Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

"Amertca's #1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'l l always see It FIRST i n Cyc le News '" OFFICIAL EXAGGERATION? THE DILEMMA I feel compelled to write regarding an incident which I witnessed at the Shamrock's Jawbone Enduro on April 5 this year. On the dirt road entering the area was a sign which read "StoP - Pick uP litter bags", or something to that effect. I had my own litter bag so I dln't pay much attention to the exact worldng ot the sign. There were portable rest rooms and even If Inadequate to accommodate the large crowd, I feel thai the Shamrocks should be commended for their visible efforts to keep the area clean. A Fish and Game Department ot interior otficlal car came In and parked next to my campsite on Sunday morning and the offlcer jumped out ot the car and hurried uP a hillside and took pictures ot the area. When he hurried back down the hill toward his car I inquired "What Is the trouble, Officer" and his answer was "People - this Is a rape ot the desert", got Into his car and sped away. After being told that I was a party to rape, I sat down In a chalr and took stock ot the situation around me. Being more than slightly burned, I continued taking stock on the way home. I had arrived at Jawbone on Saturday morning and the Officer wasn't there taking pictures - he probably wasn't there Monday either. Most people were parked In an area that was bare before I arrived Saturday morning. A few were parked In the brushY area adjo1n1ng the bare area, but what Impressed me most was the number ot our most Important resource - PEOPLE - enjoying themselves. Ranging In ages from .four or five to sixty five or maybe seventy - they were having a ball. I thought to myself "The taxes paid by these people In a llfetime would buy this whole section ot desert several times." Most ot the riders stayed In camp, on dirt roads which were already there, on trails which were already there or In sand washes which were already there. That Officer should write to Sacramento and outlaw wind and rain - they change the desert. He should also witness an armored division on maneuvers and see what they do to the desert. On the way home I noticed many instances ot " Des er t Rape" - plpellnes, power · llnes, highways, alfalfa fields, chemical plants,. railroads, towns, etc. etc. A funny thing about some people If there Is a protlt, It Isn't rape. I enjoy the desert, but beauty Is In the eyes ot the beholder. So If you can't see the desert, how Is one to know that It Is beautiful? T.W.APPLE Lakewood, Calif. I've never owned a bike before. Every time I borrow a friend's motorcycle I wreck It and myselfl I've decided I need some experience riding a motorcycle and the best place would be out ot traffic and off the streets. Hence, get a dirt blkel I read a great book on the Hell's Angels by H.S. Thompson. In the bookhe said, Lots ot bikers go over the rail (crash) at 40 or 50 miles an hour and walk away. If you're lucky, the crash Is not that bad, but If you are not lucky, two or three cars will run over you. And that's bad. Having a great desire to stay allve and In one piece, I decided to buy a dirt bike. My exact thought was, "I'm gonna tear UP those hll1s and lose my frustrations doing It, After all Isn't that what bikes are all about!" I was telllng a friend about my plans and he said, " Hey don't you know that dirt bikes are very destructive? They cause terrible erosion." I said, "No, I didn't." He continued, "Don't you feel bad about tearing uP those beautiful hll1s." Since 1 haven't, I don't feel bad. But I soon will have a dirt bike, and I thInk that all ot us who ride In the hll1s should be aware that the paths we cut across the hll1s cause erosion. We all should put our heads together and think ot ways to solve the problem. One thing we all can 'do right now, Is to suPport, Russ Sanford, c/o M.O.R.E., p .O. Box 26082, Sacramento, Calif. 95826. Russ Is for preserving the land and riding motorcycles, too. STAN SHAVE Woodland H1l1s, Calif. THE GOVERNMENT VIEW DIRT(Y) COP? The enclosed clipping Indicates a new approach · to harrassment. (The article concerns a San Diego pollceman who will be patrollng riding areas on a dirt bike, and ostensibly Informing riders about various regulations.) Note the contradictions within the article Itself. The old bug-a-book "pollution" Is even used. Talk of education, someone ought to inform " the LONE RANGER" about the facts on two cycle combustion efficiency. What next? A trooper on a pedal bike to keep the cyclists straight, I don't see anything on a trooper with a knapsack, keeping the hikers from "littering" and " poll uting" . How about some "mounties" to keep the " hor s ey" set from "doing their thing" all over the countryside? I am certain everybody will be "receptive". How else can you be towards a 6'4" 230 pounder with a badge ? Talk to him ? You'd have to "get his attention" with a telephone pole first. GEORGE R. SPIDELL El Cajon,.. alIf. C . . -. t r... •... . Publ isher••••• .