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March 10, 6-8 PM
MtBike League Night -
Ladies Night!
1969 NE 42nd Ave - Portland
The ladies are taking over the monthly MtBike League Night! Join us for a clothing swap. Rummage through your gear closet, bring any jersey's or other riding apparel you might want to trade out, and socialize with other riders. (Gentlemen welcome, so bring your dudes, too!).
March 29, 7-8pm
General Membership Meeting
1969 NE 42nd Ave - Portland
Save the following 2016 NWTA event dates! More details will be posted as we get closer to each event.
- May 14 -- Sandy Ridge Shuttle
- June 4th -- Stub Fest (National Trails Day)
- July 23rd -- Falls Creek Campout
- Aug 19, 20, 21 -- St. Helens International Festival Of Trails (SHIFT)
- Sept 17th -- Sandy Ridge Shuttle
- Oct 1st -- Take A Kid MTB Day
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STUB STEWART STATE PARK TRAIL PROJECT:
MARCH 19, 2016
Dirt diggers needed to help shape the new lower section of Green Horn, a NEW section of trail. If you like to build flow trails with berms and table top jumps, this project is for you. The trail has been cut in, and we need help shaping and sculpting the berms & jumps.
We will have all the NWTA machines on site to do the heavy lifting (ST240, Ditchwitch and the Canycom wheelbarrow).
In addition, we will be sending out multiple crews to do benching and berm work on Link n' Pin.
To accomplish our goals for the day we need 60-80 volunteers.
Regardless if you are a seasoned trail builder or new to trail building, we need your help. There are projects for all skill levels.
Please RSVP so we can get a headcount and properly pre-plan, and stage tools.
TRAIL WORK DAY AT
HENRY HAGG LAKE:
APRIL 2, 2016
Northwest Trail Alliance is sponsoring a Trail Work Day at Henry Hagg Lake on Saturday April 2nd at 9AM, and we'd love it if you could join us! Come and help shape one of the closest single-track areas to the west side of Portland.
Some of this 14-mile trail stays very muddy when wet, and we're planning on making it ridable more of the year, so we will be adding some gravel to some open-field muddy sections. It should pound in nicely over time!
So bring your boots, some gloves, some water, and even a shovel or rake if you have one. We will supply snacks and drinks.
We will be meeting at Hagg Lake's Boat Ramp C, at the covered pavilion on your right as you enter. You will not need to pay parking. Just stop at the booth and tell them you are working on the trail, and they'll give you a day pass.
We plan on working 3 or 4 hours. Don't plan on riding afterword unless it's very dry, since the trails are generally still muddy at Hagg in April - which is why we're working on them!
CONTACT: Lee Duncan
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETER NEEDED
Are you a social media maven? Great at story telling, and creating excitement? If so, NWTA can use your help in marketing and promoting our events. NWTA has many talented leaders who are organizing events and trail projects, and we need help letting our membership (and the rest of the world) know what we're doing.
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed for the Fund Raising Committee; especially volunteers to help submit applications for grants to fund a wide range of projects.
Grant writing is a simple process because we have all the information you need. We just need volunteers to help submit the applications.
This is a short-term commitment; March - April.
NWTA has big plans for 2016 and we need your help raising the funds for events and trail projects such as:
- A NEW mtb trail project (S. Stub Expansion, 8-10 miles of new trail)
- Take A Kid Mountain Biking
- Trail Patrol Program
- Stub Fest 2016
Funding for our projects is available, we just need to apply for it.
NWTA BIKE PATROL
NWTA Bike Patrol consists of dedicated volunteers partnering with land mangers, landowners and emergency personnel to assist, educate and inform all trail users in order to enhance their recreational experience.
Trail Patrol is open to ALL ages and skill levels of adult riders.
You are perfect fit for the Bike Patrol if you like to:
- Ride your bike
- Help other people
- Be involved in the management of your local trails
- Learn about outdoor first aid, trailside bike repair, off-road riding and trail-use education.
STUB STEWART BUILD DAYS This is a recurring event and the first build day will start Sat, Oct 17, 2015, and repeat every other Saturday until state trails day (Saturday, June 4, 2016). See our calendar for details and updates (including cancellations)
STUB FEST 2016 We are looking for people who want to help plan, fund raise, and market the next event.
RIDE LEADERS Volunteer to go riding and share your passion with fellow mountain bikers! It's a rewarding volunteer role that is important to building community within NWTA. |
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March is a busy one!
On March 16, we are hosting Joshua Rebennack to speak about urban mountain biking, what's working around the rest of the country, and what can work here in Portland. We're inviting partners, land managers, and participants in Portland's off-road cycling master planning process. Our goal is to spread helpful ideas and learn from the best as we advocate to expand mountain biking opportunities here in Portland. We are asking that you RSVP if you wish to attend this event.
It's also women's history month, and staying true to the theme we've planned several opportunities for the ladies to get together.
- This weekend, we're joining forces with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for two fun-filled days of riding on Tiger Mountain. Ride details and RSVP can be found here.
- The ladies are taking over the monthly "MtBike League Night" on March 10 (see details in the "upcoming events" section of this newsletter). Join us for a clothing swap. Rummage through your gear closet, bring any jersey's or other riding apparel you might want to trade out, and socialize with other riders. (Gentlemen welcome, so bring your dudes, too!).
- We're also taking over the monthly membership meeting on Tuesday, March 29 (see details in the "upcoming events" section of this newsletter). We'll host several women riders who have planned and executed epic adventures. Join us to get inspiration for your summer plans. More details TBD.
