Archive for the ‘Youth’ Category

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CORBA Kids Club Rides in the New Year

Friday, January 25th, 2013

Despite 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.

photo1jan2013ride

Next ride will be Cheeseboro Canyon on Saturday February 2nd.  Meet in the upper (dirt) parking lot at 9 a.m.

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Posted in Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Youth | 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

Take a Kid Mountain Biking 2012 to be Oct 6 in Malibu Creek State Park

Friday, September 28th, 2012

On October 6, in conjunction with the IMBA Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, CORBA Kid’s Club will be having a fun ride at Malibu Creek State Park at 9:00 am. This will be a ride followed by a barbecue. All ages are welcome! If the kids are too young to ride, feel free to bring a bike trailer or trail-a-bike and tow them along. These can be your own kids, nieces, nephews, friends kids, neighbor kids… Kids must have their own bikes and helmets.

There will be a few different ride options for different age groups. Feel free to participate even if you don’t have any kids to bring.

Childhood obesity in the United States has reached an all-time high. Experts say that the current generation of U.S. children could actually have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. IMBA and CORBA believe mountain biking can help reverse this trend. We need your help to get kids back on bikes.

For for more information email info@corbamtb.com

To get to Malibu Creek State Park (Google Map with directions), take the Ventura Freeway (101) to Calabasas, exit Las Virgenes Road/Malibu Canyon. Go south 3.5 miles. You will cross Mulholland Highway and go another 1/4 mile to the entrance to Malibu Creek State Park on the right.

From Santa Monica, take Pacific Coast Highway north to Malibu Canyon Road and turn Right. Go 6 miles to the park entrance on your left. Just past the ranger kiosk to the left is a large parking lot. Look for the CORBA Tent and flags.

Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Youth | Comments Closed

Youth Mountain Biking Publication Available Now

Thursday, September 13th, 2012

With the help of a generous grant from Shimano, IMBA has released the first edition of a youth-oriented print publication. Written for middle-school through high-school aged readers — as well as their mountain bike coaches and adult ride leaders — IMBA Trail News Youth Edition is available for free online. You can also order 15 printed copies at IMBA’s online store, IMBA.com/catalog, for just $5.

The full-color, glossy magazine provides 12 pages loaded with great photos, news stories and features about mountain biking for young riders. Readers will find tips on organizing successful rides, trail building success stories and how to connect with IMBA’s chapters and clubs.

The second issue of the youth publication will be published this winter.

Copied from IMBA Trail News, Summer 2012

Posted in IMBA News, Youth | 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

Boy Scouts Take on Mountain Biking

Friday, June 15th, 2012

Over the past three years, CORBA’s trail crew has assisted in several eagle scout projects. Most were from eagle scout candidates who were also involved in the High School Mountain Bike League.   After discussions with local Boy Scout Troops and Councils, we put together a suggested set of requirements for a Mountain Biking Merit Badge in 2010. Apparently demand for a mountain biking badge was more widespread than what we saw locally, and the BSA leaders have listened.

During the 1990’s, IMBA and CORBA had approached the BSA about this very issue. At the time mountain biking wasn’t a mainstream sport, and wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now, especially with the younger generations, and the requests and suggestions fell on deaf ears.

How times have changed. Mountain biking has gone mainstream, and been legitimized as an Olympic sport. NICA is making great strives towards establishing the sports as a legitimate high school sport. The time is ripe for things to change.

According to a June 5 post by Scouting Magazine blogger Bryan Wendell, “The trail to Cycling merit badge just got a bit rougher.”  He explained: “The BSA has approved a mountain biking option for Cycling, a merit badge mainstay since 1911. So for the first time, Scouts who prefer fat tires instead of thin can earn the badge.”

