Nov. 13, 9:30-11:30am, Uxbridge Uxpool Meeting Room

You are invited!  Mark you calendars and come out to our 2011 Annual General Meeting on Sunday Nov. 13th, at 9:30am at Uxpool, 1 Parkside Dr. in Uxbridge. Map: http://maps.google.com/?q=1 Parkside Dr, Uxbridge, Ontario

Meeting obligatory 9:30-11:30am: We’re getting together to celebrate our successes, update you on the highlights of this year, get your feedback and input, refresh our Board of Directors, give you a glimpse into 2012 directions, and then go for a ride in EDH on some new, rarely ridden trails.

Ravenshoe Forest (Brownhill Tract) – Sunday, October 30

This past Sunday was a “Big” day for DMBA and York Region.  It was DMBA’s first opportunity to put a stamp on York Regional soil.  And what a “Big” stamp that was!

It was a bright and frosty morning when 15 DMBA volunteers gathered to construct a 72 foot boardwalk.  With the help of many screw guns, a couple saws, and a pile of lumber (provided by York Region) the crew managed to construct nine 8 foot boardwalk sections in under 2 hours.  Thanks to one of the locals, the crew had a place to work off-site before transporting the sections into the forest.

After carrying the giant 8 foot sections, by hand, deep into the forest, the boardwalk installation commenced on the infamous “Big Meanie” trail.  York Region was kind enough to provide two forest technicians to help clear the old structure from the site.

The volunteers worked tirelessly and craftily to install this beautiful boardwalk.  What an experience.  This is the first of many structures to come. The Big Foot Boardwalk lives!

Thanks DMBA! Thanks York Region!

You are invited to help with the construction and/or installation of a brand spanking new boardwalk in Ravenshoe Forest (Brownhill Tract) on the “Big Meanie” trail.

Important!

If you wish to help with the construction of the boardwalk sections, please go to 22843 McCowan road (just north of Ravenshoe road) between 8-9am, which is where we will build the boardwalk in 9 - 8′ long sections.

Any time after 9am we will start to make our way over to the site on the “Big Meanie Trail”.

8am: -boardwalk construction

9am: -removal of the old ladder bridge/double teeter-totter on-site in “Big Meanie” trail.

-transportation of boardwalk sections to the site.

-installation of new boardwalk on site.

We should be finished by around noon.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending and let me know if you have any questions.

Erich Baumhard
baumhard at hotmail.com

Almost overwhelming, but a nice problem to have;  those are some of the words that could be used to describe Saturday’s turnout for DMBA’s latest trail build.  Terry S. put out the call and you showed up in numbers.  A record number in fact.  Something like 80 people.  More people than tools it seems and that’s the nice problem to have.  A problem we can solve and will solve with an order for more McCleods please. 

Brodie Bartlett attended the build, this time as a filmmaker and we look forward to those results.  The limited edition DMBA hats were almost all distributed in one shot.  What will we think of next?

Mike Sweet will be updating the Durham Forest map in due course and we’re thinking we’ll just carry over the Bowes name at this point.

I rode the trail on Sunday and ran into alot of smiling riders with the same idea.  The enthusiasm was noticeable.  People with a sweat invested in the trail are happy riders.  

When you combine all the positive elements of Durham Forest, we do have a gem.  And to think we’re in a position to have a positive impact on this rare asset.  

See you at the Spring Build!  I wonder where that one will take us?  

Here is your official invitation for our fall trail build.  On Sat. Oct.22, we will be building another half km of single track that will extend the Bowes Trail towards the East.  This new trail will replace a straight existing trail with a steep eroding section.  The new trail twists nicely across the topography and cuts through the only section of forest which was not cleared for farming a hundred years ago.  The trail  goes across a hillside of mature hardwoods that is really quite spectacular.

Why would you want to give up your Saturday morning to dig in the dirt????

