Cyclists Ticketed For Leaving Trail

Seven cyclists made history Sunday by earning the first citations issued to mountain bikers at Mount Spokane State Park.

The bikers, who ranged from 24 to 28 years old, were cited by Ranger K.C. Scott for riding off designated roads or trails. The fine: $66 apiece.

That same day, Scott had installed a “Keep Out” sign along an unauthorized trail mountain bikers had carved down a steep hillside near Mount Kit Carson. Because of its steepness, the trail was a sure conduit for future erosion, rangers said.

Scott didn’t have to wait long to find violators.

“They just rode right by the sign,” he said.

Peter Wood, park manager, said rangers started noticing the impact of mountain bikes two years ago after the first National Off-Road Bicycle Association race was held in the park.

“The event attracted attention to the mountain,” Wood said. “Mountain biking really blossomed up her after that.”

Most of the bikers fit into the trail systems with little impact, Wood said.

“It’s a great sport and this is a great venue for it,” he said. “But we have to stop the resource damage a few bikers are doing by going off established trails. There’s a lot of unauthorized trails showing up.”

When mountain bikers approach a long, steep pitch with a turn at the bottom, they skid their tires and eventually dig a trough that erodes a little with each rain and runoff. But with only three park rangers, most culprits get away.

Most of the problems are from the Mount Spokane summit down through the Mount Kit Carson area, Wood said, noting that many of the trails were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

“They never dreamed people would be riding bikes down these trails,” he said.

Many of the trails that contour the hillsides, especially the nordic trail system near Quartz Mountain, are well-designed for mountain biking, Wood said.

“We’re trying to encourage proper riding and discourage the the downhill mentality where bikers skid down any place they want,” Wood said.

“These guys can cause every bit as much damage as motor bikers,” Scott said.

, DataTimes