Can My Favorite Place to Ride Survive?

Mountain biking connects riders to the land we love. Let's start with an overview of some of my most treasured riding regions.

Appalachian Mountains

I live, work, and ride predominantly in the cool temperate forests of West Virginia. It didn't come easy, but I love picking my way through the wet, slippery rocks, roots, and mud that play a starring role in our trail systems. After a dry spell, the riding is positively dreamy as slick surfaces become grippy and mud turns to dust. There is always green to be seen in winter, spring, summer, or fall, thanks to the towering spruce, resilient rhododendron, prolific mountain laurel, and sprawling moss gardens.

American Southwest

However, now and again, I hop in the van and transport myself to what feels like another planet, seeking out the hard-packed ground and rock ledges of the great American Southwest. I love this place. Every trail seems to lead to yet another magnificent overlook, with unobstructed views as far as I can see. Cacti and exotic desert plants line the trails, and if you time it right, the alien bloom of the agave plant might grace your ride.

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have my number, especially a strikingly scenic stretch in the heart of the state where you'll find Salida, Buena Vista, and, of course, Leadville. The scrubby sagebrush might have me reaching for the Benadryl at night, but its glorious fresh scent after a rain is worth it. Partnered with the majestic, often snow-covered peaks of the 14ers, I find my senses overwhelmed with input and delight.

The storms here are as visually epic as they are meteorologically, and not so delightful should you be caught in one. But if you were ever wondering what it feels like to be 100% in the moment, descend eight miles down a gravel road through a hailstorm.

East Coast Beaches

With so much of my time spent in the mountains, it may surprise many to hear of my affinity for the ocean. I am mesmerized by the fickle yet powerful nature of waves, the fresh, salty scent carried on the wind, and the pure joy of catching a wave on a boogie board. A handful of times I've had the chance to ride my bike on the beach, once way up north in Maine, and last year, along the twelve-mile stretch of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

I find beach riding magical! Much like fat biking in the snow, it's as if the universe found a way to combine two of the most enjoyable childhood experiences into one.

So, which one is at risk?

All of them.

Each place has the same thing in common—something that will never change, something that is fundamental to its existence. It is as simple as it is complex, and as essential to us as humans as it is to these places.

They are all on Planet Earth.

The Beauty of Earth

For just a moment, consider what it takes to enjoy a bike ride. Given that we are physically healthy and have a working bike, we need a place to ride. This place has to be set aside as public or private recreational land, with thoughtfully constructed and maintained trails.

We also need to breathe. Quality air is vital during exercise; ask anyone who lives nearby or downwind of wildfires. We should also stay well hydrated, and we are fortunate if we only have to turn on a tap and fill a bottle with drinking water. Lastly, we have to eat before, during, and after the ride. It's a constant job to fuel our bioengine, and high-quality food goes a long way to enjoying the ride.

All of this can safely be categorized as "things we take for granted," such as front teeth and intact lips. And, as with most things we take for granted, we shouldn't. Many people lack access to clean air, fresh water, and nutritious food, let alone the time and resources for recreation. For example, a recent 2024 study found that 4.4 billion people may lack access to safe drinking water.

A Global Threat with Local Impacts

And so, on this 55th Earth Day, I'd like to roll this cycling blog post into a vote for Planet Earth. Please make no mistake; Earth will go on with or without us for around five billion more years, when our sun becomes a red giant and envelops it. Even if it gets knocked around by a killer asteroid, it'll survive. But what about us?

By those standards, the planet's current peril seems mild. A global average temperature increase of 1.1 °C (1.9 °F) since 1880 doesn't sound so bad. And sure, 2024 may have been the warmest year on record, but didn't some regions experience extreme cold and snow events?

Well, yes, and that's where the rubber meets the dirt. As we accelerate toward the 1.5°C GWL (Global Warming Level) and potentially beyond, extreme local weather events are expected to continue increasing in both frequency and severity. These include wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, floods, and even snowstorms, which can result from disruptions in weather patterns. The recent devastation caused by the L.A. County fires and Hurricane Helene's floods comes to mind.

In addition, the melting of polar ice sheets and glaciers raises sea level, causing immediate concern for the 10% of Earth's population living within three miles of a coastline. And we don't need to travel halfway around the world to the Maldives to see the impact.

I took this photograph in Rodanthe, North Carolina, in April 2025. Between 2020 and 2024, eleven homes fell into the ocean along this short stretch of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Three more houses were abandoned within a half mile of where we were staying, waiting for the next storm surge to weaken the stilts and wash them away. Currently, all oceanfront properties in the area are considered potentially threatened.

Speaking of the seas, the 50% increase in carbon dioxide since the Industrial Revolution acidifies the oceans, degrading coral reefs and biodiversity, and ultimately impacting the human food supply.

The effects of climate change on places and people in the United States (and worldwide) are already in motion and are all too regularly reported on the evening news.

What Can We Possibly Do?

Mitigating climate change is a complex topic, but at its core is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. While many solutions on a larger scale require policymakers, governments, and corporations to get on board, others come down to individual lifestyle choices and daily behaviors.

This list, compiled by the National Resources Defense Council, suggests twelve ways individuals can reduce their contribution to climate change. I'm not a poster child by any means. Have you seen my van? That said, there are a few places on the list where I score well, and other targets where I could easily do better. Some will take more effort and time, and I'm OK with that. Of course, this is just one list.

We can get creative. Reducing meat consumption or opting for more local, wild game is a tasty way to make a difference. Another option is to walk or ride more instead of driving. Depending on where you live, some of these suggestions are easier said than done, so focusing on what we can do with our current circumstances is a great place to start. An added benefit is that many of these options can contribute to better overall personal health.

And that's the point. No single person got us into this mess, and no individual can get us out of it. We are all part of the human family and the even greater collective of Earth's creatures. Like a strong peloton cutting through the wind, every person plays a role, but we can accomplish so much more by working together.

Happy Earth Day! Because riding bikes on Mars or in a floating space pod is not as fun as it sounds.

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