1. You’ll feel good about giving back to the trails that you love to ride.

2.  You’ll have a sense of ownership and pride when you ride the trail you helped to build

3.  You’ll get a LIMITED EDITION, SOUVENIR DMBA TRAIL CREW BALL CAP for your efforts

4. You’ll get to spend the morning with a great bunch of guys and gals. (ignore Steve he might be grumpy)

DMBA volunteers have put in just over 40 hours and the trail corridor is now prepared.  All the stumps have been dug out and sticks and brush removed so that we only have to excavate the tread.  If we could get 50 volunteers we could probably finish in a couple of hours.

Time: 9:00

Parking: A.) at the main parking lot- we’ll put out directional arrows for any late comers who are unsure of where to go once they get to the parking lot

or B) the gate off of Goodwood Road will be open- You can park there but BEWARE the weeds are high making it very difficult to see what terrain etc. you are driving over. The safety of your undercarriage cannot be guaranteed.

***Please do not park on the side of the road for this event.****

What to bring: lots of energy, work gloves, long pants, food and water. We’ll supply all of the tools.

I am sending this email through Club MTB, but because of the unreliable nature of this service I am also sending it as a general mailing. Please accept my apologies if you get this twice.

PLEASE RSVP BY HITTING REPLY OR BY CLICKING ON ACCEPT ON THE CLUB MTB INVITATION

See you there,

Terry Sinclair

Photo by Rachael Raven

The Durham Mountain Biking Association’s 5th annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day was a great success this year.  Over 200 happy cyclists - kids, parents and volunteers - joined us in Durham Forest for guided rides,  free lunch,  hot chocolate and loot bags,  and a draw for all sorts of fun bike swag and a Youth’s Mtn Bike donated by Pedal Performance!  A bike mechanic from Impala Bicycles was on site to ensure all our bikes worked well. JoyRide 150 set up their mini-bike park - with skinnies, rollers, teeter-toter and ramps - and it was a huge hit!  Kids from 3 to 16 were rolling through the forest in trailers,  on push bikes,  and on bikes with training wheels,  little wheels and big wheels, with their parents and grandparents too. Families spent the morning riding the trails under the colourful autumn canopy and enjoying the festive atmosphere.   A short easy course and a longer more challenging course were marked in the forest and volunteer ride leaders and sweepers ensured that all had fun, safe rides on the trails.  It was great to see boys and girls of all ages enjoying a fun trail riding experience - for many their first off-road experience.  The smiles, enthusiasm and sense of accomplishment on their faces was wonderful to see.

Thanks to all the parents who made the effort to bring out their kids.  We would like to thank our organizing committee and 30 volunteers for generously donating their time, energy and enthusiasm. Thanks to our sponsors for their contributions of dollars, loot and draw prizes including: Bicycles Plus, BikeSports, Cycle Solutions, Evolution Cycles, Impala Bicycles, JoyRide150, Northern Cycle, Pedal Performance and Station Ski and Ride.

And thanks to our supporters for their contributions of prizes, swag and information: IMBA, Mars Candies, Chico Racing, Boyd’s Source for Sports, Bloomfield Bicycle Company, KHS Canada, Specilized Canada, Oxford Learning, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Toronto Region Conservation Authority, Region of Durham Tourism, Town of Ajax, Town of Uxbridge, Town of Whitby.  They all contributed to the kids smiles and the success of the day.

Come for a ride in the forest - horse back riders and mountain bike riders!

WHEN:  Sunday, September 25, 2011

WHERE:  Durham Rd #21 (Goodwood Rd) and 7th Concession Uxbridge south of Durham #21.  Look for the signs - Trailhead Parking Lot

TIME:  Registration at 10:00 a.m. - riders go out at 11:00 am

Everyone is invited! BBQ Lunch will be served after all riders are back - hosted by the Uxbridge Horsemen’s Association.

Riders will search the forest for ribbons which will be turned in for cards - teams will be set out and the team with the best poker hand wins!  Cards will be available for purchase if you don’t like your cards….

Riders are asked to get sponsorship pledges (form here) or donate $20 the day of the ride.  The rider with the highest pledges wins a prize.  Funds will be donated to the new Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter fund.

For further information contact Kevin Alcock at (905) 852-5768 or Jolie Lewis at (905) 862-2463.

