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HMBA, the economy, and a look to 2009 |
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Sunday, 21 December 2008 |
From Paul Arlinghaus: HMBA Vice PresidentMost likely all of us are being affected by the current economy. Hopefully everyone in the mountain bike community is getting by and able to weather the tough finacial times ahead.
I do want to quickly update everyone on the financial impact on HMBA. A more complete review of the 2008 finances and 2009 budget will be presented at the 2009 annual meeting.
Earlier this year, we were on a roll. The RTP project at Brown County State Park was progressing nicely and as a result of our success, we were put on the list of organizations to receive funding from the 2008 State Trail Grant. This grant was for $250,000.
It seemed very likely that if we demonstrated our ability to quickly build great trails with the 2008 State Trail Grant funding, that we would be on the list again in 2009. |
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2009 HMBA Annual Meeting |
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Sunday, 30 November 2008 |
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Date: Saturday, February 28th 2009
Location: Indiana Convention Center The 2009 HMBA annual meeting will be held at the Indianapolis Convention Center the same weekend as the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (Feb 27-March 1, 2009). HMBA will have a room all day long, and host break out sessions through out the day, with the annual meeting and a speaker in the evening. Please put this date on your calendars and plan to spend the day at the bike show and then attend the annual meeting. HMBA elections will be held through out the day. |
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URGENT: IMBA request for public comments on National Park access for mountain biking |
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Saturday, 20 December 2008 |
Take Action to Increase Opportunities for Bicycling in National Parks
Action AlertAt long last, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has proposed a rule change which will make it easier for parks to open trails for mountain biking. IMBA urges mountain bikers to register comments in support of the rule change. IMBA has been asking for this change since the 1990s. We now enter a 60-day commentary period to make the change official.
Take Action Now! Click on the small yellow icon, input your contact information and IMBA's alert language below. Customized letters are most effective.
You can read IMBA's white paper analysis of the proposed rule change and view the entire text in the Federal Register online. We know that several groups are working to defeat this proposal -- it will take thousands of comments in favor of the rule change to ensure it stays intact. |
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IMPORTANT WINTER TRAIL INFORMATION |
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Sunday, 30 November 2008 |
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When soil freezes all the moisture turns to ice crystals between the particles of the soil and in clay or loam soil they are tightly packed together. As the moisture freezes the crystals expand and tear the clay apart shattering it, then as it thaws the soil become more porous and allows more moisture in. This is repeated with every successive thaw.
In Indiana we can get as many as 100 freeze thaw cycles in a season.
So, please be very careful when trying to ride the trails in the winter. The best time to ride is when the trail is frozen solid. On days when the temperature goes below freezing at night, the worst thing we can do is wait for the sun to come out and warm up the trail before riding. The trails can be very soft even if it hasn’t rained recently. Even if the temperature stays below freezing South facing trails can defrost in sunlight and turn to mush.
If you are leaving ruts in the trail where you have ridden please leave the trail. The ruts will allow even more water to remain on the trail and make it even worse. If people see you riding they will want to ride too, so very soon the trail reaches a point of meltdown. |
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HMBA Quick Take UPDATE - Indiana Mountain Biking Raves |
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