We had a surprisingly small class today. I had expected more, given what a warm day it was, especially compared to recent weekends. But just a dozen people when riding with us in Malibu Creek State Park to participate in the free monthly basic skills clinic. You can see the photos in the March Skills Clinic Photo Gallery.
Archive for the ‘Santa Monica Mountains’ Category
Skills Clinic Photos for March 2, 2013
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013Why? Good Question!
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
By Mark Langton
It was recently brought to our attention that newly elected president of Equestrian Trails, Inc. (ETI) Robert Foster, a retired law enforcement officer, donates his time as an emergency medical technician at So Cal High School Mountain Bike Racing League races. Mr. Foster is a staunch supporter of the league, and in his president’s message in ETI’s most recent newsletter he stated that it’s a new era in our public open space trail systems, and mountain bikers are part of the trail user community so we all should try to figure out ways to get along.
Now I’ve been doing this advocacy thing for over 25 years, and I’ve experienced a lot of encouraging progress in the areas of shared use, especially when it comes to opening more trails to bicycle use. To hear the president of an organization that has historically had some of its members rally against mountain bikes say that we need to get along is truly groundbreaking. But things like this come fewer and more far between than I’d like, and during these 25 years I have often asked myself “why am I doing this?” The answer is always “because it’s the right thing to do.” This might sound insane (insanity once being defined by Albert Einstein as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results), and in many ways this might be true. But then something like Robert Foster’s reasonable position comes along and I think to myself, maybe we have been doing the right thing after all.
Over the years we have heard many reasons people feel mountain bikes don’t mix on shared use trails, but only one is valid; people riding their bikes too fast at the wrong time and place (around other trail users) is just not a pleasant experience for the people being passed at an inappropriate speed. As I’ve said many times before, we all have within our power the ability to solve this issue: slow down. In other words, use caution when around others. Let me put it another way; your actions represent the entire mountain bike community. The smile you create through a pleasant trail encounter goes a long way.
February CORBA Kids Ride – Cheeseboro Canyon
Monday, February 25th, 2013On February 2nd, four kids and and four adults rode Cheeseboro Canyon through Sulpher Springs and to the first big wall. New riders Josh and son, Zachary joined us again, and Joy and RJ came back after several months. Larry hiked along side son, Elliot who was determined to ride on training wheels, and he did!
It was a perfect day; the weather warmed up gradually, and the kids had lots of opportunities to practice trail ettiquette as the canyon was very busy with runners training for the upcoming marathon in March.
Click here to see pictures from this fabulous ride.
Next ride March 2 at 9 a.m. Sullivan Canyon, Brentwood side. Hope to see you and your kids there!
Lots of brush removed from Backbone Trail west of Kanan during Feb 23 trailwork day – and photo gallery
Sunday, February 24th, 2013During a joint trailwork day, CORBA and the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council trail crews cleared brush (lots and lots of it!) and fixed drainages on the 2.5 mile segment of the Backbone Trail west from Kanan Rd to Zuma Ridge Motorway.
- CORBA volunteers are knee-deep in cuttings that have fallen into the trail
We split into two teams to tackle this trail. 15 CORBA volunteers grabbed loppers and saws to take on the overgrowing brush. The tread along this segment is in pretty good shape, so a small group of four SMMTC and CORBA volunteers took earth-moving tools to clear out the drainages so rain water wouldn’t cause ruts in the future.
It’s important to clear brush from the trail not only to keep it from becoming so overgrown that it’s impassible, but also to increase the sight distances so approaching travellers can see each other from further away and have time to react/respond to the other’s presence. In the case of mountain bikers approaching hikers or equestrians, this should mean slowing down and preparing to stop, if necessary, to yield the right-of-way.
This trail had been worked by the SMMTC crew twice in the past few months so much of the brush had already been cut back, but there were two very bad sections. One was about 2/3 miles east of Zuma Ridge Mtwy where the brush has not been cut back for several years and both sides had grown almost to the middle. The other was on the switchbacks near Kanan Rd where the heavy branches overhead were drooping down so low that riders need to duck a lot of them.
We started from Zuma Ridge Mtwy and worked our way east, cutting back a few bushes to improve sight distances until we came to the major section that was overgrown. We spent most of our time there and now it’s very easily passible. And we created a huge pile of cut branches off the side of the trail!
Volunteers enjoy lunch at the Urbane Cafe after the workday is finished
Once that was done, we hiked east, pausing at the bridge for a snack and to enjoy the pretty area. We had hoped to clear the overhanging branches near Kanan Rd, but we only had time to clear some other problem spots we passed on the way there. Overall, we worked on 2 miles of the 2.5-mile long trail segment.
