tn_mtb_alliance

The Summit was great, enjoy this report.

Friday saw everyone checking in and meeting at one of the cabins for a social gathering. The gathering lasted for several
hours until everyone had their fill and headed back to their campsite, for camp fires and a good night's sleep in the brisk night
air. (30 degrees F!)

Saturday morning saw the start of the more business like portion of the Summit.

First Session: Speaker Joe Cross from the Bike South Fork Mountain Biking Club gave a speech on a recent study about trail
degradation that was conducted in his home riding area. The study, Assessing and Understanding Trail Degradation: Results
of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, was completed by respected non-biased researchers and examined
mountain bike impact on the tails in comparison to other user groups. The study concluded that mountain biking has a lower
impact on trails than other user-groups, including hikers. Additionally, the study suggested, "park managers should use the
bike user group maintenance actions as a positive example for other user groups to encourage trail stewardship." The
discussion was very important and of great significant to the Tennessee mountain biking community, as it can be cited to
waylay unfounded fears often claimed by those who seek to prevent mountain bike access.

Second Session: Jeffrey Schaarschmidt (that's me), from SORBA-Chattanooga, discussed threats to mountain bike access in
Tennessee.

First, a proposal to charge an access fee to use our state forests. Under the suggested plan a user fee would be charged to all
State Forest users with either the entire fee or a portion of the same earmarked for the TWRA (read hunting activities). In other
word, mountain bikers and other non-hunter users could end up paying a fee to TWRA to use non-TWRA lands, specifically
our state forests, in effect subsidizing hunting activities. (This is not to suggest that TWRA shouldn't be allowed to charge
access to land managed by TWRA which are specifically set aside and maintained for hunting as the primary purpose of
TWRA managed land is for hunting.)

Second, a proposal to designate 17,785 acres in the Cherokee National Forest, Southern Division, as Official Wilderness,
which would forever prevent mountain bike access to the same. The proposal should raise concerns for mountain bikers in
that it would prevent the ability of trail users from creating a long liner trail that would allow mountain bike access. Presently
there are a number of hiker only, long liner trails in the eastern United State, including the AT and the partially finished Great
Eastern Trail, which prohibit mountain bike access. Thus, if mountain bikers wish to have a similar trail, they need to be sure
that potential routes are not closed off by Wilderness designations, especially when the land is not immediately threatened,
and there exists a number of other designations that would offer very similar protections while preserving mountain bike
access.

In addition to closing off the possibility of a future long linear multiuse trial that would allow mountain bike access, the
proposals requests Wilderness designation of 4,400 areas which sit between the very popular multiuse Tanasi trails and Big
Frog Wilderness. Should the land in this area be designated Wilderness it could have the result of a huge net loss of mountain
bike accessible trails in the near future. This is because of the Corridor K highway project may be constructed directly through
the Tanasi trails, requiring a like number of miles of replacement trail be constructed. This 4,400-acre section of land would be
the most likely candidate for the construction of the replacement trails. Also, due the currently existing Wilderness, which
includes Little Frog Wilderness and Big Frog Wilderness, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find another area locally
where replacement trails could be constructed that would provide a similar trail experience to mountain bikers.

While mountain bikers support designations that protect and preserve our natural areas, mountain bikers should be very
careful before supporting any designations that would directly on indirectly result in a loss of mountain bike access or prevent
future mountain bike projects.

Third Session: This was a panel discussion, which reviewed opportunities for mountain bike access. The panel consisted of
Joe Cross, from Big South Fork Mountain Biking, Shana Payne, from SORBA-Mid TN, and Gary Patterson, State Parks Trails
Administrator. During the session the panel discussed and answered questions from the floor about the potential of
increasing mountain bike access in Tennessee, specifically in State Parks. One item noted by Gary Patterson was the
continued, inaccurate belief that mountain bikers cause greater trial erosion than other user groups. Ideas were discussed
about helping educate park managers, including potentially having an expert speak to park managers at their next statewide
meeting. Additionally, the participants discussed the potential for gaining mountain bike access on non-peak days of the week
or during the park's off-season, which generally runs from November 1 through March 31. Gary Patterson concluded the
sessions by stating that he looks forward to working with us in the future.

Following the third session, everyone headed to the cabin for a lunch provide by the good folks of SORBA-Mid TN, before
heading back for the afternoon sessions.

Fourth Session: Darryl Glascock, from SORBA-Mid TN, discussed the National Mountain Patrol program and it importance in
securing greater access. He noted that he was planning a statewide certification course tentatively set for March of 2009.

Final Session: This was a panel discussion to determine if those in attendance wanted to form a statewide advocacy
organization. The panel consisted of Joe Cross, Shana Pyne and Jeffrey Schaarschmidt. I noted that all of the other user group
organizations have already formed statewide organizations and that mountain bikers' voices would be diminished should we
fail to form such a group.

After discussing various structures and other concerns those in attendance voted to form a statewide mountain bike
advocacy organization. The organization was officially named Tennessee Mountain Biking Alliance, after an advocacy blog I
have maintained for the past year, with the formal mission being "Devoted to protecting and promoting mountain bike access
in Tennessee." The organization was structured as a coalition of existing mountain biking organizations from across the state
of Tennessee. This will allow each group to act independently when working on local issues but come together as one voice
when mountain bikers are faced with state-wide issues. The group will seek to meet annually near the first weekend of
November. The meeting concluded with me nominating Shana Payne to head up the new organization with her being elected
by unanimous vote. Congratulations Shana!

Following the sessions everyone went for a group ride on the Piney Creek Trail (I lost my camera!) and then they returned for
another social gathering, with many cheers going out to our sponsor, Oskar Blues Brewery!

The weekend was not only educational but it was great fun hanging and riding with fellow mountain bikers.

At the present time Shana is surely making plans to make the Tennessee Mountain Bike Alliance the best statewide advocacy
group in the nation. At the same time Brandon Johnson, from the Northeast Tennessee Mountain Bike Association, and
myself are working to establish a web presence.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who took time away form their lives to attend and help advance mountain bike
advocacy in Tennessee. All the speakers who sat on the various panels did a right fine job and are to be commended. Thanks
to our sponsors, Heed, Clif-Bar, National Mountain Bike message board, Oskar Blues Brewery, Tennessee State Parks, IMBA,
Hammer Nutrition, SORBA-Mid TN, and SORBA-Chattanooga.

I also want to give a special thanks to Shana who really stepped up to help me plan this event. She took on a tremendous
amount of responsibility to make sure this event was top notch. She was able to secure the attendance of both State and Local
land managers, put together a very professional program, and did just about anything one could expect to make sure this
event was without comparison. There is no way this event could have happened without her. Thanks Shana!