• • Charles Clayton Busl ness Manager•••Sharon Clayton General Manager••.•••. Tom Culp Advertising Manager• •Bob Sirkegian Feature Editor••• •••• Terry Pratt Assistant Editor••••••Bob Sanford Circulation Manager•• Bruce Easley Circulation Assistan t •• Rheba Smith Production Manager• ••• Li Ii Lakich Lab TechnicIan•••.•.•J im Brooks Production Assistant •• Jerry Owen Bookkeeper•••• •••Susan Whitelaw Bookkeeper• ••••••• Eleanor Duke Want Ads ••••••••Jan McCullough It. I ,.• • I Recently, I received a number ot clippings from your publlcation from one ot my units. It was a great pleasure, and most encouraging to me, to see some ot the Letters to the Editor and other contributions confirming my optnton that there are a great number ot responsible people and organizations In the motorcycle fraternity. Several of the Letters to the Editor and other Items Indicated a deep concern for the kind ot irresponsible use ot the out ot doors that can very well destroy those resources, particularly In our southern desert area. In those areas, we have experienced very serious damage as a result ot off-road vehicles, both the motorcycles and others, traveling cross country. Most ot this damage Is irreversible and patently thoughtless In that these resources belong to those who follow as well as those ot us who have the great privilege ot enjoying them now. In spite of the fact that at AnzaBorrego Desert State Park, for Instance, there are uP to 700 miles ot off-road travel routes avallable to ott-road vehicles, there are some irresponsible people who will leave these routes to the serious detriment ot the resource. I believe that the responsible ott-.road vehicle enthusiast Is as concerned as any other lover ot the out ot doors about this kind ot destruction and I hope that they will join us In worldng to m1n1mlze this kind ot thoughtlessness and lack ot responslblllty• For some time, 1 have been trying to communicate with responsible motorbike organizations so that we may discuss this problem and seek their assistance In assuring that the out ot door s can remain avallable to 'everyone and still proteet It for those who will need this, even more than we do, In the future. Can you put me In touch with such organizations thai we may work towards the benefits ot all the people ot this state? .. . . J. WHITEHEAD, Superintendent District 6 Hdqts. , P.O . Box 1328 San Clemente, Calif• .. . Cycle News East,DlxleCycle News, and National Advert ising Informat ion: Tom Culp. National Advert ising Dlr. Cycle News (West), P.O . Box 498, Long Beach, Gal Iforn la 90801 (213) 427-7433 - L.A. 636-8844 Y Northern Off Ice 1470 Broadway, Walnut Creek, Cal if. (415) 934-1995 Northern Representative: Lyn Jensen Subscript ion: One year 2nd cl ass mall. • •• $7.50 Single copy price•••• •••••• 25e EnclOSed Is a flyer giving details ot "Operation, Cooperation", May 2-3. This Is a project planned by all motorcycle, dune-buggy and four wheeler clubs ot our area" We are worldng to keep the desert open for our riding pleasure. The trash and litter there Is a real eye sore and with a lIWe faith and a lot ot Published weekly except the first and last week of the calendar year' by Cycle . News, lnc., Post Office Box 498, Long Beach, California, also publishers of Cycle News East, and Dixie Cycle News. Second Class Postage paid at Long Beach, Calif. Editorial stories, cartoons, photos, etc. are welcome. Write for Information. Addressed, stamped envelope assures return of editorial matter. Reprinting In whole or in part only by permiss ion of the publishers. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request . help from all outdoor fans we can make this project a big success. If you can give us a lIWe help In spreading the word It will be greatly appreciated. BRUSH BARONS M/C P.O. Box 82 Escondido, Calif. 