#0 - Sunday, June 27, 1999 — North Shore News

Trails’ |

Dear Editor:

Re: the Friday June 18 article “Mountain bikers draft code of conduct.”

The so-called “circuit” referred to in the article was destroyed, not dismantled. A crew of workers was sent up on June 8 to The Pre-Reap and The Reaper with chainsaws and hacked down all the beau- tifu] man-made and_ natural structures on the trail.

They left all the hundreds, if not thousands, of picces lying beside the trail.

West Vancouver Director of Parks and Recreation Kevin Pike said action was taken for cgai liabilicy and environmen-

damage.

The Reaper’s structures that were cut into many small pieces and left scattered around minimized ground crosion (while maximizing fun). The Pre-Reap and Reaper had far less damage to the forest floor than any other aril on the North Shore. The half dozen or so small trees (most of them already dead) cut down on these trails pales

in comparison with a golf course or the housing develop- ment that is going in under the first lookout at Cypress.

If the reporter had done a little research he would have found out that the teenage mountain biker needing the agmergency spleen operation”

id not fall on The Pre-Reap di Reaper, but crashed on another trail on Cypress mountain.

The “structure” on which the teen injured himself still stands, and people are riding it every day. In addition, the British Properties first look-out trail (a hiking trai] on Cypress) has sections in which one wrong step would mean death or very scrious injury.

If West Vancouver District is concerned about liability it seems strange to me that it would destroy a perfectly good mountain bike trail yet leave a far more dangerous hiking trail which is in grave need of repair.

The North Shore Mountain Biking Association (NSMBA) claims that it did

north shore news

MAIL Box More sports programs needed

not approve the Reaper and Pre-Reap, yet these trails exist- ed five years before the NSMBA and many members of the NSMBA enjoyed them. North Shore mountain bik- ing has become famous world- wide because of clite trails like The Reaper and Pre-Reap. With the recent dismantling of The Swollen Uvula and now the destruction of the The Pre- Reap and Reaper, the North Shcre has lost ewo cutting: edge mountain bike trails. These trails pushed the lim- its of the riders and the sport and enabled good riders to get better. I believe that I speak for many mountain bikers when saying that these trails, espe- cially the Pre-Reap and Reaper will be missed immensely. I am disturbed how West Vancouver District could so easily decide to destroy, without any consul- tation with riders of these trails, a creation so beautifully inspiring and fun. Daniel “The Cowan North Vancouver dancowan@ultranet.ca

Renegade”

Boart’s letter failed te answer key crossing-guart question

Dear Editor:

The June 20 “Crossing Guard Issue Explained” letter from the North Vancouver District 44 Schoo! Board chair- man explained nothing.

Tt was a partial history of costly steps taken by concerned citizens to correct a problem created by the school board itself.

watt needed explanation

as wh the board entered into ement with its

union to yprohubit the continua- tion of volunteer adults and

students to be school crossing: .

guards; and how to get out of this union\North Vancouver School Bozrd betrayal of stu- dent safety,» 2°

Asingle sentence addressed.

the subject: “There is much yet to do as some collective agree-

ment issues require ‘resolu- n

Will taxpayers piece off the union with more 4x dollars for

jobs that would never have been unionized if the school board was competeni : Removing the board’s right to sign a collective agreement without public debate and

approval would be a prudent preventive against future stu- pidity. ve

J. Edwards

North Vancouver edwards@direct.ca

Dear Editor:

Why aren’t there more high schools on the North Shore offering a sports pro- gram for competitive high- level athletes?

I am an equestrian who believes horseback riding is a sport. Most people consider a truce sport any game or physical = exertion — that includes a ball. Riding might not involve a ball (except polo), however, it is physical- ly demanding and the emo- tional side offi riding surpasses a mere ball game by includ- ing the mood swings of human and animal.

Considering that the lat- ter can have bad days, unlike a tennis ball, riders must occasionally deal with a 1,000-pound animal in a bad mood. After months of train- ing, moncy and time, disap- pointments tend to arise, although they are heavily outweighed by the positive, gratifying side of a relation- ship between a horse and rider. How often can you sec your soccer ball gleaming in the sun as it happily munch- ¢s on some grass?

At my stable we must put in at least 30 hours a weck of training, which makes me wonder why only certain

igh schools on da North Shore provide a sufficient sports program. A sports program allows serious ath-

tes to drop physical educa- tion and certain other clec- tives in order to leave school earlier in the day to get more practice in a sport. This pro- gram was designed for young

How far will you walk in your life? re wes: ed

re ee

ue ee

—e WS

THE AVERAGE PERSON WALKS 184,000 KM IN THEIR LIFETIME ‘We welcome you to a dinic near yas for a ten minute .

gait and

analysis text. This test

computerized measures the weight diswibution along the botom of

your foot while you are walking. Digital information and our doctor's clinical exam can then be used to

make

orthotics; to. correct many abnormal

foot functions If you have pain in your feet, ankles,

knees or lower back, please contact a dinic near you for a gait and pressure analysis test.

Come walk

Nervous about the

oot axx

www.footmaxx.com

Delbrook otics 987-7100

peuple deeply committed to a time-consuming athletic activity. These teenage ath- letes must be in a high level of competition.

I compete in “A” level shows, and yet when my mother asked my school if an athletic program was offered she was told it was only if the student is at an Olympic level. How are you supposed to become Olympic level with so little after-school

time?

I realize that this program could be abused, but F also know that this arrangement could also be beneficial to the dedicated athletes such as myself. Please, if we could just get the message out that we need this program the serious, athletic students in all high schools could profit from the arrangement. Tiffany Foster North Vancouver

Ambleside | ‘CL

Sane (3th ieeee of tha Herth Shore Nerrs. ECep IN ace)

CAA, AR, LCB.C. Appro

ASSOCI

TRELORMOTIVE at, vez

| SUMMER SPECIALS x "2 Lupe, On & Fiver

Check battery, test antifreeze, check tires & brakes, visual inspection

Super Luee

All above with written 2.C.A.A., inspection . report, rotate tires, top up all fluids : ‘epol lop up tin oe fee

<> Braxe Senvice

Replace front pads or rear pads or shoes,

by a certified technician.

vs

Arn-Conp. & CooLine

Diagnose AIC op ration. Test tem i0F- ne frigerant lavel, chi geek con

pen fs, hose, gases, radaior

High tech, full 4 wheel computer ~ . - 220 check out, with print out & road test

“Prices cover most cars & ligi:t trucks

- oAll service by Govt. registered technicians TALKING

fares.

£76 Pemberton Hoth Yon hs Sth tern Bre 965-7455 oe

Park your cash with us, then ride it out. You can pull out at anytime, but the. longer you ride, the better your rate,

right up to 5%: for 24 menths!

Credit Union Deposit

Insurance

of

Corporation * British Columbia

‘Call us for details.

517-7752.

OUTSIDE LOWER MAINLAND

1-883-517-7000

(Rate as at June 24, ‘99. Subject to change.)

“ (includes seniors’ bonus)

stock dé with...

market?