Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

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CORBA at the Santa Monica Mountains Rec Fest This Weekend

Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

Rec-Fest-Poster-04This Saturday, October 24, CORBA will be at the Santa Monica Mountains Rec Fest, in partnership with the National Park Service. The CORBA Youth Adventures program with the MBU will be there giving kids an opportunity to ride the trails of Paramount Ranch. If you’re headed that way, stop by and say Hi!  There’s lots of ways to learn about recreational opportunities in the National Recreation Area and in the outdoors in general, and it’s geared to kids and families who don’t usually get these opportunities. It’s a great program and CORBA is happy to help get more kids into the outdoors!

 

Learn more at http://www.nps.gov/samo/recfest2015.htm

Posted in CORBA Youth Adventures, Health, MBU, Santa Monica Mountains, Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Youth | Comments Closed

Trek to recall nearly 1 million bicycles after injury reports

Friday, April 24th, 2015

Catastrophic failure of 2000 – 2015 model bikes leads to quadriplegia

Source of this article: The Los Angeles Times, April 24, 2015

Trek Bicycle Corp. will recall nearly 1 million bikes in the United States and Canada to correct a brake-safety issue following reports of three injuries, including one that left a rider paralyzed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

The recall covers all models of Trek bicycles from model years 2000 through 2015 that have front disc brakes and a black or silver quick-release lever on the front wheel hub that opens far enough to contact the disc brake, the agency said.

There is a risk on the affected bikes that the lever could become caught in the front disc-brake assembly, causing the front wheel to separate or stop suddenly, the commission said.

The bikes’ owners are urged to “stop using the bicycles immediately and contact an authorized Trek retailer for free installation of a new quick-release on the front wheel,” the commission said.

The recall affects about 900,000 bikes in the United States and 98,000 in Canada that sold for between $480 and $1,650.

Trek reported three incidents of injured riders related to the problem, including one that resulted in quadriplegia, the commission said. The others involved facial and wrist injuries.

Trek is based in Waterloo, Wis., and the bicycles involved in the recall were made in Taiwan and China, the agency said.

“Your safety is very important to us,” Trek said in a recall notice on its website. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.”

The commission said customers could contact Trek at 800-373-4594 Monday through Friday or via the company’s website http://www.trekbikes.com/worldwide/.

Posted in Health, International, National, Trail Hazards | Comments Closed

Malibu Adventure Games May 17

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

MAG_5x7_2014The Malibu Adventure Games return to Malibu Creek State Park May 17 with added mountain biking activities. Along with a poker ride with two different distances, there will also be a family blackjack ride where participants can win prizes by beating the dealer at various stations. CORBA’s Mark Langton will also be providing a free skills clinic prior to the poker rides.

Also at the event will be activities for the whole family including a climbing wall, nature walks, kids XTERRA 1-mile fun run, yoga classes, and a fitness expo.

Also taking place during the event are  the XTERRA 22K and 6K trail runs. Proceeds from the event go to the Malibu Creek Docents to support Malibu Creek State Park. For more information go to malibuadventuregames.com.

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Posted in Free Basic Skills Clinic, Health, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

Malibu Adventure Games This Saturday May 18

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

poker-rideThe centerpiece of the Malibu Adventure Games at Malibu Creek State Park is the XTERRA Malibu Creek Trail Run, but it will also feature mountain bike poker rides, and CORBA will be providing a skills clinic. There will also be a geocache scramble, climbing wall contests, and a vendor expo. For more information go to malibuadventuregames.com.

Posted in Free Basic Skills Clinic, Health, Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

Lyme Disease Detected in Ticks at Paramount Ranch

Friday, April 12th, 2013

Officials from Los Angeles county and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) are advising visitors that ticks from Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills recently tested positive for Lyme disease. Three separate pools of western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) found along the Coyote Trail were found to be positive.

