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In this issue...
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Many-time
US and World Champion Leigh Donovan will be visiting
Cycle World on August 12 for CORBA's fundraiser.
See
story...
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Proper Trail Etiquette
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A Message from CORBA’s President
By Mark Langton
Tapia Spur Trail to Undergo Shared-Use Upgrades Starting in September
State Parks has announced that the multi-use Tapia Spur Trail in Malibu Creek State Park/Tapia Park will undergo several
changes to address the trail’s ability to sustain shared use by hikers,
equestrians, and mountain bikers. The work is tentatively set to begin in
September of 2011.
 According to State Parks’ Tapia Spur Trail project description (Tapia Spur Trail Muli-Use Work Project Report – PDF), dated
April 12, 2011, Tapia Spur Trail lacks a variety of components necessary to
adequately accommodate multi-use moving forward based on new multi-use
guidelines, and therefore intends to implement several multi-use components that
will bring the trail up to current multi-use guidelines. These components
include brushing (which has already begun), improved drainage and increased
tread width, speed control sections in areas lacking sight distance, and
realignment of one stretch of trail to increase sight distance and redirect the
trail off the fall line.
Of particular interest to CORBA are the components of “sinuosity” (the trail
weaving in and out of the topography to create a curvy alignment) and “pinch
points” (placement of items such as rocks or logs that create a perceived narrow
point in the trail corridor). Both of these components have been used in other
areas with good results; that of slowing the mountain biker while maintaining an
enjoyable experience for the cyclist, hiker, and equestrian. As I have
previously stated, slowing down around other trail users can virtually eliminate
the complaints by those who say that mountain bikes are dangerous because they
go too fast. While most cyclists are in control of their bikes when passing
other trail users, the perception of speed–even a few miles per hour–can reduce
or even spoil another user’s trail experience, including other mountain bikers.
We’re all out there for the same reason, to enjoy nature. Treating others with
respect is part of that enjoyment.
CORBA is encouraged by this upgrade project as it will allow State Parks to
work more closely with the trail user community in implementing shared use
concepts and guidelines. Tapia Spur Trail can become a showcase of proper
multi-use practices, and with the assistance and cooperation of the mountain
bike community, we can potentially have a comprehensive example of multi-use
guideline implementation. CORBA has been assured that mountain bikers will be
considered in every step of component implementation on this important trail
link from Malibu Creek State Park to Tapia Park.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind the mountain bike community that
CORBA’s funding and volunteer needs are ongoing. Trail work volunteers are still
needed, as well as funding for CORBA Trail Crew tools and other supplies. Just
recently State Parks released a comprehensive trail crew leader training
schedule, and in addition to trail workers, we also need those interested in
becoming trained and certified as trail crew leaders. Training starts July 7 so
we need volunteers immediately. To contact CORBA, email advocacy@corbamtb.com, and go to our Join/Donate page to to help support
CORBA’s efforts. CORBA Fundraiser at the New Cycle World
in Chatsworth to be August 12th!
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!
Today (June 30) we learned that Leigh
Donovan, nine times US National woman's mountain bike champion,
'95 World Champion and 2001 World Cup Champion, will be speaking
at the event after spending the day riding some of our local trails!
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.
All Fun at June 18th CORBA Beginner Ride
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... Read our blog
for the rest
of this article.
Fall Fat Tire Fun(d)raiser to be Nov 13th! Save 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.
 Upcoming
and Recent Trailwork
For many years, most trailwork has been done by volunteers because of budget
cutbacks at our parks systems. So come out and help CORBA and
other volunteers keep our trails in top riding shape! You can learn
more about what to expect and what you'll need to bring with you
on our Trailwork
web page. Keep in mind that CORBA now provides prizes and lunch
after the event for volunteers who register
in advance! And by registering in advance, you'll help us prepare
by knowing how many volunteers to expect. If you come out to two
or more trailwork days in a year, we'll give you a cool long-sleeved
CORBA trail crew shirt - be sure to ask for yours!
At publication time, we don't have any trailwork scheduled. But
keep an eye on our trailwork
calendar to see when new events are coming up!
To see all trailwork dates, including those of other groups,
visit the CORBA
trailwork calendar.
