Archive for February, 2011

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Mountain Bike Component of LA Bike Plan In Jeopardy!

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Anyone interested in riding their bicycle off-pavement in any Los Angeles City Park needs to be at the Los Angeles City Council Meeting this Tuesday March 1.

According to sources close to the City Council, the mountain bike feasibility study is about to get stripped out of the bike plan. City Council member Tom LaBonge wants to introduce last minute motion to send the Bicycle Plan back to the Transportation Committee for “revision” (read removal?) before passing the plan by full council.

If you can’t attend the meeting then we encourage you to call La Bonge’s office at (213) 485-3337 or email at councilmember.labonge@lacity.org to share your opinion on LA Bike Plan.

Also make sure to let your city Councilperson know too. This is your city! This is your community! Get involved or lose opportunities to ride dirt in LA. Click here to find your City Councilperson.

Here are few talking points:

1.  Mountain bicyclists have participated in good faith in the entire planning process.
2   The draft plan requires the city to “analyze and explore  opportunities for additional off-road bicycle facilities.”
3.  It requires the city to look at the experience and practices of other cities and of neighboring open space land managers.
4.  It requires an inventory of city dirt roads and trails.
5.  It calls on the city to “evaluate and address multiple user groups’ needs in the City’s limited public park land.”
6.  Mountain biking is a safe, sustainable, health promoting activity.
7.  Among the three purposes of the bike plan are:  Increase the number and type of bicyclists in the city and Make the City of Los Angeles a Bike Friendly community.  The studies of mountain biking on trails are totally appropriate with those goals.
8.  To pull this language now is unwarranted.
9.  The plan has been vetted.  The time to pass it as drafted is NOW.

 

 

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Posted in Advocacy, Health, Los Angeles, Media, Trail Access | No Comments »

Opponents to Mountain Biking Could Block New Proposed Trail Access for Bicyclists in the Santa Monica Mountains

Friday, February 25th, 2011

On March 2 California State Parks will hold a public meeting to inform interested parties about a new proposal to allow bicycles on two trails currently closed to bikes in Malibu Creek State Park. Opponents of trail access for bicyclists have already circled the wagons and plan on being at the meeting to denounce the proposal and try to block access to bicycles on the Yearling and Lookout Trails. These trails would create a significant connector for bicyclists between Paramount Ranch and the western boundary of Malibu Creek State Park. We need mountain bikers to show up in force and let the land managers know that mountain bikers deserve access to more trails for better connectivity and less congestion.

This could be a landmark decision, setting a precedent that would open even more trails to bicyclists, much of it single track, in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Talking points for those wishing to make public comments:

  • Opening Yearling and Lookout trails to bicycles would create off-pavement connectivity to Paramount Ranch/Agoura Hills
  • More trails open to bicycles means reduced congestion on other trails and an improved trail experience for all users.
  • Access from the northwestern boundary of Malibu Creek State Park could reduce parking congestion at the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Las Virgenes Road.

For more information on this trail access situation, go to our blog article.

Please sign our petition by March 2 so we can show the land managers we have a large constituency of mountain bikers who want more trail access!

Meeting Date and Time (click here for details and agenda)

March 2, 2011, 6 – 7:30 pm

Malibu Creek State Park Administration Center, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas. Parking fee will be waived for those attending the meeting. View a Google Map of the location with driving directions.

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Posted in Advocacy, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | No Comments »

Local Spin on Great Outdoors Program

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Click here for an article by KCET.

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Posted in California, Environment, Los Angeles, Media, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | No Comments »

Updated Privacy Policy

Monday, February 21st, 2011

As a part of CORBA’s process to become an IMBA Chapter, we have updated our privacy policy. The changes are simple, alerting our members to the fact that they will also be subject to IMBA’s privacy policies.

Our new Privacy Policy is effective immediately (February 21, 2011), and can be read at: http://corbamtb.com/privacy.shtml

IMBA’s privacy policy can be found at http://www.imba.com/help#Privacy.

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Posted in CORBA News | No Comments »

CORBA Clarifies Sierra Club’s Misinformation

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

In the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force of the Sierra Club’s February newsletter, an article about CORBA’s Change In Trail Use request contained incorrect information. The article (see below) stated that CORBA requested the “reworking” of the Yearling and Lookout Trails, which is incorrect. Here is the reply that was sent to the Task Force’s Chair Mary Ann Webster:

Dear Mary Ann,
In reference to your recent Santa Monica Mountains Task Force of the Sierra Club newsletter, I wanted to point out that CORBA did not propose “reworking” the Yearling and Lookout Trails. CORBA was not involved with the analysis and planning of any kind of rerouting or realignment of these trails as part of the State Park’s Trail Use Change Survey.

