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“Does one really need a new trail to enjoy every time they jump on their bike? If we properly maintain and enhance what we already have, I believe our existing trail inventory is sufficient and spectacular. And if some insist they must have new trails, there are many options outside the Gems Proposal.”
- Peter McBride, author photographer and Basalt town councilor
“I write to request that you resolve to support the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal. I am confident that our residents would agree that a well-thought decision to support this proposal will yield gratitude from our decedents in the twenty-second century and beyond.
- Bob Braudis, former Pitkin County Sheriff
I am writing to express my strong support for the current Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal, following years of outreach and adjustments and offering permanent protection against extractive industries and the impacts of motorized and mechanized activities. Wildlife and the pristine places are not able to speak for themselves. They need an active voice that speaks for them. This is your chance to be that voice!!”
- Bob Stardooj, CEO Mason & Morse Realty
The designation of Wilderness is a radical act. It is an act of humility by the planet’s least humble member. It is a rejection of the notion of earth as mere playground, or resource, in favor of earth as life-sustaining home. In return for simply being left alone, wilderness gives back clean air and water and intact ecosystems that support native flora and fauna.
- Karin Teague, business owner and Basalt town councilor
I am unaware of any community driven project that has gone to such lengths to ensure that all members of our community have had a voice in shaping the boundaries of this wilderness proposal. I want to emphasize how important wilderness is for our community. Simply put, it is the reason why we live here.
- Bill Stirling, former Aspen mayor and owner Stirling Homes
We live in a country with more access to public lands than maybe anywhere in the world. This Hidden Gems campaign is not about tree hugging, lichen chewing crunchies vs. gas burning adrenaline junkies. The bigger picture for me is about protecting small pieces of the wild lands close to where we all live. I believe that protecting the wilds is a noble cause, if not for us then surely for future generations.
- Jono Mcbride, U.S. Ski Team Coach
I’ve biked just about every trail in the roaring Fork Valley, and have taken the time to fully understand the Hidden Gems proposal. I can assure you that the Hidden Gems proposal does not adversely affect 98 percent of existing mountain bike trails. The Hidden Gems coalition has already removed tens of thousands of wilderness quality lands from the proposal to protect bike access. Lets not sacrifice all the benefits of wilderness for a few rarely ridden trails. Wilderness protection is too important.
- Chris Lane, mountain bike racer and former Basalt town councilor
BIKEWILD is a collective of mountain bikers who believe in protecting our remaining pristine lands with wilderness designation. We believe in creating and maintaining great mountain biking trail systems and we support the efforts of the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign to preserve and protect our public lands from roads, drilling, logging, mining, and habitat degradation. We got involved with this issue because we fear that mountain bikers are being wrongly seen as anti-wilderness and obstructing important conservation efforts.
-Steve Novy, Founder of Bike-wild and Carbondale Architect
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