Advocacy
Boulder Mountainbike Alliance Mid-Summer 2008 Advocacy Report
2008 is shaping up to be a watershed year for BMA. The pace of activity continues to keep us extremely busy. To cut to the chase:
Valmont Bike Park - Last night, the Boulder City Council unanimously approved the conceptual and phasing plan for this long awaited community park. BMA is partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department to make then north part of the park a world class cycling facility. Look for plenty happening by August; a BMA microsite devoted to Valmont Bike Park and a fundraising campaign that will generate funds for some of the incredible features of the park. BMA will be be a partner in the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of this park. Want a glimpse of the future? Click here.
Dirty Bismarck in 2009 - BCPOS contacted us recently to provide a letter of support for a grant that will complete the 15 mile loop that approximates the legendary Morgul Bismarck course. This section, which will start at the end of the Cowdery Draw Trail and connect to the Singletree Trail in Superior, is the subject of a grant request that has Boulder County, OSMP, and the Town of Superior all throwing down funds to make this a reality. Of course we support it!
West Mag - BMA is working wth the USFS on a grant that will pay for trail and trailhead improvements in this popular destination. A restroom facility for the main parking lot is on the list, and better signage as well. Efforts are underway to address private property encroachments on the Root Canal Trail this season. We have been given the green light to design and construct a man made feature and alternate lines on one section of the Hobbit Trail that is falling apart. This will serve as a demonstration project to show the USFS what we can do to create challenge and build sustainable trails. If this works out well, it will create opportunities to do more.
Betasso Management Plan - IMBA Trail Solutions has won the contract to design a sustainable trail system on the property. They are being asked to design sustainable trails on very vertical terrain and being given the leeway to do it right. This is a two-edged sword; if IMBA comes back and says they can't create a ten mile stacked loop system on this property, we will need to believe it. We have the best possible trail designers on the job and we have to trust their expertise. Next public meeting scheduled for September.
West TSA - There are no multiple use trails currently in this area. BMA has been gathering the evidence necessary to make the vision of quality mountain biking without the use of a car a reality, and it doesn't happen without access to this area. BMA has a team of people focused on the issues we will be ready for the first substantive discussion about access into the Mountain Parks system since we were closed out in 1983.