(Long)...I have just learned that all of the public land in our area (a
HUGE area! Ocala Nat. Forest, Lake George Cons. Land, etc.,) is being
closed off to off road vehicles, atv's etc, and will be open only to hikers,
mountain bikers, and horses. This will take effect March 31st, 2006.
While this sounds fabulous to everyone on this
sight, I can also see it from the other side, as I am "caught in the
middle". My husband is a "motor-head". He used to race motocross, a
lot, then when I finally convinced him that he was old he bought a Yamaha Rhino
and a group of Rhino's and ATV's go out almost every weekend and ride the trails
through these public lands. I have been on a few of these rides and this
is a group of middle aged guys and their wives/girlfriends out for the day
enjoying the trails. We would pack a picnic lunch, ride for about 4
miles, then stop for a break, then go some more. Our group (I know there
are some crazy, careless people out there too) always slowed down when we
approached another rider, we ALWAYS cleaned up after ourselves and would pick up
after others that didn't, and we always stayed on the trails that were fire
breaks cut by the forestry, so we weren't out there "raping" the land. I
actually enjoyed myself on these rides.
But, I am also a horse person, have been all my
life, and I ride trails on my horses too. I too get pissed when a dumb ass
comes flying down the trail on his 4-wheeler and doesn't care that he's freaking
out my horse, I too get pissed when the hunters leave trash and fecal matter all
over the trails, and I kinda hate those roller coaster bumps left by 4-wheelers
(my husband says they're "braking bumps" caused by people gassing then braking
repeatedly) But, I feel for the other side too. I am secretly happy
that now I will be able to ride EVERYWHERE and not worry about an atv coming
along, but my husband and his friends now have nowhere to go out and have a
little good clean fun and enjoy the trails. He will probably sell his
Rhino and start riding dirtbikes again at motocross tracks (God help me) or
have to trailer to Georgia to ride. I think there is some solution
so we can all enjoy the land.
