Archive for the ‘CORBA Youth Adventures’ Category

Boy Scouts Take on Mountain Biking

Friday, June 15th, 2012

Over the past three years, CORBA’s trail crew has assisted in several eagle scout projects. Most were from eagle scout candidates who were also involved in the High School Mountain Bike League.   After discussions with local Boy Scout Troops and Councils, we put together a suggested set of requirements for a Mountain Biking Merit Badge in 2010. Apparently demand for a mountain biking badge was more widespread than what we saw locally, and the BSA leaders have listened.

During the 1990′s, IMBA and CORBA had approached the BSA about this very issue. At the time mountain biking wasn’t a mainstream sport, and wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now, especially with the younger generations, and the requests and suggestions fell on deaf ears.

How times have changed. Mountain biking has gone mainstream, and been legitimized as an Olympic sport. NICA is making great strives towards establishing the sports as a legitimate high school sport. The time is ripe for things to change.

According to a June 5 post by Scouting Magazine blogger Bryan Wendell, “The trail to Cycling merit badge just got a bit rougher.”  He explained: “The BSA has approved a mountain biking option for Cycling, a merit badge mainstay since 1911. So for the first time, Scouts who prefer fat tires instead of thin can earn the badge.”

We’re excited about this news, and commend the BSA for listening to their membership’s needs. Because the Boy Scouts like to keep a relatively steady number of available badges, it was much easier to have a mountain biking option added to the existing cycling merit badge instead of adding a new badge. This makes complete sense, as there is a lot of overlap in the skills, fitness, basic mechanical knowledge and safety aspects in both cycling disciplines.

We also feel that mountain biking has a definite place in the Scouting movement, as many of the scouting principles can be directly applied to the sport. Mountain bikers must be prepared, they need to be kind and exercise good trail etiquette to share trails with other users, the sport encourages health and fitness, and stewardship of our public lands.

CORBA invites any and all boy scouts (and the general public) to our free Skills Clinics, offered on the first Saturday of each month at Malibu Creek State Park. These free clinics will help get new riders the basic skills to get started in mountain biking.  IMBA also offers a youth-oriented publication, aimed at teen mountain bikers.

 

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Posted in Advocacy, CORBA Youth Adventures, Free Basic Skills Clinic, High School League, Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Youth | No Comments »

2012: CORBA Turns 25

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

By Mark Langton

As we look forward to our 25th anniversary in August, we of course have to look back at 2011. It was both a year of growth and important transition.

  • CORBA became a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycle Association (IMBA). As a founding member of IMBA, CORBA saw the value of partnering with IMBA’s strength and reach to gain even more members and raise awareness of the ongoing goals of shared use trails in greater Los Angeles and Eastern Ventura Counties. Already we have seen an influx of new members.
  • California State Parks “change in use” process finally began after several years of non-compliance. CORBA’s efforts to make sure this process was fulfilled was and will be unwavering. Currently the Yearling/Lookout Trail conversion/realignment in Malibu Creek State Park is undergoing review and work could begin as soon as this summer. Our blog article discusses this process further.
  • CORBA established regular quarterly meetings with both State Park and National Park Service officials. These meetings have garnered a new and improved level of communication and cooperation.
  • CORBA went from a single-day fundraising event (Fat Tire Festival) to several smaller events which involved some of our local bike shop supporters, as well as the Fat Tire Fun(d)raiser, a scaled down version of the festival that focused more on riding than “festivaling”. If you know of a local bike shop that would like to host a fundraising event in their store, please send me an email at mark@corbamtb.com.
  • Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) Superintendent Woody Smeck accepted the position of Deputy Superintendent of Yosemite National Park. (Read our blog article on Woody.) While this transition is yet to be complete, we can assure you of one thing; the new superintendent will need to be educated as to the significance and importance of mountain biking in the SMMNRA, and how intertwined mountain bikers are within the trail community. While it is likely the new superintendent will be responsive to the mountain bike community, we’ve seen over the years that different individuals come with their own sensibilities and it is sometimes the case that those sensibilities do not always align with the previous administrator’s positions.
  • State Parks implemented a more comprehensive volunteer trail work training program, requiring a greater level of commitment. CORBA members Steve Messer and Steve Clark stepped up and completed the training, enabling us to move forward with much needed trail improvement projects. In 2011 CORBA contributed significantly to trail work and maintenance in the SMMNRA, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA), City of Glendale, and the Angeles National Forest (enhanced greatly through a grant from REI).
  • In addition to our Youth Adventures Program, which ran 19 outings at Malibu Creek State Park and Paramount Ranch and served dozens of at-risk youth, CORBA introduced the Kids Club, and thanks to a dedicated and passionate group of mountain biking parents, regularly scheduled monthly rides took place and introduced mountain biking to a whole new generation of mountain bikers.
  • This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the free Introduction to Mountain Bike Skills class. Last year saw the best turnout ever with a total of 300 participants, which included two special classes provided to the Mountain Bike Unit (MBU). In fact, the MBU has made the class mandatory for all new members.

