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NWTA Newsletter - Spring '11
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NWTA 'Springs' into Action!
by Tom Archer, Board President
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Apologies for the lapse since we last published our newsletter - it's been a busy winter continuing to build the organization and creating more riding opportunities in our region. The good news is we've got results to show for it - since early 2010, our membership has increased fourfold, we continue to work on projects throughout the region, and we've got new projects kicking off this summer.
For those of you who don't think about mountain biking over the winter, you're missing out. Remember that dry spell in January and early February when you were wishing for more snow in the mountains? Sandy Ridge and even the lower sections of Post Canyon were prime! So as we work toward building more trail at lower elevations, we're increasing riding opportunities in what has traditionally been "off-season" in Oregon. Whether you've been riding during the winter or not, it's that time of year when we look out the window and daydream about hitting up our favorite trail, or maybe exploring some new ones. It's also a good time to participate in one of our many events happening over the summer - group rides, work parties, social events and trail festivals - so keep an eye on our calendar for the latest info. The future for mountain biking in our region is bright. Thanks for your continued support. Ride On!
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Announcements
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New FaceBook Page Check out our new FaceBook Page. If you were a fan of the old account, be sure to switch. Likewise, if you haven't joined either one yet- come on over! New Member Discount for Short Track Series  Join the NWTA New Member Drive Are you looking for a new way to get involved with the Northwest Trail Alliance? If so we are looking for people to help brainstorm and implement exciting ideas for attracting new members. We would like to come up with creative and fun ways to help us reach our goal of 1000 members! With numbers comes political clout, which makes this an important part of the development of the organization. We will be setting up a weekday evening meeting soon. Please email Brian Baumann at brian@nw-trail.org if you are interested. Sponsors- Something Old, Something New
Support for the organization comes in many ways, but as we grow and our expenses increase (website, insurance, tools, equipment, etc.) our need for good old cash continues to grow. So, more than ever, continued support by our sponsors is important. So, please keep this in mind when you need to make your next bike related purchase.
We would like to welcome Cycledog aboard the NWTA team of sponsors. Those of us that have a furry friend in our arsenal of outdoor equipment should check them out. Speaking of outdoor... er, equipment, what ride wouldn't be complete without a post ride beverage at Hopworks Urban Brewery? We're happy to say the folks at HUB have just signed on again for another season of good times and, of course, sponsorship. Rounding out a host of good news, Bike Gallery, Little Package (maker of hand-sewen caps), Portland Design Works, Timberline, Fat Tire Farm, Chris King, and Revolver Bikes will also be joining us again with their generous support. Whew, it's good to have help- and we'll use it with all the great projects we have in store! We look forward to sharing the trails with such great friends. Check out our full list of sponsors here and next time you see them be sure to give a big "thank you" for their awesome support.
 
   
  
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NWTA Trail Fest 2011 Revisited!
by Michael Duncan
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This year's Trail Fest 2011 was a blast! We would like to extend a big thanks to everyone who was able to come out and join in the fun. We'd also like to send a big shout out to all of our generous sponsors including: Chris King, Hopworks, ARC, and Bikeracker. Here's the rundown of the merrymaking...
 A great bunch of folks came out to the premier of Pedal Driven and got a taste of Bike-umentary goodness. The film is an exceptional piece of local cinema, and really captures the challenges and opportunities faced by our community of riders. It features several NW locations, including our own Sandy Ridge. Howell at the Moon Productions has given us a first-rate portrait of the hard-earned progress in trail advocacy. If you missed it, there will be other opportunties to see this remarkable film, including a showing at Stub Stewart park on National Trails Day, June 4th. Be sure to put this on your short list of flicks to see.
There was a HUGE turnout the Chris King kick-off party. The evening was a perfect opportunity for land management entities and business interests to connect with our family of riders. Hopworks was there to provide tasty beverages and represent the local brewing scene, as well. The evening's festivities were a perfect example of the momentum and energy surrounding our community. Guests were treated to a presentation chronicling Northwest Trail Alliance's involvement in the mountain bike community, our growing list of achievements, and announcements of several new
projects in the works, including Portland's first pumptrack! With many smiles, laughter, animated conversation, whistling and hollering, we feel certain that everyone enjoyed the rare treat of a few hours to celebrate mountain biking in the hallowed halls of Chris King's headquarters.
