New on the CORBA Website
A Message from CORBA’s President
By Mark Langton
Quarterly Agency Meeting Report Sept. 2012: CORBA conducts quarterly
meetings with representatives from California Department of Parks and
Recreation Angeles District and National Park Service Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area. It is a chance for us to voice concerns and report on
upcoming and past trail work, events, and CORBA programs.
Of particular note are a
couple of topics that have been posted on our blog recently. The first is
enforcement of dangerous behavior by bicyclists (excessive speed, disregard for
other users’ safety). The second, which was brought up in a reply to one of our
blogs, is the concept of alternate day use on trails that are currently closed
to bicyclists.
Enforcement: This is not a new issue. Citations
have and will continue to be issued if and when rangers see cyclists riding in
a manner that might endanger the resource, themselves, or other users. This can
be, but is not limited to, going too fast. However, the issue that has brought
more attention to this behavior is the increased use of the website Strava to
create a “time trial” format. Even though groups are not going out on the
trails and racing, the very nature of being able to “compete” against others by
trying to post the fastest time on the Strava site creates a virtual group, and
a situation that could lead to riders going fast at the expense of their and
other users’ safety. It was noted that speed is also situational, and that as
long as people are being safe there isn’t necessarily an issue with speed.
Alternate Days: The State and NPS representatives
at the meeting agreed that alternate days are a viable alternative to trails
that are currently closed to bicycles, and recognized that they were aware of
similar programs that were being used successfully in other parts of the
country. It was pointed out however, that there is currently a Change In Use
process in place that allows for changing a trail that does not allow bicycles
to one of designated as open to bicycles. The Yearling/Lookout Trails is
currently undergoing this Change In Use process (see below for the status of
this process). The comment was made that any change to the designation of a
trail would have to go through the formal Change In Use process, so it makes
sense to try to change a trail’s designation to shared use all the time, not on
alternate days. One note: the suggestion of alternate trails came primarily in
response to trails that are closed in the State Wilderness of Point Mugu State
Park. State Wilderness basically follows the Federal Wilderness Act of 1964
which, among other things, bans “mechanized transport” which includes bicycles.
To change the Wilderness Act would require a lengthy and costly political and
legal battle which CORBA is not prepared to wage.
Yearling/Lookout
Update: This
trail, which is on the northwest edge of Malibu Creek State Park with, is
slated for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) because it will need to be
rerouted before any change in use can occur. The Topanga General Plan/Malibu
Lagoon EIR is taking precedent over other EIRs, so the Yearling/Lookout EIR’s
status is on hold at this point. Click
here to see our original blog article regarding the Change In Use for
Yearling/Lookout trails.
TRAIL MANAGEMENT PLAN
UPDATE
The long awaited NPS Trail Management Plan (TMP)
is likely going to move forward soon. A consultant has been identified and
public meetings and other efforts should begin shortly, with a projected
completion date of early 2014. Once completed, the TMP will allow agencies
within the the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to formally
address many pressing issues, among them shared use on many trails that are
currently restricted to hiking and equestrian use only. Take a Kid Mountain Biking 2012 to be Oct 6 in Malibu Creek State Park
On October 6, in conjunction with the IMBA Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, CORBA Kid’s Club will be having a fun ride at Malibu Creek State Park
at 9:00 am. This will be a ride followed by a barbecue. All ages are
welcome! If the kids are too young to ride, feel free to bring a bike
trailer or trail-a-bike and tow them along. These can be your own kids,
nieces, nephews, friends kids, neighbor kids… Kids must have their own
bikes and helmets.
There will be a few different ride options for different age groups.
Feel free to participate even if you don’t have any kids to bring.
See our
blog article for more details!
25-Year Jerseys: Now in Stock at the CORBA Store!
CORBA’s 25th anniversary jerseys are now available at the CORBA store!
Celebrating 25 years of CORBA’s mountain biking and trails advocacy,
these attractive forest green and gold jerseys are availble in BMX and
club cut. Also, the 25-year anniversary socks have arrived. To round out
your wardrobe of support for CORBA, we still have some 25-year T-shirts
available. So go to the online CORBA store, order some new duds and show your friends you care about the future of mountain biking! Ralphs Community Contribution
Program Requires Reregistration September 1
or those who have linked your Ralphs Club Card to support CORBA, Ralphs requires that we reregister on an annual basis, on or after September 1st each year, so that they continue to contribute to CORBA. Please register or reregister your Ralphs card now! To learn more about this program, see these details.
