Re: Bolivia's 'Death Road' claims life of U.S. mountain biker

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:09:25 +0100, "Ronnie Guthrie"
<ronnieguthrie@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

>
>
>"Mike Vandeman" <mjvande@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>news:7ee51413vncfdam3hols3g2io31hk3qka6@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:06:43 -0700 (PDT), Bruce Jensen
>> <bpnjensen@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>
>>>On Apr 24, 9:53 pm, Tom Sherman <sunsetss0...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>>>wrote:
>>>> Mike Vandeman blathered:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> > Evolution at work:
>>>>
>>>>
>http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/21/news/Bolivia-US-Tourist-Dea...
>>>>
>>>> > LA PAZ, Bolivia: A U.S. tourist has been killed after losing
control
>>>> > of his mountain bike and plunging off a cliff while biking down
>>>> > Bolivia's treacherous "Highway of Death," rescue officials said
>>>> > Monday.
>>>>
>>>> > Firefighter Ramiro Torres told The Associated Press that Kenneth
>>>> > Mitchell died Saturday afternoon after falling about 230 feet (70
>>>> > meters).
>>>>
>>>> > Officials at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz confirmed the 56-year-old
>>>> > Mitchell's death but declined to release his hometown.
>>>>
>>>> > Mitchell was riding with one of several tourist agencies that offer
>>>> > guided trips down the mountain road, which is known for its
>>>> > breathtaking views, hairpin turns and steep drops.
>>>>
>>>> > Bus accidents killed hundreds of Bolivians a year there until a
new,
>>>> > paved highway was opened in 2007.
>>>>
>>>> Dude, the guy was cycling on a ROAD. That is NOT mountain biking.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
>>>> The weather is here, wish you were beautiful- Hide quoted text -
>>>
>>>Exactly.  I'm with you on the small-trail riding, Mike, but
>>>c'mon...this is a motor vehicle roadway.  Motor vehicles plunge to
>>>their deaths here too.
>>
>> So you think riding a mountain bike on a mountain road has nothing to
>> do with mountain biking? You are weird.
>
>So what damage to the environment was he doing by riding a bike (mountain

>bike or whatever) on a road designed for motor vehicles?

Obviously, he rode off-road. DUH!

  Would you have 
>been happier if the unfortunate Mr Mitchell had fallen to his death
whilst 
>hiking?
>Get yourself a life and accept that the great outdoors is there for
everyone 
>to enjoy, whether that be on foot or (self powered) two wheels.

It's there for everyone to enjoy, but only in an appropriate
(low-impact) way. There is no reason for allowing bicycles off-road,
where they destroy wildlife and wildlife habitat -- something I
predict that you aren't honest enough to admit, but something that is
obvious to everyone else.

>>>Bruce Jensen
>> -- 
>> I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
>> humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
>> years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
>>
>> Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you
are 
>> fond of!
>>
>> http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande

-- 
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8 
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)

Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are
fond of!

http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande