Biker in the smokies

imported
#1

I stopped at the Nantahala Outdoor Center today as I was driving through on business, and saw a guy coming off the trailhead on a mountain bike, then cross Hwy 74, cross the river on the walkway bridge, and keep going…had a pack on and saddlebags…looked to me like he was doing a big no-no…(biking the trail) If someone in the Fontana or Smokies see’s him, please let him know he needs to stop. Even if he was just riding a day ride, he should know better, as should we all…

Hope I’m wrong, but please use this as a reminder bikes and horses don’t belong on the AT. Just because it has developed the reputation as the “Party trail” doesn’t mean anything goes…

Big Dee

#2

Bid Dee, as you surmized the biker was doing a NO NO. Biking is not allowed on hiking trails in the park. I was a Trail Volunteer in the park for more than ten years and the rules have not changed regardong bicycles on hiking trails.

Ed

#3

Some knucklehead out riding his bike. By the way did he have on a yellow LIVESTRONG tee shirt?

Big Dee you need to know that part of the AT was a horse trail before it became the AT in the GSMNP. The park still allows horses on the AT in a small section in the southern part of the park. Actually, the park allows hikers on the horse trail. It is the hikers that are hiking on a horse trail, not horses hiking on the AT. There are also a couple of places in Virginia where the AT uses horse trails.

Bilko

#4

Yes Bilko, i am aware of that, but this guys was two days south of the park…so he ought to be there today…

Big Dee

#5

Is there any part of the AT that allows the footpath to be shared by bikers? One of the years I hiked, we ran into a few different kids on the trail, riding their bike through sections of the PATC corridor (I believe). Each time, we would stop them, give them a lecture on why they didn’t need to ride their bikes on the trail, and sent them on their way, on foot. I just assumed that the entire corridor of the AT was for foot traffic only (with the exception of the horse trails that it sometimes shares a path with). Is this the case?

bearbait

#6

The C&O canal path near Harpers Ferry is one example. Also, the AT briefly shares the Stony Creek rail trail just north of Rausch Gap in PA.

Stalking Tortoise

#7

sounds like he didnt care

beartracks

#8

I once rode a zebra on the AT…Is that wrong?

Eric G.

#9

open the at to bikes! why not! the trail up thunder head in the gsmnp and back down is way cool on a bike with night vision and a buzz in jan. in the light snow!..!

ben dunlap

#10

To ride a leopard on the AT

SmokeEater