Space Heaterz

Nicely written and researched Sophia! Timm and Pagano should be ashamed of themselves for ego driven stubbornness and selfishness. Kudos to Rathbun and O'Brien for crossing the divide and accepting OISRA's invitation. Let's see a full wave of participation this year!

RE: Snowshoe vs. Fatbiking

Gavin - I applaud your desire to find a solution to this issue but cannot condone the manner in which you frame it. The very title of your letter immediately suggests confrontation and the need to choose between one or the other of these uses on the trail. We are doing our best as a user group to educate folks about trail courtesy and etiquette (including right of way and staying off of ski trails!) so that we can coexist with other users. We will continue to do so in the interest of getting along and reducing conflict.

That said, I have had nothing but cordial interactions with snowshoers on the trails over the last three winters. Most defer their right of way without even giving me a chance to stop and offer passage. Many exclaim, “wow - that looks like fun!” and we all share a smile, appreciate the day and go on our way. Unfortunately, it sounds as if you may have had, or heard of others having less than cordial interactions with bikers. My only hope is that you are willing and able to have a rational conversation with folks at those moments and take the opportunity to educate and coexist instead of segregate or promote moratoriums.

So - in your interest of “igniting a debate” and preventing “broken noses or worse” lets sit down and share some thoughts before we subject the Forest Service to mediating another “conflict” between user groups.

Peter Sussmann