General
News
Mugu State Lifeguards to hold blood drive July 6
The Mugu State Lifeguards are holding the annual blood drive on Wednesday,
July 6 from 1400 to 2000 hours. I’d like to invite each of you to come out and
participate. This is a great opportunity to work together for a very good
cause. All employees, volunteers, families, and friends are welcome. Feel
free to call Lifeguard Dispatch at 310 457 4665 to schedule an appointment or
show up at the Covehouse.
Tony Hoffman
Filming Coordinator
California State Parks-Angeles
District
National Park Service-Santa Monica Mountains
818 880 0358
Desk
818 880 0383 Fax
Fire Season Trail Safety
 The Ventura County Fire Department has published a pamphlet about
safety on the trails during fire season, called “Ready, Set, Go! for Trail
Users.” It starts off
“Ventura County is a trail-lover’s paradise. From walks on the beach, to
urban paths and back-country trails, walkers, hikers, mountain-bikers and
equestrians have many options for exercising in a natural setting. Many of these
paths and trails are either in the wildland urban interface – a place where
development meets a natural area – or in the wildland itself. Anyone on a trail
during times of high fire danger could be at risk from
wildfires.
“Fortunately, the Ready, Set, Go! Trail Users program provides
many ways to prepare and protect against wildfires.
“The Ready, Set, Go!
Trail Users program is about being prepared (ready), situational awareness –
knowing what’s going on around you (set) – and getting out of harm’s way (go!).
By following a few simple steps, trail users can enjoy the natural beauty of
Ventura County without putting themselves in the path of a wildfire.”
The full pamphlet is available for download. You can also view the
general Ready, Set, Go! web page for fire preparedness at http://www.vcreadysetgo.org/. New on the CORBA Website
- Mugu State Lifeguards to hold the blood drive July 6
- Tapia Spur Trail to Undergo Shared-Use Upgrades Starting in
September
- REI supports CORBA by donating 5% of your purchases to us
- Federal Judge Orders Species Protection in the ANF
Recreational
Rides
For a list of upcoming recreational rides, please visit the CORBA
Calendar.
CORBA’s Recreational Rides calendar provides a full
monthly schedule of mountain bike rides for all skill levels. Mountain bike
rides are organized by CORBA member clubs and led by experienced and
knowledgeable guides. Recreational rides are a fun and social way to experience
a variety of trails in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and beyond.
Free Mountain Biking
Skills Clinic
 Saturday July
2nd is the next skills clinic.
The CORBA free skills clinic is held on the first Saturday of
every month at Malibu Creek State Park.
Mountain biking is a lot like tennis or skiing. Just a few minor
adjustments in technique can make a huge difference in your
control and proficiency. If you want to get better faster,
you need to know the fundamentals of mountain biking technique.
Whether you're just getting into mountain biking or have been
riding for years, you'll learn some valuable tips from our Introduction
to Mountain Biking skills class that is offered each month.
Check out our Skills Clinic
web page for all the information. After the clinic, see photos
of your new skills on the CORBA web site that you can share
with your family and friends!
 Follow
CORBA on Twitter and Facebook
We have set up accounts with Twitter and Facebook to help keep people informed
of the latest developments in our trail advocacy, recreational rides and trailwork days. Follow
us on Twitter at twitter.com/CORBAmtb
and Facebook at facebook.com/CORBAMTB.
Get Our Blog Articles Delivered to Your
Desktop
Have you ever wished you could get our blog articles without having
to check
the CORBA website every day to see if there’s anything new? Well, you
can! Even though our blog software won’t send articles by email, you can
still get them delivered to the inbox of most email readers like
Microsoft
Outlook. You use the “RSS feed” functionality for this. In fact, you can
read
our articles in any software that receives RSS feeds, such as Internet
Explorer
and other web browsers. This
blog
article on RSS feeds shows you how.
Support
CORBA
Join or Renew your membership today on our membership
web page. Join Our Team! Do you have any ideas about mountain biking recreation in the
L.A. region? Would you like to apply your skills and manage projects
that contribute to the sport and lifestyle that you love? Is there
an advocate in you? We are recruiting motivated individuals who
work well with others. Send an email to info@corbamtb.com
or come
to a monthly Members Meeting to find out more about what we do and how you
can help. Check the calendar
for the next meeting.
Other simple ways to
support CORBA
(Click on the links above to get more details!)
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