There’s a special kind of asshole roaming around the mountains of North Carolina’s High Country right now. The Boone Area Cyclists reported earlier this week that a bunch of tools were stolen from their tool trailer at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park. The thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment—all stuff that was purchased through grants or donations. Essentially, they took everything but a handful of shovels. This is a volunteer organization that builds bike parks and trails. Bike parks and trails that a lot of kids like to ride. Because, as most of you know, riding bikes on trails makes kids happy. So essentially, this thief (or thieves) just stole happiness from children.
I’m trying not to be too judgmental here. We’ve all done things that we’re not proud of. I can think of several years during my late teens/early 20s that would probably make my mother weep with shame. But stealing trail building tools? That’s a new kind of low. A rock bottom kind of low. I put this guy in the same category as a bike thief. There’s a special ring of hell reserved for people who steal bikes. And now that ring of hell needs to make room for this tool-stealing douchebag.
I mean really, stealing tools? How much meth can you buy with a mattock anyway?
The Boone Area Cyclists are carrying on with business as usual, and have work days planned for the near future. They’ve set up a donation page so the public can help them replace the tools that were lost. Check it out and consider helping these volunteers out. The singletrack that they’re building and maintaining in and around Boone literally makes the world a better place. Don’t let some asshole with sticky fingers ruin that.