Finally, Oregon Metro will finalize their plans for the North Tualatin Mountains this month. We'll need you--our members--queued up to take action (hopefully in support) of the plan to be presented to Metro council.
Ride on, Kelsey
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Portland Off-Road Cycling
Master Plan Update
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Work on the Portland Off-Road Cycling Master plan kicked off in January. Project Advisory Committee meetings have been underway. During the first meeting the Committee reviewed the project's purpose, timeline and process. At the second, it discussed the City's goals, provided feedback on facility types, and went over details of the project's objectives. You can find more information about each meeting here.
The Off-Road Cycling Master Plan will be developed in four phases over the course of 2016: -
Discovery phase: January-March
This phase will help establish a vision and goals for the project and lay the groundwork for understanding off-road cycling needs in the community as well as impacts and benefits. The project website, Project Advisory Committee (which will meet throughout the planning process), and an interactive online map tool will offer Portlanders ways to learn about and add their ideas to the planning process.
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Analysis phase: March-June
This phase will focus on reaching out to the Portland community to gather feedback on how the City might provide a variety of off-road cycling experiences and how to determine which sites are most appropriate. Community members can lend their ideas to this phase by talking directly with the project team at a project open house and a youth-focused event as well as at various community events, and through the online map tool.
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System planning phase: June-September
This phase will carefully consider how the City might develop a system of off-road cycling trails and facilities that meets the goals of the Plan and is accessible by bike and transit. Community members will have many opportunities to add their ideas to this phase, including a second project open house and youth-focused event, the online map tool, and at conversations focused on specific proposed locations.
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Draft plan phase: September-December
During this phase, the project team will develop a draft Master Plan, including design and management recommendations and implementation strategies. The draft plan will be refined based on community input and then presented to City Council for adoption. Community members will be able to comment on the draft plan at an open house, on the project website, and directly to City Council.
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North Tualatin Mountains
Master Plan Update
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Metro has released a draft of their plans for the North Tualatin Mountains. NWTA is putting together an official response, and we'll share that with you soon. We hope you'll add your voice once we send that your way! Thanks for you continued support in our advocacy agenda
The draft plan calls for 5.5 miles of new multi-use trails at the Burlington Creek Forest site. These trails will accommodate beginner and intermediate cyclists and provide several loop options.
The two sites would be the first places that Metro provides off-road cycling opportunities, and comes after hundreds of cyclists voiced their desire for new trails near Portland.
You can read the full draft plan here, and the FAQ here.
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IMBA Announces 2016 Advocacy Plan For Wilderness Areas
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In February, IMBA announced its 2016 advocacy position. "After thoughtful deliberation and careful consideration, including conversations with many partners and stakeholders, IMBA's board reasserted its longstanding commitment and approach to enhancing trail access for mountain bikers," said Mike Van Abel, IMBA's president and executive director The advocacy position is based on three key points: 1. Regarding future Wilderness proposals, IMBA believes it is unacceptable to lose access to trails currently enjoyed by people riding mountain bikes. 2. IMBA will investigate and pursue legislation that realigns existing Wilderness boundaries to re-open trails to people riding mountain bikes. 3. IMBA will not seek to amend the Wilderness Act of 1964. Read more about IMBA's announcement here. |
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Eric Melson Joins IMBA In
Pacific Northwest
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IMBA is pleased to announce that Eric Melson has assumed the unique position of serving in the dual role of Advocacy Manager on IMBA's Government Relations team and Assistant Region Director for the Pacific Northwest Region. Melson will be based in Missoula, MT, and will serve as a resource and coach for local advocates and IMBA chapter members working on a wide variety of issues that influence the management of mountain bicycling on public lands. "IMBA is very pleased to welcome Eric to this unique role in our ever-evolving journey to serve our chapters and members," said Pacific Northwest Region Director Michelle Barker.
Visit the IMBA Pacific Northwest Facebook page for more advocacy news. |
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Trail Update:
Tilamook Forest Trail Closures
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Until further notice, the Gravelle Brothers Trail and University Falls Trail portions of the Historic Hiking Loop in the Browns Camp Area of the Tillamook State Forest are both CLOSED due to timber sale activity. This closure is expected to last into late Spring of 2016. Map of area and other trail notes here. |
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Comments Needed For Project Impacting Hood River Area Trails
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Comments needed in project impacting Hood River trails The Forest Service is preparing a long-term project to reduce the amount of combustible wildfire fuels in the Polallie-Cooper area on the east side of Mount Hood, notably impacting the Dog River Trail (#675). Local mountain bike stewards support the necessary fuels reductions, but are asking for better protection of the riding resources. Learn more about this project in here. Join IMBA chapters Hood River Area Trail Stewards and Northwest Trail Alliance, along with the 44 Trails Association, in asking for a reasonable 100 ft buffer to protect our riding experience on this popular trail, and to set a precedent for future work of this nature. Comments must be submitted by March 16. Handwritten comments can be submitted to: Casey Gatz Hood River Ranger District 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, OR 97041 Electronic comments can be sent to: comments-pacificnorthwest-mthood-hoodriver@fs.fed.us |
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Thank You To Our Sponsors
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The Northwest Trail Alliance would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support. Without their help, it would be impossible for NWTA to accomplish our mission of creating and protecting mountain biking opportunities.
NWTA is still accepting sponsorships at all levels for 2016. If you are interested, or know a business that is, please
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSORS
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
SILVER AND BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS
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