Most Disturbing!

[mkirk]

I asked them the number one thing that angered them that mtb'ers do and they mentioned that people flying by on their bikes from behind with no warning was at the top of the list.

simple solution- don't ride your horse on mtb trails

that complaint is only valid on VALID multi use trails

Don't go into a high crime area flashing wads of cash and then complain you got robbed

Here's another solution. Ride the trails the correct direction. If you're going the right way, mtb's can't sneak up behind you because you're going in opposite directions. I can't stand it when I come up behind a horse. I'm sure I'm going to spook them, even if I approach on foot. IF they'd just go the right way, it wouldn't be a problem. They'd see me, I'd see them, all's good.

[bikemerc]

splash some of this on before a ride

[c0nsumer]

splash some of this on before a ride

Better than splashing on deer pheremones to attract them. This is what happens then.

[bikemerc]

good idea!

what about horse pheromones?

[c0nsumer]

good idea!

what about horse pheromones?

It's personally not for me, but maybe it's your thing to be attracting horses that wish to mate with you. If so, have at it... Just please don't engage in such behavior on public trails.

[utabintarbo]

good idea!

what about horse pheromones?

It's personally not for me, but maybe it's your thing to be attracting horses that wish to mate with you. If so, have at it... Just please don't engage in such behavior on public trails.

And for god's sake, don't post any pics!

[bikemerc]

think how much faster you will ride with a crazed horse chasing you.

[scat silvurz]

I certainly hope alcohol was involved.....

[Professor_Havoc]

Di, as a long-time MMBA lurker, and an advocate of genuine and sincere diplomacy: I applaud the accuracy and eloquence of your post. I recently moved to Commerce Twp. and have ridden the trails at Proud Lake numerous times, typically to my discontent. No matter how frustrated I might become at constantly slowing down to avoid droppings or have to stop due to the severe trail erosion, I'm always completely affable to equestrians I encounter. There's no reason not to be, it will accomplish nothing to behave foolishly. Reasonable people will listen to reasonable suggestions and solutions. Let's only give that sort our attention. I would like to work with MMBA members and equestirian advocate to reach some common ground. How can I help?

[chrismaltby]

I am disappointed with the MMBA members who post hate messages on this forum. I am collecting information for the trail advisory committee directly from this forum to show the unwillingness to work with equestrians on the matter of trail access for all. I doubt your threats, hateful comments and nasty pictures are going to win you any points with the DNR. Here is one of the most disturbing photos I've seen to date:

[MOD: image removed]

Equine Trail Rider,

Good luck with your flame collection. I would hope you'd be intelligent enough not to judge a group based on individual comments. If I were to have done that to some of the less-than-polite equine enthusiasts I have met over the past two decades, my life would have been filled with hate mistrust and anger. I hope your trail advisory committee stays away from stereotype and like when evaluating your stilted cross-section of comments. Please stick to more scientific data collection methods when studying a sociological issue. What you are up to is very shoddy work. I expect better from the equine lobby.

Chris Maltby (here is tip on establishing trust -- use your real name)

[trout_smith]

I wonder if the managers would be amenable to having signage like this posted at the Fort and other shared trails?

[Di_bear]

Di, as a long-time MMBA lurker, and an advocate of genuine and sincere diplomacy: I applaud the accuracy and eloquence of your post. I recently moved to Commerce Twp. and have ridden the trails at Proud Lake numerous times, typically to my discontent. No matter how frustrated I might become at constantly slowing down to avoid droppings or have to stop due to the severe trail erosion, I'm always completely affable to equestrians I encounter. There's no reason not to be, it will accomplish nothing to behave foolishly. Reasonable people will listen to reasonable suggestions and solutions. Let's only give that sort our attention. I would like to work with MMBA members and equestirian advocate to reach some common ground. How can I help?

Professor_Havoc, I'm sorry. I didn't see your post until just now.

The MMBA works because we have so many people who are willing to get involved with local advocacy efforts.

My advice for everyone is to get involved with your local chapter. Help build trails and the politics aspect will sink in during your involvement with chapter events. I firmly believe that the success of some of chapters has a lot more to with friendships than with a common hobby. We all like to mountain bike, but we love to do it with friends (and beer).

If another chapter needs a user group presence at a public meeting, then go. For example, if Ft. Custer is having a meeting between the equestrians and the mountain bikers, then the mountain bikers should make every effort to show up at the meeting to show that we do have the numbers.

It is also really important for chapters to communicate with the state board and the communications coordinator because my crystal ball just doesn't work that well (it must be an old model). If you guys have information that everyone should know about, you must let me know about it so I can include it in communications. Write up a brief report.

We have the front page of the web site and the monthly e-Newsletter that you will receive at the beginning of every month. These are excellent resources for getting the word out. I do edit everything and I require photography credits and captions when photos are included.

[mtbmikex9]

I was at the fort (it was during that one gathering?) and I ran into some kids (younger than 13) riding buy their selves. they turned right in front of me after exiting the trenches and went into the red trail. its pretty narrow in their and one of the horses was being pulled by that leash thing (I own horses and cant even remember the proper term). thought it wasnt a good idea to yell at them because their going the wrong way, and some areas are pretty steep so I just let them go. went green. fun times. Got mad that the new part of green was cut off. but w/e.
and I think mtb'rs maintain the trail more than horse .

[Di_bear]

...one of the horses was being pulled by that leash thing (I own horses and cant even remember the proper term).

Lead rope?

[scat silvurz]

...one of the horses was being pulled by that leash thing (I own horses and cant even remember the proper term).

Lead rope?

Lead (Pb) is somewhat heavy a material....no wonder the horses were slunking all over the place....