Next up were the Stub Stewart Work Party and the annual NWTA Swap Meet. Needless to say the events were brimming with hard work and good times. Work parties are a great opportunity to connect with fellow riders and gain perspective of just how much thought and effort goes into our trails. That being said, if you haven't had a chance to make it to a work party, lets do it! Likewise,
 the swap meet was a hoot! I heard one lucky someone went home with a mint condition "barely ridden" Biopace crankset- SCORE! We wrapped up the weekend with our Rides of Spring event and post-ride celebration. Once again what a great turnout! Despite our typical spring showers, Mother Nature couldn't have treated us with better weather. It made for a perfect day on the trails of Tillamook Forest and reminded us of all the sunny riding yet to come. The Women's Group spent the day with local pro mountain biker Sue Butler, who donated her time to teach the ladies all the new skills they could handle. It was really good to see some familiar faces and meet new folks who might make great future riding partners and trailbuilders.
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NWTA in the Community
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Lids-4-Kids
Undoubtedly you'll agree it doesn't look right to see kids riding without helmets. Thankfully 1st grader Dillon Mangus shares our concern and set out to do something about it. He leads by the mantra "keep the goo on the inside," and has a goal to raise $5,000 by June 1st, 2011. The funds will be used to purchase helmets from Nutcase, which will be distributed to kids in need during the popular Sunday Parkways events in various Portland neighborhoods. NWTA is partnering with Dillon to help him acquire and distribute the helmets. We plan to expand this project to a yearly program and invite kids from all over the metro area to create their own helmet drive fundraisers. Please join us in "keeping the goo on the inside" and support his fundraising efforts. Visit Dillon's page on crowdfunding site Crowdrise.com.
Sunday Parkways
NWTA will continue to participate in Portland's premier family-friendly summer bike event - Sunday Parkways. We'll be laying out our mobile skills park for kids of all ages to enjoy, so look for the NWTA Trailer at one of your neighborhood parks. Also, please contact us if you'd like to volunteer at the booth for a couple of hours, spreading the good word about mountain biking, after testing your own skills on the mobile skills park.
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Trail Talk: Stub Stewart, Ventura Park, Eichler, and more...
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Stub Stewart State Park
 Quite a bit is happening out at Stub Stewart State Park and if you haven't been there recently, check it out! In February, Westside Trail Federation (WTF) was given the nod to expand the 15+ miles of riding currently available to build out the freeride area, which was part of the original masterplan for the SS Mountain Bike Zone. Since then, WTF has lead work parties almost every weekend - sculpting rollers, berms and jumps to create an incredible "flow-jam" experience (we just made that up!). The goal is to have at least a few lines ready to rip this summer. Recently the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department took note and has implemented steps to ensure our voice is heard when the decision-making happens. The fact that the OPRD recognizes our needs is HUGE, and is the result of many hours (and years) of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers! Given the variety of trails there and close proximity to Portland, Stub Stewart is poised to be a big hit this summer, and a great place to take riders of all skill levels.
Ventura Park Pumptrack
After almost two years since the idea was first hatched, NWTA was given the green light to build Portland's first pumptrack in a public park! Ventura Park (at SE 115th & Stark, 1 block from the nearest light rail stop), will be the venue for both a kiddie track and a more advanced track for you big kids. We're refining our construction plans and hope to submit for permits in early June, with plans to start building over the summer. Keep an eye on our website for updates and opportunities to come shape a berm with some of your riding buds. Time to blow the dust off that dirt jump bike sitting in the far corner of your garage.
Eichler Jump/Flow Park
Another summer project for NWTA, we've been given the go-ahead to rebuild Eichler park, which has been sitting idle for several years. Originally designed as a dirt jump venue by Tualatin Parks and Recreation, the park suffered from neglect and needed a champion. NWTA to the rescue! We negotiated an agreement to re-design, re-build and maintain this park and just received permission to start building. The redesign will include beginner, intermediate and advanced jump lines, as well as pump lines for those wanting to keep our tires on the ground. The first work party is scheduled for this coming Saturday May 28th at 9 am, and will continue through June. Keep an eye on our calendar for future opportunities to help out.
NWTA Takes Delivery of the ST-240
If Chuck Norris and Robocop had a trail-building lovechild, it would be the ST240. The ST240 a.k.a. the "Single Track 240", and the centerpiece of our Trail Development Partnership Program, was designed and built right here in Oregon and has all manners of mechanized trailblazing gadgetry. Capable of cranking out enough labor to match 10 workers, it saves both time and energy (meaning your back will be a lot less sore after a day of trailbuilding). This machinery doesn't come cheap, but thanks in part to a grant from the OPRD and your generous donations, we made it happen. You've heard us talk about the ST240 for the several months now - well, wait no longer as we will take delivery of the beast on June 1st! Working with some of our best land manager partners, we'll put this trail forging juggernaut right to work at several locations over the summer including Stub Stewart, Sandy Ridge and Tillamook State Forest.
