February 2021 | Page 103

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tain bikers recognize that horses have the right of way , and we ’ ll stop and pull over and be courteous . The cases of conflict are when we startle each other and start off on the wrong foot .”

A computer programmer from West Greenwich and a mountain biker for a dozen years , Winsor says he would welcome a chance to chat with representatives of Rhode Island ’ s horse-riding community , “ because if their perspective is that mountain bikers are a bunch of reckless assholes , then I ’ d want to know that and try to address it .”
The most popular destinations in Rhode Island for mountain bikers are the Big River and Arcadia management areas , as well as Lincoln Woods and Diamond Hill state parks , all of which are also popular among hikers , walkers and horseback riders .
Perhaps the greatest user conflicts arise from the illegal use of off-road vehicles on public properties , which most users agree are noisy and do considerable damage to the lands they traverse . Every user group complains about all-terrain vehicles , dirt bikes and other two- and four-wheeled motorized vehicles , none of which are allowed on any federal , state or municipal
lands in Rhode Island . And that ’ s part of the problem . Riders have nowhere to ride legally in the state , so they ride illegally almost everywhere .
About fifteen years ago , DEM collaborated with the Rhody Rovers , who identify themselves as “ the premier club for off-road riding in Rhode Island ,” to find a site where trails could be developed specifically for off-road vehicle users . After a year of searching , they identified a section of Snake Den State Park in Johnston as a satisfactory solution , but when local politicians and neighbors heard about the plan , they quashed it .
“ We get it . Nobody wants to be bothered ,” says Alex Castosa , secretary of the Rhody Rovers and a member of the Rhode Island Trails Advisory Committee , who has been riding off-road motorcycles for forty-one years , mostly out-of-state . “ We understand that there isn ’ t much land in Rhode Island , and the land we do have we take pride in taking care of .”
Founded in 1947 by Ralph Razee , the Rovers apply for special-use permits to ride legally up to six days each year at Arcadia and Big River for competitive and recreational events . According to Castosa , they spend a
great deal of time maintaining the trails they use and cleaning up after their events , and they even helped DEM construct a thirty-foot bridge across a stream in Big River last summer .
“ We get along great with other groups , or we think we do ,” he says . “ I know birders and hikers and bicyclists don ’ t really like us too much , but when we ’ re in the woods on state property , we ’ re in there with a permit .”
He admits , however , that most off-road enthusiasts frequently ride illegally in the state .
“ In our world , there are so many people breaking the law that it ’ s hard to identify those of us doing it right ,” says Castosa , an eight-year Marine Corps veteran from Johnston who works for the city of Cranston . “ There are a lot of local guys that ride in the woods illegally , and that ’ s never going to stop . You ’ re never going to stop a fifteenyear-old with a new bike from riding on the public land behind his house .
“ If there was a legitimate place to ride , even if it was temporary or seasonal , I do believe it would help , though ,” he adds . “ It ’ s not going to fix the problem entirely . It would probably take a long time for the

Ready F� summer 2021 ?

The summer of 2020 was a year of canceled Rhode Island traditions , like parades , festivals and more . We spent our time binge watching TV and , well , staying at home .
What better way to position your business for the summer of 2021 by reaching locals and visitors who are looking to take advantage of all that the Ocean State has to offer ? The Ultimate Summer Guide will be distributed to hotels frequented by tourists , popular seasonal attractions and rental properties across Rhode Island as well as delivered with the July issue of Rhode Island Monthly .
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