Archive for January, 2011

Mountains Restoration Trust is now taking reservations for the 2011 Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic for Dogs

Friday, January 28th, 2011

MRT is pleased to announce the 2011 Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Clinic For Dogs with Tracy Jenson-Presson of High on Kennels, San Diego County. Tracy has many years of experience training dogs to avoid rattlesnakes. She is well known for being a problem solver when it comes to difficult dogs. We have checked her out and you’re welcome to visit her website at: www.highonkennels.us

The training is conducted in a safe, humane, controlled environment ensuring the safety of your dog, as well as the safety of the rattlesnakes. The training process is repeated several times to insure that the dog understands the sight, smell and sound of a rattlesnake (Rattlesnakes have a distinctive odor that dogs can discern from other snakes) We have found that some dogs seem to forget over a period of time and recommend annual training for all dogs.

March 19 & 20 and April 16 & 17
Where: Headwaters Corner, Masson House, 23075 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
When: 8 am to 5 pm
And
May 14 & 15 and June 11 & 12
Where: Tapia Park, 884 North Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302
When: 8 am to 5 pm

Go to the MRT rattlesnake clinic page to register your dog for training.

Grassland Trail In Malibu Creek in Question

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

A couple of days ago CORBA received reports from some of our members that while riding in Malibu Creek State Park they were told by Mounted Volunteer Patrol (MVP, equestrian) members that “only fireroads, no singletrack” were open to bikes and that the section of Grassland Trail from Mulholland Hwy. and from the Edison Station to Las Virgenes Fireroad/Liberty Canyon Fireroad sections were not open to mountain bikes. It was also reported that this went for the stream bed section of Crags Road Trail (aka the Creek of Doom).

Subsequent conversations with local rangers indicated that the information about the stream bed was incorrect, and that it was open to mountain bikes. The Grassland Trail was not as clear.

On Tuesday 1/26 members of CORBA’s Board of Directors met with State Park officials on several issues, one of them being Grassland Trail’s use designation regarding the sections in question mentioned above. Representing State Parks were Acting District Superintendent Craig Sap, Topanga Sector Superintendent Lynnette Brody, Maintenance Chief Dennis Dolinar, Maintenance Supervisor Dale Skinner, Resource Specialist Tom Dore, Ranger Tony Hoffman, and Roads and Trails Manager of the Facility Management Division Karl Knapp. None of these individuals knew with certainty what the designation of Grassland Trail was, and did not have documentation readily available. They did say that to their knowledge there had never been a closure to bicycles, and have been operating under the assumption it is multi-use, including bicycles. They guaranteed they would provide definitive information as soon as possible, and said that at this time the use designation is status quo, meaning that currently bicycle use is admitted. They also confirmed that the stream bed designation is multi-use, as is the singletrack from De Anza Park to Las Virgenes Fireroad.

Pump Track Brings out High School Volunteers

Monday, January 24th, 2011

Pump Track Raising

CORBA’s trail crew took on an unusual assignment on this past Saturday, January 22nd.  Trail Crew leaders  Hans Kiefer and Steve Messer took CORBA’s trail crew trailer out to Riverside to support the So Cal High School Mountain Bike League’s construction of their first pump track.

A pump track is a man-made track comprised of rollers, bermed turns, table tops and other possible features. It is designed to be ridden not by pedaling, but by using the terrain, full body movement and simple physics to propel the rider forward around the track. It teaches one how to flow with the terrain and be more in tune with the bike and trail. It’s an incredibly taxing whole-body workout, but the most important aspect is that it is just pure fun!

The pump track will be used for training, skill building and skills clinics, and the occasional special event by the SoCal High School League. It was constructed with the generous donation of space by Woodcrest Cycling team Coach Peery and his family.  The space was created by removing about a dozen orange trees from the Peery family orchard. Renowned pump track guru Lee McCormack (http://www.leelikesbikes.com) designed a custom track for the terrain available. McCormack is the author of “Welcome to the Pump Track Nation” and was on-hand to oversee the construction.

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FHA Plans for Mueller Tunnel, Mt. Lowe Fire Road

Monday, January 24th, 2011

Mueller Tunnel 2006, Mount Lowe fire roadThe Mueller Tunnel has long been a right-of-passage for many mountain bikers riding the outstanding front country trails of the Angeles National Forest.  It is near Eaton Saddle along the Mount Lowe Truck Trail. The tunnel was closed after a landslide almost sealed the western end of the tunnel in 2009. The area has experienced many rock slides over the years. The steep, rocky terrain above the tunnel and fire road remain unstable and unsafe.

There has also been significant damage to the retaining walls which support the fire road next to the tunnel. Several years of heavy rain, and the subsequent Station Fire have kept the area closed for some time. In its current condition, the Mount Lowe Fire Road would remain closed even if the Station Fire closure order was removed.

Mt. Lowe Fire Road provides mountain bikers and hikers access to the Mt. Lowe trail, Sam Merrill Trail, Idlehour trail, and was a popular shuttle option from Mt. Wilson road. It was originally constructed in 1942. It also provides volunteer trail crews like CORBA’s convenient access to those trails for trailwork.

The Federal Highway Administration and the Angeles National Forest are proposing to reconstruct a portion of the roadway adjacent to the tunnel, to restore through access for Forest Service and fire fighting vehicles as well as for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. The construction would involve a new retaining wall to tie in to what remains of the existing retaining wall. The objective is to restore the fire road to existing roadway widths and stabilize the road.

