BMA Short Track Race @ EarthFest
CU Cycling Fundraiser, Saturday, April 18th
Bring the family to the Research Park for Boulder's Earth Day extravaganza and help send the CU Cycling Team to Nationals. These racers get no money from the University yet are consistently one of the top contenders for the Collegiate Road & Mountain titles. Mens, Womens & Kids divisions, $12 USAC entry fee with all proceeds going to the CU Team's travel & training expenses. Questions: Abby Carroll 970.324.5262 Get your Game Face on and bring the family out for a bunch of fun Green Living activities, live music and food, the Dirt Days Adventure Expo and the EarthDay5K race. Details here! |
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Ugly Behavior Will Ruin our Efforts
We've been informed that cyclists have been riding the Goshawk Trail, a new trail in the South Boulder system that is not open to bikes. A well politically connected hiker had an encounter with two cyclists on February 21. When the hiker informed the cyclists that bikes were not allowed, the response was full of f-bombs and threatening behavior. It didn't take long for the entire City Council and the Open Space Board of Trustees to hear all about it.
This is EXACTLY what those who wish to ban bikes from our public lands need to justify their complaints to decision makers. When stuff like this happens, we can't look the other way. We are all painted with the same brush.
We need your help to make sure this behavior stops. Peer pressure works... If we aren't our brother's keeper to some degree, then we will all lose. |
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2nd Annual BMA Film Night
Thursday, April 30th 7pm, Boulder Theater
The snow is starting to melt out on the forest trails, and by popular demand the BMA Film night is back! This year we're premiering Red Bull Rampage: Evolution, and short films about that thing we all love to do: Ride! We'll also feature the fabulous Yellow Designs BMX stunt team. Get your tickets early and stoke the fire with a few hundred of your closest buddies. Tickets go on sale April 1st, no foolin'! |
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National Bike Summit
550 Bike Advocates Visit Capitol Hill, including Mike Barrow. His report:
What an experience.
IMBA, Bikes Belong and the American League of Bicyclists have put together this event to jointly lobby our legislators about all things bike. Much of it was transportation oriented, but IMBA's presence does introduce the dirt element, which of course was the main draw for me.
This 3 day event featured breakout sessions where advocates were schooled on the issues of the day. This year, the focus was primarily on the Transportation bill, which must be reauthorized every six years. There are many bike friendly components of this bill, such as:
- Safe Routes to Schools - Big in Boulder and Longmont... Bear Creek Elementary won a National award for their successful program.
- Complete Streets - rule changes... make multi mode(ped, bike, mass transit) included unless specifically excluded... it's currently excluded unless specifically included
- Recreational Trails Program - We care about this one... the Colorado Trail the Continental Divide Trail has gotten money from this program
Three items on my list to focus from the IMBA/BMA perspective were wilderness legislation, the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and the stimulus money going to the USFS. We want to keep our legislators aware that while we support land protection, if wilderness legislation is introduced and we mountain bikers aren't in the loop, that would be counterproductive as we might have to oppose it. There are many other tools available that can protect the land and we want our elected officials to know about them.
The Colorado delegation was so big that I could not attend the senator meetings, but I did attend meeting with the offices of Ed Perlmutter (everything in the Denver Metro except Denver), Betsy Markey (NE Colorado, my rep), and Jared Polis (Boulder, Vail). All 3 representative meetings went well, as they are all members of the Congressional bike caucus.
One really good thing to note; we had heard that Jared Polis was going to sponsor a wilderness bill this session, and we asked his Legislative assistant about it. He said, "Why yes, we are. And when the Congressman heard about it, the first thing he said was, 'How does this impact mountain biking?'"
Gold star for the Honorable Jared Polis.
Everyone wanted to hear more about the good story that I had about the USFS stimulus money and asked to be kept informed about it as the projects roll out. That is a good opportunity for follow up with each of these offices.
Advocacy, at any level, is a long term proposition that requires the development of personal relationships. Anyone who thinks all they need is one visit to your elected official and all your needs will be addressed is drinking funky Kool Aid. This was a good start. Only time will tell if it really bears significant fruit.
Want to know more about it? Let's go ride and talk about it.
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Ergon Mountainbike Clinic
Join Ergon for a Mountain Bike Clinic (that's Klinik in German!) Now that the riding season is upon us, join Team Topeak-Ergon riders Sonya Looney and Jeff Kerkoveas they share their valuable tips, insights, and secrets for success in the sport of mountain bike riding and racing. Topics will include training and riding techniques, nutrition strategies, routine bike maintenance, equipment choices, and tips to successful epic mountain bike rides. There will also be time for a Q&A session so you can get specific answers to all your riding and racing questions. All events are free of charge and open to the public. Expect all 'kliniks' to last roughly 1 hour.
Dates and Locations**
Wednesday, May 6, 5:30 pm, Avery Brewery, Boulder
Friday, May 15, 7 pm at REI in Boulder
Wednesday, June 3, 7 pm at REI in Fort Collins
Monday, June 15, 7 pm at REI in Boulder
**Dates and times are subject to change Please direct any questions to this forum or send an email to jeffk@ergon-bike.com |
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Trail Crew Leader Training
BMA is offering a crew leader training on April 25/26. This is a two day training that will provide individuals with the skills to lead crews on BMA projects. This training is open to people who have participated in two or more BMA trails projects. Sign up soon because the spaces fill up quickly! Contact Jenn! |
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Bike Patrol Training
To signup for the patrol follow this link below and fill out your basic information. Training signups will happen when we follow up with you. 2009 Bike Patrol SignupThere are two training sessions this year to hopefully fit your schedule. You only need to attend one session but must attend in order to complete the training. The first session is two nights, the second session is one Saturday. Again, you will be able to sign up for these after you fill the signup form out above and you are contacted. There will also be optional day of first aid and CPR training within a few weeks that will be free to bike patrollers. Session I: April 8th, Wednesday and 9th, Thursday from 5:30pm to 9pm in Boulder. Dinner will be served each night. Session II: April 18th, Saturday from 9am to 4pm in Boulder. Light breakfast and a lunch will be served. |
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BMA Social Rides Next Week!
We're gearing up for the season, and social ride season starts next week:
Tuesday, April 7th - "Newbie Ride" with Jared Berg
Wednesday, April 8th - "Open Ride" with Tom Nasky
Thursday, April 9th - "Girls Ride" with Cynthia Ferrer
Plan on hitting these rides each week through the summer. Check out the website for times and locations as they become available. |
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Thank You!
New & Continuing Members
Boulder Beer
Sports Garage
Brian Collins
Aaron Bouplon (Big Wheel!)
Zach White
Jennifer Erickson
Eric Gertler
Keith Holecek
Angela Treiterer (Family) | |