While it is true CORBA requested that these trails be considered for bicycle access (as well as the Musch Trail in Topanga State Park), the request has been on record with State Parks for more than 15 years, and includes several trails throughout the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that are closed to bicycles.
Sincerely,

Mark Langton
President, CORBA

FROM THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS TASK FORCE OF THE SIERRA CLUB’S NEWSLETTER:

CORBA WANTS TO OPEN UP OTHER TRAILS TO BICYCLES

CORBA has asked ACTING ANGELES DISTRICT ACTING SUPERINTENDENT CRAIG SAP to consider opening the MUSCH RANCH TRAIL to mountain bikes. Some people are afraid he might be considering responding in the affirmative. The reaction from the Task Force and the TOPANGA STATE PARK DOCENTS was not long in coming. Emails flew back and forth objecting to the proposal and asking for a meeting with Acting Superintendent Sap.

Soon after CORBA also proposed “reworking” and opening to mountain bikes the LOOKOUT and YEARLING TRAILS in the Reagan Ranch portion of MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK. These trails are in botanically and historically sensitive portions of the Reagan Woodland, and parts of them become very muddy in rainy periods, resulting in serious damage to the trail and adjoining woodland flowers. Equestrian leader RUTHIE GERSON reacted very strongly against opening these trails to mountain bikes, as did several MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK DOCENTS.

We took the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Reagan’s birth to point out that Ronald Reagan told a few of us in 1977 that he had personally laid out the Yearling and Lookout trails as his personal riding trails when he owned the Reagan Ranch. That information started a movement among the Malibu Creek State Park Docents to add the Yearling and Lookout trails to the National Register of Historic Places.

Meanwhile, the Topanga and Malibu Creek docents have asked Acting Superintendent Craig Sap to meet with all stakeholders on this issue instead of meeting only with Corba.

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Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | No Comments »

Trail Use Change Proposal Meeting

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

The Angeles District of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) has announced a public information meeting for people wanting to know more about the recent trail use change proposal to accept bicycle use on Yearling and Lookout Trails in Malibu Creek State Park. The meeting will be at the Malibu Creek State Park Administration Center, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas on March 2 from 6-7:30pm. Parking fee will be waived for those attending the meeting. The entrance to the administration building is through the first driveway to the left as you pass the information kiosk at the main entrance to Malibu Creek State Park.

As reported on this blog, CDPR conducted a Trail Use Change Survey and accepted CORBA’s proposal to allow bicycles on the Yearling and Lookout Trails, which are included on a list of trails that CORBA originally submitted for consideration more than 15 years ago, and again most recently in November of 2010. The agenda for this meeting and a copy of the Trail Use Change Survey can be found below.

Trail Use Change Proposal Meeting Agenda

Purpose of the Meeting:

The purpose of this meeting is to gather input from local user groups on a proposed Trail Use Change proposal for the Yearling and Lookout Trails located within Malibu Creek State Park.

Topics:

  • Trail Management Plan
  • Trail Use Change Survey
  • Condition Assessment/Evaluations
  • State Parks Multi-Use Design Criteria
  • Why Yearling/Lookout was selected
  • What modifications would be needed

Public Comment

Trail Use Change Process

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Posted in Advocacy, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | 1 Comment »

Access to Closed Trail In Cheeseboro Reconsidered

Friday, February 11th, 2011

A few days ago we posted to the blog about a short parallel trail in Cheeseboro Canyon that had been posted closed. According to a National Park Service (NPS) spokesperson, the ranger that initiated the closure gathered input from NPS staff and the public and discussed the findings with her supervisor, and it was determined that the closure would be reconsidered. The NPS spokesperson pointed out that even though the trail is now open, it was and is a user-created social trail and was not created, designed, or approved by NPS. The trail will remain open pending a review by NPS roads and trails staff.

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Posted in Advocacy, Trail Access | No Comments »

Inaugural Kids Club Ride was Feb 5 Along Dirt Mulholland

Friday, February 11th, 2011

By Katherine Ross

For the first ever CORBA Kids Club ride, the group met at the Nike Tower. Ride Leader Larry Ross checked bikes and reviewed and demonstrated how to cross ruts rather than go into them. The kids practiced on a small rut inside the first gate. Larry also described the upcoming terrain, stressing the need to control speed on the big downhills. Larry, with son Elliot behind him on a tow-a-bike, agreed to be the leader and set the pace. Dave Lamon agreed to be the sweeper. He stayed with the two youngest riders — his daughter Julia, and new riders Dave Frymer, and his son Yarden.
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We stopped at the gated entrance to Sullivan Fire Road, and the bigger kids hiked up a small hill and enjoyed the surroundings while waiting for the smaller ones to catch up. Kat pointed out California Bush Poppy and Canyon Sunflowers, and the varieties of sage. We stayed in touch via Walkie Talkie, and the big kids cheered the little ones in as they came to the break spot. The bigger kids showed the smaller kids their hiking spot.
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When everybody was ready, we continued the ride, with Kat riding ahead to stop and take pictures.
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When we got to the the top of Reseda (The Topanga State Park Mulholland Drive sign). We took a snack and water break before leading the kids down the steep dirt hill one-at-a-time. The bigger kids continued the ride down the pavement to Larry and Kat’s with Larry and Dave Grant. Dave Lamon and Kat stayed with the younger kids until Larry picked them up in his Van. Larry shuttled Kat and Dave up to the Tower to get the cars. Dave Lamon and Dave Grant rode back to get their cars. Snacks and refreshments were enjoyed by all!

