OFF-ROADING -- I recently received an email from a gutless reader dissing me for a column I wrote about ORVer's who ride on private property -- notably Mica Peak -- without permission, as well as on public lands where riding off designated roads is illegal.

I call the person "gutless" because he/she has taken the liberty to call me a moron without having the courage to identify himself/herself more specifically than "Dusty."

Here's his/her beef:

I just stumbled across your blog entry/story.

Really? That's some seriously objective writing style you have.

And a shot of a couple bikes riding past a small, PRIVATELY PLACED "NO TRESPASSING" sign does not indicate a crime -- nor an error in land ethics - in progress.

I happen to ride up (on Mica Peak) from time to time, and the only "problem" I've encountered are people who seem to think they can dictate their own personal land use rules to us.

The people I ride with are local and know where and where not to ride. Our bikes use Forest Service approved spark arresters, and we ride with care, making sure to have as little impact on the land as possible.

And dirt bikers have been using that area for decades, and are responsible for the creation of most of the area's trails.

So please spare us the faux outrage and keep your ill-advised and opinionated blog posts to yourself, moron!

--Dusty

I offered this reply two weeks ago, but Dusty has not responded:

Dusty:

Did you ever ask the landowners for permission to ride on that Mica Peak land and create those trails you mention?

Tell me the truth.  Because if you did the landowners lied to me.  

And what about those "NO MOTOR VEHICLES" signs on the gates to Inland Empire Paper Co. lands? Does that mean you, or is it just my unobjective interpretation?

There's a very good chance you don't have a clue Dusty.

Read the story linked to that blog and learn why dirt bikers are losing places to ride right and left.