CORBA Parties Like It’s 1987
CORBA’s
25th Anniversary Party at Founders Hall in Calabasas on September
29 was a mix of nostalgia and looking toward the future. Past accomplishments
were highlighted, including the miles
of trails that are open to cycling in the Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) thanks to CORBA, as well as CORBA’s
programs. Special recognition awards were given to those individuals
who have made a substantial difference to CORBA and its programsand
achievement Awards were given to individuals for their outstanding
contributions over 25 years.
A highlight of the event was a special proclamation presented
by City of Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer in appreciation of CORBA’s
25 years of advocacy.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Jim Hasenauer, CORBA founder
and member of the Governing Board of the Mountain Recreation and
Conservation Authority (MRCA). Hasenauer emphasized there is still
much work to do. Hasenaur pointed out that because of CORBA, mountain
bikers are seen as partners in the backcountry open space community
instead of outsiders.
CORBA also premiered
a new video: CORBA’s 25th Anniversary Salute, a collection of
images, anecdotes and congratulations from CORBA’s founders, volunteers,
and our agency partners. Please read the
full article on our blog...
CORBA MTB Ride And Mingle Nov. 17
While there will be no Fat
Tire Festival for 2012, CORBA will be organizing a group Ride And Mingle (RAM)
on November 17, 2012 (rain date Dec. 2) to support and promote the ongoing
efforts of its programs. But most of all, it’s a chance to mingle with our
members and do what we love most: RIDE! In celebration of its 25th anniversary,
CORBA hopes to turn out at least 250 mountain bikers in a show of solidarity
for mountain biking and responsible cycling. Ride in then meet at The Hub in
Topanga State Park at 10am. There will be some prizes, but mostly it will be a
chance for a photo opportunity and to mingle among our riding brethren. Riders
are encouraged to ride from their local trail heads.
Recent comments overheard
at a public meeting got us to thinking that we need to show the land managers
and open space trails community at large that responsible riders comprise the
vast majority of mountain bikers. Unfortunately, a small percentage of people
riding too fast at the wrong time is giving the off-road bicycling community at
large a bad rap. The RAM will give mountain bikers a chance to show that we can
and do coexist on trails.
We are also asking that you ride what you were
riding in 1987 (if you have it) or any vintage mountain bike (pre-1992). If
not, no worries, just come and enjoy a ride in one of the most beautiful places
in the country.
September's
Beginners' Ride had 16 participants. Would you or
a new rider you know like to join us in October?
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For a list of upcoming recreational rides, please visit the CORBA
Calendar.
CORBA’s Recreational Rides calendar provides a full
monthly schedule of mountain bike rides for all skill levels. Mountain bike
rides are organized by CORBA member clubs and led by experienced and
knowledgeable guides. Recreational rides are a fun and social way to experience
a variety of trails in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and beyond.
Upcoming
and Recent Trailwork
For many years, most trailwork has been done by volunteers because of budget
cutbacks at our parks systems. So come out and help CORBA and
other volunteers keep our trails in top riding shape! You can learn
more about what to expect and what you'll need to bring with you
on our Trailwork
web page. Keep in mind that CORBA now provides prizes and lunch
after the event for volunteers who register
in advance! And by registering in advance, you'll help us prepare
by knowing how many volunteers to expect. If you come out to two
or more trailwork days in a year, we'll give you a cool long-sleeved
CORBA trail crew shirt - be sure to ask for yours!
October 20: Twenty-second Annual COSCA Trail Work Day.
Join CORBA, SMMTC, COSCA and other
volunteer groups to work on the Conejo Open Space trails in Thousand Oaks. This is a great
event with many volunteers. We will be working on new trails in the Conejo Canyons Open Space (aka Western Plateau).
COSCA will treat participants to lunch afterwards and have a drawing
for some great door prizes, including CST tires contributed by CORBA. For full details and to register, see our registration page. We hope to see a good turnout of local mountain bikers at this event!
October 20: Strawberry Peak Trail with the IMBA Trail Care Crew.
Join CORBA, the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association, and the IMBA Trail
Care Crew for a day of learning how to build and maintain trails. This
free one-day class includes a morning classroom session, followed by an
afternoon of hands-on instruction building and repairing a trail. See our blog
article for more details.
Report on Mesa Peak Backbone Singletrack in Tapia /
Malibu Creek State Park. On Saturday morning, September 15, fifteen volunteers from the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council trail crew, Calabasas Day Hikers Meetup group and CORBA gathered in the parking area at the bottom of the Mesa Peak Motorway singletrack, a segment of the Backbone Trail in Malibu Creek State Park.