Even with a quarter century of advocacy under our collective belts, there is still much to be done. Consider this: There are many miles of singletrack trails closed to bicycles in the SMMNRA, trails that are exactly the same as ones that are open to bicycles. As State Parks moves forward with their trail conversion process (a painfully slow one at that), we must be diligent and ensure that they stay the course.

And of course I sill implore everyone to simply slow down for other users. The primary complaint about mountain bikes on trails is that “they go too fast and scare us.” If you slow to other users’ speed on the trail, you remove the one justifiable complaint about mountain bikers. It’s easy to slow down, and it makes the situation more pleasant for everyone involved—a true win/win situation!

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Take a Kid Mountain biking event registration is now open.

Monday, August 30th, 2010
Childhood obesity in the United States has reached an all-time high. Experts say that the current generation of U.S. children could actually have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. IMBA and CORBA believe mountain biking can help reverse this trend. We need your help to get kids back on bikes.

On October 2nd, in conjunction with the IMBA Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association will be having a fun ride at Malibu Creek State Park at 9:00 am. This will be a ride and rock climbing followed by a barbecue. All ages are welcome! 

This event is FREE so bring your own kids, nieces, nephews, friends kids, neighbor kids! Kids must have their own bikesand helmets.



This year, Take a Kid Mountain Biking is sponsored by REI and we thank them for their contribution to our kids well-being!

Not sure what to expect? Take a look at the 2008 or 2009 photo gallery of the event!

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Posted in CORBA News, CORBA Youth Adventures, Default, Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Youth | No Comments »

Inaugural Youth Adventures ride at Paramount Ranch

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Park entrance on Cornell Road, Agoura Hills CA

The Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area’s Paramount Ranch became a new location for CORBA’s Youth Adventures program rides. The first ever ride at this location took place on Saturday, August 7th, 2010.  If you have ever had a chance to visit Paramount Ranch then you already know the beautiful landscape that surrounds this area. The Youth Adventures program was created to share this beauty with  inner city children. And what is a better way than taking them bike riding through the rolling hills and share the rich history of this place with them?

Youth Adventures began in the summer of 1993 and operates twice per month year-round, serving over 350 kids annually. It was implemented as a way of reaching out to groups of children that have had limited exposure to public parklands. Mountain bike rides are scheduled with organizations that serve disadvantaged, inner-city or at-risk youth from ages 8-17 and are held in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. CORBA supplies the bikes, helmets, gloves, water, snacks and transportation. Rides are operated by Mountain Bike Unit volunteers. For more information visit Youth Adventures web page. 

