My fellow mountain bikers and lovers of the forest,

Many of you have are aware of the attempt to declare wilderness designations in the National Forest in Orange County. We thank BIKE Magazine and BIKE writer and Warrior's Society member Shidan Towfiq for bringing this to everyone's attention.

Mountain bikers organized and we successfully lobbied to prevent to loss of our trails. We must realize that mountain bikers have the political power to fight efforts such as this if we'd only get off our butt's and get involved. If areas are lost to us it is because we are too lazy to make our voices heard.

Mountain bikers can accomplish so much if we'd just join together with other recreational forest visitors and fight those who want to keep us out of the forest.

We must all realize that there are irresponsible hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, Off-roaders etc. No single group can claim the mantle of the "protector" of the forest. If we continue to be divided those who wish to destroy the forest will triumph.

United no one will stand against us.

There are still areas of the forest in California and nationwide where wilderness designations are being sought, maybe near you. Please contact the individuals listed below (or your own senators and local National Forest offices), and ask that no wilderness designations be established that effect mountain biking and that another designation be used instead. Stress the importance of the input from the local community in determining the status of roads and access that have historically existed in proposed roadless areas.

Please take a moment NOW to write an important letter to Senator Barbara Boxer. Here's why: We have met in person with Sen. Boxer's staff, who tells us that they are working on a wilderness bill that is to get introduced sometime soon. Boxer has been receiving letters from proponents of wilderness; if they do not hear from us, they may assume there would be no opposition by the mtn biking community. Directions on writing letters are included in the information provided by the wilderness links below.

Please click on and read these wilderness alerts and act!!

Check out all the areas that the Wilderness Coalition are working on and voice your concerns to the BRC, IMBA or us. Some of the areas they are pushing for wilderness are not shown.

You can be kept informed by and protect your access by supporting organizations that are fighting the wilderness areas that affect you.

The Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) is one of the most effective organizations fighting for all users access. They understand anti-access activists and use the same methods they use to fight them (lawsuits, Freedom Of Information Act Requests and PAC contributions etc). You can also sign up for their access alerts at www.sharetrails.org

You can also visit the IMBA website where you can sign up on IMBA's California wilderness update list. This list, like the BRC's, will keep you informed on attempts to designate wilderness areas near you and throughout California.

Approach the local chapters of the Sierra Club in your city or town and attempt to work with them to protect the forest by use of alternative designations.

I suggest everyone read Pulitzer-winning environmental reporter Tom Knudson's series entitled "Environment, Inc." where you can view the whole investigative series and accompanied graphics. Part 5 of this series is the philosophy the Warrior's Society believes in.

We must all join together to protect the forest.

Please be courteous and respectful, thoughtless words do us no good. Please pass this email on to your friends and post it on all mountain bike sites. If they don't have email, ask them to call. If you are a bike shop owner, please consider emailing this to your customers and posting a link to a page with this email (and contact information) on your web site. Please put "Against Wilderness Designation" in the subject line of your email.

To print out a flyer that you can hand out with this information click here.

To be put on our email list and be kept informed on this issue and others affecting the Cleveland National Forest in Orange County as well as our trail and mountain bike events click here.

What actions should you take?

Contact your State Senators and oppose the Wilderness Bill! PLEASE FAX YOUR LETTERS with the subject line: Oppose Wilderness Bill
Honorable Senator Feinstein One Post St., #2450 San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: (415) 393-0707 Email Fax: (619) 231-1108 Fax: (310) 914-7318 Fax: (415) 989-3242 Fax: (202) 228-3954 Fax: (559) 485-9689	Honorable Senator Boxer 1700 Montgomery St., #240 San Francisco, CA 94111 Phone: (415) 403-0100 Email Fax: (213) 894-5012 Fax: (909) 888-8613 Fax: (619) 239-5719 Fax: (559) 497-5111 Fax: (415) 956-6701 Fax: (916) 448-2563
The Senators Aide working on the wilderness issue in San Diego is Humberto Peraza
The Senators Aide working on the wilderness issue in Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino is Leannah Bradley
U.S Forest Service Cleveland National Forest Supervisor's Office 10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, #200 San Diego, CA 92127-2107 (858) 673-6180 Fax - (858) 673-6192 email California Relay Service (800) 735-2929 (TTY) (800) 735-2922 (voice) Office Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday
WRITE YOUR CONGRESSPERSON -- Find the name and address of your member of Congress. Ask your member to speak to Representatives Thompson and Solis about bicycling and the Wilderness bill.
Email the Los Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club
Email the National Sierra Club

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