Off-Roading- Good for Who?

The conflict between non-motorized outdoor users and mechanized visitors has always been a source of conflict. Mountain Bikers are usually the most effected because the trails they use are the most accessible to motorized vehicles. Mountain Bikers complain that the truck users don't pay attention to the Mt. bikers and they nearly are run down while trying to enjoy the wild.

The good points of off-roading are just as numerous as the down sides. It allows a group of people who couldn't have experienced the outdoors be right in the thick of it. The obvious benefits of this are that these people will help fight for ecological preservation and that helps everyone. These off --roaders must also pay for permits that pay for people to monitor the park and restore it.

The users off the motorized backcountry means are believers in a strict code known as "tread lightly." This is a set of guidelines to follow when you take your truck off road. It doesn't intrude on certified wilderness areas, meadows, new forests, stream sides, closed roads, and habitats for endangered wildlife. It stresses the need to look out for everyone on the trail and be responsible for the land they use. They realize misuse will result in the loss of their sport.

Off-roading has also contributed to many other things such as the Camel Trophy that is an annual off-roading competition hosted by Land Rover. In the eighteen year history of the event the teams have donated many trucks, money and support to such causes as a missionary in Africa, ecological research projects, agriculture areas in third world countries and many others.

Off --roading is just like any other sport, however. All it takes is one person who doesn't follow the rules to spoil it for everyone. These people go off the trail and wreck the ecosystem. This causes a negative view of all off-roaders. The same happens in hiking and mountain biking but with a prejudice already given to the sport, these people only make off- roaders look worse. I feel that all in all, off- roading has a place in the wilderness to offer support to the wilderness we all love.