Changes are bound to occur in everything. Life isn't about careers, money,
pleasure, or concerns, it's about how we handle all of the above. Attitude
counts no matter what we do in life. Act POSITIVE, communicate POSITIVE,
and react POSITIVE. Keep trying, nobody is perfect; that is our quest.
Here are a few tips along with many you've heard before. PLEASE use them
no matter where you are (especially Baja):
1. Share trails - Discriminating against
other recreations only hurts our fight to continue keeping trails open
to the public. Sharing is an ancient formula to resolution; a basic
rule we were all taught by our mothers.
2. Smile - A good attitude goes a long way, even if the other person
isn't playing the same game.
3. SLOW Down for oncoming traffic, hikers, mountain bikers, animals,
cowboys, and Lizards. Smile and wave. This is sooooo important.
4. Use Hand Signals - It's an old law that isn't used enough. If you
have 3 riders behind you, hold up 3 fingers to oncoming traffic so they
are aware of how many are behind you. Each rider after the first should
hold up 2 fingers then 1 and the last person should hold up a fist to
show he is the last one. EVEN Spanish speaking individuals can understand;
it's universal. The more we use it, the safer we are.
5. Understand Private Property - It changes all the time and it's hard
to know, especially with single-track, what is private and what is not.
Research your areas; know where you are allowed by asking questions
in the area. If you make a mistake, always stop for people waving you
down. Apologize and understand your limits. Ask for permission, if possible,
and take no as an answer if you are unwanted. People are cool if you
care, but they still may not want you there, and it's their right. Our
GPS Event routes are on private property and we spend months gathering
written approvals from each ranch owner. We announce the trails are
not open to common users and we appreciate that they are not being used
after events (our route from 2 years ago are grown over and hardly used).
Thanks for sticking together with us so we can continue offering these
special routes every year.
6. Be a Tree-Hugging Motor-Head - While recycling may not be the long-term
answer, it is the best way to handle waist, especially oil, antifreeze,
and other toxic fluids. PLEASE find out where your nearest recycle center
is and use it. Baja's waist management is pretty grim and recycling
there is bleak. Ask the cantina, garage, gas station, or grocery what
to do with toxic waist. Baja's remote areas burn almost all waists whereas
major cities have other programs. You will find Baja's proper disposal
if you ask. Dumping is inexcusable.
7. Support Your Sport - As we continue to experience hatred from the
extremists, keep a balanced attitude. It takes large groups to make
impact and that means we have to stick together as positive trail users.
Don't play the blame game, just get involved, urge others to implement
these ideas, and support your sport so our voices can be heard loud.
Be a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition (http://www.sharetrails.org),
AMA (http://www.ama-cycle.org), and/or NOHVCC (http://www.nohvcc.org).
It is all of these associations that keep our trails open and fight
for our ability to recreate legally. Get on the newsletter list for
"American's for Responsible Recreational Access" (ARRA) at
http://www.responsiblerecreation.com . Check their site to get informed
quick and easy in lay-terms! They also have easy links and sample letters
making it easy to stay involved. REMEMBER, it takes "all of us"
to make a big enough impact to keep public lands open (mountain bikers,
hikers, motorists, equestrians, 4X4's, and picnickers). Make friends.
8. Buddy Sport - There is no "i" in "team". It
takes two to have a safe trip and nothing less. Be safe.
9. Pass Information On - If you see a fellow activist breaking these
common laws, reach out and educate them. Helping one another be better
consumers, off-roaders, and public land users creates constructive patterns.
Support one another and help create an important standard of positivity.
If we have missed anything and you would like to suggest something
to add, please contact us at LizardLady@bajagpsguide.com
