Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

1970's In the mid-1940's, the State of California enacted the California Riding and Hildng Tralls Law. This law, through Its wording, established trall systems for use by hikers and equestrians on state-owned lands. The law made no provision for vehicular use of these tralls, but keep In mind that at that time there were relatively no civilian jeeps, very few trall bikes, and dune-buggies were virtually non-existent. Vehicular use of the trails was not so much a matter of exclusion, but more a lack of foresight. Now, all of that has changed. There is no need for me to tell you that the hills are literally crawling with bikes of all sizes and descriptions. Last year's Cowbell Enduro in Lake'County, with its 1148 registered contestants, Is purported to be the largest participatory sporting event ever held since the dawn of time. There are about 7,000 miles of designated horse tralls and 5,700 miies of de.signated hildng tralls on public lands in California. The State Park System has 316 miles of hildng tralls and 181 miles of horse tralls within parks. The exclusive wording of the original law has made these "R and H" tralls strictly taboo for vehicular users with large resultant fines If apprehended. In 1968, the State of California, recognizing a need for revamping of the law, assembled a group of responsible citizens Into what was then known as the California Riding and Hildng Trails Advisory Committee. This Committee has traveled all over the state hearing testimony from many groups. But one fact that never failed to amaze them, was the number of vehicular users of tralls that attended their hearings and pleaded for equai consideration. As a result, Senate Bli 684 was drawn up by the Committee to Incorporate (for the first time) provisions for trail used by recreational vehicles. This Bill was Introduced by Senator Lagomarsino on March 20, 1969-, and was a real step In the right direction. The Bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources where, on May 1, 1969, certain amendments were Introduced. Although most of the amendments tended to Improve the wording and clarity of the Bill, one amendment was proposed which would have precluded the use of any trall on state-owned lands by vehicles and would have relegated their operation to areas set aside as parks. Fortunately, this "little bombshell" created such a furor that the meeting was adjourned until May 8, 1969: one week later. In that week's time, a responsible Sacramento motorcycling organization spearheaded a movement that brought thousands of letters, telephone oalls, and telegrams to the eight Senators who comprised the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. The result was that on-May 8, 1969, the proposed amendment was withdrawn the B111 was unanimously' approved In that and subsequent Committees, and was sii:ned Into law by the Governor on August 5, 1969. I have two purposes In presenting this article. The first Is to prove to you that there Is power In unity and that the democratic process can and will work In our favor. The second Is to set the stage for next week's article which will describe what we as motorcyclists must do, now that we have our foot In the door. EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have comments or inquiries on this, or any other legislative subjects. piease address them to MORE, P.O. Box 26062, Sacramento, Cao 911826. The author of this colwnn and the Trail Bike Sportsmen Association were the prime movers 1n defeating the proposed amendment mentioned in the article. ~ NO MORE BLISTERED HANDS' with TUFF HAND Apply to hands and let dry. Leahs a touch, f1nlble plastiC film that rea lIy helps prevent blisters. Safe and easy to remove. ONLY $2.08 per tube postpaid Hodaka Montesa R. L. Sleman l438Jh 12th St. Santa Monica, Cal. 90404 (213) 394-4S~ M Greeves otorcycles Kawasaki Westminster Sport Cycle Guy R. LouiS (714) 893-7057 7574 Westminster Ave. Westminster, Cal. LEGISLATE RIDING-SPACE There are many among us who would rather "do it ourselves" than have the state do It for us. But there are situations when we must work, or try to work, with the state for the things we need. One of these Is the need for off-road riding areas. While many cyclists, especlally in'the less populated aread, have beautifully adequate riding space, many more In the urban complexes are desperate for an area where they know they can ride. It Is bad enough that such areas often require a day's travel, but IUs far worse when such travel only results In a closed gate or arrest for trespassing. Clearly there are several answers to the problem. One Is the private cycle park. It Is not a bad answer. Another is to keep looldng until an area Is found If only for a while until It, too, Is closed. Another Is for the state (and city, county and even the federal government) to set aside cycle parks and larger riding areas. Immediately we have visions of overcrOwded, over-regulated, over-priCed areas which are a sad comparison to the open spaces. True, It can happen that way. We've seen It happen this way many times. Anyone who has seen campgrounds' on holiday 'weekends knows whatit's like. The government always lags behind. By the time there Is enough demand to be heard there is enough tof111 the tacllities as soon as they are built. However the pessimism doesn't rule out the state as a valid answer. The state has land of its own which can be designated for vehicle, or specifically motorcycle use. "It can buy private lands. ~ It can lease or buy federally owned lands, such as those administered by the Department ot the Interior. The State of Californla began to heed the needs of cyclists this year with