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CORBA eTerraTimes for February 2012

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In this issue...


Newbury Park Bike Shop is hosting a fundraiser for CORBA on Friday, February 24th. This photo is from our last beer and pizza bike shop fundraiser. Details...

Rules of the Trail - Click for details
Proper Trail Etiquette

Press for a Pump Track in Thousand Oaks at February 8th Meeting

If you live in the Conejo Valley or a nearby community, please attend a meeting to be held by the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) and press for a pump track and bike park to be included in the plans for the Lang Ranch Community Park.

On Wednesday, February 8th, CRPD will have a meeting to get public input into recreational activities they would like to see included in the Lang Ranch Community Park and other parks in Zone 2, roughly north of Hillcrest Drive and east of the 23 Freeway.

Two weeks ago we learned that CRPD has scrapped their plans for baseball fields and tennis courts on the 124-acre property bordered by Westlake Blvd, Erbes Rd and Aveninda de Los Arboles. An ancient landslide at the site makes it unfeasible to economically grade the land to safely accomodate playing fields. Instead, CRPD is exploring less intensive uses that won’t require extensive grading.

This is our chance to lobby for a bike park and pump track in a semi-urban area. Our kids and the young-at-heart could use to improve their balance, coordination, upper body strength, and generally have fun! In this age of video games, “sweet/salty snacks” and increasing obesity among our youth, everyone should appreciate a healthful, outdoor activity to engage them.

CRPD has plans for four public meetings:

Meeting 1: Background and Brainstorming
Wednesday Feb 8, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Room
403 W. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA

Meeting 2 – Walk Lang Ranch Community Park Property with District Staff
Saturday, Feb 11, 7:30 am – 9:00 am

Meeting 3 – More Brainstorming & Bubble Diagrams
Wednesday Feb 29, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Room

Meeting 4 – Report Back and Recommendations
Wednesday March 21, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Center

Directions to the Hillcrest Community Center. From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, exit at Lynn Road, turning north, then turn right onto Hillcrest Drive. After 0.3 miles, turn left onto McCloud Ave, then turn right immediately at the sign for the National Park Service and Conejo Recreation and Park District. At the stop sign at the top of the drive, turn left and drive the short distance to #403, on the left.  Google Map and Directions

Newbury Park Bike Shop Hosts CORBA Fundraiser 2/24/2012.

CORBA’s first in a series of in-store fundraisers takes place Friday night February 24 at Newbury Park Bicycle Shop in Newbury Park (Thousand Oaks). On this weekend there will also be a trail work day at Guadalasca Trail in Pt. Mugu State Park on Saturday, and group rides led by North Ranch Mountain Bikers in Pt. Mugu State Park on Sunday. See our blog for more details...

CORBA comments on Topanga General Plan

As we reported last year, a new General Plan is being developed by California State Parks for Topanga State Park. The plan will guide the park’s future, ensuring that management practices are in line with the mission and objectives of the Park.

The general plan does not govern trail use designations, and instead defers to the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Master Plan, which is still in development.

The current draft of the plan was released in December.  The public comment period ended January 23, 2012. To see our comments on the plan, read our blog article...


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!

Gabrielino Trailwork Report

On January 14, 2012, volunteer crews once again tackled the Gabrielino Trail between Switzers and Redbox.  CORBA combined forces with the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association, our neighboring IMBA chapter. We continued on our work from our last trailwork event in December, working on approximately 2 additional miles of trail. The crews cleared and rock-armored several drainages, cut back brush, repaired damaged trail tread, and cleared rock and other debris from the trail.

With the trail now over 95% rideable, we anticipate many more users on the trail as we enter spring. However, we must caution everyone to beware of the poodle dog bush. It’s impractical to cut back, but much of the trail is lined with the plant. At least two of the volunteers reported cases of poodle dog a few days after the work was completed. See the complete report on our blog...

El Prieto Trailwork Report

Almost eight months ago, CORBA was approached by Keenan Koch, a student at St. Francis High School in La Canada, a member of the school’s mountain bike race team, and an eagle scout candidate. He wanted to work on El Prieto for his eagle scout project, the closest singletrack to his school. With Forest Service and Boy Scout Council approval, Keenan rallied his St. Francis and San Gabriel Valley Composite mountain bike team mates, fellow scouts, and a few willing parents to help rebuild this section of trail. On January 22, 2012, crews re-cut the bench away from the cliff edge, filled three substantial drainages with rock supporting walls and rock armoring, and built up rock supporting walls either side of a “split tree,” through which the trail would pass. During the course of the work, two generous mountain bikers made on-the-spot cash donations to CORBA’s trail crew fund. One regular El Prieto hiker has made similar on-the-spot donations in the past, a sure token of the appreciation all trail users have for the work we are doing. Read the full report on our blog...

