Did you see the October 2002 issue of Bicycling Magazine that shows the mountain biker grinding up the delicate face of an ancient and rare rock formation? I attached it for your reference.

This kind of thing really saddens me.

I know that today's Bicycling rags have gone the route of ski magazines - everything has to be extreme. All photos have to show big air or guys jumping off cliffs or doing some other over-the-top risky technique.

However, when I see pics of bikers obviously doing serious damage to the environment, it is really irritating. What you can't see from this rough scan is the spin-out of dirt and rock under this bike-boob's rear tire chewing away at a formation that has instilled wonderment since man stepped foot in Europe.

Of course, every time anyone or anything takes a step or bikes, there is impact on the land, but I think that we, as stewards of the environment are obligated to be selective with our impact so as to do the least damage possible.