Soil Survey on the A.T.B.
By Barb Cencich, Party Leader, SCS, Montrose, CO
AWSS Newsletter, October 1984
Soil survey on the what? The A.T.B. - All Terrain
Bike, I mean bicycle. Yes, used in the early days
of soil survey, the bike is back in the Rocky Mountains
of Colorado. This vehicle is being used by SCS soil
Scientists and by private contractors on the West
Elks Soil Survey Area near Paonia, Colorado.
Of course, it's not as convenient as a pick-up or
as fast as a motorcycle but it does have its advantages.
The bicycle can be used on many hiking trails, closed
logging and jeep trails, and irrigation ditch banks.
The main advantage of a bicycle is it is faster
than walking and you can get further in a day. Bicycles
can also be lifted over many obstacles that motorcycles
can not get around.
I first used a bicycle three years ago while working
on a USFS contract near Durango, Colorado. After
using the Rokon Scout we had available just a few
times I decided there had to be a better way. So,
I tried my old fat tired one speed with a great
deal of success. Today I use a 15 speed bicycle
which is specially designed to ride the rough stuff.
Several companies now produce these bikes. On one
side of the rear rack is a sheath for the shovel
blade. The handle is strapped to the head tube.
On the other side of the rack I can hang a small
pack for carrying a collapsible auger. All the other
soils paraphernalia goes in a pack on my back.
Many people don't believe it's possible to ride
up some of these trails but they've also never tried
it. Sure, you can't be overweight and you do have
to be in some semblance of good physical condition
but it's not impossible. It's possible and fun.
The ride up the hill, spaced with soil observations,
is well worth the coast back down. It may not sound
like it but the bike for some is also safer than
a motorcycle.
So, the next time someone is using the motorcycle
and you really don't want to walk, give a bike a
try.
Barb Cencich is also the author of "
Soil
Scientist Blues," in which she writes about
combating the loneliness and isolation of "digging
holes for a living." AWSS Newsletter, January
1985
