After stops in Huntingdon, PA (Allegrippis Trails) and State College, PA, we headed to northwest Pennsylvania to our visit in Warren. There we spent many hours exploring and working in the beautiful Allegheny National Forest.
Ever heard of a BHAG? It’s a vision, a dream, an idea that seems a little bit beyond reality. It’s a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. In the sport of mountain biking and the world of advocacy, it’s the kind of thing that can transform a community.
It’s week three in the Upper Midwest and we’ve decided that the trails up here are just as good as anything we’ve ridden throughout the country. Don’t be fooled folks – the mountain biking is well worth the drive.
Gallipolis (say galli-police) is home to the Ohio Valley Bicycle Club and a handful of dedicated volunteers. They have some fun singletrack, an annual race, and a new place to build more trails. Realizing that they have great opportunities in front of them, the OVBC wanted to increase their knowledge base and build some strong relationships. A Trail Care Crew weekend was just what they needed. We aren’t the magic that happens each weekend; we’re just the catalyst for the magic to happen.
When we checked into the Sid Richardson Boy Scout Facility last Friday, I entered uncharted territory. As a kid I had never been to summer camp, so the idea of sleeping in cabins and eating family style in the dining hall was exciting to me. Once settled, the weekend of trailbuilding festivities started out like any typical group situation; people joining together for a common purpose. Even though were all a little shy at first, we soon found ourselves making new friends. After all, we were there to share our passion of mountain biking on better trails.
After wrapping up our visit in Waco, we pointed the IMBAru towards Colorado and started heading home. As usual, we discussed the weekend’s events and how it may have impacted the people who participated. Strangely enough, later that evening, we received a heartfelt email from Lannie French, one of Cameron Park’s dedicated rangers. Our visit had stirred his thoughts about the people of Waco and their interaction with the park. His reflections were the inspiration for this blog and it is our pleasure to share some of his passion. ..
In one week we’ve gone from the deep forests of the Sierra to the stark beauty of the Mojave. Welcome to the West, baby… I love the desert. To some it seems like a wasteland, but to me it’s beautiful. There’s no place else where you can witness life in such a delicate balance.
The focus of the weekend was on the Super-D course and all the trails that comprise it. The typical way to ride it is to shuttle up Mt. Ashland to the bottom of the ski area, unload your rig and then point your bike downhill. There are a couple of ways to get from top to bottom, and all of them have seen a lot of L-O-V-E. The only problem with the trails is that they haven’t received too much love in return. The Super-D course in Ashland has been a victim of its own coolness.
I really want to give props to the people of LAMBA, namely Brian and Kristyn. They were great hosts and really showed the great things that Canon City has to offer. We also want to give thanks to some local businesses that realize what trails can do for a community: 16th Street Café, Pizza Madness, and White Water Bar and Grill.
www.twitter.com/lancearmstrong: lancearmstrong: Done with some Leadville preview. Did Columbine, Powerline, etc. The new single track section is cool too. Lots of riders out there as well.
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Tag: rolling contour trails