The voice of off-road bicyclists  

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In this issue...

• Urgent News
• Upcoming and Recent Trailwork
• Upcoming Recreational Rides
• Other News
• Free Mountain Biking Skills Clinic
• Monthly Beginner Ride
• Support CORBA
• CORBA news eMail list

Urgent News

All State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains Slated to Close with 80% of the Others

To help resolve the California budget crisis, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed slashing the budget of the State Park system, resulting in the closure of 80% of them starting in July. The full list of parks to be closed includes

• Malibu Creek SP
• Topanga SP
• Will Rogers SHP
• Pt Mugu SP (Sycamore Canyon)
• Leo Carrillo SP

The fine for trespassing in a closed State Park is reported to be several thousand dollars.

CORBA of course is strenuously opposed to closing parks or reducing funding from their already decimated level.

For more information on, background on and repercussions of closing State Parks, visit our Trail Issues page.

Help get more trails in Malibu

CORBA fights for access to trails in LA City Parks

A meeting at LA City Hall for community input into the new LA city bicycle master plan, which includes considering mountain bike access to city parks, was held on April 15. CORBA representatives attended this meeting to give their comments, as did a number of equestrians and Sierra Club leaders who are opposed to off-pavement cycling in the city. We have put together the LA City Parks web page to show what happened at this meeting and to explain the greater issues surrounding it. We were able to videotape the meeting and have put together video clips of some of the testimony so you can see firsthand some of the outrageous things other trail users in LA are saying about mountain bikers. The page is a work in progress so check back for more video clips and details of the events as they unfold.

The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has reaffirmed their complete opposition to off-pavement bicycling in LA in an article in this month's edition of the Southern Sierran.

Santa Barbara Trail Closures as a result of the Jesusita Fires

The Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers would like to let everyone know about the trail closures in the SB Front Country as a result of the Jesusita Fires, and request your assistance getting the word out. I know many of you come up to enjoy these trails, so we need your help ensuring their recovery and continued access to mountain bikers.

All of the Front Country trails located within the Los Padres National Forest between Refugio Rd to the West and Cold Springs Trail to the East are closed to all access. This includes bikers, hikers, runners, and equestrians. Specific trail closures include Jesusita, Tunnel, West Fork Cold Springs, Arroyo Burro (frontside), and Tuckers Grove. Tunnel, Jesusita, and Arroyo Burro trails are almost 100% covered in rock slide debris and "ravel" - the baked and loosened top layer of soil.

Fortunately, the Romero trail complex and a few others remain open.  However, since these are some of the few trails open they are seeing significantly more use, especially on weekends. Please keep this in mind and ride courteously and cautiously.  SBMTV strongly encourages riders to ride with bells. We've placed bell boxes at the top and bottom trailheads if you don't have a bell or forgot yours.

Unfortunately, a small number of trail hikers, bikers, and runners have been ignoring the closures. Local anti-mtb voices are using this as justification for efforts to ban mtb's from Front Country trails. Tunnel Trail has long been under the gun for closures. With reports from local Sierra Club members that downhillers have been spotted on the burned-out Tunnel Trail, mtb'ers now find ourselves on the defensive. Please help us discourage anyone from using the closed trails until they re-open.

A HUGE volunteer effort will be needed to recover these trails, but it can and will be done. In fact, we have an opportunity to repair these trails to be more sustainable in the long-run. Please consider helping those efforts when they arise. In the short-term, however, we need to give fire and cleanup crews the space they need to mop up, then give the trails time to recover before going in and rebuilding. With so much great riding still accessible in the SB backcountry, it shouldn't be too hard to give the Front Country trails a breather. Please help us spread the word.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like help selecting alternative rides in the area, please feel free to shoot me or anyone else from SBMTV an email.  I can be reached at rick.margolin@gmail.com, or check out www.SBMTV.org.

Support Historic Opportunity for NEW Mountain Bike Access in Marin County, California

California State Parks has announced a proposal to open singletrack for mountain biking in Marin County, on the shoulders of Mt. Tamalpais. The agency plans to permit bicycle use on the 4-mile Bill’s Trail segment and is soliciting public commentary on the project.

"I'm urging mountain bikers across the country to send comments in support of this project," says IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "It's hard to imagine a more important location than Marin, where mountain bikers have worked incredibly hard to regain access to the very trails that helped bring our sport into the world."

Take Action! Tell California State Parks you support their decision to open Bill’s Trail to bicycles. The commentary period ends on June 26. Use this online form to provide your support!

For more information and pictures, visit the IMBA Bill's Trail Page.

Upcoming and Recent Trailwork

June 6 - National Trails Day at Mount Wilson. We will join the Forest Service and other volunteer trail user groups to work on the trails around Mount Wilson in the Angeles National Forest. We will work on the trails until 1:00 pm and then a barbecued lunch will be provided for us. Details.