After putting the tools away, CST tires, 26″ and 29″, were distributed to everyone who wanted one, as a “Thank-you!” from CORBA, IMBA and CST Tires for helping out. Then we retired to Ubane Cafe for lunch.
We’ll have to have another trailwork day to clear those other low hangning branches, but they’re close to the trailhead so it will be easy to get to them. Stay tuned for news of future trailwork days to clear out this section!
Check out our trailwork photo gallery to see photos of this trailwork.
GirlzGoneRiding Feb 9th Open Ride Report
Thursday, February 14th, 2013From Wendy Englelberg: Today was the 1st of many I hope of GirlzGoneRiding (GGR) OPEN RIDES. A GGR Open Ride is a cross country mountain bike ride open to ALL levels…… especially encouraging beginners. EVERY GGR ride is a NO DROP ride at ALL LEVELS…NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND. We have a sweeper on EACH ride to make sure of this.
We had well over 50 riders signed up between the GGR event page and private emails, and with so many girlz being sick with the flu, we had many cancel. There were 38 riders respectively still!
The intermediate and advanced riders started at Caballero Canyon single track (“Cabby”) while the beginners started at the TOP of Reseda. Goal was for all levels to meet at the HUB for group photos, announcements and BLING YOUR BIKE contest winners at 10am.
Cabby definitely could use some work. Some of the ruts are very, very deep and the narrow side to ride on is getting more eroded all the time. Not sure how we can repair those huge ruts though without hauling up a ton of dirt…….. Always a hoot to descend…but a rough one to climb in parts!
At last we all made it to the HUB and did some mingling and photo’s. It was a beautiful day with no wind and the views being clear. Funny, the few men at the HUB didn’t know what to make of all these women on the trails! I love it when we leave men speechless! Of course we made them take our pictures!
Taking FIRST place in the BLING YOUR BIKE contest was GGR Ride Leader Ojai Ruth who did one outstanding and creative job blinging up her rig! She took home a gift card from CYCLE WORLD.
2nd place was the fast and furious DESI who also took home a gift card from CYCLE WORLD. And 3rd place was one of our beginner ride leaders LISA who went home with some CORBA socks!
So after some more fun photos, we split up into our respective groups. My group, the intermediate and advanced riders all went down Rogers Road (Back Bone) to the Old Oak Tree. Trail conditions were absolutely 100% perfect! We had 24 women and teenager girlz on this trail and they all ROCKED IT! Everyone was all smiles.
Now time to turn around and ride Back Bone back out. Some of the grades are very steep and rocky but these girlz ate them up for breakfast! I pulled over once on the longest climb to get my heart rate down…then started back up and was fine. I really enjoyed this trail with the girlz and especially knowing how happy they were, made me happy too.
Now off to retrace our tracks to the HUB for decision time! Having virtually all the riders back at the hub…we split up yet again. All but 8 riders opted to start heading back. So myself, Lisa and Ojai Ruth took the 8 riders for some extra credit. We opted not to go all the way to the other side for another 15-20 miles, yet decided on the Eagles Rock Loop which was more managable time and energy wise. It was a good call. All 8 girlz were still riding fresh and strong!
So after a quick rest after the Eagles Rock loop and a few more photos, us extra credit girlz headed back to Cabby. Once we got to the trail head at Cabby, Desi and Laura decided to keep riding while the rest of us were ready for some food! We all were having a great time on the descent. We stopped at the fork where you can descend on the short, steep hills or go to the left were the big, deep ruts are. I descended 1st down the steep part so I could get my camera ready. All did a great job and looked amazing!
Then as I was getting my camera put away, 2 very nice gentlemen stopped me and asked about the group since we were such a nice, friendly group of girlz! Love hearing that! Well, if you know anything about me, you know I’m not shy……so……..I stayed and chatted with these two cute, adorable men. Anyways, we ended up having lunch at the same place and come to find out one of their girlfriends had no other girlz to ride with…didn’t seem to know anyone! HA HA HA HA………..Well, he came to the right place now didn’t he! I gave him my GGR card and told him to make sure his GF signs up on GGR.
I wanted to thank each and every one of you that joined us today. I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am that you joined our group of women and was so stoked to ride with every one of you incredible ladies. I so much enjoyed riding with you and I hope that you all had just as much fun as I did and met some more women you can ride with!
We had a wonderful group of teenagers come out that race on one of the local high school teams which was awesome to have them join us so they could also see how many women of ALL ages and levels there REALLY are out there and all we have to offer!
Big huge thanks to our ride leaders today: Kimberly Cofield, Lisa Granata, Ojai Ruth, Michelle Friend and special mentions to Cystal (I made her go 1st all the time because she is the fastest and I trust her), and Charlotte for staying with the girlz so I could ride the extra credit with the others.