the A new organization Is nowbelngformrewriting of the California Trails Act to ed with the Motocross rider's Interest include specific mention of vehicles. in mind. This new <;lub, Team Effort for Well, mention is a long, long way from American Motorcycling (TEAM), adequate facilities but It is an opening TEAM was founded with the Idea of wedge. Idaho has already opned the fir st professionalizing American Motocross. of a series of motorcycle tralls. With the understanding that both the State governments can be made aware racers and the spectators are not getof our specific needs and can be Inting enough for their money, TEAM has fluenced to meet these needs If we make undertaken the task of elevating the It "crystal clear" what it is that we sport of motocross to perhaps one of want. The results of a recent United this country's proudest displays of Motorcycle Enthuslasts survey showed American youth. This is to be achieved that motorcyclists want lots of room to through highe! purses, exceptional proride. This statistic doesn't suprise us. motion, and, of course, specIal attention The results also showed that while many to the spectator. cyclists are willing to pay to ride, many " Readers Interested In joining a great are not willing to pay to ride on public new TEAM for Moto-Cross Competiland. This Is a logical opinion. Since the tors, may phone (213) 962-5049 and people own the land, why should they pay leave their name and address for further to ride on It? details, or write to: T.E.A.M., p.O. Box But pay-to-rlde is likely to happen "Y", Baldwin Park, Calif. anyway. Whenever the government does anything It costs money - more than It costs when an Individuai does the same thlng.At least It should cost a great deal of money If the government operates cycle parks. We will pay tor it In taxes of course. But we will doubtless be expected to pay for It direct as users. This would be no different from lakes, and beaches and campground fees or hunting and fishing licenses. It wI1l be up to us to see that we get what we pay for. It would be well to see some pilot legislation In California In the coming session putting the state In the rldingspace business. To do it we will need the cooperation of all cyclists, even those who will never use the area. If we do it, we must do It right, for once a law is passed It Is ten-Urnes harder to undo. We want your opinions now. This is the crucial. time. This Is the time for crystal-clarity. Share your think1ng with us. Write to U.M.E., Box 1154, Reseda, Calif. T.E.A.M. Efforf for MI - - - Creative Photography - PHOTOGRAPHY by DEHHIS GR!!HE -STUDIO Spec. in Adv. &' Commercial Maybrook, New York Oct. 12, 1969 Oct. 26, 1969 100cc Expert 1st Lynne Venetis XClOO October 19th, 1969 Nevada M/ C Assn. 125 Amateur 1st Roger Bille XC100 October 31, 1969 Altamont Motocross 125cc Junior 1st Jackie Jensen XC100 MB SPORTCYCLES. 3ll E. ALEXANDER AVE. TACOMA WASHINGTON 98421 Photos Phone 423-4707 ·If a photo is worth a 1000 words, and you can't think of what tD say, let photography by Dennis Greene do the talking for you!." Ubi ., LONG lEACH ILYD, LONG IUCH CAlif, 9010S (Continued (rom Page4) sung office of Public Relations, responsibility for advertising and sales promotion nationally. At long last England seems ready to turn loose Its tradition-bound business handicaps and reach out for its share of the steadily growing American motorcycle market. Asked whether BSA and Triumph would have to rely on Its old, self-destructive, homegrown electrical components sQPplier, Peter Thornton replied, "NO, we'll go out In the world market to seek comparative Items." This may seem heresy to the public-bedamned "old boy" British attltudes, but we get the strong Impression that Thornton means everything he says. Just back from his latest trip to England, Thornton claims that the factories are Implementing his production Improvements with amazing alacrity • Asked to comment on one dealer's Observation that motorcycle dealerships are not In the business of selling trans- - portation, but rather sporting goods', Thornton's swift reply Indicated he has given the matter much study. "Although the same principles 'govern supply and service In any field," he said, there are certain things unique about motorcycle marketing..." Since we already knew what he meant, no further elaboration was elicited. Thornton's Important decisions are derived from no crystal ball. His consulting firm studied the BSA!Trlumph U.S. operation tor a year while his fasclnation with the possibilities present grew. The parent company apparently decided he was best qualified to carry out his own recommendations, and so they put him in charge. The addition of Peter Thornton to BSA and Triumph not only' gives two great brands a new leg on the road of progress, but motorcycling itself Is richer by one more enthusiast. Good Things Coming From BSA/Tri. ALSo present at the press gathering were Jay DeBow of BSA's hip New York ad agency, Mrs. Monee Thornton (who resembles Jane Wyman) Earl MIller, the V.P. In charge of Operations, Alva Martin, administrative chief ror the Duarte, Calif. facility and Hazen Balr, Western Triumph sales chief. ' Having learned recently how tb guage the veracity of BSA!Triumph new product rumors by the dimensions of Don Brown's enigmatic smile, we plied him with booze and questions. "Are nonLucas' electric starters In the TrlBSA future," we queried? Don Brown smiled four inches. "What about rumors of a fast, light 3500c twin?" The lips stretched another half-inch, reveallng 32 noncommittal teeth. "All I can say," Brown finally said, "Is there are a whole lot of Interesting things on their way."

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