March 2008 - Posts

• Puntledge Plunge Rebuild a success

  The day may have started off chilly with signs of low snow overnight, but twelve hearty souls showed up to attack the Puntledge Plunge. Although a daunting task, we split into two groups and started on both the first badly braided section and the bridge crossing farther down. By the mid afternoon we had successfully rebuilt much of the Puntledge Plunge. Example of the work before and after! - Check out the album linked below for some great before and after shots. Trail Day March 21st Thanks out to all our sponsors! Wedler Engineering for the coffee, juice and trail bars, Cumberland Village Bakery for the donuts, Labatts Breweries for the beverages, Canadian Tire for the Tarps. Be sure to mark our next Trail Day, Saturday April 12th for rebuilding Peckerhead. Posted Mar 24 2008, 05:19 PM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: trail building, Trail Day, Forbidden Plateau

• Reminder - Trail Days coming Good Friday, March 21st

  Hope to see as many of you as we can out on the Puntledge Plunge Trail Day. We'll be meeting at 10am at the Comox Lake Dam, and head up Branch 21 to the recent clear cut. The project will include drainage, rock work, cribbing and removing some braided lines. Some treats, coffee and more will be coming to keep you satisfied... Bring any shovels pry bars, picks etc that you might have and we'll help organize a few main sections to repair.     Posted Mar 19 2008, 10:37 AM by Skifreak with 1 comment(s) Filed under: trail building, Trail Day, Forbidden Plateau

• Shimano and IMBA Release New MTB Economics Study

  Enjoying the outdoors is as natural as riding a bike and Shimano American Corporation and the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) have teamed up to promote how important the activity is. Shimano is a major manufacturer of bicycle components and IMBA is a national advocate for responsible riding and trail construction. Together they are releasing the new document, The Economics and Benefits of Mountain Biking at the National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. March 4 – 6, 2008. More than 1 in 5 Americans age 16 and over ride a mountain bike, and contribute $26 billion annually to the American economy while enjoying the sport. Kozo Shimano said, “We want legislators, policy makers and the public to understand how significant mountain biking is to both the economy and to keeping people healthy.” One recent cost benefit analysis concluded that every dollar invested in trails led to almost three dollars in direct medical benefit. The World Health Organization recommends riding a bike to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Mountain bikers are also dedicated conservationists who volunteer their time, labor and money to protect the natural and cultural resources where they ride. IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel commented, "From the beginning, IMBA members have embraced a stewardship ethic that benefits conservation of our natural lands and waters. This timely publication shows how that conservation mindset also gives back with economic benefits." Scientific research has shown mountain biking to be a low impact environmentally sustainable activity with no more impact on natural resources than hiking, and far less than many other recreational activities. Kozo Shimano added, “To put the activity in perspective, 50 million Americans ride a mountain bike – more than 1 ½ times the number of people who play golf. “ Copies of The Economics and Benefits of Mountain Biking can be obtained from IMBA by sending a request to info@imba.com.   Posted Mar 07 2008, 06:49 AM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: Advocacy, land issues

• Forbidden Trail Day - Date Change - Friday March 21st

  Good Friday we'll be starting up the Forbidden Trail days again. The last day was a bust with the poor weather, so we're going to go and attack the rebuild of the Plunge. Meeting time will be 10am at the Lake. From there we'll be heading up to the clear cut off branch 21 where we can drive within 500m of the trail. Hoping to get materials up there in the days before to make sure we have everything we need. Come prepared to move rocks and lots of them. Any pry bars, picks mattocks and shovels are going to be helpful. We'll have a big run of buckets available. We're going to try and get some donations for food and beverages so if you know anyone willing to offer some sustinence it would be much appreciated. check the Facebook CVMTB group page for more info and be sure to pass on to all your friends to come help. The more people who show up, the more we can get done in the day! If you're a keener some of us might be up on the sunday or monday as well, so check ahead and we'll keep you updated. Posted Mar 04 2008, 11:02 AM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: donations, Trail Day, Forbidden Plateau