Pedal Driven

Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I voluntarily watch documentaries that show the beautiful mountains and open spaces of the West? Nature porn...Anyways, this is another of those serendipitous Netflix finds. Pedal Driven looks at the conflict between mountain bikers (specifically freeriders building illegal trails) and the Forest Service in Leavenworth, WA. Trails would be built, and the Forest Service would go in and tear them down. Any progress made between the two parties would be set back. As the film progresses, though, a dialogue begins to open up between the interested parties. The managing ranger in the Leavenworth area even takes a trip with the bikers to Oregon to look at how some of the National Forests there have worked with bikers to allow for good trails to be built on public land. The point of the story, at least to me, is that if groups with conflicting interests will sit down and discuss what they want and what the different options are, compromises can be made and both can leave satisfied. (Hear that, Congress?) This film also really made me want to get back on my bike. I used to do a fairly good amount of mountain biking back in Idaho, of course I was in better shape at that point in my life. I did take the bike out for a quick ride this morning, and even though it hurt, it was fun. I'd like to get out and try some of the dirt trails close to Tulsa, but with the Oklahoma summer bearing down on us and temperatures starting to climb into the mid to high 90s, that might have to wait. I might just have to stick to early morning rides on the bike path close to home for now. Anyways, if you're interested in mountain biking or public lands management, check this film out.

http://pedaldriven.howellatthemoon.com/