Dave_Schuldt

I would like to have a non smoking Pub Club one a month or so. Jules, minx and others speek up. If enough of us speak up, it will happen.

Nice place, not to smokey. Had a good time. Uncle trickey will post a full report later.

Found this on the BBTC list serve, interesting. More info here. http://www.seanet.com/~smithjones/BBTC/PDFs/IACNovaMtg01-23-03.pdf Skip Card; The News Tribune A study of how much gasoline is used by drivers on Washington's recreational back roads found 49 percent of that fuel is burned by sightseers, fishermen, hunters, campers, berry-pickers and others who typically stay close to their cars. About 31 percent of the gas is consumed by people driving to trails or other sites where they can hike, ski or ride horses and bicycles. Only 20 percent is used by motorcyclists, snowmobilers, 4-wheel-drive enthusiasts and other motorized off-road users.The findings, which could help shape how millions of fuel-tax dollars are spent, surprised officials with the state Interagency Committee on Outdoor Recreation, or IAC. Eighty percent of fuel taxes now spent on off-road recreation goes to maintain motorized trails, educate their users and enforce off-road laws."The study suggests we need some fairly major policy changes in the IAC, and potentially other agencies' programs," said Jim Fox, special assistant to the IAC director.When the IAC commissioned a survey of fuel use on the state's back roads, officials assumed most fuel would be burned by people driving to trailheads to walk or ride. Pollsters lumped sightseeing, berry-picking, picnicking, fishing, camping and other close-to-the-road activities in a broad "other" category."We were surprised that it accounted for 49 percent of the fuel use," Fox said. "We thought it would be a very small number."The goal of the study was to determine whether Washington is properly spending fuel-tax money generated when drivers buy gas in the state but then drive on Forest Service roads or other streets that the state pays no money to maintain. Such roads are often primitive, but they also include paved roads inside national parks.In a sort of fuel-tax refund, the state devotes roughly 1 percent of all fuel tax revenue - usually about $2.7 million a year, or $5.5 million each two-year budget period - to trails. The money flows through the IAC's Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities program, known as NOVA.Sixty percent of NOVA money now goes to maintain trails and facilities in places where motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and other off-road rigs are allowed. Another 20 percent goes to educate riders or enforce laws on such trails.The remaining 20 percent is spent on nonmotorized trails and facilities for hikers, bicyclists and horse riders.The money is small change in the state budget, but it means a lot to people using backcountry trails that often cost $900 to $1,300 a mile to maintain, said Jonathan Guzzo, director of advocacy for the Washington Trails Association."When it comes to trails and recreation, $5 million can make a big difference," Guzzo said.Guzzo said the WTA, which represents hikers, plans to push to have more dollars shifted to nonmotorized trails.Motorcycle riders and other motorized users "have been getting 80 percent of the money and contributing 20 percent of the money," Guzzo said. "We just need to get the money reallocated so it goes to the people who provide money to the program."Such changes might not come soon, IAC's Fox said. Rather than suggest changes during the current legislative session, IAC officials are likely to meet with various backcountry groups to work out a new spending formula, he said.The study suggests more should be spent on roadside facilities such as restrooms, Fox said. He said such facilities could be used by every back-road visitor, from drive-by sightseers to backpackers returning from weeks on the trail."We're going to start working with stakeholders right away," Fox said. "My hope would be if we can get all the constituents working together, then we might end up coming up with some funding categories that ultimately everybody could benefit from."The survey, conducted by Bellevue-based Hebert Research, polled 7,194 vehicle owners in Washington state beginning in December 2001. Respondents were selected randomly from the 5.1 million street-licensed and registered off-road vehicles in the state.Percentages of fuel used in back-roads areas are different from the percentages of people who engage in recreation there, since certain activities use more fuel.Of all those who drove back roads for recreation, 31.8 percent engaged in hiking, 14.8 percent in off-road vehicle use, 10.9 percent in cross-country skiing, 8.4 percent in mountain biking, 4.8 percent in equestrian activities and 2.6 percent in snowmobiling. Many users participated in more than one activity.The survey is accurate to within 3 to 5 percentage points.

UBB26-ML-127240-ML- moved per posters request

maybe

If your refering to the place at 60 something and Greenwood, yes. Don't think I can make it this week. See you at Dad Wattsons next week.

Sat- mountain bike ride at Tolt McDonald Sun- mountain bike ride at Lake Sawyer.

But it's so much fun to spray about picking a place.

Yet another site, free maps. http://www.martinsweb.org/biker/downloads.htm Just found another. http://www.geocities.com/mtb_biker2000/favoriterides.htm

New Orleans sounds fime to me. We will save Dad Watsons if Fremont for another week. 100 posts!!! I am proud to have started such a long thread and pissed some people off. See you on tuesday.

Eyman is the man to thank when your kids school budget gets cut.

Maybe this is secretly run by Eyman to get free puplicity. Remember the pie in the face incdent in Olympia?

Poor Cavey!!!

Check it out. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/104572_telezapper17.shtml

Yet another link http://www.whimpsmtb.com/ MTBing in Belingham area. Buying the mountain bike this fall was one of the smartest things I have ever done. I would have gone crazy with this shitty ski season. I have adapted to global warming!!

Can we make 100 posts, only 4 more to go!!! I have some great places in mind for next week.

Just bringing this up again.

Relax AK, it was nice to hang out without smoke. Last week was realy bad. Beer and friends are the same no mater where we meet. How are you going to ban me from voting?

Don't worry about ofending anyone on this board! Check out all the trash over in spray. CUBA IS COOL!! LONG LIVE BROTHER CASTRO AND ALL THE AWSOME MUSICIANS!!!

Did ICEGIRL or JULES show up after I left? If not, shame on them!!!!

tim Eyman sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The mighty mattp engaged in a spray fest?!?! What is the world comming to?? Shame onn you!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Don't mind the spray, they no nothing. Don't be a chicken, post a full report with pectures if you have them. Maybe there should be a forum for overseas trip reports.