What can mountain biker's learn from the Douglas Adams book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?  That a towel can be the most massively useful thing you can have.

 Trail courtesy is incredibly important for Washington bikers to continue to gain access to more trail.  Few people mind sharing the trail with a courteous rider.  But yielding to hikers, ascending riders, and horses is only part of it--etiquette also extends to the most visible places--like the trailhead.

We're all eager to jump out of the car and get on some singletrack, but it's important to remember that there are other people around who may not share that sense of urgency.  

So when you quickly drop trou to throw on your bike shorts, clear out your sinuses on the asphalt, or relieve yourself in a not-so-private area, it might make other users think twice about wanting to sharing trails with you.

So when you're heading out with your bike remember you're a steward of the trails you ride.  And that people are watching.  So use the outhouse.  Suit up when you leave the office.  Or just remember to take a page out of Douglas Adam's book and just bring a towel.  

We have an opportunity to continue building great trails with our land partners in Washington--all it takes is strong advocacy, respect, and courtesy.