Very Important Notice - Simbs Insurance Renewal!! (Posted March 25th, 2005)
As of March 26, 2005 12:01 AM the South Island Mountain Bike Society will not be in possession general liability insurance. Our insurance was included in an umbrella outdoor recreation policy underwritten by Lloyd's of London. A recent decision of the insurer has excluded all mountain bike organisations across Canada from renewing coverage. We are diligently working to resolve this situation as soon as possible with another insurer and will inform you when we are successful.

In light of this development SIMBS would be in default of the license agreement with CRD Parks. Therefore, we have instructed our board of directors and members that SIMBS will not be capable of carrying out activities in Mount Work Hartland or any other area until we resolve our insurance dilemma. These activities include trail maintenance and group rides. We have also contacted future permit applicants and informed them they would need to submit their park use permits directly to CRD Parks for approval. Current permit holders of park use permits have also been instructed to reapply to CRD Parks if their activities should occur after March 26, 2005.

CRD Parks will permit access to the park trails by the riding public however, the Technical Training Area (TTA) will be closed. Signage to this effect will be posted in the TTA, please respect the concerns of CRD and not ride in this area until further notice.

SIMBS feels confident we will obtain insurance however, the premiums for such insurance may either be unattainable or would have to be reflected in our membership fees. Therefore, if there was ever a time in which we could use your help, it is now. Become a Supporting member of SIMBS with your paid membership. Visit our Join SIMBS link for details.

Sincerely,
James Brown
President

In the past four years, the coaches of the Sugoi Dirt Series women’s technical mountain bike camps have given hundreds of women new skills and confidence on their bikes. More than that, lives have been changed as the self-esteem gained from conquering fears and riding the previously impossible inevitably carries back into everyday life.

The Whistler-based Sugoi Dirt Series was started in British Columbia, and expanded east into Alberta, before making its first trips to the US last year. Now the program features a total of 18 camps in two provinces and four states: BC, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California.

During its lifetime, the Dirt Series has refined and perfected its camp format to include personalized skills instruction and group rides flexible enough to accommodate beginners to expert riders, along with bike fit, gear demos, and maintenance sessions. More info. and Dirt Series dates

Schwalbe Cycling Club presents the 2005 “Down 'N' Dirty at the Dump” XC race! (Posted April 11th, 2005)
April 24th 2005 at Hartland Mountain Bike Park. Registration at 10:00 AM, race starts at 12:00 noon. $10.00 entry fee. For more information please check out http://www.schwalbecycling.com/news.html or for more information please contact Brian at 658-1526. Download poster

Victoria Elementary School Seeks Cycling Coaches (Posted April 11th, 2005)

Ecole Margaret Jenkins School Cycling Club in the Fairfield neighbourhood is seeking coaches for its k-7 program this spring.

The program will start Wednesday April 27 with a rodeo style event for kids to get to know the coaches and sample some skills and runs Thursdays 3:30 to 5:00 until June 23. There will be three groups of riders based on skill.

Sessions are approximately 90 minutes, but coaches are paid $15 per hour for 2.5 hours to help cover travel. The club is skills focussed, on mtb, trials and BMX skills, but roadies have also made good coaches in past seasons. A typical session would include introducing one or two skills, some related games or short races, and lots of positive feedback.

NCCP certification is preferred, but ability to relate well to children and encourage kids to ride skilfully is more important.

Please contact Tracey Sheppard tsheppard@pacificsport.com (250)744-5531, PacificSport Junior coach, who is mentoring the program, or Lister Farrar listerfarrar@telus.net (250)595-1955, parent executive of the club.

APRIL 16th Island Cup PRE-RACE PRACTICE & PARTY!! (Posted March 27th, 2005)
APRIL the 16TH - Pre-Race dinner & party at Iguana Ranch with Mexican Buffet, campfire, hot tub and “Iguana Sauna”. Dinner $12, or with accommodation in bunkhouse or big bus $44. 10% discount with SIMBS membership card!!

We are only ten minutes from the base of Mt. Prevost, and for a nominal donation, we will be running practice shuttles on Saturday afternoon for our guests.
Book fast, space is selling quickly! www.iguanaranch.com

MAY 14th - ALL DAY/NIGHT Iguana Ranch Season's Open Annual Party (S.O.A.P.) Fundraising BBQ & Big Air Contest! (Posted March 27th, 2005)
All day party 'n riding at the Iguana Ranch. Fundraising BBQ runs from 11 am until 9 pm, BIG AIR CONTEST with prizes @ 4pm. All ages welcome...free tenting for the late night party. **No minors after 8pm. Check www.iguanaranch.com "cool events" for more info.

