Very well said. I spend winters in the Tucson AZ area with it's wonderful trail system and serious homelessness and affordable housing issues. I actually appreciate most of the diversified experiences on the trails and only feel endangered by the physical trail obstructions that sometimes accompany the encampments. The danger is still much less than riding on city roads and I often come away with a greater empathy and window into the rest of the community.
Thanks for sharing your experience and understanding of homelessness as seen from many of our urban trails. Last summer I did a good bit of trail riding in Columbus, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and while I rode by encampments in all three cities, I felt quite as you did - humble, grateful, and aware - and regardless of the size of the encampments and whether I rode alone or in a group, I always felt safer than I do in busy city traffic. "Share the Trail" means with everyone.
Very well said. I spend winters in the Tucson AZ area with it's wonderful trail system and serious homelessness and affordable housing issues. I actually appreciate most of the diversified experiences on the trails and only feel endangered by the physical trail obstructions that sometimes accompany the encampments. The danger is still much less than riding on city roads and I often come away with a greater empathy and window into the rest of the community.
Thanks for sharing your experience and understanding of homelessness as seen from many of our urban trails. Last summer I did a good bit of trail riding in Columbus, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and while I rode by encampments in all three cities, I felt quite as you did - humble, grateful, and aware - and regardless of the size of the encampments and whether I rode alone or in a group, I always felt safer than I do in busy city traffic. "Share the Trail" means with everyone.