92025 CECOLOgy CYCLE NEWS EDITORIAL As almost all bike riders know, ecology has become a very "In" thing In recent months. Not thatit hasn't always been with us, but ot late an .Increasingly large number ot Individuals and groups are becoming extremely vocal about the problem. We suspect that there are various motives, - some good, some not so good - behind the uProar. But, regardiess ot motives, ecology today Is of utmost concern to most Americans, and it Is high time that we, as motorcycltsts, take a hard, cold look at this Important Issue. As Individuals, ot course, we are Interested In such problems as smog and water pollution. But as a grouP our main concern Is with the frenzied debate over use ot the desert and other rural lands. There have been charges and counter charges, oplnlons and counter optaIons, proposals. But, to date, lIWe, If anything, has been either concluded or resolved. There Is lIWe doubt In our minds that use ot desert land by off-road vehicles does, Indeed, change the natural environment ot the terrain. Furthermore, It should be obvious that a bunch ot screaming bikes coming lIckity sput down the back side ot a hill are going to scare hell outot flock ot grazing sheep. And fences have been torn doWn, ancient Indian burial grounds destroyed, hll1s eroded, and pit and camping areas littered with beer cans and paper plates. . The debate, thus tar, has centered around the frequency and degree that such things have occurred. The BLM, ilaturalists, and livestock owners have nnmberous, photograph documented, horror stories about misuse and wanton destruction of public and private lands. Riders, on the other hand, say that these claims are exaggerated, and they, as citizens, have a perfect right to enjoy the beauty and pleasure afforded by desert riding. (See T.W. Apple's letter on this page). To borrow a phrase from the president, It should be crystal clear that both sides have a legitimate argument. (See Stan Shave'S letter on this page). Cycle News would llke to suggest that the time Is long past for petty argument over a virtually mute point. There are now an estimated 1.7 m1lllon motorcycles In California, and the number will undoubtedly grow by leaps and bounds with each succeeding year. At the same time, land Is more than ever a precious commodity, and its use must- repeat MUST- be regulated In a rational manner. Motorcycllsts have their rights, but so do sheep. And rock hounds. And flower lovers. Somehow, all sides must get together. Now. We can no longer afford the phUosophlcal, someday-we-should platitudes, ot the BLM's committee on otf-road vehicles. Or the, "We've-got-a-commlttee-worldng-on-it" attitude ot the Los Angeles County Department ot Parks and Recreation. It's action time, boys and girls. Right now. The letter on this page from Superintendent WhItehead, ot the State Department ot Parks and Recreation, as well as the letter from the Brush Barons M.C., are indicative ot some positive steps ~t can be taken. Generally, Cycle News feels that the following things should be done: (1) As a Joint venture between motorcycllsts' and various public agencies, bike rights should be firmly and unequivocally established. We should fight for what we need, while still recogn1z1ng the rights ot others. (2) We should suppor-t Russ Sanford's M.O.R.E. as the official agent for organized motorcycllng In California. We should make It financiallY feasible for Sanford to devote his full time and efforts to our Interests. As ot this week, every member ot the Cycle News staff Is a paid In full member ot the - OUR - organtzation, Working with local groups, the President ot M.O.R.E . could direct negotiations between local otflclals and riders. (3) Clubs and individuals should organize a system ot policing the areas. ThIs has been done successfully In some parts ot the state, and there Is no reason why it shouldn 't work everywhere. (4) Desert clubs should work closely with land agencies, In planning their events. This will serve many functions, not the least ot which Is good publlc relations. (5) When r1d1ng anywhere near residential areas, bikes should be equipped with stlencers; You As many ot you probably know, this just don't lose that much power, and It's week has been proclaimed Environmena lot easier on the ear drums. We would tal Action Week. A variety ot activities llke to suggest that removable silencers have been scheduled around the country be made standard equipment on all racto draw attention to this very Important ing bikes. For starters, though, bike shop matter. With this In mind, Cycle News owners might follow the lead of Lomita, has devoted the entire voices page to Callff.'s T&O Yamaha (and probably problems concerning motorcycles and others), and sell this equipment at dealecology. Letters represent various sides er cost. (6) Flnally, all ot this should be ot the question, and the editorial ouWnes done as soon as possible. Clubs should the paper's poslt1on on the toP. Immediately organize themselves (gy general area) and begin contacting In-

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