   
Interested in taming the beast? NWTA is offering scholarships to participate in ST-240 training certification program. That's right, you could get training to operate this machine and work on your favorite local trail, or build a new one (after getting permission, of course). Interested? - contact Joe Rykowski, for more info. Are you a land manager with a trail project that needs a boost, or a private land owner looking to create a private mountain bike mecca on your property? Tell us more about your project here.
Look for the ST-240 at Stub Stewart on National Trails Day June 4th, or at the Ventura or Eichler Park projects over the summer.
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Spotlight on Service
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 | | Joe has the ability to levitate, as well. |
We wanted to introduce a new section of our newsletter which will showcase a different member each month who has, in some way or another, been invaluable to NWTA. These are the people, like all our volunteers, who have made what we do possible.
Joe's efforts stand head and shoulders above most, so next time you see him, give him a well-deserved thank you!.
Without further adieu, we present to you...<insert drumroll>
Who: "Hello, my name is Joe Rykowski..." You are Involved Because...: "Do more, whine less. I'm involved because I want to see more mountain biking opportunities on the ground closer to home... where I can take my kids when they are ready to hit some single track trails. My oldest daughter is 5 and just this month started riding her "big bike" up and down the block without training wheels!" Why You Ride: "Sometimes I forget... but I ride because right now (to me) it's funner than anything else to do in the outdoors." Favorite Trail: "Black Rock Mountain Bike Area. Bonzai Downhill trail." Best Post-Ride Grub/Drink: "Bowl of Yakisoba Chicken at Venti's Cafe & Basement Bar (Salem) with an Arrogant Bastard ale." Handshake, Hug, or Hi-Five: "Dude, get away from me... Fist bump!" What's on Deck: "You caught me flowing the day to... Destroyed album by Moby... streaming on iPhone with rdio.com app. But my collection on rdio.com shows The Black Keys has had the most plays of any artist." Joe's been involved with NW Trail Alliance as a volunteer trail steward since 2009. He has also served as NWTA's main project leader at Stub Stewart State Park mountain bike area doing design and construction. In 2010, he applied for and secured $85,000 Oregon Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant on behalf of NWTA towards purchase of custom ST240 single track machine and enclosed trailer. Since 2010, he has been at the helm of the NWTA Trail Development Partnership Program which centers around the use of ST240 by partners involved with the program.
Needless to say, THANK YOU JOE!
There you go folks, your monthly dose of "Spotlight on Service." Until next time, drink it in, it always goes down smooth.
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Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendar
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Sat, May 28th (9:00am - 4:00pm) - Eichler Bike Park Build Day Come on out and help move some dirt!
Tue, May 31st (6:00pm - 8:00pm) - May General Meeting Zach Jarrett, our bike friendly land manager at the BLM, will give us an update on the last developments at Sandy Ridge.
Wed, June 1st, 8th, 15th... (5:30pm) - Weekly Forest Park Ride Join us for our regular Wednesday night ride in Forest Park.
Sat, June 4th - National Trails Day
Up for some early morning trailwork? Join us in keeping our trails in good form out at Sandy Ridge for a work party (9:00am). Afterwards, be sure to make the most of the day and head on over to Stub Stewart for some good times and festivities- not to mention BBQ and our mobile skills park. Then when you're all tuckered out, wind down, relax and enjoy a movie! NWTA will be hosting a showing of the Pedal Driven documentary at the amphitheater in Dairycreek Camp West in Stub Stewart (8:00pm).
Mon, June 6th, 13th, 20th... - Portland Mountain Bike Short Track Series 2011
Every Monday evening June through August 1st. Don't forget new NWTA members enjoy a discount on registration! See you at the races!
Sun, June 12th - Women's Group Ride (9:00am to 1:00pm) Details announced soon. Be sure to register and log in to the Women's Forum for more info.
Sat, June 18th - Fat Tire Farm Movie Premier "3 Minute Gaps" Fundraiser
The folks at FTF will meet you over at the Hollywood Theater for the premier of Clay Porters, "3 Minute Gaps." Proceeds from the night benefit Northwest Trail Alliance and the Sandy Ridge Trail System. Look out for raffle prizes and shwag! Be there at 6:30pm for the all-ages show starting at 7:00pm or for the over 21 crowd, meet at 8:30pm for the 9:00pm showing. Tickets will be available at The Farm and Hollywood Theatre.
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A Big Thank You!
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Northwest Trail Alliance would like to thank you for your continued involvement and support. We know it can be difficult to find the time to ride, let alone pick up a shovel, and those of us who can't do either have donated. One thing is for sure; your commitment is a tremendous help. Your friendship, hard work, and donations have brought us to where we are today. Please take a moment consider the difference we can all make when we are committed to building a brighter future for our trails. Look to join us in upcoming rides, trailwork parties, and fundraising events. Stay in touch- we 're set to make this season the best yet!
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