2003 IN REVIEW
From the BASIN AND RANGE TRAIL ADVOCATES
newsletter - TRAIL BITES
ISSUE #5 Fall 2003
Well the heat has been on for several months now and the BARTA activities
have
slowed a little . Don't worry, we are crawling out from under our shady
rocks and
planning activities scheduled for the next couple of months. Check on the
website
for the most up-to-date ride and event information.
2003 Event Report
Spring Trail Work Activities -February Free Ride
This year, BARTA has started something new, some “fun-rides” that are not
big events, just casual gatherings of riders that want to explore the
trails. Our February fun-ride was a great family outing on the trails in
Cottonwood north and south of HWY 160. The group of us split up on
several different rides, all geared to the ability of the riders. This
worked out well, as we had a couple of less experienced riders (mom and
son) that participated (with dad) in a ride that they could handle. We had
some “animals” that got in the climbing mode and some casual riders that
just wanted to do a fast, easy downhill. Everyone had a great time and no
blood was spilled!
BARTA has begun another year of trail work, trying to improve the trails
in southern Nevada, concentrating right now working with the BLM on the
Cottonwood Valley Trail System. In March, five volunteers piled the Bob
trailers with carsonite signs and replaced signs that had been removed.
These trail signs are put there because the BLM is truly trying to make an
effort to mark and map the trails so riders know where the trails are.
Soon BLM should release color coded trail maps that match the color coded
trail signs. Using the maps in conjunction with the signs should
making it
easier for folks new to the area to learn the location and character of
the trails. We also installed new signs in areas where the trails have
been closed and signs had been removed. The land managers and scientists
closed the Mud Springs area to all users (not to pick on mountain bikers)
to protect sensitive areas that the wildlife depends upon for survival. It
is not fun to close trails we have enjoyed riding for many years, but we
understand the need to protect our beautiful desert areas for it's
indigenous inhabitants.
Badger Pass / Red Valley Trail Reroute -In April & May,Barta marked and
organized a trail work session to reroute the old Badger Pass/ Red Valley
connection trail. The old fall line trail was badly e r o d e d a n
d u n r i d e a b l e by nearly all riders. Our new trail was i m m e d i
a t e l y r i d e a b l e a n d should be durable enough to last for
years to come.
Holding our “Beat the Heat” Poker Run in April truly took the heat out of
the ride. The weather was cool and breezy, and 50 riders braved the
morning chill and had a great ride. They rode three different courses of
varying length. Offering a third, easier trail proved to be a good idea,
as we had a number of riders that enjoyed the short course, which was more
geared toward the beginners. The winning hand and low hand both took home
cash prizes. Thanks to our generous sponsors, many riders took home some
sweet swag. It was a great success in spite of a mishap due to a “dust
devil” that plowed through the event site after the ride had started.
June 7 was National Trails Day. In honor of this, trail events including
horseback
riding, 4-wheeling, hiking and biking were organized by local and Federal
agencies
around the Las Vegas area. The US Forest Service sponsored a ride in the
Mt.
Charleston Area, at the Bristlecone Trail in Lee Canyon. BARTA members
acted as
ride guides for those participants unfamiliar with the trail. About a
dozen riders
completed the ride and had a good time. A brave roadie tackled this as her
first
mountain bike ride and ended up with a few scrapes to show for it. But
when it was
all over, she still had a smile on her face!
Full Moon Madness Ride - Hot Rocks National Mountain Bike Patrol
June’s fun-ride was a fullmoon night ride. Five adventurous riders braved
the Las Vegas night on the Cottonwood trail system. Only one casualty, a
Specialized headlight, was
sacrificed to the desert dirt and rock gods, everyone had a great time.
The mountain bike patrol has been active this year with patrollers
averaging eight to ten hours of
patrol time every month in Red Rock NCA's mountain bike trails. Clif Bar
has been gracious enough to supply National Mountain Bike Patrol units
around the nation with Clif Shot energy supplement for distribution on the
trails.
• This fall and winter we will be helping to marshal the Desert Sol
Mountain Bike Challenge series . If you would like more information about
the Desert Sol Mountain Bike Challenge series look at
http://tmr-unlimited.com/
• Hot Rocks has also been asked to assist
in the Out Door Dirt Demo Day for the Interbike industry trade show.
If you would like to become a National Mountain Bike Patrol certified
patroller contact Matt Carter at bikes4four@cox.net. You can learn about
the National Mountain Bike Patrol at
www.IMBA.com.
Upcoming Events -Trail Work Dates:
Our 8th annual Blue Diamond to Jean ride is
c o m i n g u p o n November 1 . With the closing of the Jean
Medical Clinic, we are working with the Fire Station in Jean to host the
post ride BBQ. If there is any individual that would like to be
involved with
this great event by becoming a volunteer or a sponsor, please contact
BARTA. We
welcome everyone, as we are always in need of volunteers and sponsors. We
need
help with set-up and registration, flagging the trails, staffing c h e c k
p o i n t s, distributing raffle prizes and much more. Volunteering is fun
and can be a great way to
socialize with other riders. Many of the same people have volunteered for
years
and not been able to ride the event. Perhaps some that have ridden the
event year after
year can try something new and volunteer.
November 22nd, 9am, meet at the Kiosk in the parking area near mile marker
17(HWY 160), south of HWY 160.
December 13th, 9am meet at the same
location as Nov. 22nd.
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What is BARTA and why should I become a
BARTA member?
Basin and Range Trail Advocates (BARTA) is a non-profit organization
comprised of mountain bikers whose goal is to preserve and maintain
current recognized trail systems, such as Cottonwood Canyon, and to
establish new
trail systems within the southern Nevada area. We are dedicated to the
educate mountain bikers and other user groups on proper trail care, use
and
development as well as environmental impacts associated with our
activities. Our affiliation with the International Mountain Biking
Association (IMBA) provides resources in some of these areas. We also
communicate and work with land management agencies, such as the BLM, US
Forest Service and Clark County to achieve our goals. This is why you
should become a
member. We are mountain bikers passionate about the sport and we are
working to improve your trail experience, to create more sustainable
trails and to keep the trails we have. Please support our efforts with
your membership.
For more Information About
BARTA:
E-Mail: info@BARTA-nv.com
Patrol: Or Call:
Judy Brandt, President at 702-837-6522
Hot Rocks National Mountain
BikePatrol
Matt Carter, Director 822-8627
E-Mail: bikes4four@lvcm.com
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