Taking to the trails

Taking a break watching a radio controlled airplane

 
 

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Posted in CORBA Youth Adventures, Santa Monica Mountains, Youth | 1 Comment »

Special thanks to Youth Adventures program supporter – Simi Cycling Center

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

CORBA would like to give special thanks to Simi Cycling Center for their generous donations of bike equipment and discounts on bike parts used by our Youth Adventures program.

Because of thoughtful donations such as these, many inner-city and at-risk youth will be able to enjoy the experience of the natural beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Youth Adventures was implemented in 1993 as a way of reaching out to groups of children that have limited exposure to public parklands. Mountain bike rides are scheduled with organizations that serve disadvantaged, inner-city or at-risk youth from ages 8-17 and are held in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Youth Adventures supplies the bikes, helmets, gloves, water and snacks.

Youth Adventures – and all CORBA programs – is an all-volunteer program and relies on donations of not only funds, but mountain bikes and accessories as well. Please help us keep this wonderful program going by giving what you can. Monetary donations can be given online or checks can be sent to: CORBA, PO Box 57576, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413. CORBA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible. If you would like to donate some equipment you’re no longer using, please contact us at youth@corbamtb.com.

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Posted in Advocacy, CORBA News, CORBA Youth Adventures, Health, Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Youth | No Comments »

Youth Adventures ride at Cheeseboro Canyon – April 2010

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

On April 3, 2010 CORBA with help of Mountain Bike Unit volunteers hosted Youth Adventures program ride at Cheeseboro National Recreation area.

A group of teenage boys from El Monte California had a chance to ride famous “Cheeseboro challenge” hill. People say that a picture is worth a thousand words. How true! Just look how much fun they had!

CORBA's Youth Adventures Trailer at the Cheeseboro parking lot.

One of the boys is climbing The Challenge. Mountain Bike Unit volunteers (in yellow jerseys) provide the guidance “go,go, pedal! turn!…”

Youth Adventures began in the summer of 1993 and operates twice per month year-round serving over 350 kids annually.Youth Adventures was implemented as a way of reaching out to groups of children that have had limited exposure to public parklands. Mountain bike rides are scheduled with organizations that serve disadvantaged, inner-city or at-risk youth from ages 8-17 and are held in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. CORBA supplies the bikes, helmets, gloves, water, snacks and transportation. Rides are operated by Mountain Bike unit volunteers. For more information visit Youth Adventures web page.

posted by Danusia Bennett-Taber

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CORBA Youth Adventures ride report – March 2010

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Ready to roll

  

The children from the STAR (“Students Training as Role Models”) group arrived at Malibu Creek State Park on Saturday morning, March 20th, not really knowing what to expect.  Some were excited, some were nervous and some were probably just happy to be in such a gorgeous park – an environment quite different than the urban neighborhoods they are so accustomed to.  Officer Sue Shine of the City of Glendale Police Department leads this group of fantastic children who are trained and mentored to lead by example and to be role models for the other children (and quite possibly for some adults) in their communities.  As this was the first Youth Adventure Ride with this group, the veteran MBU’ers were also a bit nervous (but always excited to ride with the children) – as it turns out, any nervousness was unwarranted as the youth ride was a huge success for both teams!  The children, many of whom have never ridden a mountain bicycle on the trails, absolutely loved being out in the park and enjoying the trails on their CORBA provided mountain bikes.  In addition, the youths seemed to hang on every word of the MBUer (her nickname is Kat) who provides the instructional mid-morning nature talks on the various animals and wildlife that abounds in the parks of the Santa Monica Mountain Range.  

Kat provides the instructional mid-morning nature talks on the various animals and wildlife that abounds in the parks of the Santa Monica Mountain Range

Our MBU ride leaders commented on how much they enjoyed riding with these children – they were all up for the new challenge and did very well with big smiles and lots of focused energy.  These children were so well behaved and actively listened to instruction – it is obvious that Office Shine, her Team and the STAR Program are having a tremendously positive impact on the lives of these children and no doubt their community too.  We are already looking forward to having the STAR group back on the trails with us!

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