 |
|
|
| |
April 10, 2000
WHERE'S YER DADDY
An open letter to mountain bikers from SIMBS
CRD Parks has recently taken down some unauthorized ramps, ladders, drops, stunts and constructions at Hartland. They were at: 1. The bottom of "Grinder", 2. Twister, and 3. Who's Yer Daddy. Rarely has any event generated so much discussion within the local mountain bike community.
With the possible exception of the creation of the park itself, which SIMBS spearheaded in the early 1990s, there has never been so much attention on the management of the Hartland lands.
Many of you have phoned us and written letters about the tear down of stunts and other human-made obstacles on the trails at Hartland. It's also been a hot topic on our interactive discussion forum (www.coastnet.com/~simbs ) where you have clearly made your views known.
Some local mountain bikers have expressed irritation, anger, and sadness at the tear downs, especially on the Who's Yer Daddy Trail, while some of you have offered contrary views, and words of support.
All of you are demanding answers - and we feel you deserve them.
First of all, SIMBS did not tear down the stunts on Who's Yer Daddy. This work was done by the CRD.
We did agree to the removal of unauthorized installations. We understand that the CRD needed these tear-downs for reasons of legal liability - a concern that has been raised in many riding areas following high-profile accidents on the North Shore. This is a battle mountain bikers will be fighting for a long time to come - not just at Hartland, but wherever people are on mountain bikes doing anything unusual.
Following lengthy discussions at the Board level, SIMBS did originally support some of the tear-downs (see the notice posted at Hartland, ÒWhy Trail Closures, Why Tear Downs?Ó). However, it should be pointed out that in all of our discussions, Who's Your Daddy? was not the focus of discussion but rather we were thinking of an even more extreme set of constructions elsewhere in the park. As for Who's Yer Daddy?, we thought (rather naively, in retrospect) that this trail would not be affected.
We failed to properly address the primary issue of UNAUTHORIZED constructions and the resultant liability concerns. This led to unclear communication about the reasons for the removal, and we failed to inform mountain bikers of the full implications of our discussions with CRD. Because we did not notify people far enough ahead of time, many were surprised at the events.
On behalf of the Board of SIMBS, I apologize for these failings.
WHAT IS SIMBS POSITION?
These recent events have caused a lot of discussion within SIMBS.
SIMBS recognises that there IS a legitimate need for the type of riding done on artificial constructions like those that were on Who's Yer Daddy. Extreme riding of this type is a growing part mountain biking on the West coast. Some of the riders who want this type of riding experience ride at Hartland, some are SIMBS members, and some are on our board of directors!
As a result, the SIMBS Board voted unanimously at its April 3 meeting to develop proposals for CRD approval for the installation of artificial constructions on trailptland.
THE "WHO'S YER DADDY" PROJECT
One of the original key builders of Who's Yer Daddy, Landon MacLean, a SIMBS board member, has agreed to co-ordinate this project. It is a project to get an installations, constructions and stunts APPROVED for trails in Hartland. If you want this type of riding in Hartland, now is the time to step forward. We have heard the complaints, now we need to see some constructive action to back up the words. Now it is time to put up or shut up!
We're asking all members of the mountain biking community to help us as we move ahead on this project - we have a long road ahead of us. It will involve research, detailed proposals, lengthy meetings, and exhaustive committee work.
We are working in an area where there do not appear to be any precedents that we can rely on in our planning. That will make the task very difficult.
Working as an isolated individual, there is no hope for success in Hartland. As a focused group working together, we can achieve something.
If we can't get together, with our common interests of saving trail access for all types of responsible riding, how do we stand any chance of success?
Yours truly,
Jim Richardson
SIMBS President To contribute to the "WHO'S YER DADDY" PROJECT, call Landon MacLean at 598-5997 For feedback on SIMBS position or actions, call SIMBS at 477-2455 or simbs@coastnet.com
THE "20 - 20 - 20 " RULE
The International Mountain Biking Association says: "20 hours of trail work, $20 to IMBA, and $20 to your local MTB organization. SIMBS membership is only $10, but IMBA's is US$ so it balances out.
please note new E-Mail Address info@simbs.com
|
|
|
July
Tuesday July 8th
SIMBS Board Meeting, first (non holiday) Tuesday each month 7:00 PM sharp, Victoria Police Station, 850 Caledonia Ave, everyone welcome.
Sunday July 13th.
Introductory Ride at Hartland, second Sunday each month 9:45am, Guided, separate beginner and advanced groups, all ages.
Details and Updates
Sunday July 13th.
Youth Ride at Hartland, second Sunday each month, 9:45 AM. Families welcome too!
Details and Updates
Sunday July 13th.
Women's ride at Hartland occurs on the second Sunday of each month at 9:45am. The rides are led by women for women of all ages and abilities. Carmel Ecker.
Details and Updates
Sunday July 20th
Trail Maintenance at Hartland third Sunday each month, 8:45am sharp (on the trails at 9:00), Call Greg @ 598-6198 and please leave a message so we have enough lunches, or e-mail him: mailto:trails@simbs.com
Details and Updates
|
 RSS |
|
