AUG. 29 - Sorta Cutting Edge News
A VICTORY FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS In 1992, the Cactus Forest Trail in Saguaro National Park (just outside of Tucson, Arizona) was opened to mountain bikers. It was a momentous affair since this 2.5-mile trail was the first trail in a national park opened to mountain bikers. In the years since, the trail has been a model shared-use trail. Mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners got along swimmingly. Things took a turn for the worse, however, in April of 2002 when an environmental watchdog group called PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) challenged the legality of having mountain bikes on the trail. They claimed that the National Park Service had not followed agency regulations when opening the trail to cyclists. PEER also challenged the legality of cycling on trails in other national parks.
In response to the challenge, IMBA and local mountain bike advocates stepped up to the plate. Assisted by a grant from the Bikes Belong Coalition, IMBA enlisted the muscle of D.C. law firm Hogan and Hartson and was successful in getting the Cactus Forest Trail reopened. The trail will officially be reopened to mountain bikes on September 9. IMBA Executive Director Tim Blumenthal, summed up the effort: "We're glad the trail is about to reopen, but when we review all the steps that had to be followed, we come to one conclusion: what a waste of taxpayer money and Park Service staff time. The Cactus Forest Trail has been ridden safely and without resource impacts for 11 years. The Park Service conducted public hearings before opening it and monitored the trail carefully during its first year. Local mountain bikers helped maintain it. The trail has been successful from day one and should never have been closed."
Missy Giove on the July cover of Girlfriends.
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THE MISSILE RETIRES Missy Giove recently announced her plans to retire from professional racing. Thus marks the end of a brilliant career. Giove is probably best known for her marketing savvy: the dead piranha around her neck, the ashes of her dog tucked in her sports bra, the punk hair-do. While Giove's wild nature garnered her unparalleled media coverage, it probably overshadowed her incredible riding talent. Giove has won more NORBA downhills than anyone else (14 wins) and racked up 11 World Cup wins as well.
Ten years down the road, will we remember those kinds of statistics or will we still be fixated on Giove's persona? Hard to say. I can say, however, that I've always been impressed by how approachable and friendly Giove is.
I remember, on one occasion, I was slated to interview Giove for a feature story. I was working from the road and had given her my parents' phone number as a possible point of contact. I remember walking into my living room and finding my 76-year old father chatting with someone on the phone. By the tone of the conversation, I assumed he was talking to an old friend, or maybe someone from our church. After about five minutes, he turned to me and asked if I wanted to talk to Missy. I still don't know what my father and Missy Giove were talking about, but they seemed to get along famously.
I can't imagine the average professional rider spending the time (during the middle of the racing season, no less) to shoot the shit with my old man. I always recall that moment when people start talking about the brash and demented Missy Giove. I remember that at the peak of her career, Giove forked over her own cash to sponsor up-and-coming female pros that she felt were being overlooked by the big teams. How many professional racers would spend their winnings to help other racers who might one day pose a threat to their supremacy?
Ah well, best of luck, Missy. I have a feeling we'll still see her from time to time. Giove, for her part, has hinted that she may show up at a professional race from time to time in the future and that she will be focusing on freeriding, dirt jumping and other areas of the sport.
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