Despite the rain forecast for tonight (Friday 12/14) and early Saturday morning, we will still be riding and meeting at The Hub in Topanga State Park at 10am on Saturday 12/15. If it’s raining during the meeting period (10-11am), then we might just do the photo and forego the cash drawings. We’ll take a vote and see how everyone feels!
Archive for the ‘Regions’ Category
RAM Still On 12/15/12
Friday, December 14th, 2012Be The Solution
Monday, December 10th, 2012
By Mark Langton
I agree with hikers. I agree that when a mountain biker goes by me too close and too fast, it’s scary and unsettling. And they don’t have to be going fast, just too fast for the conditions. If a mountain biker goes by me at 15 mph on a fire road, no problem. If a mountain biker goes by me at 15 mph on a singletrack trail less than six inches from me, then I have a bit of a problem.
I agree with hikers right up to the point when they say all mountain bikers should be banned from trails because some of them go too fast around other users. You can’t tell me I’m banned from the trails because of someone else’s irresponsible behavior.
I believe there’s nothing wrong with going fast, as long as it’s being done safely (and within reason). If mountain bikers go so fast as to create a danger to themselves–such as crashing and having to utilize tax payer money to get medical treatment and evacuation from the backcountry–then people could point at the mountain bike community as creating an undue burden on the resource management agency. But as we’ve seen, crashes of this nature are relatively few. But the agency still takes notice when there’s an increase.
I know there are those out there, myself included, who are angry at the people who disregard common sense and speed past others with no regard for common courtesy. They’ve replied many times to our blog posts. They are angry because they know that the people who are acting irresponsibly know they are doing it, but continue to do it anyway in spite of the fact they are giving the mountain biking community a bad name; when all they have to do is very simple. Be The Solution. Just slow down around others.
As an experiment today I stopped in the middle of a singletrack trail as a rider approached me coming downhill. Although he had plenty of room to see me, he ran into me, and nearly flew over the handlebar. He was apologetic, and the conversation we had was enlightening; because he was used to others getting out of his way, he just assumed I would, too. I recounted an instance when I was riding along a trail and I came upon a hiker with her head down, and as I slowed to a stop she looked up, startled, and nearly fell over backward. Had I assumed she heard me and was going to get out of my way, I probably would have run into her.
It’s never going to be completely safe on the trails. There are always going to be accidents, but by slowing down around others (and maybe even slowing down for blind corners), we might be able to avoid a lot of very avoidable ones.
Resolve to Solve in 2013
Monday, December 10th, 2012
How many of you have New Year’s Resolutions that you are hoping to keep? There is one you can make and keep, guaranteed. It will help you, the mountain bike community, and the trail community at large. Ready? Slow down when passing others!
How many things in life can you do that actually solve a problem? On our trails, the one justifiable complaint about mountain bikers is that they sometimes go too fast when passing others, which can be scary and upsetting,even to other cyclists. So all you have to do is slow down when passing, and you SOLVE THE PROBLEM!
Slowing down while passing others on our shared-use trails is a pure win-win proposition. The people who you pass feel good about mountain bikers. WIN! You feel good because you didn’t scare anyone, and everyone has a pleasant exchange. WIN!
Here’s a suggestion: Treat others you are passing on the trail as if you are holding the door open for them. That brief pause is a show of consideration, courtesy, and humanity that will come back to you and the mountain bike community in many positive ways.
It’s up to you. Would you rather finish your ride knowing you did something positive for mountain bikers and trails users, or that you made it worse for yourself and the mountain bike community? You CAN make a difference. And all it takes is slowing down when passing other users!
December Skills Clinic Photos
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012A few riders turned out for this month’s basic skills clinic in Malibu Creek State Park. Despite the poor weather forecast, it turned out to be mostly dry. You can see the photos in the December Skills Clinic Photo Gallery.
CORBA’s State Parks Change in Use PEIR Comments
Tuesday, December 4th, 2012CORBA has submitted comments on California State Parks Change In Use Programmatic Environmental Impact Report. Our comments are included below.
Currently, the Yearling trail has been approved for a change in use, pending the implementation of “Project Specific Requirements” which include a re-route and other trail modifications, for which the State does not presently have the resources to complete. Recently Bill’s Trail in Marin was also approved for multi-use, after more than a five-year process. Our comments reflect our desire to see the process streamlined and sped up.
While this is a step forward for gaining access to trails for bicycles in California State Parks, we see the process as overly burdensome and resource intensive. Given the State’s track record of meeting its stated goals and completing tasks, we have to question whether this additional process will slow down or speed up the process of opening trails to bicycles. However, the PEIR does in fact include some important documentation and acknowledgements of the legitimacy and appropriateness of allowing bicycles on trails, though it risks homogenizing State Parks trails to a “standard” that we feel will reduce the diversity of trail experiences for bicyclists. We’ll be reporting on the Change in Use process as the final version is released.
Sullivan Canyon Winter 2012 Maintenance Completed
Monday, December 3rd, 2012
We have learned that the pipeline maintenance that forced the closure of Sullivan Canyon to the public is now completed. This means that you may access the canyon, but please remember that the trail is used by all types of users. Your courtesy and slowed speed around others is appreciated.
We also learned that the concrete “mats” that have been laid over the pipes have been covered with aggregate material so that the potential hazards of riding (bicycles and horses) and walking on them is reduced. The suggestion to cover the mats was made by Brentwood Hills Homeowners Association members Eric Edmunds (runner) and Mike Leslie (mountain biker).