We’re excited about this news, and commend the BSA for listening to their membership’s needs. Because the Boy Scouts like to keep a relatively steady number of available badges, it was much easier to have a mountain biking option added to the existing cycling merit badge instead of adding a new badge. This makes complete sense, as there is a lot of overlap in the skills, fitness, basic mechanical knowledge and safety aspects in both cycling disciplines.

We also feel that mountain biking has a definite place in the Scouting movement, as many of the scouting principles can be directly applied to the sport. Mountain bikers must be prepared, they need to be kind and exercise good trail etiquette to share trails with other users, the sport encourages health and fitness, and stewardship of our public lands.

CORBA invites any and all boy scouts (and the general public) to our free Skills Clinics, offered on the first Saturday of each month at Malibu Creek State Park. These free clinics will help get new riders the basic skills to get started in mountain biking.  IMBA also offers a youth-oriented publication, aimed at teen mountain bikers.

 

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Posted in Advocacy, CORBA Youth Adventures, Free Basic Skills Clinic, High School League, Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Youth | Comments Closed

CORBA Kids Spring Rides: Next Ride June 2

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

The CORBA Kids Club had a busy spring with a ride to the MASH site (MCSP) in March, Cheesboro Canyon in April, and the Grasslands Trail (MCSP) in May.

Started by 3 families who met at the 2011 Take a Kid Mountain Biking event, the CORBA Kids Club offers families with children free monthly organized rides in and around the Santa Monica mountains on kid-friendly terrain.

Click here to see photos from our April and May rides.  Our next ride is Sullivan Canyon, (Brentwood side) June 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, and we hope you will join us.  Email kidsclub@corbatmtb.com for more information.

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Posted in Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Youth | Comments Closed

SoCal High School Cycling League Announces Dates for 2012 Summer Outreach Tour

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Learn how to form a high school club

For the third year the SoCal High School Cycling League is taking its show on the road and providing a series of informational events to people interested in seeing a high school mountain bike club form at their local high school.

“Many people have heard of the League and want to start or be involved with a high school club but they just don’t know where to begin,” said SoCal League Director Matt Gunnell. “These events are designed to give people a brief overview of the League to allow them to confidently head down the path toward participation as a team founder, coach, or student-athlete. Learning how to get the ball rolling before school is out for summer will allow folks to get a head start on forming clubs for the spring 2013 season.”

There is no charge to attend and no RSVP is needed. Events are targeted at prospective club founders, prospective coaches, teachers, school administrators, parents, riders, and supporters. All stops are held at local bike shops that support the SoCal League and the clubs in the League!

A downloadable and printable PDF tour flyer is available HERE and the dates/locations are as follows:

• May 26 (Saturday) at Trek Superstore 10AM-6PM
Grand opening event benefits the SoCal League. Special guests, rides, and a great auction!
1617 Capalina Road
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 599-9735

• May 29 (Tuesday) at Casino Bicycles 7PM
43906 East Florida Ave (Hwy 74)
Hemet, CA 92544
(951) 927-7796

• May 30 (Wednesday) at Rock n’ Road Cyclery 7PM
6282 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 733-2453

• May 31 (Thursday) at Cynergy Cycles 7PM
2300 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 857-1500

• June 5 (Tuesday) at Main Street Cycles 7PM
311 East Main Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-5577

• June 6 (Wednesday) at Pasadena Cyclery 7PM
1670 East Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 584-6391

About the SoCal High School Cycling League
The SoCal High School Cycling League was organized to provide a well-defined race season for youth racers and to promote the formation of teams at public and private high schools. With the cooperation of local race promoters and our sponsors, the League organizes a first class series of races designed for high school aged riders and is easiest way for youth to get involved in the challenging and exciting world of competitive cycling. The SoCal League was kick-started with a generous grant from the founding SoCal sponsor, Easton Foundations, and is also generously supported by founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, as well as Jeep, SRAM, Trek Bicycles, Clif Bar and Co., Primal Wear, QBP, Cynergy Cycles, El Monte RV, Dr. John Gunnell Oncology, Kaiser Federal Bank, Kayo Clothing, Rock N’ Road Cyclery, Turner Bikes, CamelBak, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, adidas Eyewear, Cyclingnews.com, Dirt Rag, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, Mountain Bike Action, Ritchey Designs, Sidi, and WTB. For more information on the League, visit www.socaldirt.org or contact Matt Gunnell at matt@socaldirt.org, Tel. (818) 415-1133.

