[JoomGO]

Residents pay $26 a year and it is a real sticking point locally- I personally think it is worth the money to have well kept, family friendly, legal riding areas close by.

People complain about paying $26 for 12 months of access and riding?

 

[code54]

Residents pay $26 a year and it is a real sticking point locally- I personally think it is worth the money to have well kept, family friendly, legal riding areas close by.

People complain about paying $26 for 12 months of access and riding?

YES - lots of people were really ticked when Hatfield took over some of the trails. Before the trails were "outlaw" trails and of course were free. The idea of people having to now pay for a trail they used to be able to ride for free caused some serious heartburn.

The nice thing is now there is a real parking area, the trails are always opened up after storms, they are putting in bathrooms, small businesses are opening and running, EMS is better prepared for accidents, having mapped trails, and the list goes on.

The biggest thing I hear is people are ticked because no alcohol is allowed and of course the price. One thing you have to understand in that area of WV is extremely poor. I believe the avg income is something like 15K a year so having to buy a permit mostly does cause some financial concern. Hopefully as the trail grows more jobs will be created and the Avg income will grow more than enough to help people cover the costs of the permits.

 

[frzr]

Residents pay $26 a year and it is a real sticking point locally- I personally think it is worth the money to have well kept, family friendly, legal riding areas close by.

People complain about paying $26 for 12 months of access and riding?

YES - lots of people were really ticked when Hatfield took over some of the trails. Before the trails were "outlaw" trails and of course were free. The idea of people having to now pay for a trail they used to be able to ride for free caused some serious heartburn.

The nice thing is now there is a real parking area, the trails are always opened up after storms, they are putting in bathrooms, small businesses are opening and running, EMS is better prepared for accidents, having mapped trails, and the list goes on.

The biggest thing I hear is people are ticked because no alcohol is allowed and of course the price. One thing you have to understand in that area of WV is extremely poor. I believe the avg income is something like 15K a year so having to buy a permit mostly does cause some financial concern. Hopefully as the trail grows more jobs will be created and the Avg income will grow more than enough to help people cover the costs of the permits.

Its actually not that the people are poor, which it is kind of a poor area, not as bad as it once was, but its more of a "we spent our entire lives creating trails for us to ride, and hatfield mccoy comes in and takes them, and expects us to pay" type attitude that has people upset. I live right in the heart of the rockhouse trailhead. I mean its nice to just go for an easy scenic ride without having to put helmets on everyone and buy passes, but it is also nice knowing that if i wanted to get on trails that are manicured correctly and well taken care of i can, and really 26 a year isnt much. Thats a little over 2 dollars a month for unlimited enjoyment for that entire month. Go have a couple beers with a friend, or go to a concert, or a nascar race, or hell even a high school football game and you will spend that much for tickets and concessions. I still have hundreds of miles that i can ride on that isnt on the trail system that is easily accessible, so i still have a choice. Some people just cant seem to get over that part, and its kinda crappy because the trail system is a great economic opportunity to pull more and more money and progress into the state.


Wish i could be riding more :-(

 

[JoomGO]

That makes sense and I can see both sides.

Other than not allowed to drink alcohol on the trails, are there any other rules (like you have to wear a helmet or certain ages have to wear helmet)?

 

[frzr]

That makes sense and I can see both sides.

Other than not allowed to drink alcohol on the trails, are there any other rules (like you have to wear a helmet or certain ages have to wear helmet)?

Everyone must wear a helmet, thats really the biggest rule is you must wear a helmet. If you wanna wear protective equipment you can, but helmets are a must.


Wish i could be riding more :-(