Archive for the ‘Regions’ Category
Local Spin on Great Outdoors Program
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011CORBA Clarifies Sierra Club’s Misinformation
Saturday, February 19th, 2011In 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:
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.
Trail Use Change Proposal Meeting
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011The 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
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!
We are People for Bikes, and You Should Be Too!
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
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.
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!
Mountain Bike Access Threatened in Cheeseboro Canyon
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011Recent comments by National Park Service ranger personnel indicate that resource damage caused by mountain bikers in Cheeseboro Canyon Park in Agoura Hills could threaten future access.
Over the last few years increased off-trail “bonus runs” have been created by mountain bikers and is a fairly serious breech of accepted activity. These bonus runs include parallel routes along designated trails for the purposes of creating a more challenging experience.
Bonus runs are a direct example of mountain bikers not adhering to posted designated trail routes. Continuing this practice could lead to access restrictions. Please think twice about going off-trail: A little personal fun now could cost a lot of fun for a lot of people in the future. Remember, your individual actions speak for the entire mountain biking community.
Trail Conversions to Begin in Malibu Creek State Park
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011On January 26, 2011, CORBA Board of Directors members Mark Langton and Danusia Bennett-Taber met with representatives of California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) regarding CORBA’s request for considering the change in use of trails to include mountain bikes. This meeting is was part of the State’s new trail conversion process, and several more meetings are expected as more trails are assessed. Representing CDPR were Acting District Superintendent Craig Sap, Topanga Sector Superintendent Lynette Brody, Maintenance Chief Dennis Dolinar, Maintenance Supervisor Dale Skinner, Resource Specialist Tom Dore, Ranger Tony Hoffman, and Roads and Trails Manager of the Facility Management Division Karl Knapp.
It was explained that the trails that were being presented this day were considered for their potential ease of conversion as well as meeting CORBA’s criteria; connectivity, access to the Backbone Trail, and increased access to singletrack. The trails were Musch Trail in Topanga State Park, and Yearling and Lookout Trails in Malibu Creek State Park.
All three of these trails were recommended for conversion to accept mountain bike access. Below are brief descriptions of the recommendations.
MUSCH TRAIL
CDPR recommended that the proposed use change to allow bicycles be accepted with conditions, including significant re-routing of the section east of Backcountry Camp, and re-establishing of tread west of Backcountry Camp. Although the recommendation is to allow bikes, the amount of work/resources necessary makes this a low priority conversion and will not likely be undertaken in the short term. CORBA is confident that the trail will be converted at some point, but recognizes that the amount of resources available to re-establish and reroute the trail keeps it from being a priority. There are several other trails that can be converted with the same or less effort, but CORBA will remain diligent and make sure at some point Musch Trail becomes a priority.
YEARLING AND LOOKOUT TRAILS
Yearling Trail
CDPR recommended that the proposed use change to allow bicycles be accepted with conditions, including a significant re-route of Yearling Trail, and a couple of smaller re-routes on Lookout Trail. Because the tread surface of some of the Yearling Trail is unstable and poses a safety hazard to all users, work will begin quickly pending further State Park evaluation. In combination with the Lookout Trail, this route will create a significant connector for cyclists from the northwest side of Malibu Creek State Park at Regan Ranch (corner of Cornell Road and Mulholland Hwy.) to Crags Road Trail.
The timetable is somewhat unclear, and work is still subject to a CEQA study. However, this represents an important milestone in getting increased access to trails that had been previously closed to bicycles.
CORBA announces new beginner mountain bike ride series.
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011Here is your chance to get into mountain biking!
Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for friendly, introductory mountain bike ride.This will be no-drop social fun ride.
We will ride some fire roads and easier single track in places like Malibu Creek, Topanga and Point Mugu (aka Big Sycamore) State Parks as well portions of Santa Monica Mountains National Area Backbone trail, Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyon and Conejo Open Space (COSCA).
CORBA’s first beginner ride of 2011 will be held from 9:00 am to 11:30 am in Malibu Creek State Park. Reservations are not required. Click here for additional information.
If you are new to mountain biking consider attending CORBA’s free mountain bike skills clinic which is held every 1st Saturday of the month. Learn and then come to ride with us!
Next CORBA’s Free skills clinic is this Saturday, February 5th – click here for the details.
Click here to access CORBA’s event calendar.
See you on the trails!
Grassland Trail In Malibu Creek in Question
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011A couple of days ago CORBA received reports from some of our members that while riding in Malibu Creek State Park they were told by Mounted Volunteer Patrol (MVP, equestrian) members that “only fireroads, no singletrack” were open to bikes and that the section of Grassland Trail from Mulholland Hwy. and from the Edison Station to Las Virgenes Fireroad/Liberty Canyon Fireroad sections were not open to mountain bikes. It was also reported that this went for the stream bed section of Crags Road Trail (aka the Creek of Doom).
Subsequent conversations with local rangers indicated that the information about the stream bed was incorrect, and that it was open to mountain bikes. The Grassland Trail was not as clear.
On Tuesday 1/26 members of CORBA’s Board of Directors met with State Park officials on several issues, one of them being Grassland Trail’s use designation regarding the sections in question mentioned above. Representing State Parks were Acting District Superintendent Craig Sap, Topanga Sector Superintendent Lynnette Brody, Maintenance Chief Dennis Dolinar, Maintenance Supervisor Dale Skinner, Resource Specialist Tom Dore, Ranger Tony Hoffman, and Roads and Trails Manager of the Facility Management Division Karl Knapp. None of these individuals knew with certainty what the designation of Grassland Trail was, and did not have documentation readily available. They did say that to their knowledge there had never been a closure to bicycles, and have been operating under the assumption it is multi-use, including bicycles. They guaranteed they would provide definitive information as soon as possible, and said that at this time the use designation is status quo, meaning that currently bicycle use is admitted. They also confirmed that the stream bed designation is multi-use, as is the singletrack from De Anza Park to Las Virgenes Fireroad.
Pump Track Brings out High School Volunteers
Monday, January 24th, 2011
Pump Track Raising
CORBA’s trail crew took on an unusual assignment on this past Saturday, January 22nd. Trail Crew leaders Hans Kiefer and Steve Messer took CORBA’s trail crew trailer out to Riverside to support the So Cal High School Mountain Bike League’s construction of their first pump track.
A pump track is a man-made track comprised of rollers, bermed turns, table tops and other possible features. It is designed to be ridden not by pedaling, but by using the terrain, full body movement and simple physics to propel the rider forward around the track. It teaches one how to flow with the terrain and be more in tune with the bike and trail. It’s an incredibly taxing whole-body workout, but the most important aspect is that it is just pure fun!
The pump track will be used for training, skill building and skills clinics, and the occasional special event by the SoCal High School League. It was constructed with the generous donation of space by Woodcrest Cycling team Coach Peery and his family. The space was created by removing about a dozen orange trees from the Peery family orchard. Renowned pump track guru Lee McCormack (http://www.leelikesbikes.com) designed a custom track for the terrain available. McCormack is the author of “Welcome to the Pump Track Nation” and was on-hand to oversee the construction.
