WESTERN COMMUNITIES MOUNTAIN BIKE FILM FESTIVAL
World premier of local film "Island Style", which has been hailed as the most captivating trials film of the year. Also showing are the films "IDUN - Monkey Style" and "Changing of the Guard". This is an all ages event!!
Where: South Vancouver Island Ranger Station
3498 Luxton Road, Langford
When: Sunday Dec 29th at 4pm
Cost: $10

SAANICH JUMP PARK MEETING
Thursday, 12 December , 2002 - 7:00 PM at the North Saanich Municipal Hall. 1620 Mills Road. A group of bikers, parents and SIMBS representatives will be making a presentation to North Saanich Municipal Council . The presentation will be an appeal for land access to create a dirt jump park for bikers. Anyone interested in seeing the creation of a dirt jump park on the South Island similar to that in South Surrey, or Whistler Village, could show their support for the cause by coming to the meeting. To get there, drive north on the Pat Bay Highway to Sidney. When you arrive at the lights on the highway at the intersectionwith Beacon Avenue in Sidney, turn left. Travel west to Galaran Road and follow it north to Mills Road. Meeting report.

JOHN THOMPSON - R.I.P.
John Thompson died peacefully Saturday morning 1:35 November 30, 2002. He was a longstanding cycling advocate, a past SIMBS board member and a generous soul. He shared his time, skills knowlegdge and enthusiasm with all who knew him.
John was instrumental in starting the Terry Van Fleet memorial ride. He developed the South Island Mountain Bike Society's "MUD NEWS" newsletter into the professional looking publication it is today. He was a gifted photographer, a talented graphic artist and an amazing wordsmith.
He will be remembered for the enthusiasm he had for riding, whether on the road or off. He was a "cross cultural" rider. He will be missed.
John died of a brain tumor but kept an amazing positive attitude till the end. He spent the last week of his life at the hospice. The people who are the Victoria Hospice are incredible. Their care of John, their understanding and support for all of us - his family and friends - has been truly wonderful.
The Family has arranged a "Celebration of Life" for John on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 at 3:00 PM McCALL FUNERAL HOME, 1400 Vancouver St, Victoria. There will be a gathering for family and friends after the service.
Betty Anne Yuill has kept many of us in touch through these last days. She can be contacted at bayuill@telus.net

SUNDAY, 24 NOVEMBER, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Where: Garry Oak Room, Fairfield Community Place. 1330 Fairfield Rd. Sponsored by SIMBS. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and even encouraged. For sellers:- sell your stuff no charge. A list will be taken starting at 9:00 am at the Garry Oak Room. Table space is limited and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. For questions contact Cory Booker cbooker 99@hotmail.com or 389-2679

NOTICE OF UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE - COBBLE HILL MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA PLAN
To all concerned--please show up and comment on this proposed plan.  We are in desperate need to have the trails protected NOW PLEASE! October 28th, 2002 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. At the Cobble Hill Youth Hall Located opposite the Cobble Hill Hall – 3550 Watson Avenue, Click for Poster and Details

Your Input Needed On Cobble Hill
Read all about how this official survey will affect trail access on Vancouver Island. Full Story and link to the survey

Sporting goods to be taxed to support B.C. parks?
ACT NOW! The Recreation Stewardship Panel is accepting comments on its draft recommendations to government until October 15, 2002. For details, scroll down to the second post on this dicussion forum.

SIMBS Awarded "Citizen Group of the Year"
The South Island Mountain Bike Society has been selected as the "Citizen Group of the Year" by the International Northwest Parks and Recreation Association (INPRA). Full Story

Victoria Mountain Bike Film Festival
Three nights of adventure and adrenaline with world-class films from Victoria and around the globe!
Demos by Ryan Leech
Hosted by Robin Coupe
Opening party and screening of Disorder III on Friday, October 25, 2002 @ Sugar Night Club
Weekend films and demos @ David Lam Auditorium, UVic
Tickets: at the door, or in advance at your LBS
Full details: www.ridevictoria.com

TTA (Technical Training Area) Update
Expansion of the site has been approved by CRD Parks. In the next few weeks, the blackberry bushes behind the kiosk at the TTA will be cleared out, and a culvert installed, expanding the TTA area significantly. This will provide a lot more room for layout of the three obstacle courses - beginner, intermediate and advanced. CRD will also be providing SIMBS with logs for construction of the built obstacles. SIMBS hopes to be able to complete the TTA this fall. A big thank-you to CRD for the added land area! For more information on the TTA, contact Josh Vanderkerkhoeve at tta@simbs.com

