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Valmont Bike Park
Update
$500,000 Fundraising
Goal Met
When we started this project back
in 2008, we set a lofty fundraising goal of a half
million dollars. It seemed like an enormous
stretch, but we took aim and went to work. In less
than two years, we've reached this milestone with
cash donations, grants, and other gifts. To
everyone who played a role: THANK YOU.
The
community support has been simply awesome. Our
biggest thanks go to the Great Outdoors Colorado
grant program, which awarded a $200,000 chunk to
our effort. But all donors big and small deserve a
slap on the back. The funds will be used to
supplement the City's budget for bike trails and
terrain. The partnership between BMA and the Parks
Department is stronger than ever and everyone is
extremely proud of what we've accomplished
together.
Construction Update
Many of you are asking,
"When is the park going to open?" As with any
large construction project, it is difficult to
pinpoint a completion date. Our goal remains to
open the park as soon as possible. At this stage,
we are realistically aiming at late this summer or
early fall for the first phase to be ready to
ride. Rest assured, City staff and BMA volunteers
are working diligently to keep this project
moving.
The City is now preparing the final
construction bid documents and we hope to select a
group of contractors quickly and commence building
later this spring.
The Parks Department
originally hoped to build the park in one push.
However, due to budget constraints and the
complexity of the project, the strategy now is to
build the park in phases as City funds become
available. The good news is that a large portion
of the bike park is scheduled to be built this
year in 2010 - about two miles of cross country
and cyclocross trails, the downhill slopestyle
trails for all abilities, the race start/finish
lane, and the kid's learning loop. The Parks
Department is working hard to secure as much
funding for the 2010 construction season as they
can, and we'll add more trails and technical
terrain as soon as possible.
When the park
planning process began, our goal was to begin
construction in 2009. We met that goal with a
ceremonial groundbreaking and by completing the
major earthmoving. But the sheer complexity of the
project required many more steps navigating the
City of Boulder's Land Use Review process than
anticipated, and the primary construction got
pushed into 2010.
On the plus side, in 2009
we held two awesome volunteer workdays, a super
fun groundbreaking and 'cross race, and a huge
amount of earth-moving was completed. We also
raised a truck load of money thanks to
you!
Stay tuned to the BMA newsletter for
construction updates over the spring. We will ride
there one day
soon! |
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Advocacy
Update
Wanted: Walker Ranch
Regulars!
Fifteen years ago, the Walker
Ranch Loop was the premier mountain bike ride in
Boulder County. Much has changed since then, and
many of us who loathed the ride or drive over
Flagstaff Mountain have found other, more
desirable, opportunities like Heil and Hall
Ranches. BCPOS is ramping up to revisit
this management plan. While BMA assumes a
leadership role in representing mountain bikers,
we certainly don't know it all about this parcel.
That's why we are asking for your help. If
you ride Walker more than a dozen times a year, we
would like to hear from you about what is working,
what isn't, and what is needed to make this open
space park better. Yes, BMA continues to
push for an Eldo to Walker connection. The OSMP
West TSA process is in full swing and we are
hopeful that this connection will pass muster from
the City. But much remains to be done both
politically and physically before this link
becomes a reality. And then there is the
connection west to West Mag... we are working
it. Please contact Mike Barrow
at mtnbikemike@gmail.com if
you want to help shape the future of Walker Ranch
Open Space.
West
TSA
After months of meetings that were meant to
give everyone in the Community Collaborative Group
(CCG) a common base of knowledge, they are finally
getting to the important stuff. Maybe the
pace of this process will start to pick up.
Mark McIntyre, the CCG's lone
representative, has updated his blog with a report,
read it here.
Eldo to Walker
Meetings!
Well not exactly... The Colorado State Parks
are holding public meetings to revamp their
strategic focus in the 21st century. We need
people to show up and get State Parks to cater to
the mountain biking public more. Our
specific ask is for the Eldo to Walker Ranch
connector. There are two meetings that are
relatively close to Boulder:
Fort Collins/Loveland : Thursday,
March 11, 2010, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
Harmony Library, 4616 South Shields, Fort Collins.
Metro Denver Area: Tuesday,
March 16, 2010, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
American Mountaineering Center, 710
10th St., Golden.
BMA
and the Boulder cycling community need to make
their desires known to State Parks, and this is
the part where they actively want to
listen.
Colorado MTB Summit in
Salida
April 2 and 3 -
Mountain bike clubs from all over Colorado
will convene in Salida this April to ride, talk,
and share our experiences to move everyone
forward. There are issues of regional
importance, such as Hidden Gems and State Parks,
that require 'regional' coordination and
activism. This is where we make it happen.
If you are interested in representing BMA at
the conference, Contact Mike Barrow to find out
more. Financial suppport is available.
.....
One
of the main reasons why BMA is a powerful
community organization is because we have a
group of smart, passionate people who keep showing
up at these types of meetings representing.
If you have a desire to be part of that core
group of effective advocates, contact Mike
Barrow for more
information |
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Calling All Mountain Biking
Ladies!
Bike
season is around the corner! Come on out to
Outdoor Divas on Boulder on March 24th at
7:00 for a FREE bike tech talk by women
for women. The gals from Sports Garage will
go over basic bike mechanics, changing a tire,
gear to have on hand and how to use it in a fun,
Girls Night Out format. You will also learn
about woman-only riding opportunities (like our
BMA-sponsored Thursday Night Gurlz Ridez) while
you sip on local brews. Please RSVP to events@outdoorDIVAS.com or
303.449.3482. |
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Bike
Patrol Training
What
is the Bike Patrol?
Boulder
Mountain Bike Patrol (BMBP) is a volunteer
mountain bike organization dedicated to promoting
responsible riding and trail use on our public
lands, providing a service to all trail users, and
participating in this mission by riding our bikes.
Our patrollers ride select trails and provide
simple, helpful services (give directions to trail
users, help with minor mountain bike
repairs). |
Lyons Bike Park
Fundraiser
The
Lyons Bike Park has been growing
since 2008 when it was
built for the Lyons Outdoor
Games. It's since
been upgraded and now includes
natural terrain and materials (large portions of
the park are constructed of stone) that mimic the
local trails and terrain that riders will
encounter on area and regional open spaces.
But
it can get super hot out there with no
shade! No fear, the Lyons community has
come together to throw a fundraiser so a
sun shelter can be built. The
Lyons Bike Park fundraiser is at The Barn @ Oskar
Blues in Lyons, April 17th from
2-8p.m. Plan on live music, beer,
food and bike goodies! All food and beer proceeds
will go to The Lyons Bike Park.
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