I have mixed feelings about this. Thoughts?  

New Volunteer Patrol to Begin at Bent Creek Experimental Forest
 
ASHEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 1, 2013 — Visitors to Bent Creek Experimental Forest in the Pisgah National Forest will soon see some new faces. In the coming weeks, members of the Bent Creek Volunteer Patrol will begin providing safety tips, conservation education and other information to visitors of the popular area.
“The volunteers are members of Pisgah Area Southern Off Road Bicycle Association, working under the National Mountain Bike Patrol certification model,” said Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen. “The Patrol will operate for a six-month period and, if successful, the project may continue into the future.
Volunteer Patrol members will assist visitors by providing basic first aid and CPR, if certified, as well as providing limited mechanical assistance and calling for additional medical assistance. The patrol will also educate visitors about trail safety and use, including staying on designated trails. The volunteers will promote responsible use of the trails by encouraging adherence to the Yield Triangle and Leave No Trace principles. Additionally, patrol members will offer information about the trail system and conditions.
The Volunteer Patrol will have no law enforcement authority. Patrollers will wear specific clothing and a patch that identifies them as volunteers.

Unpaid stewards that ride with gear, emergency training, and go out of their way to promote educational mtb principles that we all should be following (common sense)... what's not to like?

The first aid thing I like in theory, but are these people actually trained in first aid or will they be sticking rocks in my cuts?

The volunteers will promote responsible use of the trails by bothering you incessantly and telling you to pee far off the trail so as to not leave a trace.

These folks sound like the ridgerunners you get in some backpacking areas.  Those are some annoying people.

Sounds to me like it's similar in spirit and concept to ski patrols, which are pretty much standard at every ski resort in the nation. They are just about indispensable in that setting, helping with medical issues and safely getting injured skiers off the mountain. I've never seen them turn into "rent-a-cop" style ski "police", and I really can't see that happening with this program either.

Roll on ...

I'm with Pagen and Cycle Path on this one - what's not to like? I don't see what you could be doing out there that would enable a group of volunteers to "harsh your mellow," but, if you found something, I'll probably be glad to see you forced to stop. "Bike Narcs or Rent-a-Cops?" (No law enforcement authority). Unless you're puffing crystal meth and bombing down a closed trail naked except for your uzi I think you'll find they won't interfere with your ride. And if you are, likely they're only interference will be to hide behind a tree and dial 911 on their cell phones like the rest of us.   

Look, as near as I can tell, they help you if you are hurt, lost, or dealing with a mechanical issue on the trail. They can give you information on the trail and may help to educate the idiots out there destroying what everyone here works so hard to maintain on how to be a little more eco-friendly. 

I support it 100%. 

Sounds like a good project. Thanks for the info. 

only ski patrol i came across always yells "SLOW DOWN" but im not for that u gota catch me first bro.  takes me back to the days of old bill wallace "they may take ouur lives but theyll never take our freedom" ya know

isitwinteryet wrote on 08/06/13 at 5:27pm:



I have a fix for ya....just don't ride on public land?  This consept has been around for years (horse folk to) and there is very little down side (nothing is perfect) so it good to see it out our way.