DMBA’s 5th Annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

Sat. Oct. 1st 2011
The Durham Mountain Biking Association will be hosting a kids ride to celebrate the annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 10am to 1:30pm.   The event will be held at Durham Forest, Main Tract (3789 Concession Road 7,Uxbridge, just south of Regional Rd. 21).

This will be a fun day for kids of all ages and riding abilities.  We’re taking our kids out of the city and into the forest - off of the side walks and onto a real mountain bike trail!  They will experience the thrill of riding along rolling dirt trails in small groups for about an hour.   Experienced guides for each group will offer tips and techniques on how to safely handle the new challenges of trail riding.  A bike mechanic, will be on site to help with minor mechanical issues and ensure everyone gets a safe start on their ride.  Rides will be leaving about every 10 minutes and groups will be organized according to the kids’ ages and riding abilities so everyone will have an enjoyable trail riding experience.  Free lunch and hot chocolate will be provided for all the kids and available to parents at a nominal cost.

Win a Youth’s Mountain Bike: Every child will be entered in a draw to win a youth’s mountain bike and lots of other great bike gear.  Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase on site to support the event.

Loot Bags: Every participant will receive a loot bag full of fun bike stuff: a bike bottle; a variety of fun bike gear and discount coupons from the shops, bike stickers & decals, maps & info on hiking and biking trails in the area, and more!

Sponsors: This event is generously sponsored by the Durham Mountain Biking Assoc., Chico Racing,  BikeNXS, JoyRide150,  KHS Canada and local bicycle shops:  Bicycles Plus, BikeSports, Bloomfield Bicycles,  Cycle Solutions, Evolution Cycles, Impala Bicycles, Northern Cycle, Station Ski and Ride, Toronto Trek Store and Pedal Performance.

So kids bring your bike and helmet, and parents bring your kids for a fun, fall mountain bike ride in Durham Forest.  Learn about the trails, the forest and mountain bike riding.  Enjoy the fall colours in a healthy, active way with friends and family.

More About the Celebration: In 2010, International Mountain Biking Association’s (IMBA’s) Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day celebration helped more than 21,000 young riders enjoy an outdoor bicycle excursion.  Events were held in Australia, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Japan and the United States.  Last year over 180 kids and their parents joined our ride in Durham and we’re hoping to make this year an even bigger success!

The Durham Mountain Biking Association is a non-profit group whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers, young & old, in Durham Region.  It formed in the fall of 2005 to: advocate & educate; build, maintain & repair trails; and to have fun riding in Durham. www.durhammountainbiking.ca

For Info or to Register: (905) 706-1211 or youth@durhammountainbiking.ca

This afternoon, Steve and I did a site visit at Durham Forest with the land managers from LSRCA and the supervisor from the Education Centre. The purpose of the visit was to negotiate to build another piece of single track that would act as an extension to the newly built Bowes Trail. I’m pleased to report that things went very well and the build area has been agreed upon for an October build.  As details unfold, I will keep you informed as to the date of the build, so that you will once again have the opportunity to help create a new trail.

During the visit, the representative from the Education Centre brought up the issue of night riding.  There exists a potential conflict between bikers and children, as the students are led on night hikes at the north end of the property, usually on Monday and Wednesday nights. ( The hikes occur occasionally on Tuesday and Thursdays if the Monday of the week is a holiday  eg. Thanksgiving) During these hikes, our lights cause the children to loose their night vision.  The teachers  tell them not to look at the lights, but let’s face it, it’s a pretty cool sight seeing the line of lit up bikes coming down the trail in the pitch dark. Who could resist looking? These night hikes usually focus close to the Education Centre and to the area in the north.  As a gesture of goodwill, I would ask you to consider not riding at night near the Education Centre or to the north on the newly built Bowes Trail on Monday and Wednesday nights.  In this way, we will be helping to ensure that the kids get the most enjoyment out of their brief stay at Durham Forest and we will still have 95% of the forest to ride in. Everyone can be happy.  As we all know too well, night riding is a privilege that we must always do our best to protect.  Please pass this important message on to any other mountain bikers who are not yet club members.

Thanks for your cooperation on this,

Terry Sinclair