View the photo gallery of our first ride!

Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Youth | No Comments »

IMBA Professional Trail Care Crew Coming to SANTA BARBARA

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

March 3rd, Presentation “Club Care – Reinvigorating Your Organization”:
5:30pm – 7:30pm, WheelHouse – 528 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
This presentation focuses on techniques that advocacy groups across the country have used to reach goals, overcome, challenges, and build up their community.  Any trails, outdoor, environmental, or green based organization/non-profit will benefit from this workshop.  Included will be ideas on sustaining boards of directors, recruiting members, and making sure that everyone has a great time participating in their organization.  No cost and open to the public.

March 4th, Land Manager Trails Management Workshop:
9am – 12 noon
The purpose of the presentation is to acquaint Land Managers, agency staff and committees, and private land owners with the language, terminology, contemporary trail design, sustainability, and system planning for successful trails.  The presentation is a catalyst for an open discussion on sustaining multi-use trails, user management strategies, and trail user education (both mountain bikers and other users). Also discussed will be the effective use of volunteers for trail maintenance.
RSVP required with chris.orr@sbmtv.org

March 5th, IMBA Trail Building School for Crew Leaders and Volunteers*:
8:30am – 5:00pm, Casa De La Raza Library,  601 East Montecito Street Santa Barbara, CA 93103:

This workshop instructs cyclist, hiker, and equestrian volunteers sustainable trail building/maintenance techniques and trains volunteers and land managers to use these skills on their trails and in their community.   The workshop will include a half day (8:30am -12:30pm) in class instruction and then a half day on a trail applying and refining skills.   Topics will include trail building methodologies, water erosion control structures, trail bed armoring, user control points, technical features, signage, and more. (Location of the trail will be announced in the workshop.  Carpooling to work site will be strongly encouraged. )
* The Trail Building School is offered at no cost, but participants and potential crew leaders are asked to commit to three trail work events in 2011.

Pre-registration is required.  Register on IMBA website or register by email tochris.orr@sbmtv.org.

Sunday March 6th, IMBA/SBMTV Social Ride.
10:00am. Trail to be announced

Contact me at chris.orr@sbmtv.org or 805.451.0459 for more information.

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Posted in Trail Access, Trail Crew | No Comments »

We are People for Bikes, and You Should Be Too!

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

People for Bikes

People for Bikes is a movement to unite cyclists from all aspects of cycling. Whether you ride road, mountain, street, bmx, DJ, DH, cross country, touring, or commuting, you’re a cyclist, and should sign the “People for Bikes Pledge.”

All of the CORBA board members and advisors have personally signed the pledge, and we encourage you to do so too. By raising awareness of the sheer numbers of cyclists from all disciplines that are here in this country, the People for Bikes movement aims to ensure that cyclists get noticed and included when it comes to legislation, funding, resource allocation, and other considerations that have a direct impact on our ability to ride our bikes safely, freely, and with the infrastructure that will help encourage more to join our ranks. This is the pledge:

The Pledge

I am for bikes. I’m for long rides and short rides. I’m for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling — one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride.

The following is adapted from a letter from Tim Blumenthal, director of the People For Bikes movement:

If you’ve already signed the pledge, thank you! But we have one simple request: ask a friend to sign the PFB pledge today. If each one of us recruits just one friend, we will instantly double the size of our movement from nearly 200,000 to 400,000. With twice as many supporters, we will double our clout and dramatically enhance our capability to make bicycling in America safer and more appealing for everyone who rides.

Win a People For Bikes Timbuktu Messenger Bag for signing the Pledge in February

As some extra motivation, anyone who signs the pledge during the month of February will instantly be entered to win one of five Timbuk2 custom peopleforbikes.org messenger bags stuffed with other awesome PFB swag. (Don’t worry; you can still enter the giveaway even though you’ve already signed the pledge. Just fill out this form).

Signing the pledge is easy and only takes a few seconds. You can check out the latest blog entries at PeopleForBikes.org to learn more about why it’s so important to get all riders to raise their hands in support of better biking now by signing the pledge.

Happy trails!

Posted in Advocacy, National | No Comments »

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