The official publication of the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association Spring 2007 WHAT’S INSIDE 2: Staying on top of your MTB skills 3: 2006 CORBA Program Reviews 4: FTF Highlights 7: Sponsor Spotlight CORBA is committed to gaining and maintaining mountain bike access to trails in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas through education, information and preservation The “A” Word Kurt Loheit Advocacy. Mention of the word and you usually conjure up the image of licking stamps with the excitement of watching cheese age. Put “Mountain Bike” in front of Advocacy and it should pull it up from the depths with more inviting mental pictures like “sweet single track” and “gnarly down- hill”. But alas, for most people, it does not. This describes the root difficulty faced by advocates while recruiting vol- unteers. Advocacy and mountain biking seem to be residing on two different planets. Yet advocacy is what pays the dues to provide us with the opportunities to ride some great trails. Given the appeal of advocacy, it’s hard to imagine that we have any trails at all. But we do, thanks to the individuals and groups who are willing to put in the time and pay the dues. Even with odds sometimes stacked against them, volunteers tirelessly push forward, through endless meetings, letters, education and plain old grunt work, so every moun- tain cyclist has the opportunity to ride. While this does not paint the most Advocacy continues on page 2 Advocacy continued from page 1 ence. Far from it. All that’s needed is countless mountain bike riders and attractive picture, it does illustrate that the willingness to help out. other users. As proof, I offer myself. advocacy doesn’t just happen. It After 20-years of advocacy, I can with- requires the dedication of individuals Most organizations like CORBA are out any hesitation say that I have pro- who want to make a difference. Not understaffed, and have more work vided trail opportunities for thousands just for themselves, but for everyone, than they can handle. New volunteers (if not 10’s of thousands) of users, even with the knowledge that thanks may become overwhelmed by all that including many who are reading this. are few and that the majority of is going on. Do not get discouraged. And I wouldn’t ask for anything in cyclists will be unaware of the sacrifices Help is needed in many areas, whether return other than to say if you have made on their behalf. it’s making phone calls, writing letters, ever thought about getting involved or any one of the many tasks that with advocacy, please take the next Many people assume that getting need to be completed. step and give us a call. As for me, I’ve started as an advocacy volunteer got some more stamps to lick. requires a background in rocket sci- Your efforts will be appreciated by You’re Never Too Old, Or Too Good Mark Langton your body, I tell riders that their brain ance. And evaluation and feedback is probably the biggest obstacle to from a trainer or coach will help you Mountain biking, like most sports, becoming a better mountain biker. If get to the next level more quickly. Of requires biomechanical techniques. you can replace the fear with tech- course, people have different levels of Simply stated, proper fundamental nique, you can focus on the mechanics, ability, and some are more naturally skills are needed to become more profi- overriding the fear. It’s sort of like hav- gifted than others. cient. However, some skills require ing a mantra; tell yourself to relax, and Regardless of your natural ability, the more trust and less you’ll relax. It sounds one thing you can do to improve is to analysis. OFTEN YOU NEED simple, and it works! have an understanding of and ability For example, while TO TURN OFF Even the most talented to perform the basics. And one of the descending a steep hill, YOUR BRAIN AND and successful athletes best ways to get that understanding is most riders are afraid of TRUST YOUR regularly practice the to come out to CORBA’s FREE being pitched forward fundamentals. Introduction to Mountain Bike Skills over the handlebar. TECHNIQUE TO Professional athletes Class, held the first Saturday of each Beginners tend to BECOME A TRULY practice the fundamen- month at Malibu Creek State Park in straighten and tense ADVANCED tals under the watchful Calabasas. their arms, thinking eye of their coach or RIDER. Even if you’ve been riding for many that a death grip will trainer. Recreational ath- years, you will at the very least gain keep them from going letes should do the same the positive reinforcement that you are OTB (over the bars). Actually, the thing. An understanding of the funda- riding correctly. But it’s my experience opposite is true. You must relax and