CMBA Newsletter #3 - Spring/Summer 97

President's Message:

Luke I am your father! And I think its time we lose those training wheels

With the return of Stars Wars to the theater I realized how the movie "The Empire Strikes Back" is so much like mountain biking. The cast is Star Wars is just like today's real life heroes and villans regarding the 20th century mountain bike issues. If I was the director and responsible for casting the up and coming move "The Mountain Bicyclists Fight Back", I think I know the perfect players for the flick.

You can only imagine who would play the role of Darth Vader. Basically pick any government representative, park planner and official, only those that would want to belong to the DARK SIDE. This sweet talking evil force seems to believe sharing is bad, education has no value and only certain groups have rights. (remember, not all politicians are bad, it just seems that way).

Yoda, creature of knowledge should be played by IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association). They would instruct land managers, park rangers and government representitives to unlearn the myths and learn the truths about mountain bicycling.

OB-1 would be played by Jim Hasanauer, the Education Director for IMBA. He would advocate and teach the policy makers the needed lessons on legal access rights. Yes, mountain bicyclists also need to learn a thing or two from OB-1. Such as not wearing lycra to government meetings, apparently they don't see it as a cool fashion statement.

The Alberta Rep for the National CMBA, Don Weir would play C-3PO (Golden Rod). His vast knowledge on political and environmental issues would have to be listened to by others. His companion and buddy R2-D2 would be played by all those technological devices like the Internet, computers, faxes, things that C-3PO seems to be spending so much time with as late. (Don Weir requested the role as OB-1, but as casting director I told him too bad my fantasy, my decision).

I thought for a long time and could not think of anyone who would be appropriate to play Luke Skywalker. At one point I thought BTAC (Bicycle Trade Association of Canada) would be offered the part, but it's just not cool enough role for those guys. Trish McNamee, President of the Canadian Mountain Bicycling Alliance would play Princess Leia. She is a fine lady not only to represent the country for MTB issues, she can also kick some serious butt on her Rocky Blizzard Mountain Bike. Now with regards to Lukes and Leia's relationship I'm not going to go there.

Who would forget the Ewoks (I know they are from the movie "Return of the Jedi") who have helped out so much. Actors to play this part would be the membership from the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance. A group proud and honored to fight to the bitter end if necessary to defend their position on trail access rights.

Of course you already know who is going to play Han. Yes, it is your local CMBA Board of Directors. Our personality fits the character of Han to a tee. We are considered renegades not only by the government, but also by our own inflated egos. We would (basically always) rather go riding, but realize we must sacrifice time to come through in the crunch to hopefully save the day, better yet trails.

Last but not least we cannot forget Hans sidekick Chewbacka. The person perfect for the part is Jeff Grutz, Calgary Parks and Recreation. He not only always comes through for the CMBA when we need him, he also has the closest build and wildest hairdo.

You may not be familiar with the suggested cast, but doesn't it make you want to belong to a group of modern day hero's (at least wanna be's) in the 1990's. To me it's just not cool if you do not join a club like the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance, a group doing so much good for so many.

Well, hopefully goodness will prevail for the future of MTB access rights. Let's pray that all future policy decisions made will be based on scientific merit, not biased, imagined and exaggerated trail conflict and impact issues. I guess as they said in the movie MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU and MAY THERE ALWAYS BE SINGLE TRACK. My fantasy now ends riding into the sunset down Porcupine Rim.

Welcome to my world.

MEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIP

Why should you join or renew? For starters, it's cheap! A $10 bill from your annual income is all that we ask (you can give more if you like)! Your membership purchase is how we keep members informed with our telephone hot line, web site and newsletter (that has been sweated out by a number of hack writers). Your financial support and demographic information will help to:

- educate park delegates, government bodies and other trail user groups

- instruct cyclists on proper trail etiquette

- initiate and support trail maintenance and education projects

- lobby land managers to provide proactive, not default, custodial management of our natural resources

- shape local and provincial policies on Mountain Bicycle use

CMBA is no longer able to provide newsletters for non-paid members - CMBA too does not have much money, hence the dilemma. By banding together we can strive to keep trails open for you and your buddies to enjoy. Consider the $10 membership fee as an investment or insurance to keep trails open for that high dollar mountain bike you love to ride!

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL IS DUE FOR THE 97/98 SEASON.

Any first time members who joined after January 1, 1997 your annual membership will be applied to the 97/98 season.

