Archive for the ‘Rides and Events’ Category

July eTerraTimes published June 30

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

The July edition of CORBA’s monthly newsletter, the eTerraTimes, was published today, June 30. If you don’t get it by email, you can view it online.

As always, the eTerraTimes has all the latest news for mountain bikers in the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas.

Station Fire Recovery Efforts Covered in Mountain Bike Magazine

Friday, June 25th, 2010

The Station fire has been a devastating blow to outdoor recreation throughout Southern California. CORBA’s Steve Messer was recently interviewed by Mountain Bike Magazine about the extensive damage and impact to the trails, and pondered on how the recovery efforts might proceed.

Messer was probably the last person to ride Sam Merrill, Sunset Ridge and El Prieto trails before the fire swept through the area. Ironically, he was on his way with CORBA’s trail crew to do some trail repair work on Sunset Ridge trail as the fire broke out.

It’s clear that the recovery will take many years. At present it is too early in the process to speculate on when the forest and severely damaged trails may re-open. The Mountain Bike magazine story does a nice job of laying out the challenges and opportunities, and showing how CORBA, the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association and others might be called to action going forward.

The full article is available as PDF document.

 

Round-up of June CORBA Kids Ride and Photos

Monday, June 27th, 2011

The CORBA Kids Club monthly ride was held Saturday June 4 at Point Mugu State Park/Sycamore Canyon.  Despite forcasts for windy chilly weather, the marine layer kept it pleasantly calm and cool, and when the sun came out, everyone was happy to peel off a layer.

After reviewing trail etiquette, safety guidlines, and describing the upcoming water crossings, the riders started out on the main fire road. Along for the ride were 7 kids (Josiah, Julia, William, RJ, Elliot, Ethan, and Nolan and 6 adults (Larry, John, Joy, Dave and Dave, on bikes and Kat on foot).

The first water crossing allowed for an easy introduction for those who were comfortable enough to get a little wet. There was a shallow section to the right, and everyone who rode it glided through and made it up the hill on the other side. The water crossings provided more teaching and rest opportunities as the kids encouraged each other along the way.

When we reached the 3rd water crossing, we had to wait for a family of Mallard ducks to pass before putting our wheels back in the water.

Several varieties of wildflowers dotted the way, as did the poison oak.  Luckily the trail was wide, and it was easy to avoid.  Kat pointed out purple and black sage,  white yarrow, and golden yarrow to Julia and Joy on the way back.

After the ride, the kids piled into Dave’s truck for snacks and water.

You can see all the pictures from this ride in our June photo gallery.

Next ride will be at Malibu Creek State Park on Saturday July 2 from 9 to noon. Hope you can join us! Please register online to let us know you’ll be coming.

CORBA Fundraiser at the New Cycle World in Chatsworth to be August 12th!

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

You don’t want to miss this! You are cordially invited to an evening with CORBA and Cycle World! This will be an amazing night of mingling, introductions, trail talk, guest speakers, a bike fit demo, skills demo, & even some surprises! There will be goodie bags for you to bring home and a silent auction with all proceeds going to CORBA!

Don’t miss your chance to check out the new Cycle World and enjoy an evening of socializing and fundraising to keep your local trails open!

Date: Friday, August 12. Doors open at 7pm. Purchase anything at the store from 7pm-8pm and Cycle World will donate 10% of sales to CORBA.
Cost: $10 donation at the door: 100% of proceeds go directly to CORBA.
Location: The new Cycle World Chatsworth

21112 Devonshire Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-349-6902

View the location and get directions with this Google Map.

(See the July 27th update on this fundraiser!)

CORBA Kids Club ride – July 2th, 2011

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Saturday July 2, 2011 – Saturday July 2, 2011

1925 Las Virgenes Road

View MapMap and Directions | Register

Description:

Organized parent/children mountain bike ride to build confidence, promote health and wellness, share knowledge of trails and riding techniques, teach respect for each other and the environment; inspire the next generation of mountain bikers and CORBA volunteers!

Meet at Malibu Creek State Park lower parking lot at 9 a.m.

For info contact:
corbakids@corbamtb.com

Kids must have their own bikes and helmets.