mentals will allow you to build upon that even seasoned riders learn a few bend your arms and your waist while the proper techniques, helping you to new tips. You’ve got nothing to lose, moving your weight rearward (but not advance to higher levels of perform- behind the saddle), putting your upper and everything to gain! body and head closer to the handlebar. Getting closer to the handlebar and ParkLink Shuttle Service therefore closer to the front wheel might seem counterintuitive, but often The ParkLINK shuttle service is a great way to experience the Santa Monica you need to turn off your brain and Mountains parks on weekends. Now, the service is free! Mountain bicyclists can trust your technique to become a truly ride the Backbone Trail from the Kanan Road Trailhead (near tunnel T1) over to advanced rider. Malibu Creek State Park and take the shuttle back to their vehicles, among other options. There are bike racks and the shuttle is air conditioned. More Since fear responses often paralyze information can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/archive/samo/shuttle/ 2 CORBA Terra Times – SPRING 2007 CORBA Programs Review – 2006 2006 was another great year for tions who have difficulty transporting their kids to Malibu Youth Adventures. Youth Creek State Park, but so far City Hall refuses to allow us to Adventures is a program that ride on their park trails or even on dirt roads in L.A. City takes children between ages 8 parks. and 17 on mountain bike rides We appreciate Youth Adventures’ enthusiastic ride leaders in the including Dave Dwyer, Dave Mummert, Virgil Hemrick, and Santa Monica Mountains National Cathy Gribble & Ryan Thompsom, and particularly Holly Recreation Area. The program is geared Harman, Terry Harman, Danny Ybarra, John Campbell and to youth who do not otherwise have the Lance Biscoe for pro- means or opportunity to enjoy experi- gram management. ences with nature. We thank California Youth Adventures leads rides twice a State Parks for provid- month throughout the ing space for the new year. Some of the groups storage building and that participated in 2006 bicycle trailer, and we include: The Hollenbeck thank the CORBA Police Activities League members who donated (PAL) of the Los Angeles additional funds to Police Department, which help us purchase the storage building. It is making a great was created to implement difference for the volunteers and the overall program. For sports activities to high- more information, please visit www.corbamtb.com. risk youths in response to the juvenile crime increase in the Mark Langton reports a banner year for Los Angeles area; Mid-Valley Youth; the Rancho San the Introduction to Mountain Bike Antonio Group Home, which is a one hundred and six-bed Skills Classes. facility that provides care for boys ages 13-17 years who exhibit behavioral, social, and emotional difficulties; Para The average class had 20 attendees. Los Niños, a Los Angeles based nonprofit agency that pro- “We had very healthy class sizes all vides child care, schooling and other services to at-risk year long, with 32 being the highest,” noted Mark. A total of children and their families; El Nido, providing culturally 238 riders participated in Skills Classes throughout the year. sensitive social services to the diverse population of Los Angeles County, many of whom are economically disad- Mark has been teaching the monthly mountain biking skills vantaged; El Concilio del Condado de Ventura, which clinic since its inception 1992, and the program continues to strives to improve the quality of life of Latinos in Ventura gain momentum. More and more intermediate and County and the community at large; and A Place Called advanced riders are realizing how valuable professional tips Home, which is a dynamic youth enrichment center and techniques can be for riding efficiently and for overall founded in 1993 to provide at-risk youth with a secure, trail-riding fun. Whether you're just getting into mountain positive family environment where they can regain hope biking or have been riding for years, you'll learn some valu- and belief, earn trust and self-respect, and learn skills to able tips from our Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills lead to a productive lifestyle free of the gangs, drugs and class that is offered each month (see accompanying article – poverty that surround them. “Your Never Too Old, Or Too Good”). The Youth Adventures program’s success is demonstrated by The Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills class is held the the smiles on the kids’ faces and the fact that the youth first Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in group leaders keep rebooking. Following a ride, Adriana Malibu Creek State Park.