OK, for those of you who are Facebook averse here's the posting By Doug Russell | Colorado SxS Adventures:
Subject: Not Everyone Deserves to Ride
Yeah, I said it.
Look, I love this lifestyle. I’ve built friendships on the trail, cleared my head at 10,000 feet, and learned more about trust and resilience in a recovery strap than I ever did in a conference room. But the truth is, not everyone belongs out here. And no one wants to say it—so I will.
Because lately, I’ve seen more people out there treating the backcountry like their personal playground… with no clue and even less respect.
If You Don’t Respect the Trail, Stay Off It
Tearing up wet trails, blasting off the trail, burning donuts in alpine meadows—if this is your version of fun, we are not the same. This ain’t a video game. That trail you just destroyed? It took volunteers and time and money to keep it open. Now we all pay for your ignorance.
If that offends you—good. You probably needed to hear it.
Rentals and Rookies Ain’t the Problem—It’s the Attitude
I don’t care if you’re new. I don’t care if you rented your rig. We were all beginners once. What matters is whether you came to learn or just to flex. If your ego’s bigger than your tool kit and you don’t know the first thing about trail etiquette—you're not a rider, you're a liability.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert—Just Not an Asshole
You don't need beadlocks, 35s, and $10K in accessories to belong out here. You need common sense, a willingness to help others, and a basic understanding that this isn't just about you.
It’s about the group. The land. The future.
Don’t Like It? Good. Go Ride Somewhere Else.
I’ve spent years defending the SxS community—telling land managers and the public that we’re not all reckless. That most of us ride with care and pride. But when people trash the trail and post it on TikTok for clout, they make liars out of those of us trying to preserve this way of life.
So if you think you're too cool to slow down, too busy to pack out your trash, or too important to wait your turn at a rock crawl—go back to pavement. We’ll all be better off.
The Rest of Us Will Keep Riding
To the ones who stay late to clean up a trail. To the ones who pull over and lend a tool without being asked. To the ones teaching their grandkids the right way to ride—we see you. You're the reason I still believe in this lifestyle.
Let’s keep the trail open. Let’s call out the crap. Let’s stop pretending this is a hobby for everyone—because it’s not.
It’s a privilege.
Treat it that way.
Happy Trails—if you’ve earned them
OnX Trail Guide
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto
