We rolled into the Tahoe Area on the heels of a very successful MTB Trails Conference that took place last October. It was an event that brought together the mountain bike community, the US Forest Service, and many other interested and dedicated parties. One significant outcome was the resurgence of TAMBA, the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association. We were happy to spend our final weekend in California helping everyone keep the momentum going.
As usual, we began at the grassroots. We also unveiled a new presentation dedicated to the subject. During the debut, we focused on being politically savvy and building the necessary relationships that help clubs get what they want.
Our last visit to the Bay Area was back in the fall of 2009, during the first months of our tenure on the Trail Care Crew. While we were well versed in Western US trail culture, we hadn’t been around the country and had yet to develop that ‘nationwide’ knowledge. It’s something that happens for every Crew and really, is one of the things that make our program so unique. As we travel around the US working in different locations and landscapes, we build a body of knowledge that benefits every else across the country.
Just got back from a week of camping – we’re smelly, tan, and happy. Seven days of living outside does wonders for your body, mind and soul. We got away from the daily grind (yes, even our job wears us down) and took the time to reconnect with nature and some very good friends.
One of our greatest assets as a Trail Care Crew is our ability to work with all groups. Although we do represent a mountain bike organization, we’re proud of the fact that we have interacted with a wide range of different trail users over the years. This weekend was no different; we had the pleasure of working with hikers and equestrians in addition to mountain bikers. It was a great opportunity to get away from the ‘us vs. them’ debate and get down to the subject that really matters: trails.
Last fall I started the series called Night + Ride. During our recent visit to Santa Barbara I was able to capture a different kind of night ride. It involved bubble wrap and duct tape. Put together by Santa Barbara Bike Moves, it’s just the type of event that can bring a bicycle community together.
During the most recent visit on our southern California tour we worked with BLM, City of Palm Desert and local advocates in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. It was a great opportunity to team up with a federal land agency that is very open to providing quality mountain bike experiences.
Lunchtime rides are common practice at this company; we got to join one as we set out on our ‘rolling’ trail overview on Thursday afternoon. Aside from the incredible backdrop, we were most impressed by the people pedaling through it. Fun, smart, and positive, the folks from JensonUSA were a good barometer for everyone else we would meet throughout the weekend.
Working the Stewardship throughout the weekend turned out to be many things, but most of all, it was inspiring. They are responsible for so many things; events, fundraising, trailbuilding and maintenance, grant writing… the list goes on and on. And what’s really awesome – they do everything well. Their events run smoothly, their trails are challenging yet very sustainable, and they generate positive energy within the community. We will be proud to tell their story as we continue our travels.
While hanging out in Santa Cruz we stumbled upon Spook-Fest. Designed as a crash course for equestrians and their horses to prepare for the dynamics of trail riding, the event is organized by the Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association. It was really by accident that we even heard about SpookFest. Basically, we showed up for the Saturday morning group ride led by MBoSC (Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz) and the rest is history.
bicycles subaru/imba trail care crew IMBA Trails trailbuilding singletrack mountain biking volunteers for love of the bicycle Colorado on the road Gear singletrack tourism Arizona trail design California rock armoring Texas rolling contour trails Rolling Trail Assessment photography transportation Bicycle Geography tennessee minnesota georgia Touring upper midwest Pennsylvania New England Vermont wide eyed world photography technical trail features coffee bicycle touring South Carolina Wisconsin New Mexico north carolina Austin Alabama US Forest Service Kingdom Trails east burke Nevada
Tag: California