Mueller Tunner riders, 2006, Mt. Lowe fire roadThe Federal Highway Administration is requesting public feedback on the project.  Feedback should be sent in by March 4, 2011 to Mr. Micah Leadford (HFPM-16), Federal Highway Administration, 12300 West Dakota Avenue, Suite 380, Lakewood, CO 80228 or by email to micah.leadford@dot.gov; by telephone at 720-963-3498.

CORBA will be submitting our feedback in the comings weeks.

CORBA Announces Kids Club Rides

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of CORBA members Larry and Kat Ross and their sons Josiah and Elliot, CORBA is pleased to announce monthly Kids Club fun rides. Held at various locations around the Santa Monica Mountains, these kid-friendly organized rides are intended to build confidence, promote health and wellness, share knowledge of trails and riding techniques, teach respect for each other and the environment, and inspire the next generation of mountain bikers and CORBA volunteers! Children of all ages and abilities may attend (parent or guardian must be present and sign a waiver), and trailers/trail-a-bikes are welcome.

Click on CORBA’s calendar for upcoming dates, which include February 5 at San Vicente Mountain Park (Nike Tower) in Encino, March 5 at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, and April 2 at Cheeseboro Canyon Park in Agoura Hills. For info contact kidsclub@corbamtb.com.

Visit our new Kids Club page!

Revised Station Fire Closure Order Issued

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

The forest service has just issued a revised closure order, going into effect tomorrow, January 22, 2011.

The only changes are the opening of the Red Box picnic area and Millard Campground. Though forest visitors will be able to stop, park and picnic at Red Box, all the surrounding trails remain closed. This order is in effect through January 21, 2012. The official notice and a map are available from the Forest Service web site.

According to the Forest Service, the area is still unstable and subject to slides, especially after events like the December storms. Canyons are also subject to flash flooding. Volunteer groups including CORBA have not been allowed to do any additional trailwork in the burn areas since the first rains of the winter season. However, much of the area is showing good signs of recovery.

Highway 2 remains closed between La Canada and Clear Creek, though it is now possible to drive to Red Box and Clear Creek from Upper Big Tujunga Canyon road.  Caltrans has not announced an expected opening date.

Ross Blasman Memorial Service 1/29/11

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

In an earlier blog post we announced the passing of CORBA member, and Mountain Bike Unit founding member and coordinator Ross Blasman on December 31, 2010. A celebration of his life took place at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills on January 29. Here are few pictures.

Park to Playa Trail Feasibility Study Public Workshop on January 25

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

The Park to Playa Vision

In 2000, the “Park to Playa” vision was first articulated: a seamless trail connecting urban residents with the natural coast. The trail will connect approximately 13 miles from the Baldwin Hills along Ballona Creek to the Ballona Wetlands and the beach bicycle path. The Ballona Creek portion of the trail is now implemented. The current study will define the location and design of the eastern portion of the trail, passing through several parks and jurisdictions in the Baldwin Hills area, starting at the Stocker Corridor to the east and connecting parts of the trail systems of Ruben Ingold Park, Norman O. Houston Park, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, and Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the west.

When: Tuesday, January 25   7pm-9pm

Where: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Community Meeting Room
4100 La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

Directions: The community meeting room is located in the Community Center past the park entrance gates and Gwen Moor Lake on the south side of the road.

Click here to open pdf flyer

So-Cal High School Cycling League Fundraiser at Paramount Ranch on Feb 19

Friday, January 7th, 2011

From Matt Gunnell, Executive Director, SoCal High School Cycling League

The SoCal High School Cycling League has its first ever fundraising ride on Saturday February 19th at the historic Paramount Ranch which is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Agoura Hills.

Registration is now open at the event website! You can get more information and then register online, or you can find the website linked from the SoCal League website by looking under the “Events” tab.

To register we are asking adults to commit to raising a minimum of $125 and youth to raising a minimum of $75. There is no additional registration fee on top of that commitment! You will receive snacks while riding, an event t-shirt, a BBQ supper after the ride, and live music during much of the ride and at the BBQ. You’ll even find Bob Foster (our race EMT) and his crew roaming the event on horseback.

Once you register, you will be emailed a link to your personal pledge page. You can email the link to supporters or post it on facebook. Your supporters will be able to pledge funds for your ride, and be recognized, directly from your page.

The ride is suitable for team riders, parents, coaches, friends, family, and anyone who supports the sustainability of high school cycling in SoCal. Clubs have the opportunity to raise funds for their own clubs without having to put on their own fundraiser. Be sure to tell your supporters to enter the name of your club when registering. All funds raised over the first $25 will be split 50/50 between the League and your club! Ambitious clubs can really help take care of a lot of season expenses.

The ride takes place on a 2.5 mile dirt loop of single and double track. Each loop brings riders back through the main street of an old west town movie set. The goal is not to complete the most laps. The goal is to ride for 3 hours straight (noon to 3:00 pm) while building fitness and connecting with great folks who support the League.

KTLA news recently did a profile piece on Paramount Ranch. Click HERE to watch it.

Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery: Woodland Hills Newest Bike Shop

Friday, January 7th, 2011

Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery is Woodland Hills’ newest bike shop. With a great location at 21526 Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills, the store is a strong supporter of advocacy and outreach for the cycling community. They are ideally situated for that last-minute bike part or accessory you might need before you head up Topanga and into the Santa Monica Mountains.

SMM Cyclery will donate up to 5% of pre-tax profits to advocacy groups, including CORBA.  CORBA members will also receive a 10% discount on store purchases at the Cyclery.

We’re excited to have the support of Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery and welcome them into CORBA’s retail discount member benefits program.

CORBA representatives will be on hand at the grand opening, on Friday, January 7 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the store’s Woodland Hills location.

For more info about the store visit http://smmcyclery.com or Like them on Facebook.