TRAIL USER'S SUMMIT - April 18-19, 1997

"GOAL INTERFERENCE" calls the referee

Wait a minute. This is a cycling interest newsletter, not soccer or hockey. What possible relevance could this have to your cycling activities? Let's say that the "referee" in this case is a trail user who was shouting at you as you cycled by disturbing their otherwise unfettered walking experience. Their "goal" for the day was to have a tranquil day of nature appreciation.

Oftentimes, regardless of how attentive, courteous or empathetic trail users may be with their chosen transport mode (cycling, walking, horse riding, running, skating, vine swinging) interference with others' "goals" or "conflicts" may unfortunately result.

Take a pedal stroke in the right direction by attending the Trail Users' Summit April 18-19, 1997 at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park. Join trail users from the full range of trail advocacy groups to work towards reasonable solutions for sharing resources on a province-wide basis. 'Backstop' funding for this conference is from the generosity of the Alberta Bicycle Association's 'Trail Access Fund' accrued from the 1996 summer race entry levies. Ensure your interests are represented at the discussion tables with other users. The $50.00 registration fee includes Friday evening, all day Saturday, Saturday's lunch, pre-conference information packages and post-conference proceedings.

VOLUNTEERS are also needed for key positions to assist with this event including registration, transportation, sponsors, promotions, proceedings and evaluation. In return for your 6-8 hour commitment per month, your conference fee will be waived and an eternal 'thanks' will emanate from the organizers. Volunteer job descriptions are available for perusal.

For further information, to have your name added to the mailing list for the conference brochure or to help out as a volunteer contact the co-organizers in Calgary:

Neil Stark 277-0872 email: starkn@cadvision.com

Jeff Gruttz 268-5221 jgruttz@gov.calgary.ab.ca

Talking Turkey

On March 7, 1997 Don Weir of the Canadian Mountain Bike Alliance conducted a meeting with Roger Reilander, Western District Manager, David Neilsen, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Murray Knight of CMBA. Concerns addressed were the environmental and social impacts of mountain bicycling and the lack of scientific data to support trail closures in Fish Creek Provincial Park (FCPP).

These representatives were informed of two Calgary lawyers (neither who are members of either CMBA) wha are preparing a legal brief to lay an injuction against the FC Plan. They have agreed not to lay this injuction until all options have been explored. The following are the legal principles that may be used to block imminent closure in FCPP and other areas. Under current legal frameworks the following procedures should be followed:

Notice of the pending decision must be made to the affected parties; The affected parties must be given an opportunity to assign resources to gather information and participate in the process; An equitable opportunity to participate and present information, having regard to the limited time resources; An opportunity for rebuttal of all information, scientific and legal; The decision maker must decide rationally, consisently, without bias, with due regard for all the available information, within delegated jurisdiction and for the proper purpose. To date the CMBA has only been notified of the pending decision.

The proposed draft to exclude mountain bicyclists access shows further bias FC Management failed to conduct demographic profiles of the current park users and did not provide scientific studies pertaining to trail and environmental impacts by mountain bicycles.

Agreement was made by both park delegates that no closures will be enacted until the "Calgary Off Pavement Use Policy" has been formulated. This is important as it provides an opportunity for Calgary to conduct a proper demographic study that would address user preferences for all groups so that a master plan can be formulated. (Edmonton demographics have found that 43% of its users were mountain bicyclists with another 9% of other cyclists. Meaning more than half of the users are cyclists). Mr Nielsen stated that any decisions to exclude mountain cyclists from the common byways (off-trail trails) in FCPP would not be used as precedent any where else in the province. Confirmation of this from Mr. Nielsen's office and the Privy Council has been requested.

FC Management and the Environmental Ministry received copies of mountain bicycle impact studies, trail liability coverage, a recreational trail statute model and a discussion paper on Environmental and Social Impacts Review Committee. These studies and papers provide documented evidence and alternative solutions that could easily be implemented. Hopefully FC Management will follow proper procedure and make objective, unbiased decisions regarding trail access issues.

You're Really going to like this...

We need volunteers to design and build a MTB Park in one of Calgary's land fill sites. That's right, a bicycle playground where the bicycle is welcome and has the right-of-way at all times. This would be a place for you to HAMMER, to hone your TECHNICAL RIDING skills, to INTERVAL TRAIN with hill repeats and recovery downhills, all without fear of interrupting another user group. And NO, it does not mean that MTBers will be restricted from all local single track.

