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Mark Ensner: No mountain bikes in the wilderness

I have been an avid hiker and backpacker all of my adult life. Thirty-three years ago I started mountain biking and horseback riding. I no longer ride horses but still enjoy the other three pursuits.

From my vantage point, mountain biking does not mix well with the other three. Hikers and horseback riders head into the wilderness for peace and quiet and to get away from it all. There is no place in the wilderness for the sport of mountain biking. It is antithetical to the entire notion of wilderness.

Besides, it is clearly verboten to travel by mechanized or motorized means in the wilderness. Leave well enough alone. We all need a place to retreat and recharge our souls. Wilderness is that place. Keep mountain bikes where they belong. Let us not desecrate the sanctity and beauty of our wilderness for an adrenalin rush or joy ride.



I would urge those of you who agree with me to contact representative Tipton’s office and urge him to vote no on bill HR 1349. Congressman Scott Tipton can be contacted at 202-225-4761 or https://tipton.house.gov/.

There is no place in the wilderness for the sport of mountain biking. — Mark Ensner

I will continue to pedal on appropriate trails, of which there are a gracious plenty (and counting), and hope to see you out there too!



Happy trails,

Mark Ensner
Clark


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