“This is a good reminder for visitors to stick to the trail and avoid the vegetated areas where ticks like to hang out,” said Evan Jones, SMMNRA chief ranger. “Though Lyme disease can be very serious, simply following a few basic steps can greatly minimize exposure.”

Jones also advises the public to check clothing and exposed skin before heading home, making sure to brush off any small creatures. Wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants is also recommended.

Lyme disease is an infectious disease that can start as a mild flu-like illness and develop into severe chronic health problems over time. If identified in the early stages, it can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but the potential for long-term complications increases if the disease progresses untreated.

Paramount Ranch was one of three Santa Monica Mountains park sites that came back positive for Lyme disease in tests conducted by Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District. The other two locations were Tapia Park and Malibu Creek State Park, both located within a short distance of one another.

Robert Saviskas, executive director of the L.A. county agency responsible for conducting the tests, said this was the first year his agency tested for Lyme disease at Paramount Ranch, among approximately 12 sites tested within the Santa Monica Mountains. The first tick known to carry Lyme disease was found in the mountains in 1998.

“We’re finding that about 1 or 2 percent of western black-legged ticks in the area carry the Lyme disease bacteria, so it’s important for us to identify where the problem is occurring,” said Saviskas. “This particular tick is most active from late November through May.”

More information is available at www.lawestvector.org or by calling 310-915-7370.

Posted in Environment, Health, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

Help Walk ‘N Rollers Help Kids

Monday, November 5th, 2012

 

CORBA members and fans, one of our own needs our help.

Jim Shanman, longtime CORBA member and supporter formed Walk ‘n Rollers last year to encourage kids to bike and walk to school more frequently. His organization has had great success helping schools on the Westside develop basic bike/walk to school programs, host Kids Bike Safety Festivals and works with cities to develop effective encouragement programs. Encouraging kids to bike and walk to school has many benefits, including increasing kids’ daily activity levels, reducing congestion and pollution around schools and, most importantly, teaches kids important life skills such as responsibility and good decision making.

Walk ‘n Rollers is a finalist for a $5,000 grant to help expand their programs, and with a simple click or 2, you can help them bring it home. For the kids in LA County and for Jim, please cast your vote for Walk ‘n Rollers at www.kveller.com/vote . After voting, please share this message with anyone you can. Simply put, the organization with the most votes wins. So while we’re all in a voting mood this week, cast your vote for someone who will make a difference we can all appreciate and then encourage others to do the same. Let’s do what we can to get kids walking and rolling!

To learn more about Walk ‘nRollers, visit www.walknrollers.org

 

Posted in Health, Los Angeles, Youth | Comments Closed

Bicyclist Holiday Gift Ideas

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

For the mountain biker who has everything.

Resource Revival is the company that has done our recycled bike parts awards for our annual CORBA Award. They have been recycling bike parts for over 18 years, turning them into bowls, clocks, picture frames, magnets and more. Shop at their online store to get the best gifts for the bike lovers in your life. www.resourcrevival.com

Posted in Health | Comments Closed

Youth-Oriented Publication Available Soon, Take A Kid Celebration Slated for Oct. 6

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

With major support from Shimano, IMBA will publish two special editions of IMBA Trail News in 2012. Copies of ITN Youth Edition will be available on IMBA’s online store, free of cost except for shipping fees. These full-color, print magazines will focus on providing resources for adult leaders of youth-oriented mountain bike programs, plus stories, photos and tips that young riders aged 12 to 18 will enjoy reading.
This October, in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, IMBA has pledged to get 30,000 children participating in 300 cycling events for the annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day celebration. We could use your help in reaching this goal on Oct. 6. Broadcast Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day to your chapter/club networks, host a ride or sponsor the IMBA outreach program.
Since we believe that kids should be on bikes everyday, we’re encouraging all participants to sign up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), whereby you pledge to be active at least 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Youth (6-17 years) should get moving for at least 60 minutes per day, and adults (18 years or older) should be active for 30 minutes per day. What better way to get active than to be out riding a bike?