GOLD RIVER TRAILS FESTIVAL 2002
The Gold River Trails Festival is a fun non-competitive event for hikers and bikers. It will present the extensive and growing trail network in and around the Gold River Area. There will be music and trials bike demonstrations, prizes for the poker ride/run, a live band, a pancake breakfast, and a scavenger hunt,
Participants will be taken out with local area guides on to the trails. There will be a speaker on "Trails In a Working Forest" from Western Forest Products. Click for full details on this three-day event on August 23, 24, 25, 2002.

SIMBS NEEDS YOU - FOR A GOOD TIME !
But only if you like to party, don't mind setting things up every now and then, and want to help mountain bikers have a good time. Here's how you can help:
1. Contact SIMBS.
2. Let us know what you can do to help set up dances, parties, bbqs, races and any other fun event, that's legal...
3. Find a couple of friends who can volunteer too, whaddaya have? Instant party!

SIMBS needs more members, and people like to be part of something that is both good, and fun. To that end, we are committed to offering our members a GOOD TIME. Please email info@simbs.com if you'd like to be a part of this. All ages are welcome.

BMX / MTB RACE FOR LIFE

A race for BMX and Mountain Bikes will be held at the Juan de Fuca BMX track Saturday July 6. The new track has some enormous jumps. This is a charity fund raiser, and a challenge for MTBs to go head to head with BMX. A separate MTB race will be run. For details and to check out the full story, click here

SQUARE WHEEL FILMS PRESENTS:
D.I.R.T. 2 Video Premiere at Steamers pub. Friday, 14 June, 2002. Starts at 9 o'clock. Draw prizes. and tickets available at Victoria bike shops . 8$ advance 10$ at door.

NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT
"It's About The Ride" for May 25, 2002
This is the latest submission of our latest feature article with news, insight, commentary, as well as MTB-specific philosophical enlightenment from the president of SIMBS, Lorien Arnold.
Watch for updates that will provide you with the latest behind-the-scenes information about the state of mountain biking on the South Island.

SIMBS HOSTS LAND MANAGER CONFERENCE JUNE 13, 2002 !
"Integrating Mountain Biking Into Trail Systems" will be a day of information exchange, learning, and advocating for SIMBS when we gather with the folks who make decisions about the land we ride on (or want to ride on). Parks managers, land owners, and city planners have been invited to attend. We will be teaching, learning and forming relationships that will help us gain access to more trails for mountain bikes. Click here for details in the invitation we sent.

NEW VIDEO OF CAMOSUN FREERIDE EVENT
Chris Ruffell has teamed up with SIMBS to show this amazing video and pictures of the event. Click here for music, video, and great pics of this stellar event

DOWNHILL and CROSS COUNTRY RACING
So you think you're fast? A full schedule of race events on and off the Island has been posted on the Forums pages under General Discussion. Check out the DOWNHILL and CROSS COUNTRY RACING link.

FREERIDE CONTEST REPORT
On Friday April 5/2002, the Freeride event went off with a bang. Stunts, drops, long jump, bunny hop, it had it all. If anyone has some pictures of the event, we'd love to run them. Please send pics to: info@simbs.com Click here for contest results and a description in the forums

CAMOSUN FREERIDE EVENT
On Friday April 5/2002, Camosun College's Recreation Leadership Program will host the first ever "Freeride Mountain Bike Expression Session." This is an event showcasing progressive riding styles and bike culture. Starting from 11:30pm to 4:30pm on the South Lawns of Lansdown Campus, the freeride course will cater to the novice and advance rider with elevations of obstacles up to four to five feet. First prize for novice category is $50.00 and for advanced $100.00. Click here for complete story and registration details

INSURANCE UPDATE
SIMBS now has the commercial liability insurance which was canceled by our previous carrier. All SIMBS hosted activities in Hartland will now resume. Our next trail maintenance day is going to be April 21, so mark your calendar.

Please read Lorien's post in the Forums - Hartland Discussion for the full details.

Shimano Dirt Series
Mountain Bike Skills Camps for Women
Following an ultra-successful introductory year, the Shimano Dirt Series Women's Skill Camps are doubling in number, adding some incredible new coaches, and setting up for an excellent 2002 season. Full Story