Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Race Across the Sky: The Leadville 100



Hello Mountainbike Enthusiasts!  The movie that you've been waiting for is coming to the Columbia Center For the Arts this Wednesday, April 28 @ 7:30.  As always, tickets are $5.  Doors open at 7:00.   We are anticipating a good turn out so please come early and enjoy a beverage at our no host bar.
 
We will have lots of fun raffle items to kick off the event . 
here's a sampling...
A Lance Armstrong autographed copy of his 2001 best seller, It's Not About the Bike
A Women of Dirt DVD


At 10,000+ feet, against the misty backdrop of a former mining town, Leadville, Colorado, 1228 cyclists line the starting line. For many, it will be the most difficult race of their lives. For some, a bragging right to say they raced alongside the best in the world. Some imagine victory. Most hope only to finish. But everyone will count. Rivalries include six-time defending champion Dave Wiens vs. international star / seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. 



Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Annual Post Canyon Clean-Up Day Announced!


Its that time of year to undo the crimes of littering in Post Canyon! Saturday April 24th a huge effort led by Ted Cramer of the Hood River Valley HS 'Earth Club' will lead the charge starting at 9am. Meet at the Post Canyon Drive kiosk. Bring Water, Gloves, The Kids & Dogs for a rewarding morning restoring the beauty of the area.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Pedal Nation Bike Show: Directors Cut Video

Andrew Taylors Custom Marin Dirtjumper Bike Stolen!

While visiting the Portland Bike Show for the NWSOF and Marin Bikes, professional rider Andrew Taylors custom dirtjumper was swiped. Please keep an eye out for it. If you see it- CALL THE POLICE!

Monday, April 12, 2010

A Trailbuilding Documentary Called 'Pedal Drive'

Source: Rodman @ Tribe503! (thanks for the tip!)
A 9 minute documentary filmed in Leavenworth Washington. 
For more information go here. 
I also have to give the COTA crew a big high five too!

Trail Eating Trail Signs, Trailbuilding Mistakes 101


Source KATU News Website

Tree 'eating' trail sign

by bryandorr  

Posted on: Apr 12, 2010 at 8:58 PM PDT

Channel: Off the Wall

By Bryan Dorr
April 12, 2010, 8:38 p.m. PST
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Ore.-Ever wondered why trail signs are now mounted on heavy duty, pressure treated wooden posts, and not simply nailed to a tree?
Trail wayfinder signs in the past were simply nailed to a tree. As the years go by, the tree trunk's diameter expands and wraps itself around the sign.
Another problem with tree-mounted signs is the height that it is mounted. On some trees, signs mounted at eye level around six feet would eventually end up much higher in the air over the years, making it easy for hikers to miss.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Timberline Lodge Announces Lift Service For 2011- Needs Imput!


While there is much planning and work to do, we have set a course toward offering the region's best lift-serviced downhill mountain bike trails. If you're half as excited about this as we are, you've already jumped out of your chair!

Working with the US Forest Service as Partners In Recreation – our goal is to fill a growing public need that is currently under-serviced in our region. Mountain bike trails within the Timberline permit area will be continually monitored and managed in a professional capacity – with a focus on safety, minimizing environmental impacts, and creating fun trails that mountain bikers want to ride. Trails for all ability levels are planned, as well as a skills park and complete rental facility for all needed gear to prepare you for a fun day on the mountain.


World Class Facility
We have contracted with Gravity Logic, a consulting firm out of Whistler, British Columbia to design and develop our mountain bike trail plans. Gravity Logic is the creator of the world-famous Whistler Mountain Bike Park that has earned the position of being the gold-standard by which other mountain bike areas are measured.

Commitment To Quality
Building fun trails is one thing. Building, managing and maintaining a quality mountain bike experience is another. We’re positioned to do the latter with solid commitment, expert consultation, and an eye for detail. Trails will be constructed using tested methodologies created by professional groups such as IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) and NWTA (Northwest Trail Alliance). If it isn’t fun, strong, and built-to-last — you won’t find it at Timberline.

Active Management
With homegrown mountain bike trails popping up all over the forest, a major difference with our project will be the ongoing, active management of the area. A full-time trail maintenance crew will be employed to ensure the initial design is maintained. This will create a more consistent environment for mountain bike riders and will also maintain the areas integrity with the surrounding environment.

Scoping & Planning
An in-depth planning and scoping period is underway to ensure all angles of the project are considered. The USFS is leading an analysis in which potential environmental impacts are addressed. We’re also looking to the mountain biking community for feedback on our plans. We want to ensure our creation is above and beyond expectations on opening day!

Long Term Commitment
Timberline was built in 1937, and has been operated by RLK and Company for over 50 years. We’ve been and will continue to be here for the long haul. We see mountain biking as an integral part of our year-round recreation plan, and will treat this project as one of the primary pillars of our company’s future. This will continue our tradition of creating new jobs and providing a boost to the local economy.

Safety
Our commitment to quality will also include an emphasis on safety through proper management, design and signage. Additionally, we will have a volunteer bike patrol, first aid services and trail guides.


Environmental Charter
A fundamental principle of Timberline is to provide quality recreation within the capabilities of the ecosystem. We care deeply about the environment on which we recreate. Before erecting our newest chairlift – the Jeff Flood Express — we embarked on a multi-year Environment Impact Study which involved a team of scientists, specialists and concerned citizens. That study will be used, in conjunction with new data, to ensure our impact to the environment with this project is well within the limits deemed appropriate by the US Forest Service. By creating an amazing venue for mountain biking within our managed boundary, our hope is that it will lessen the impact of the sport in other areas of the forest.

Current Timeline (*Subject to change)
Project Scoping :: Now
Phase 1 Build-Out :: Fall 2010
Trails Open :: Summer 2011

GET INVOLVED – SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS & IDEAS!
Go here to access the links for your cherished imput.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Hood River County Sheriff Jerry Brown Reports

At a recent trails meeting, Hood River County Sheriff Jerry Brown read off these very interesting stats regarding Post Canyon trails and the type of calls they receive. I asked him if I could publish this on the Gorge Freeride Blog and he encouraged it.


In calendar 2009 we used 1,202 hours to travel 8,089 miles on our trail systems. We made 1,087 contacts with system users, issued 173 citations/warnings, arrested 16 individuals for criminal activity, assisted in 8 search & rescues, 1 fire and recovered one stolen vehicle. We received 34 calls for service versus 37 calls in 2008. We had no fatalities attributed to our trail system area in 2009 with the last fatality occurring in 2006. We deployed four surveillance cameras in our trail system area and are in the final stages of completing an OHV operation and proficiency policy for deputies involved in the OHV Enforcement Program.

I hope this information is useful to you. 
Jerry Brown, HR County Sheriff

Help Canadian Trailbuilder Kevin Landry Win A Toyota Truck




Go to this website and vote here!