Posts Tagged ‘CORBA’

Nov 13th Fat Tire Fun(d)raiser

Sunday, September 18th, 2011

Save the date: November 13, 2011.

For 2011 we have altered the format of our annual anniversary event. In years past it had grown to be quite the undertaking, with lots of festival activities, vendors, a poker ride, even a cyclocross race. Although fun for attendees and a great success, our volunteer coordinators and support staff got pretty burned out, despite the many accolades received from appreciative participants.

The bottom line is to raise money for our programs while having fun celebrating our great trails and advocacy efforts. So this year we decided to keep it simple and do what we love best–RIDE! We are excited to be back at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas. The main ride route will feature the Crags Road Trail through the creek canyon, past the MASH site, and up Bulldog Motorway, and will also connect to National Park Service property at the Solstice Canyon section of the Backbone Trail with an optional out-and-back to Kanan Dume Road at Tunnel #1. It will continue along Mesa Peak Motoryway and down Tapia Motorway, finishing by coming back into Malibu Creek State Park via the Tapia Spur Trail. With the out-and-back to Kanan Dume Road the ride is 27 miles, or 15 miles if the Backbone Trail to Kanan Rd.  is skipped. There will also be shorter easy rides in Malibu Creek State Park including the Grasslands Trail to De Anza Park. There will be plenty of opportunities for every level of rider to have a great ride in support of your local trail advocacy organization.

Of course, we’d hate to pass up the opportunity to have some cool demo bikes on hand, and so far we have gotten commitments from Trek, Specialized, Giant, and Bionicon who will have some of the newest technology on hand.

We’re also very excited to announce that New Belgium Brewery will be serving samples!

And of course there will be a raffle, with some really cool prizes including bikes, gear, and more.

Click here for more information and to get registered. Hope to see you there!

A New Look and Chapter for CORBA

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

In late December 2010 CORBA announced it was applying to become a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The transformation is now complete, and CORBA is now a Chapter of IMBA. The partnership creates a stronger, unified voice for mountain bikers by linking our data base with IMBA’s, to name but one of several benefits that will enable CORBA to better serve off-road bicyclists in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and surrounding areas.

Becoming an IMBA Chapter affiliate does not change CORBA’s local efforts and relationships with other advocacy groups and land managers. In fact, it will strengthen our efforts. Now when you join CORBA, you will also be getting an IMBA membership as well. And if you join IMBA, you have the opportunity to indicate CORBA as your local affiliate. Join or renew today and help us keep your local trails open to bicycles!

Updated Privacy Policy

Monday, February 21st, 2011

As a part of CORBA’s process to become an IMBA Chapter, we have updated our privacy policy. The changes are simple, alerting our members to the fact that they will also be subject to IMBA’s privacy policies.

Our new Privacy Policy is effective immediately (February 21, 2011), and can be read at: http://corbamtb.com/privacy.shtml

IMBA’s privacy policy can be found at http://www.imba.com/help#Privacy.

Louisa Bonnie Moves On

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

The mighty Louisa

Last year’s Fat Tire Festival was Louisa Bonnie’s last as Coordinator. CORBA is forever indebted to her for taking the event to new heights and bringing more attention to CORBA’s mountain bike advocacy efforts. The event raised not just awareness, but much needed funding for CORBA’s programs, which include Youth Adventures, Trail Crew, Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills, and Kids Club.

It’s impossible to measure the immense respect and admiration we have for Louisa’s involvement as a board member and FTF coordinator. Not only did she organize the event, she also made huge strides in procuring event sponsorship and vendor participation. The entire Santa Monica Mountains trail user  community owes her a tremendous amount of gratitude for her selfless efforts to improve our open space trails and recreational experience.

If you are interested in getting involved with upcoming events, please contact info@corbamtb.com

Trail Conversions to Begin in Malibu Creek State Park

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

On 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.

