Northwest Trail Alliance - OUR MISSION

To create, enhance, and protect mountain bike riding opportunities; to advocate for trail access; 

to promote responsible mountain biking; and to build, maintain, and ride sustainable trails.
SEPTEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
Upcoming Events
September 26
Sandy Ridge Shuttle Event
(Details in this newsletter)


September 29, 7-8 PM
 
October 3, 4-6pm

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day 
(Details in this newsletter)
Volunteer

 Opportunities
NWTA Volunteers
METRO REGIONAL TRAIL COUNTS
SEPTEMBER 15-17, 19-20
Metro is looking for volunteers to gather along local trails to count and survey  people biking and walking along the Intertwine - the regional system of trails, parks and natural areas.   Why is this important?  The information gained from the trail counts is used to help decide where and when to build new trails, and to respond to the needs of trail users.  Each shift is just two hours at a single location.  Complete details can be found at this link: click here.


SANDY RIDGE SHUTTLE DAY SEPTEMBER 26
We are looking for people who want to help organize and lead
the next SRT Shuttle Day. We have a tried and true action plan that makes organizing this event simple and fun. We just need the volunteers to make it happen! Interested in being part of
this popular event? Now is your opportunity! Contact: Ted


STUB FEST 2016
We are looking for people who want to help plan, fund raise, and market the next event.
Contact: Ted Dodd  tedd@nw-trail.org


RIDE LEADERS
Looking for "grassroots" group ride leaders. Volunteer to go riding and share your passion with
fellow mountain bikers. It's an easy volunteer role that is important to building community within
NWTA. Contact: Ted Dodd tedd@nw-trail.org
Thank You To Our Sponsors
The Northwest Trail Alliance would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support. Without their help, it would be impossible for the NWTA to accomplish our mission of creating and protecting mountain biking opportunities.


Bike Gallery
Oregon Parks and Recreation
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Yakima Racks
Evolucion Innovations
Intel employees through the Intel Volunteer Grant Program
Oregon Road Runners Club
Grand and Benedicts Construction
Many individual, private donors
 
President's Message


After a weekend away, I came home to a pile of leaves and a Facebook feed cluttered with first-day-of-school photos.  Looks like fall has fallen upon us.


For Northwest Trail Alliance, fall means trail maintenance and Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on October 3. Keep an eye on our calendar and Facebook page for other opportunities to chip in and participate. 


I'm also selfishly excited to announce that we are planning a ladies group ride at Post Canyon in Hood River. On October 3, we'll meet at 9 am, ride for a few hours, grab lunch and for those who have the time, head over to Cascade Locks for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. Complete ride details, including meeting location, can be found on our calendar.


Cheers,
Kelsey Cardwell
Sandy Ridge Shuttle Event
September 26
Registration is now OPEN for the Fall, 2015 Sandy Ridge Shuttle Day!  We have 200 spots available.  This event is sure to sell-out, so be sure to visit our registration page ASAP to reserve your spot!  Tickets will not be sold on the day of the event.


By shuttling, you're supporting a great cause as net proceeds from the Sandy Ridge Shuttle Day go back to IMBA to support trail building and maintenance projects at Sandy Ridge.
Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day


In addition to being good, healthy, fun, the goal of Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is to develop a connection between

kids, and the natural world around them. Today's children are

tomorrow's land managers and politicians. They will be the

future decision-makers for important matters like recreation

and access to public lands. How different might our current

access landscape look today if previous generations of policy

makers had grown up riding bikes on natural-surface trails?

Follow this link for registration and location: TKMBD.

There will also be early registration onsite at 3:30pm.

Event Features

  • Kiddy Kat Rally-trail ride and scavenger hunt
  • Riding skills instruction
  • Learn to run OUR trail building machine
  • Entertainment for kids and grownups.
  • Food, games and prizes!
  • Overnight Camping
  • Bonfire; conditions permitting
Trailfest
NWTA is celebrating Trail Fest from September 14 - October 3rd.  Create and post your own ride during this three week celebration to end the summer riding season. You can find more event details and submit your ride by following this link: trail-fest. The 2015 Trail Fest will culminate with our Annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on October 3rd.
North Tualatin Mountains Natural Area Update
Metro is moving along with the process of developing plans for the North Tualatin Mountains Natural Area (click here for more info on the NTMNA).  Metro needs to hear from people interested in the future development (and access!) to this natural area north of Portland.  Thus far, they've mostly heard from people that don't want bikes.  Are you a mountain biker who likes to experience nature, connect to the outdoors and volunteer to help maintain and protect the lands we enjoy?  Then, please, take a few minutes and send your thoughts (see below for Metro council member contact info).  Tell them a brief story of how you would like to take your kids, or visiting friends on a local ride near Portland.  Whatever you say, please stay positive.


In addition to contacting council members, Metro will be holding an open house for public feedback this fall; date TBD.  If you would like to be notified of the date, you can email Dave Elkin of Metro (dave.elkin@oregonmetro.gov) to be added to a list of interested parties.


The Metro planners are also still taking comments.  Follow this link for the online comment form.


For additional perspective on what's transpired thus far, follow this link.


You can contact your Metro Council Members
tom.hughes@oregonmetro.gov
shirley.craddick@oregonmetro.gov
carlotta.collette@oregonmetro.gov
craig.dirksen@oregonmetro.gov
kathryn.harrington@oregonmetro.gov
sam.chase@oregonmetro.gov
bob.stacey@oregonmetro.gov


Or mail to the name above at
600 NE Grand Ave.
Portland, OR 97232-2736
River View Natural Area Update


On March 16, 2015, Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz issued a new policy, banning mountain biking at the River View Natural Area in southwest Portland. Soon after the news, NWTA took action to fight back against the bike ban. NWTA filed a notice of intent to appeal with the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), seeking LUBA to remand or repeal the Commissioner's bike ban policy. In response, the City's attorneys filed a motion asking LUBA to dismiss NWTA's appeal, arguing that LUBA did not have jurisdiction to hear NWTA's appeal. NWTA filed a response, arguing that LUBA did have jurisdiction to hear the appeal. The primary issue was whether or not the Commissioner's bike ban policy fit the definition for a "final land use decision." Ultimately, LUBA concluded that the bike ban policy did not fit the definition, and dismissed NWTA's appeal.


Overall, NWTA's appeal was a WIN for Portland's mountain bike community. During the appeal process, a massive grass roots support effort erupted and put a spotlight on the need for legitimate mountain biking opportunities in Portland. The Mayor's office heard the call to action, and approved a $350,000 budget for the off-road cycling master plan. We look forward to working with the Mayor's office to develop new mountain biking opportunities in Portland.
LOVE TO RIDE? GIVE TO RIDE!

1. Become a member.

2. Donate through our website to fund our work. 

3. Volunteer to build trails or to help on an advocacy committee. 

 
Join NWTA Today!
BECOME A MEMBER NOW!


Northwest Trail Alliance | P.O. Box 1846 | Portland | OR | 97207