Everything you would do on your bike will be considered normal and appropriate behaviour when playing at "The Dump". As an added bonus, all of the obstacles from the World Police Fire Games will be donated to the Park for permanent installation. Practise riding ramps, stairs, teeter totters and ledge drops.

Phone the CMBA Hotline and leave a message if you can help with this interesting project

Future off pavement policy for Calgary

The CMBA is currently working with Calgary Parks and Recreation on an "OFF PAVEMENT USE POLICY". A committee will be created to represent all the user groups with a few public at large. This committee will review all the user group needs, times of year for participation, the size of the user group, how those user groups plan to educate their own and a whole lot more.

Once this policy is complete and passed by City Council it will be implemented for all local parks. Fish Creek Provincial Park stated, even though they are governed by the Provincial Parks Act, they want to be consistent with city policies that govern City Parks.

This is the most important project that the CMBA is currently working on. Input and participation from the CMBA is essential if we want our rights and concerns entrenched in this policy. This policy will define the future of MTB access in Calgary Parks.

If you have some expertise that would make a valuable contribution to this project, please let the Board of Directors know ASAP.

Switchbacks

a collection of informative tidbits of interest to CMBA members

Volunteer Positions

World Police/Fire Games - June 27th - July 4th 1997

Starting July 1 1997, Calgary will see some of the coolest mountain bike events ever to be organised in this city. This is only one of many sports that will happen in this fun filled week of the World Police Fire Games.

On July 1, the obstacle race will be held at Sikome Lake. This 9km course features uphill, downhill trails and natural obstacles such as stairs, ramps, cribs, seesaws, etc (let's see how balanced these guys and gals really are).

On July 2, the hillclimb and dual slalom will be held at Canada Olympic Park. The hillclimb course will follow the natural luge course which is a 300' gain over 1km. The dual slalom is equivalent two the slalom event in alpine skiing. Both of these events are a must see.

On July 3, the cross country race wiil be held at Fish Creek Provincial Park. This course is approximately 10kms and covers just about everything imaginable. This race has great viewing locations for spectators.

All events are free to watch, so come on out and grab a good seat to cheer on our local police and firefighters. For more information contact Paul at 243-8164.

HELP

You may remember from the last newsletter that CMBA received grant money to perform trail maintenance in the City of Calgary. Parks and Recreation suggested we install a trail in Southland Park, but, trail size and maintenance dates have not been confirmed. Guys in the Planning and Design Dept. promised, so please be patient we are getting closer to actually getting our hands dirty.

We are also trying to organize other maintenance projects in K-Country and Banff National Park for this summer.

Nobody Nose

Just a quick message (nag?) about Nose Hill: spring is Nose Hill's most ecologically sensitive time. Ride with discretion and please follow CMBA trail rules. Many of us are just itching to take our bikes up on the hill; it has a great view and lots of trails to explore. Unfortunately, the clay soil can get pretty soggy, so consider the damage you will be causing. If you can delay a few hours after a rain shower, please do so, try to avoid the mud bogs and please use controlled descents.

Spring is also the time when the entire park comes alive,the grass greens up, lots of wild flowers appear. Please respect the vegetation and animals by staying on trails. Remember, any user of the park will cause damage, so let's limit the amount we cause at Nose Hill's most sensitive time. Keep this in mind for all parks this spring. Ride when it is dry. - Peter Griba

Be There!

The CMBA is offering group rides this summer on: June 14, Highwood Pass: Riders that do well with distance and endurance will fare well on this ride. July 20, Assinaboine (this is the last year to ride Bryant Creek) this is a long ride with some serious technical sections. You should be an advanced rider to attend this outing. August 10, Lake Minnewanke: Ideal terrain for any level of rider. Meet at the COP McDonalds at 8:30 am. All rides will leave on time.

Newsletter contributions

Got something to say. Say it in Happy Trails! We are always looking for member contributions for our newsletter. So write fax, or email us with what's on your mind. If it's of interest to CMBA we'll print it in Happy Trails.

Thanks goes out to Gary Quist from QNB Graphics for creating the look of the Happy Trails Newsletter. The information line has received an all time high with incoming calls since the release of Happy Trails. This makes us pretty happy to know Gary at QNB Creative Inc. will continue to donate his artistic energies for the CMBA newsletter. It is great to see another avid Mountain Bicyclist give up his time to inform all you dedicated readers and riders of Happy Trails.

 
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