You'll notice that this issue is our annual compilation of the best readers Whoops! photos, highlighting the dimwitted in all of us. From sea to shining bog, we've compiled the best of the best, and know that you guys will send us even more for next year's issue. But in that vein, we have a problem that needs to be addressed, or our right to wheel can be severely limited. First and foremost, remember that we love you readers and what you do, but we also have a responsibility to ourselves, you, and our hobby to present our sport to the world in the best light possible. Having said that, some of these photos we receive are downright dumb, and beyond the realm of Whoops!
Driving into a wetlands preserve isn't going to make you famous, or get your photo in a magazine. Likewise, changing your oil in a reservoir is just as stupid and will more than likely get you arrested or fined. We aren't interested in these actions or photos anymore than we're interested in helping the extreme environmentalists close down our public and private land to wheeling. We know that accidents do happen, and that's what we want Whoops! to portray, not wanton stupidity or you looking for your five minutes of fame. Don't even think of sending these photos to us-that's not what Whoops! is about. Likewise, if you do find yourself in such a situation, clean up your mess immediately to show your environmental awareness.
The bottom line is simply that with personal freedom also comes personal responsibility. We love to go out and wheel, but we must be responsible for our actions (and inactions) while enjoying our sport, not because we think an enviro-whacko may be watching us, but because it's the right thing to do. We must take care of our land and our actions to prevent our trails from being taken away. Our right to wheel starts with ourselves being the ones that take care of the land, trails, and each other, not the trash-throwing slobs who make it easy for the greenies to show as an example. Those people aren't what the sport of wheeling is about, it's about enjoying the backcountry and what it offers, not the destruction that seems so prevalent.
So here's the deal. Think! Be responsible. Would you sue someone because you are stupid enough to spill hot coffee in your crotch and think that it's not your fault? Guess what, it is your fault! Don't be the moron on the trail that leaves their rollover debris scattered around, instead of picking up the broken glass and shattered lenses from your mangled ride. Would you leave your trash in your mother's, best friend's, wife's, girlfriend's, or your own house? Then don't do it in ours. Would you drive into your neighbors pool and ruin it just for a photo? Then don't do it in ours. If nothing else, teach your friends and acquaintances about proper trail etiquette, as you would your own children, and clean up your unintended messes. And don't forget to send us a photo as well!