Study Considering Shared Use of the PCT Begins in Spring 2013
Monday, November 19th, 2012
By Jim Hasenauer
You may have heard that there are a number of people working to re-open non-Wilderness sections of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to bicycles. When the PCT was closed to bikes in 1988, that regulation was supposed to have been reviewed annually. It has never been reviewed. We brought this to the attention of the National Forest Service (who are the lead agency for managing the PCT) , and they have agreed to review the regulation. That process has not started yet. We expect it to happen in the Spring. At that time we will need high levels of participation from the mountain bike community.
Meanwhile, we’ve created a website www.sharingthepct.org and a facebook page “sharing the pct”. Both are chock full of information about the initiative. Unfortunately, some folks who oppose this idea have become quite strident and aggressive on the pct-l listserv and other venues. We are trying to keep this initiative high-road with an emphasis on civility and fact-based decision making. Don’t get into word wars with opponents. Their insults (and threats of booby traps) and violence hurt them more than help them in the public process.
We think re-opening the PCT is good public policy. It will help the trail and all of its trail users.
Right now, we are looking for organizations to sign on to our initiative and for specific information on different sections of the PCT itself and its suitability for multiple use. Check out the website. Your input is welcome.
Ride And Mingle This Saturday!
Monday, November 12th, 2012
Join us for a meeting of the knobs! Ride a vintage bike if you can!
Tell all your friends! We want to show the open space trails community that mountain bikers are responsible users of our open space trails, and that we belong now and in the future.
We will ride to The Hub in Topanga State Park (from various locations, your choice) for a group photo shoot. Be there by 10:am, we’ll do the shoot no later than 10:30. We are hoping for 250 or more people (in celebreation of CORBA’s 25th anniversary). There will be cash prizes available just for showing up, including the $1,000 top prize, as well as $500, $200, and $100 prizes. There will also be a 50/50 drawing, so bring $20 (minimum) in cash and drop it into the pot for your chance to win half, with the other half going to CORBA.
For details click here. See you this Saturday!
City of Glendale Mountain Bike Patrol Program to Launch
Thursday, November 8th, 2012The City of Glendale has announced that their Hiking and Mountain Biking Patrol program is ready to launch. They are seeking volunteers interested in spending a few hours per month riding or hiking the trails of the Verdugo Mountains. Applications are available from the City’s Community Services and Parks Department. Mountain bikers will be required to attend the CORBA Free Skills Clinic. Following is the announcement from the City:
At long last we are pleased to announce that applications are now available for the City of Glendale’s volunteer Trail Safety Patrol (TSP) program.
We ask that, at your earliest convenience, you stop by the Community Services & Parks Department at Glendale City Hall to pick up your application packet. The Department is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
At that time, we would like to take a few minutes to get acquainted (this is not a formal interview), then have you pick up your application packet and proceed to our Human Resources office where you will receive information on the mandatory fingerprint and background check that is required of all City volunteers.
Glendale City Hall is located at 613 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206. The Community Services & Parks Department is located on the first floor in Room 120. Please ask to speak to Iris Hidalgo.
The Human Services Department is also on the first floor of City Hall, across the lobby, in Room 100. Please ask to speak to Ando Vardanyan.
Free Visitor Parking is available in the City’s parking structure on Wilson Avenue, north of Broadway and west of Glendale Avenue.
Your application packet will include the following:
- TSP Application Form
- TSP Physician Approval Form
- TSP Insurance Information Form
- TSP Bike Liability Waiver
- TSP Hike Liability Waiver
- City Volunteer Registration Form/Conviction History
- City Volunteer Agreement Form
Please note that the mandatory fingerprint/background check and the mandatory liability/bike insurance will be obtained at no cost to you.
You need to sign either the Bike Waiver or the Hike Waiver, not both, depending on which unit you are applying for. If you are applying for the Hike Unit, you only need to fill out the top portion of the Insurance Information Form. All other forms must be completely filled out, signed, and dated.
As soon as you have completed all the forms, please return them to the Community Services & Parks Department, 613 East Broadway, Room 120, Glendale, CA 91206. If we were unable to meet when you picked up the documents, please return them in person so that we have a chance to meet face to face.
The application packet must be returned to us no later than November 30, 2012.
Please note the following important dates:
- Saturday, December 1, 2012 – members of the Mountain Bike Unit must take the CORBA Mountain Bike Skills class at MalibuCreek State Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All members of the Mountain Bike Unit must pass this course in order to be part of the Trail Safety Patrol.
Please go to: http://corbamtb.com/programs/
- Sunday, December 2, 2012 – members of the Hike Unit must meet in Brand Park at 9 a.m. for the hike test up the Brand Motorway. All members of the Hike Unit must hike the 6.2 mile route of the Verdugo Mountains 10K in under 2.5 hours.
· Saturday, December 8, 2012 – all volunteers must undergo the mandatory 8-hour training program to be held in the Glendale Police Department’s Community Room from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Police Department is located at 131 North Isabel Street, Glendale, CA 91206. A free visitor parking lot is across the street from the station.
We know this is a lot to digest, so if you have any questions, or if there are any problems, please feel free to call me at the number below or simply reply to this email. If you have any friends or colleagues with mountain biking or hiking skills who you think might be interested in participating, please have them contact me. We can always use more excellent volunteers.
We look forward to working with you to make this an outstanding program that benefits all those who use Glendale’s trails and open space.
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