Our job for the day was to fix an extremely serious rut near the
trailhead, clean out existing drainages and install new ones to prevent
further water damage and rutting, and cut back several years of
overgrowing brush. The challenge of the work would be compounded by temperatures expect
to reach just over 100 degrees. Fortunately 90% of the work was in the
shade. Also, CORBA provided lots of water for those who ran short, and
two of us had mist bottles to spray down coworkers from time to time. See our
blog
article for the rest of the story, photos, and a link to the
photo gallery.
To see all trailwork dates, including those of other groups,
visit the CORBA
trailwork calendar.
Girlz Gone Riding women
only event October 28 at Malibu Creek State Park
From Wendy Engelberg
GIRLZ GONE RIDING is inviting all you ladies out there
to a very special day of mountain biking on Sunday, October 28th
at 8am at Malibu
Creek State Park.
This FREE event is open to ALL LEVELS of riders. The day includes
a mini clinic for beginner riders, 3 levels of cross country rides,
goodie bags, tech support by Cycle World, raffles, a CORBA/IMBA
membership drive, swap meet and more!
Beginner ladies, you will be welcomed with open arms! Take the
mini clinic then go hit the trails with our GGR ride leaders! Just
coming off an injury? Come and get yourself going again, along with
a lot of others! Find other women that have the same schedule so
you can ride together! Interested in racing? We will have Pro’s
there to tell you all about it! You will meet other women to ride
with, share your stories, network, get info and just INSPIRE each
other!
CYCLE WORLD is the GGR’s official tech support team
for the 2nd time! They will be available for light repairs and adjustments
you may need for your bike BEFORE AND AFTER the ride! So… if you
need something adjusted, be at the park at 8am and go see CYCLE
WORLD for your bike adjustments. Their service’s are free, but please
tip them for their hard work! They spend the day working on our
bikes THEN come out on the trails and support us while we ride too!
After your ride, enjoy lunch, bring your used stuff to swap or
sell at the swap meet, giveaways, inspirational speakers and more!
Please bring your own picnic lunch, drinks. Heed and water will
be provided. Please bring your own water bottle for water. Chairs
or blankets are also encouraged. Picnic benches are limited.
THIS IS A DAY JUST FOR US LADIES…. SPREAD THE WORD! Check
out the schedule and register today here: http://www.girlzgoneriding.com/
THIS IS THE DAY TO NETWORK, INSPIRE AND RIDE!
We look forward to meeting and riding with all of you fabulous
ladies very soon!
Free Mountain Biking
Skills Clinic
Saturday October
6 is the next skills clinic.
The CORBA free skills clinic is held on the first Saturday of
every month at Malibu Creek State Park.
Mountain biking is a lot like tennis or skiing. Just a few minor
adjustments in technique can make a huge difference in your
control and proficiency. If you want to get better faster,
you need to know the fundamentals of mountain biking technique.
Whether you're just getting into mountain biking or have been
riding for years, you'll learn some valuable tips from our Introduction
to Mountain Biking skills class that is offered each month.
Check out our Skills Clinic
web page for all the information. After the clinic, see photos
of your new skills on the CORBA web site that you can share
with your family and friends!
Follow
CORBA on Twitter and Facebook
We have set up accounts with Twitter and Facebook to help keep people informed
of the latest developments in our trail advocacy, recreational rides and trailwork days. Follow
us on Twitter at twitter.com/CORBAmtb
and Facebook at facebook.com/CORBAMTB.
Get Our Blog Articles Delivered to Your
Desktop
Have you ever wished you could get our blog articles without having
to check
the CORBA website every day to see if there’s anything new? Well, you
can! Even though our blog software won’t send articles by email, you can
still get them delivered to the inbox of most email readers like
Microsoft
Outlook. You use the “RSS feed” functionality for this. In fact, you can
read
our articles in any software that receives RSS feeds, such as Internet
Explorer
and other web browsers. This
blog
article on RSS feeds shows you how.
Support
CORBA
Join or Renew your membership today on our membership
web page. Join Our Team! Do you have any ideas about mountain biking recreation in the
L.A. region? Would you like to apply your skills and manage projects
that contribute to the sport and lifestyle that you love? Is there
an advocate in you? We are recruiting motivated individuals who
work well with others. Send an email to info@corbamtb.com
or come
to a monthly Members Meeting to find out more about what we do and how you
can help. Check the calendar
for the next meeting.
Other simple ways to
support CORBA
- REI:
Use the link at left and REI will donate 5%
of the purchase price to CORBA
- Holmes Body Shop: Get that dent fixed and help CORBA
(Click on the links above to get more details!)
CORBA
News eMail List
Please do not reply to this email as the corbanews mailbox is
not monitored by people. To contact CORBA, email to info@corbamtb.com
or visit our 'Contact Us' page
for other addresses.
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