From the International Mountain Bicycling Association‘s quarterly publication Trail News, Spring 2012

Posted in Health, IMBA News, National, Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Youth | Comments Closed

Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery Pays Cyclists to Lose Weight

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

It’s the time of year again when many people make resolutions to improve their health and fitness. This year, the Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery (SMMC) aims to make it just a bit easier. When a resolute customer buys a bike from SMMC before January 22nd, he or she will have the opportunity to earn $0.10 per mile for every mile ridden on that bike in 2012.

“We know that many people out there want to improve their fitness and maybe lose a few pounds, and we just want to give them a little nudge in the right direction,” says David Kooi, owner of SMMC. “Cycling is one of the easiest ways to exercise. It’s a low-impact sport that eats up calories and builds strength, stamina, and cardiovascular fitness.”

Under the program, participants will log their miles at Strava.com, a social training website, using GPS devices. Twice during the year, SMMC will reward participants with gift cards for the miles they have ridden. “A simple training plan that consists of 3 rides per week averaging 20 miles per ride will reward the customer with more than $300 for the year. When you can buy a quality fitness bike for $750 these days, that’s significant savings for the consumer,” says Kooi. Participants can earn up to 50% of the original bicycle purchase price.

About Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery: The Santa Monica Mountains Cyclery is located at 21526 Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills, California, and serves residents of the San Fernando Valley, including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, Agoura Hills, Topanga, Malibu and others. SMMC presents a selection of the finest road and mountain bikes available, as well as quality bikes for getting around town and to and from work. SMMC has an extensive selection of clothing, parts, and accessories – everything you will need to get riding safely, quickly, and stylishly down the road or trail. SMMC also performs bike repair, tune-ups, and maintenance and has a full bicycle fitting studio. More information at http://www.smmcyclery.com or call 818-453-3204.

From PRWeb.com

Posted in Conejo Valley, Health, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

Study Finds Multi-Use Trails Improve Property Values

Monday, November 21st, 2011

From a story which appeared on the University of Cincinnati Web Site, October 11, 2011

New Research Finds that Homeowners and City Planners Should ‘Hit the Trail’ When Considering Property Values

Two University of Cincinnati researchers will present interdisciplinary research at a national conference on planning and development of communities.

Date: 10/11/2011 12:00:00 AM

By: Dawn Fuller

Location, location, location – it is often touted as affecting the value of residential property. Now, new University of Cincinnati research suggests that location near nature trails could hold a financial benefit for homeowners and ultimately neighboring communities.

University of Cincinnati researchers Rainer vom Hofe, an associate professor of planning, and Olivier Parent, an assistant professor of economics, will present their findings on Sunday, Oct. 16, at the 52nd Annual Association of College Schools of Planning (ACSP) ENVISION Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The two researchers examined how the Little Miami Scenic Trail – a 12-mile southern stretch of the trail that runs through the Cincinnati metropolitan region – impacted residential property values in Hamilton County, Ohio. The scenic, multipurpose trail beckons walkers, hikers, skaters and bicycle enthusiasts and also has horseback riding paths.

“For the ‘New Urbanist,’ multipurpose trails provide the potential for bicycle commuting; help alleviate noise, pollution and congestion, and expand the means for green transportation and a community’s walkability,” write the authors.

Using a research model they developed, Parent and vom Hofe found that from a real estate perspective, trails can have significant, positive spillover effects on property values when these properties are located within reasonable distances to the trails.

To be more specific, housing prices went up by nine dollars for every foot closer to the trail entrance. Ultimately, the study concluded that for the average home, homeowners were willing to pay a $9,000 premium to be located one thousand feet closer to the trail.

The researchers say their study is among the first to quantify the impact of multipurpose trail proximity on residential property values while isolating the results from the biasing effect of nearby property values.

 

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Posted in Advocacy, Environment, Health | Comments Closed

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