Bike park would add to, not harm, community

It is with a completely biased opinion that I write this in support of the bike park in Sagle, Idaho. I was looking online for a job that I thought would be fun or enjoyable this summer and found one that likely will be both; working as a trail builder at a bike park. I met with three-fourths of the Kalbach family and was very impressed with their passion and commitment to community and mountain biking.

Mountain biking is what connects me more than anything to my community in Sandpoint. I do it because I love being in the woods, the endorphin rushes, going fast off smallish jumps, etc. … but often stop to talk briefly with others who are in the midst of their addiction, like me, and feeling the rush when we stop to talk. The occasional bike races in Sandpoint are part pain, part joy and always fun afterward telling biking stories and catching up with what friends and their families are doing.  

If the main beef from neighbors of the bike park is the potential for noise, I can assure you that riding bikes is quiet. I have a friend who took me on a ride up Baldy Mountain in a side-by-side and it was fun but way too noisy for me. If your property is adjacent to the proposed bike site and you drive a side-by-side or own a pickup (I love my F150) I guarantee the bikes are much quieter than trucks, ATVs or side-by-sides. Perhaps the Kalback family can have a couple of electric mountain bikes for use by neighbors who want to ride for free and try something new and fun. Thank you for considering my biased point of view. 

JUSTIN HENNEY

Sandpoint