Posted in California, Los Angeles, Youth | Comments Closed

High School League Season Opener goes Huge

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

We just finished a hectic week of meetings and events for CORBA, including Friday’s fundraiser, meetings with State Parks and National Forest, and an IMBA board meeting and meet and greet. Yesterday, Sunday February 26, 2012, was probably the most fun though: the season opener of the So Cal High School Mountain Bike League.

A league race, if you haven’t seen one, is an incredible spectacle. The racing is extremely well run, very professional, and highly organized. The race follows guidelines and protocols established after more than twelve years of experience of the NorCal league, and now nationally coordinated through NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.

There were well over 300 racers at the event, and probably double that in families, friends and coaches.  CORBA was present as a show of support and to provide information about advocacy, responsible trail use and trail maintenance. We also took the opportunity to present the 2011 CORBA Award to Banner Moffat  (friends of El Prieto) and Matt Gunnell (the League Director) as an acknowledgement for their contributions to open space trails and the mountain biking  community in Southern California.

While all the heats are taken seriously and exciting to watch, the Varsity boys race is looking like it will be especially brutal and competitive this year. Cody Phillips, last year’s winner, came in second, just three seconds after Shane Skelton. The first four finishers were just ten seconds apart, and the first ten places were less than two minutes apart with at least six lead changes during the four-lap, 22-mile race.

What’s really impressive is that after the event instead of everyone packing up and heading home, entire teams and their friends and family stay on for the awards, a true indication of the camaraderie and supportive atmosphere of the league. There were hundreds of people applauding and cheering for those on the five-deep podiums.

During the awards, Steve Messer of CORBA spoke to the gathered crowd, talking about trailwork and advocacy.  He then surprised  Banner and Matt with their 2011 awards from CORBA. Gunnell then went on to talk about the importance of trailwork, encouraging all the teams to devote at least one team day doing trailwork as part of their high school program.

Below the break are some pictures that capture the spirit of the day.

(more…)

Posted in High School League, Youth | Comments Closed

Bike Park – CRPD 3rd meeting on 2/29/2012 at 7pm

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

If you live in the Conejo Valley or a nearby community, please attend a meeting to be held by the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) and press for a pump track and bike park to be included in the plans for the Lang Ranch Community Park.

On Wednesday, February 29th, CRPD will have a meeting to get public input into recreational activities they would like to see included in the Lang Ranch Community Park and other parks in Zone 2, roughly north of Hillcrest Drive and east of the 23 Freeway.

This is our chance to lobby for a bike park and pump track in a semi-urban area. Our kids and the young-at-heart could use to improve their balance, coordination, upper body strength, and generally have fun! In this age of video games, “sweet/salty snacks” and increasing obesity among our youth, everyone should appreciate a healthful, outdoor activity to engage them.

CRPD has plans for two more public meetings:

 

Meeting 3 – More Brainstorming & Bubble Diagrams
Wednesday Feb 29, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Room

Meeting 4 – Report Back and Recommendations
Wednesday March 21, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Center

Directions to the Hillcrest Community Center. From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, exit at Lynn Road, turning north, then turn right onto Hillcrest Drive. After 0.3 miles, turn left onto McCloud Ave, then turn right immediately at the sign for the National Park Service and Conejo Recreation and Park District. At the stop sign at the top of the drive, turn left and drive the short distance to #403, on the left.  Google Map and Directions

Posted in Advocacy, Bike Skills Park, Youth | Comments Closed

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