Things CORBA did for mountain biking in 2010

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
  • Contributed a total of 1,533 person-hours to repair and maintain local trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Angeles National Forest, and Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, as well as several other local city open spaces.
  • Intervened on behalf of mountain bikers to stop bulldozing of Rogers Road Trail in Topanga State Park.
  • Organized 23 Youth Adventures rides, totaling 180 local at-risk/underserved kids experiencing mountain biking and public open space.
  • Held 13 free mountain bike skills clinics (including two special clinics for the Mountain Bike Unit) with a total of 300 participants.
  • Met with local and statewide California State Parks representatives regarding trail conversion process and provided list of trails we felt appropriate for shared use.
  • Established regular (at least quarterly) meeting schedule with State Parks regarding trail issues.
  • Surveyed Station Fire related damage to 50+ miles of trails in the Angeles National Forest.
  • Repaired and recovered the Doc Larsen trail, El Prieto trail, Sam Merrill Trail in the Station Fire Closure area.
  • Coordinated the mailing of 929 letters to the City of LA Planning dept. regarding new LA Bicycle Plan. (The LA Planning Dept. voted to adopt the plan on 12/16, including the off-pavement bicycle study component.)
  • Adopted COSCA Los Robles West trail.
  • Represented mountain bikers at Burbank trail council meetings, Glendale Riverwalk planning, LA county master bike plan, CTUC board meetings, Angeles National Forest volunteer meetings, Great Outdoor Listening session and BAC meetings.
  • Appeared on or in a number of media outlets including: Feature story in Mountain Bike magazine (Station Fire article); Mark Langton and Steve Messer inteviewd on KLOS; Steve Messer interviewed on Bike Sport Radio; Steve Messer interviewed for the LADOT Blog.
  • Donated funds to support congruent mountain bike and open space organizations: Mountain Bike Unit, SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League, COSF, and SMMTC.
  • Donated funds to the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council to help support State Trails Day at Pt. Mugu State Park.
  • Produced new jerseys and t-shirts with updated graphics and messaging.
  • Organized local IMBA Take a Kid Mountain Biking ride in Malibu Creek State Park.
  • Produced Fat Tire Festival fundraiser at Castaic Recreation Area with attendance of over 300.
  • Numerous communications with State Parks regarding closure of “Art’s Trail” in Point Mugu State Park, and subsequent publishing of clarification of State’s position on the designation of the trail (“closed due to archeological concerns).
  • Sent a representative to the National Bike Summit in Washington DC.
  • Implemented CORBA Membership Portal system to allow better communications with our members and friends, easy donation system, and event registration.
  • Published monthly electronic newsletter.
  • Financial Statement


    Grassland Trail In Malibu Creek in Question

    Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

    A 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.

    CORBA Announces Kids Club Rides

    Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

    Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of CORBA members Larry and Kat Ross and their sons Josiah and Elliot, CORBA is pleased to announce monthly Kids Club fun rides. Held at various locations around the Santa Monica Mountains, these kid-friendly organized rides are intended to build confidence, promote health and wellness, share knowledge of trails and riding techniques, teach respect for each other and the environment, and inspire the next generation of mountain bikers and CORBA volunteers! Children of all ages and abilities may attend (parent or guardian must be present and sign a waiver), and trailers/trail-a-bikes are welcome.

    Click on CORBA’s calendar for upcoming dates, which include February 5 at San Vicente Mountain Park (Nike Tower) in Encino, March 5 at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, and April 2 at Cheeseboro Canyon Park in Agoura Hills. For info contact kidsclub@corbamtb.com.

    Visit our new Kids Club page!

    Ross Blasman Memorial Service 1/29/11

    Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

    In an earlier blog post we announced the passing of CORBA member, and Mountain Bike Unit founding member and coordinator Ross Blasman on December 31, 2010. A celebration of his life took place at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills on January 29. Here are few pictures.

    CORBA Supporter and Industry Legend Russ Okawa Passes Away

    Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

    Most CORBA members, and the general mountain bike community, probably don’t know the name Russ Okawa. However, to anyone who worked in the bicycle industry, his name is legendary, as was his tireless work ethic and dedication to whatever bicycle-related company he worked for. He literally helped change the course of the industry, first with his involvement with the BMX boom, and later with the mountain bike explosion. His most recent involvement with Giant Bicycles for more than 10 years helped shape a new era of the way bicycle companies do business. Russ passed away in his sleep on Monday January 3 from complications due to open heart surgery. Click here for a story that appears on the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News website.

    Russ was also a friend of the cycling community, an ever present supporter of bicycles and cycling in all its forms. His persistence in supporting CORBA’s Fat Tire Festival through Giant’s presence was unwavering.