Also a thank you and much respect to the high school team that came out today. I was very leery of having high school kids on our women’s ride. I have to tell you that these girlz conduct was outstanding! I think I was worse behaved than them! Thank you young ladies! You are welcome anytime to join us for all future GGR events.
Please keep a look out for the Wenches with Wrenches workshop and the next GGR Open ride which will be at Sycamore Canyon in Newbury Park. Yet another amazing area that welcomes ALL levels of riders!
You can view more pictures of the event at the GGR Open Ride Photo Gallery!
Backbone Trailwork Scheduled for February 23
Monday, February 4th, 2013Join CORBA and the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council as we fix up the section of the Backbone Trail between Zuma Ridge Motorway and Kanan Road. We’ll mostly be cutting back overgrowing brush, especially branches that are hanging down and make riders duck as they go by. After the trailwork is finished, CORBA will have prizes for some (or all) lucky volunteers, and treat you to lunch afterwards.
Riding the Backbone Trail between Kanan and Zuma Ridge
No experience is necessary to help out with trailwork. Tools and instructions on how to use them safely and effectively will be provided. Must be 18+ years of age.Be sure to wear protective clothing (sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, hat, golves) and bring snacks, sunscreen and water. CORBA will provide the tools and training.
We request that you pre-register (by RSVPing “Yes” on our Meetup event) so that we’ll know how many tools to provide. Remember, by pre-registering, CORBA will treat you to lunch afterwards, and enter you in the drawing for mountain biking prizes! We have some great 2.25″ CST tires, for both 26ers and 29ers.
You can find the rest of the details, including times and directions, on our Meetup event.
Skills Clinic Photos for February 2, 2013
Sunday, February 3rd, 2013It was a perfect day to be riding in Malibu Creek State Park to participate in the free monthly basic skills clinic. This month we had 16 riders and I’m sure eveyone had a great time with the clear and warm weather! You can see the photos in the February Skills Clinic Photo Gallery.
Randy Rogers Had it Right
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013By Mark Langton
When I first met North Ranch Mountain Bike Club (nrmbc.org) founder Randy Rogers, he told me of his simple concept when encountering others on the trail. “You should slow down enough to have a brief conversation with them. Like, ‘How are you? Have a nice day.’” I told him I thought that this was overly courteous, and if you simply slowed down and said “hi” as you passed, it would be sufficient.
Now, 20 or so years later, I have to admit that Randy was right. Because in having that brief conversation, you not only slow down, you also show care and concern for the other trail user. And if we want to promote a backcountry that is harmonious and safe, then we all must act as if we are a family. Sure, like most families we may have our differences, but in the end our goal should be to care for, and be kind to, each other. After all, we’re out on the trails for the same reasons; to enjoy nature and to renew our spirit.
I challenge you to try this simple, easy experiment: When safely passing someone, including other cyclists, slow down to the point you’re almost going their speed (or stop if necessary), and ask “how are you doing?” (or the abbreviation “howdy!”). Pause just long enough to let them reply. If they don’t, at least you initiated the pleasantry. If they do reply, recognize the feeling you get from the exchange. They feel comforted and cared for, and you have done something nice. If that’s not a win/win, I don’t know what is. And at the risk of sounding cliché, you are paying good karma forward, which in most cases is contagious. And please drop me an email at mark@corbamtb.com or post a reply and let me know how it goes when you try this experiment. I’d really like to hear your experiences. Thanks!
(By the way, if you’re already using this method of trail courtesy, Thank You!)
Volunteers wanted for Backbone Trail Ultramarathon March 30-31
Friday, January 25th, 2013On March 30-31, Coyote Cohorts will be presenting a 68-mile run along the length of the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. About 150 runners in three categories will be challenging themselves to complete this grueling course.
Vounteers are needed to help with logistics and support of this event. If you are interested in helping out, please visit the Coyote Backbone Trail Ultra website for details and contact information.
CORBA Kids Club Rides in the New Year
Friday, January 25th, 2013Despite being rained out last month, and being busy with the holidays, the CORBA Kids Club has been busy riding the trails!
Two new families joined us for January’s ride: Josh and Zachary, and Geoff, his son Oliver, and
Oliver’s friend, Jack. Welcome, and we hope you continue to ride with us!
In January we rode the North Grasslands trail, on a clear but cold morning that
saw frost and some ice on the trail! We had a total of 14 riders — 8 kids and 5 adults. It warmed up to
a beautiful, perfect day.
Next ride will be Cheeseboro Canyon on Saturday February 2nd. Meet in the upper (dirt) parking lot at 9 a.m.
