJ/NY area

 
Daily Record Headline September 11, 1997:  "County may charge for off-road biking"



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