The publication of single trail tours has been at the heart of Ride for two decades. The routes are the reason why people read and subscribe to Ride. But they are also the reason why Ride is repeatedly caught in the crossfire of criticism - targeted by authorities, conservationists, gamekeepers or tourism experts because the content does not correspond to their ideas of where mountain bikers would like to be: on flow trails, on gravel roads or in pepper country. We know how to deal with criticism from this corner. In many cases, the outcry is an indication for us that we have good and relevant mountain bike content.

More significant for us is the resistance from our own circles. The accusation here is that Ride's publication contributes to the trails being damaged due to the higher frequencies. This is criticism that we take seriously. And it is a criticism that is justified. Every ride of a mountain biker leads to wear and tear on the trail. It's simple physics. The publication of a route in turn leads to more mountain bikers, which means more wear and tear. That, in turn, is math. In other words: Ride is toxic for the bike trails.

Concealment is a fight against the Hydra

The equation is too simple, however. Above all, it is illusory in its consequences. Anyone who calls for the concealment of routes in the age of digitalization and globalization has simply missed the boat. Strangely enough, it's mainly Ride that gets a raw deal in this discussion, rather than platforms such as Strava, Trailforks or Komoot. This is because Ride is by no means the only tour platform, nor is it the one with the widest reach. Preventing the publication of routes is therefore a hopeless battle against the Hydra.

The criticism of route publication also has the side effect of mendacity. While people rage against the publication of their "own" trails in their home area, mountain bikers are pulling the GPX track from the previously criticized platform at the weekend or taking inspiration for their next trail trip from the reports in the print magazine. In other words: The cat bites its own tail.

It's always the others' fault

There is often a questionable thought pattern behind the blanket accusation of trail damage: it's the others' fault. Firstly, it's the e-mountain bikers who have no feel for the sport. Then it's the downhillers because of their reckless behavior. Beginners are also really bad because they have no experience in braking techniques. Or the Germans (from the Swiss point of view) because they can't ride anyway. Or the forestry workers with their heavy machinery. Or the cows that trample the path instead of the meadow. Or the trail builders who didn't pay enough attention to the water flow. Or the media like Ride and their "irresponsible" money-making. In this discussion, someone always gets the raw end of the stick. 

It would do everyone good to look at themselves in this matter more often. Not to blame others, but to recognize themselves as part of the problem. This insight alone would change many a riding style and reduce damage to the trail.

More blog posts by Thomas Giger

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