A recent honesty issue on some of the email groups prompted one poster to say that AERC members are mostly honest. I agree with this statement. However, as one bad apple can spoil a barrel, one person "bending the rules" can give a bad impression to other riders.

I believe that I get calls about this kind of issue about twice a year which I think means we sure don't have many bad apples. It is very hard for anyone who is not present at a ride to make a judgement as to whether rules were bent or broken and most times I decline to make one.

Rereading that last sentence, I think I should have said, "It should be very hard for . . ." Next time you hear that so-and-so cut trail, or missed a spotter, etc., and you weren't there, consider how you would feel if someone was saying that about you without any proof. Please remember that this is a sport, not about life and death or love and money (not that you should cheat on these issues either).

Hope you all sent in your director at large ballots.

Hope you all went to the polls and voted in the national election.

Hope you are getting ready to renew your AERC dues and making plans to attend the national convention in March.

Hope you are being nice, not naughty, in your dealings with others so Santa will be good to you.