Bikes on the AT!

[fiddlehead]

Saw many bicycle tracks on the trail through Swarta State Park in PA.

I assume you mean Swatara State Park.
Yes, there are a number of mountain bike trails there built specifically for the bikers.
My friends go there a lot.
I know they are close to the AT but I don't know that any are actually on it.

We had heard, and saw signs in Bosnia and Montenegro that the hiking trail we were on was also a mountain bike trail.
No way, could someone bike much of that trail as it was a lot of rocks and rough trail.

[Zed]

I assume you mean Swatara State Park.

Yep that's what I meant. The trail was well marked that bicycles were not permitted. That short section reminded me of some of the wilderness sections of the Colorado Trail in that the rules for bicycles were clearly defined by signage but tire marks indicated those rules are disregarded by some.

[BuckeyeBill]

Curiously, the only unicycle on any trail I've seen was near the same spot near Blood Mt. Best I ever saw though was in the same general area - get ready for this - someone pogo sticking down the AT towards Neel Gap. Guy told me he was going nearly 40 miles on the AT on a freaking pogo stick. It was surreal. As I talked with hIm he laced his Cons and applied some drops of oil to his machine like he was the OZ tinman. No shart. Can't make this up. Strangest stuff I've ever seen on a hike was on the AT.

Dogwood, I believe that this should be the first post in a thread titled "What is the most unusual thing you've seen on the AT". I am sure others have tales to share.

[Sarcasm the elf]

I haven't met any face to face, but I've followed their bike tracks on many an occasion. To be honest the subject makes me go "meh," I'd prefer they follow the rules and no be there, but I put it pretty low on the list of things I've seen damage the trail, especially compared to the damage and jackassary I've seen left by motorized dirt bikes.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Dogwood, I believe that this should be the first post in a thread titled "What is the most unusual thing you've seen on the AT". I am sure others have tales to share.

Ask and you shall receive.

https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/sho...that-you/page2

https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...145&viewfull=1

[George]

what is the FKT of the AT on a pogo stick?

[Tipi Walter]

I think the best overall thing you can do to keep bicyclists out is to do minimal trail maintenance ---most especially leave waist level step over blowdowns in the trail. This will keep the high speed fanatics and "pedal potatoes" out of restricted areas and wilderness areas.

[rocketsocks]

what is the FKT of the AT on a pogo stick?

23 strokes per min

[rocketsocks]

I think the best overall thing you can do to keep bicyclists out is to do minimal trail maintenance ---most especially leave waist level step over blowdowns in the trail. This will keep the high speed fanatics and "pedal potatoes" out of restricted areas and wilderness areas.

i always bring a pocket full of jacks, for the wads.

[Jim Adams]

The most damage I've seen to the trail was caused by horses.

[elray]

10s of thousands a year ride on the AT for a half mile on the Creeper trail

And don't forget the couple of miles of the C%O Towpath out of Harpers Ferry

[FrogLevel]

The most damage I've seen to the trail was caused by horses.

I always notice a lot of damage around SW VA. Lots of horse riding between Damascus and north of Grayson Highlands.

[GaryM]

A couple of guys carrying their bikes northward just south of deep gap, georgia. Didn't say anything, hope it was because they both had flats.