Register

All Fun at June 18th CORBA Beginner Ride

Monday, June 20th, 2011

 

Nine beginners at Sycamore Canyon (Point Mugu State Park)

Nine mountain bikers turned up for CORBA’s Beginner Ride in Sycamore Canyon (Rancho Sierra Vista/Point Mugu State Park). We started our ride on nice double track leading through the meadows of the National Park Service property of Rancho Sierra Vista. Once at the top of famous Blacktop Hill we took a moment to talk about safety of descending the hill: Watch ahead for gravel on the corners, control speed (max 15 mph), slow down for other trail users, perhaps say “Hello” and last but not least… have fun!

Once down the hill we turned west onto Ranch Center Road, unfortunately passing by the fun side route known as Art’s Trail, which was closed a year ago due to archeological concerns (read here about Art’s trail). After some climbing on the paved road … our reward. Wood Canyon fire road and two great single tracks, Two Foxes and Sin Nombre. I think I speak for all of us when I say we had a great time! No one even complained that we had to finish our ride with a final climb back up Blacktop to  Rancho Sierra Vista. Not only that, they smiled! Just check out the picture.

14 miles, 1300 feet of climbing, all smiles!

 

The 14-mile ride took us about three hours and had 1,300 feet of climbing, and by all accounts was pure fun!

I would like to thank everyone for joining the CORBA/North Ranch Mountain Bikers Beginner Ride. Check out the pictures.

Hope to see you on my next ride! Visit CORBA calendar and see you on the trails!

– Danusia Bennett-Taber

Free Mountain Bike Skills Clinic in Acorn News

Friday, June 10th, 2011

The Acorn, a local newspaper covering Agoura, Calabasas and surrounding areas, gave CORBA’s free skills clinic a nice piece in their June 9 2011 edition.  You can view the original on the Acorn’s web site at http://www.theacorn.com/news/2011-06-09/Community/Mountain_bikers_learn_safety_skills.html.  A full PDF of the page is also available.

The Free Mountain Bike Skills Clinic takes place on the first Saturday of each month at Malibu Creek State Park. Photos of the June 2011 clinic can be found in our Photo Gallery.

Come out and join us for the July clinic. All levels of rider are welcome, and it’s completely free.

 

 

Fat Tire Fun(d)raiser Announced for November 13, 2011

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Click to register through Active.comSave the date! November 13, 2011 will be the date for CORBA’s annual fun(d) and awareness raising event. This year we will be returning to Malibu Creek State Park with a slightly different format than in years past. We’re still working out the details, but you can be sure that there will be great rides and some great prizes given away. We will be toning down the festival atmosphere and concentrating on what we love to do most—ride! We’re also hoping to have a full complement of some of the hottest bikes available for testing by some of the industry’s best manufacturers. All proceeds will go to our programs that help keep the trails open to shared use, and hopefully open up more of the many miles of trails that are currently closed to bicycles.

More information is available on our 2011 FTF page. Check back occassionally to look for updates!

June Skills Clinic Photos

Monday, June 6th, 2011

The photos from the June 4th Free Basic Skills Clinic are now posted in our June 2011 Skills Clinic photo gallery.                                                                                                                                                                                                   .

SoCal Racing League Outreach Tour Announced

Friday, May 20th, 2011

SoCal High School Cycling League

2011 Summer Outreach Tour

Are you a prospective or future rider, coach, team founder, parent, teacher, or administrator interested in seeing a high school mountain bike club at your high school?

Come to one of our information sessions!

Meetings start at 7:00 PM

www.socaldirt.org

May 24 @Trek Superstore North County

2123 Industrial Court • Vista • 92081

May 25 @Rock n’ Road Cyclery Irvine

6282 Irvine Boulevard • Irvine • 92620

May 31 @Helens Cycles Santa Monica

2501 Broadway • Santa Monica • 90404

June 1 @Open Air Bicycles

1303 State Street • Santa Barbara • 93101

June 13 @Meanda Grove

1830 Bradley Street • Riverside • 92504

June 6 @Trek Bikes of Ventura

4060 East Main • Ventura • 93003

June 7 @Incycle Pasadena

175 S. Fair Oaks • Pasadena • 91105

June 14 @Pasadena Cyclery

670 East Walnut • Pasadena • 91106