Outside Voices at the ADK-GVC Chapter Meeting

The Adirondack Mountain Club-Genesee Valley Chapter's free and open to the public meeting at the Rochester Museum and Science Center's Eisenhart Auditorium will include:

6:30pm book signing by the popular outdoor writer Larry Weill. Larry Weill has been many things in his life: financial planner, technical writer, trainer, Naval officer. He’s also been a wilderness ranger in the Adirondacks, and that led to another item on his resume—storyteller.

7:30pm presentation entitled Land Use & Legacy: Dispelling the Myths of Shared Use Trails by John Frame.

Trail networks in our area have grown exponentially over the last 30 years, expanding access and encouraging inclusivity. So why are some of the hardest working contributors being shunned by those who benefit from it the most?

Imagine your perfect day out on the trails. What does it look like? What if you helped build those trails but were told you were no longer welcome on them? As avid mountain bikers, we frequently hear grievances on usage that don’t align with our own perspective. We’ll discuss the demographics tied to trail creation, utilization and advocacy over the years.

In order to have trails to enjoy, it is important to know who is responsible for bringing them to fruition. The cycling community has logged decades volunteering and building trails they couldn’t legally ride. Many years after a successful mountain bike pilot program, we are seeing negative motion toward the same cyclists who built the trails – by non-cycling users. As we age, our personal usage may change, but everyone should maintain access. Keeping the next generation interested and involved is critical to sustainability and growth. It’s time to talk about who is using the trails and how there is room for everyone.

John Frame is a lifelong cycling enthusiast committed to sharing the fun on two wheels. Bicycle design, fabrication, trail building, advocacy, technology, and creativity all play into the evolution of this sport. When he’s not pedaling around local parks like Tryon and Bay West, you can find him managing the bike shop at REI.