HORSEBACK RIDERS, CYCLISTS TEAM UP : TRADITIONAL FOES HIT THE TRAIL AS FORD ORD PATROLS.

Byline: Betsy Lordan Monterey County Herald

In the great outdoors, strife between mountain bikers and horseback riders is nothing new.

But when 50 miles of local trails became public property, the Bureau of Land Management hit upon an idea to promote harmony: joint volunteer bike and horseback patrols.

So far, about three dozen volunteers have been trained. Every weekend, they fan out over trails on the former Army base at Fort Ord and provide maps and general assistance. They are trained in first aid and CPR so they can help in case of emergencies.

``As far as we know, this is the only volunteer patrol in the country that uses both (horses and bicycles),'' said Steve Addington, BLM project manager at Fort Ord.

BLM officials have long been aware of the friction between the two groups of outdoor enthusiasts, Addington said.

``We've seen the potential for conflict at Toro Park, in Garland Ranch and Carmel Valley, and in fact, all over the western United States,'' he said.

Mountain bikers unfamiliar with the quirks of horses will frequently ``spook'' them by coming up too close from behind, he said. By the same token, when horseback riders use trails too soon after a heavy rain, the animals' hoof marks in the mud can make a trail impassable for hikers and bikers.

When Fort Ord was transferred to civilian use in 1993, the trails became available for public use. They provide a glimpse of 35 species of rare plants and animals, including songbirds, hummingbirds, birds of prey, deer and bobcats. Waterfowl and shorebirds appear in winter and spring, along with the wildflower bloom.

``Here in this new area, we saw a good opportunity to start out with everybody working together,'' Addington said. ``And if we can't get along on these trails, what chance do we have as a society?''

In its search for volunteers, the BLM contacted several cycling groups and got them involved in the training, said volunteer coordinator Andy Hunter, who handles first aid and CPR training.

The volunteers complete a two-day training session, learning to deal with the challenges they are likely to encounter on patrol.

While it is illegal to bike on the street without a helmet, off-road cyclists face no such restriction. Still, Addington said, the volunteers teach children that no cool hot dogger would think of going mountain biking without a helmet.

Another important part of the training, according to volunteer Thompson Choy, is teaching cyclists and horseback riders to look out for each other. Choy completed his training more than a year ago, and like the other volunteers, goes out on patrol at least once a month.

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Photo: Volunteers patrol trails at the former Fort Ord Army base.

Associated Press