Saturday February 25, 2012: Guadalasca Trail in Pt. Mugu State Park

The Guadalasca Trail in Point Mugu State Park will undergo some substantial improvements over the next year or so. First, the lower section (part of  the old ranch road), will be brushed out to allow access for motorized equipment. We will be helping with this on Feb 25th. State Parks staff will then remove the existing culvert drains and convert them to level crossings. Later, part of the newer section of the trail will be rerouted and in the process will add 1/4 to 1/2 mile to its length. Some of the existing switchbacks could be converted to climbing turns, and rolling dips will be added to help control erosion. Using IMBA-influenced designs, sinuosity and pinch points will be incorporated into the trail to reduce downhill travel speeds. This will help reduce conflicts with other trail users, including climbing mountain bikers. See our full blog article for more...

California State Parks has asked CORBA and other organizations to recruit volunteers to help with this work. The event on Feb. 25th will be the first, and we need a large turn-out to help clear the brush that has built up over the past several years. Further events to clear brush further up Guadalasca are planned for March 17th and April 14th.

Please complete our on-line registration form in advance to qualify for prizes and so we'll know how many tools to bring.

Saturday March 24, 2012: COSCA Spring Trailwork Day.

Details are forthcoming.

Fri-Sun April 27-29: State Trails Days in Point Mugu State Park.

Details are forthcoming.

To see all trailwork dates, including those of other groups, visit the CORBA trailwork calendar.

Join our mailing list to get updates on trailwork opportunities!
Send an email to Trailwork-Volunteers+subscribe@corbamtb.com


General News

MBU Training for 2012 Starts February 4

Calling all mountain bikers age 18 and over! The Mountain Bike Unit (MBU) is currently recruiting for its 2012 Training Class. If you enjoy mountain biking and are interested in giving back to the community by volunteering some time to assist our understaffed Park Rangers in patrolling the parks, then the MBU may be just what you are looking for. The MBU assists in providing park visitors with a quality outdoor experience and preserving natural resources while patrolling over 60,000 acres of public parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Beginning in February 2012, training will include visitor contact skills, State and National park radio use, park rules and regulations, first aid and CPR training, and field training exercises. Read our blog article on MBU training...

Reworking Tapia Spur Trail in Malibu Creek State Park

If they haven't already started by the time you receive this, California State Parks staff will soon starting work on Tapia Spur Trail in Malibu Creek SP. The trail lacks a variety of components necessary to accommodate multi-use based on new guidelines, and so will be modified to bring the trail up to current multi-use standards. These components include brushing, improved drainage and increased tread width, speed control sections in areas lacking sight distance, and realignment of one stretch of trail  to increase sight distance and redirect the trail off the fall line. For full details, read our blog article...

 

New on the CORBA Website

 

Recreational Rides

For a list of upcoming recreational rides, please visit the CORBA Calendar.

  • Next CORBA Kids Club ride will be Saturday February 4th at Malibu Creek State Park. See our Rides Calendar for details.
  • The CORBA Beginners ride is being temporarily suspended
  • CORBA, Newbury Park Bike Shop and the North Ranch Mountain Bikers will host and lead two rides on Sunday, February 26th. Both rides leave from Newbury Park Bike Shop at 8:00 am.
     
    • The intermediate ride will be 9.3 miles with about 1600' of climbing
    • The advanced ride will be 28 miles with about 4000' of climbing
    • Directions: The rides start at Newbury Park Bike Shop, 1560 Newbury Rd # 6, Newbury Park, CA 91320. Exit the 101 Freeway at Ventu Park Rd in Newbury Park, turning south. Take the first right onto Newbury Road, following it around 0.3 miles. Turn left into the strip mall; the bike shop is behind In ‘n Out Burgers.
    • Full details of these rides can be found in our blog article...

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.


Free Mountain Biking Skills Clinic

Saturday January 7th 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

(Click on the links above to get more details!)


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