June 6 - National Trails Day at Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes. This is your chance to work on trails with gorgeous ocean views.  A free lunch will be served when trail work ends at noon.  The first 50 volunteers to sign up with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will receive a free REI T-shirt (please call 310.541.7613 x201 to make a volunteer reservation; you can leave a message if it's after office hours).  Volunteers should gather by 9AM at Del Cerro Park (Map).  For more information, visit www.mtbpv.org.  Wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes.  A hat and sunblock are also recommended.  It could be cool and misty so bring a jacket, too.

The Santa Monica Trails Council conducts trailwork every Saturday. Here are the dates they will be fixing up trails that are open to mountain bikers:

• June 6: National Trails Day at Circle X Ranch, conducted by the National Park Service. Call to receive information flyer and specific information: 805-370-2301

May 23 - SMMTC trailwork on the Secret Trail in Calabasas. A few CORBA volunteers helped the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council with this trailwork. View the photo gallery here.

Why do Trailwork? If you've ever wondered this, take a look at this article in the Summer 2008 issue of Terra Times to learn more about why it's important. Visit the CORBA Trail Crew page for more information and links to photos of past events.

Upcoming Recreational Rides

Check the CORBA Calendar for the ride description, details on difficulty level, directions to trailhead, changes, more rides, etc.

Other News

Congratulations to CORBA-PV members Troy Braswell and Dave Sakai, who were 2 of the first 3 graduates from the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy Volunteer Trail Maintenance Training class. During the past year, Troy and Dave met the minimum 50 hour training requirement, and passed the final test. The training involved a 6 hours in the classroom followed by monthly sessions that focused on technique and skill-building in key maintenance areas. Field sessions included detailed hands-on treadwork, water diversion, rock work, basic survey, brushing, pruning, tool use and safety. Each student must demonstrate a working knowledge of the subject areas and the associated skills to perform the tasks in order to qualify as a trained volunteer. As trained volunteers, Troy and Dave are able to plan and perform maintenance tasks in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve areas.

CORBA Helps Check Calabasas Mustard

Mustard growth is a continuing problem on many local trails. It is particularly troublesome on the New Millennium Loop Trails in Calabasas. Last year the CORBA trail crew volunteers labored to cut down the mature mustard and remove the debris from the trail (photos). It was a daunting task. In the end, the land manager, Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT), had to deploy additional resources to complete the job. It was so difficult they decided in the future to destroy the young mustard plants before they had the opportunity to overtake the trail. This year, because of the state of the economy, the MRT was not able to afford to do this, so CORBA donated $500 to help pay for labor and supplies. The trail crew also hauled supplies up to the trail that were needed for the task.

Next time you ride on the New Millennium Loop Trails, remember to thank CORBA and MRT for removing the mustard!

The draft Los Angeles Bicycle Plan Maps are available for public review and comments. They are posted on the LA Bike Plan website ( www.labikeplan.org ) and hard copies will be distributed to regional libraries, planning offices, etc. as indicated in the attached letter. The full bicycle plan (text and maps) will be circulated for public review upon completion.

CORBA's 2009 Fat Tire Fest

Save the Date! Southern California’s largest MTB event! Ride, Eat, Win! The FTF Committee is looking for volunteers for some of our new events this year. To lend a hand, email us at ftf@corbamtb.com. Sponsors & exhibitors: to secure your spot & maximize your FTF benefits, contact us at ftf@corbamtb.com.

New on the CORBA Website

• Crap costs equestrians - June 4. The price of poop disposal is breaking the budget of LA horse owners
• State proposes closing 80% of State Parks - June 1. The closure of all the State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains would provide insignificant savings to help with the current budget crisis
• Sierra Club continues to support the ban on mountain biking in LA City - June 1
• Working to reverse the ban on mountain biking in LA City - June 1
• Calabasas trailwork photos from May 23

Free Mountain Biking Skills Clinic

Saturday June 6 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!

Monthly Beginner Ride

CORBA holds a recreational bike ride for beginners the second Saturday of every month, a week after the Skills Clinic. This is the perfect opportunity for the clinic attendees to practice their new skills! But you don't need to attend the Skills Clinic before you come on this ride; everyone is welcome. This is a great ride for first-timers to the CORBA recreational rides. The ride leader will go over the basics of riding a mountain bike along the route. Check the Calendar for details.

Support CORBA

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

• JensonUSA: Shop for bikes, parts and accessories and help CORBA
• Ralphs grocery stores: Use your Ralphs card and help CORBA
• Albertsons' grocery stores: Use you Albertsons' card and help CORBA
• GoodSearch internet search: Search the internet and help CORBA
• GoodShop online shopping: Shop at your favorite online retailers and help CORBA
• Phones For Good: Help CORBA when you get your next cell phone
• Holmes Body Shop: Get that dent fixed and help CORBA

(Click on the links above to get more details!)

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