Alas, while the sentiment seems reasonable, the reality is different. It is pure luck that I got introduced to the outdoors as a 12 yr old kid, and I doubt a 12 yr old version of me today would have the same luck
https://pmags.com/back-to-the-1920s-thoughts-on-outdoor-rec

Getting outdoors requires some luck and economic, social, and cultural resources that are less and less attainable for many people in our economically stratified society.

“A journey into the wilderness is the freest, cheapest, most non-privileged of pleasures. Anyone with two legs and the price of a pair of army surplus combat boots can enter” -Edward Abbey

I saw that after yoy mentioned the other articles. Very interesting reading as well.

Sounds like all you cool kids know each other 😉

Just found her direct rebuttal of that article cited at the top of your post.

I backpack but I also do a good bit of riding here in SE Michigan. I would agree, more or less, with Dave’s observations. Interaction with fellow riders is pretty consistently friendly. Interaction with fellow hikers is hit or miss. My wife and I often hike with a group of up to 6 people. We’ve had some lovely interactions with fellow hikers on the JMT for instance, and even reconnected with 1 or two people on social media once we got back to civilization. Other on-trail interactions have been less than positive.

The social dynamic of mountain bikers vs hikers is VERY different. A biker’s presence on trail is very fleeting. If I zoom by at 8-15mph, I’m hardly noticed. Because of the speeds involved, everyone on a bike rides the same direction on circular trail loops, so the only time bike riders interact with each other on-trail is when a faster rider wants to pass a slower one. Finally, the only time a bike rider may leave a lasting trace of their activity is if they choose to ride on a muddy day, thus leaving “pizza cutters” or ruts in the trail. Riding in muddy or freeze/thaw conditions is probably the one notable way to cause conflict among mountain bike riders.

Contrast that to hikers, where there are many opportunities for conflict. Hikers may pass each other going in opposite directions on the same trail, or as one group passes near the campsites of another. Backpackers spend nights in the back country and have a much bigger opportunity to “leave a trace” or do things that cause social conflict: loud music, TP flowers, rock stacking, cutting down live trees or tree limbs for firewood, obnoxious “influencer” behavior for social media, washing dishes or dumping unwanted food into nearby water sources, over crowding prime campsites, etc.

There’s also the issue of “creep” factor during male-female interactions. It’s much easier to exchange small talk among mixed genders at a mountain bike trailhead because chances are one of the parties is getting ready to ride while the other party is packing up and getting ready to leave. With hikers, however, a woman who gets a bad vibe from a guy on the trail may worry about whether she’s going to encounter that guy again at the next campsite.

It’s no wonder backpackers become guarded. Experience enough negative interaction with fellow hikers in the back country, and one starts being wary of every encounter and reluctant to share their secret spots with others for fear the experience will be ruined the next time they return to the same area.

In the “its a small world” category, Joan and I hosted her friends after we bumped into them one snowy day bikepacking. We let them have a hot shower and a place to unwind. Super nice couple!

Intersting post and thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the king words.

Interesting thoughts. I wonder if is has to do with the fact that mountain bikers are on front-country-ish trails vs off-trail obscure things in some cases? I honestly don’t know. Joan and I discussed what you wrote so I thank you for bringing up some good points! (She’s the one who wondered about trail idea)

To be fair, I don’t think it is an age thing. Plenty of people here call SAR becase they forgot a headlamp, ran out of water, are cold, and it is now dark. Regardless of age.

But, I think it is abit of loss skill for sure.