Anita & Paul
www.IGUANARANCH.com
"The Mountain Biker's Shangri-La"
biking, hiking, tubing, cheap sleeps, good eats, great vibe!
(250) 709-9010

Free SPROCKIDS Mountain Bike Ride Leader Training - Squamish, March 19!! (Posted March 12th, 2005)
A special complimentary offering of the Canadian Cycling Association's "Sprockids Introduction to Mountain Biking" Ride Leader Training will take place at Howe Sound Secondary School in Squamish on Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The course is open to all interested potential leaders and parents affiliated with community recreation centers, cycling clubs, schools and bicycle retailers in the province. It is preferable, but not mandatory that potential participants have completed basic first aid or the BC Coaches Association "Introduction to Coaching Level 1". Background checks will be required.

The Sprockids Program is a multi-tiered approach designed to provide kids aged 10-14 the opportunity to experience success on a variety of levels. Through the sport of mountain biking young riders develop a strong sense of self-esteem, while discovering the potential within themselves. The Sprockids Ride Leaders instructional manual, along with the other resources, will provide the teacher, coach, instructor, or parent with an extensive array of material that will assist them in establishing their own successful introductory mountain biking program.

The course will be hosted by Sprockids Program Development Society Directors, Lesley Tomlinson and Alison Sydor. National Team riders and Olympians will assist as coaches throughout the weekend. The camp is supported by the North Shore Mountain Bike League, Pacific Sport, Squamish Off Road Association (SORCA) and Cycling BC.

Pre-registration is required by Monday March 14. For more information or to register, please see the Cycling BC website at www.cycling.bc.ca or call our office at (604) 737-3034.

Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society (Posted March 12th, 2005)
There is a meeting on Wednesday, March 16th, starting at 7:30 PM, at the Otter Point Fire Hall(Otter Point Rd). The featured speaker will be Sandra Martin on Metchosin Trails. Pass the information on and bring a friend!!

Attention Dirt Jumpers!! (Posted March 12th, 2005)
We welcome everyone's help and participation in getting the Dirt jump Park in North Saanich up and running. As I am sure you are aware, we are getting closer to completion. At this time, the only opportunities for riding the park will be during build days. Once we have the park completed and opened it will be available daily from dawn to dusk. In the meantime we would appreciate if riders would refrain from using the park until it is officially open. This will help us to maintain a good relationship with the District of North Saanich. Thank you for your cooperation.

Your Dirt Jump Park Advocate Team:

George Matthews:

Important Mount Tzouhalem Meeting - All Simbs Members Invited!! (Posted March 12th, 2005)
The Environment Department of Cowichan Tribes invites the members of SIMBS to attend an information session we are hosting about Mount Tzouhalem. The session will take place on Thursday, March 17th between 3:30 and 8:30 PM. in the Board Room of the Cowichan Community Centre. There will be a discussion session from 7:00-7:30 PM.

As you know Mount Tzouhalem is a fantastic place for biking and hiking. In addition, the bluffs, in particular the spots that provide the views out over Cowichan Bay, tend to be the place where several rare species are located. In an effort to keep the area a great place to recreate and to maintain the populations of the species that are at risk we are wanting to get this information out to the public. CLICK HERE for a poster about the event.

January / February Issue of the Mud News (Posted March 6th, 2005)
It is availble for download and viewing from the web, just CLICK HERE (3 mb, .pdf).

North Saanich Dirt Jump Park News!! (Posted February 19th, 2005)
Being the litigous times that we live in, George Matthews has provided us with waivers for anyone who wants to volunteer in any way with the DJ park. If you have not done so, please download and fill out the correct waiver before the next time you hit the park. Thanks.

Youth Racer Rides!! (Posted February 7, 2005)
The 2nd Saturday of EVERY Month!! Meet at Hartland parking lot at 9:15 am. Ride at 9:30-11:30 am. Geared for riders 12-16 interested in racing and gaining skills and fitness. No racing experience necessary. Learn from one of Canada's top coaches, Steve Lund. Phone Steve at 883-1949 for more info.

SIMBS 2005 Annual General Meeting!!
Monday, January 24th, 2005
Fernwood Community Centre (Posted January 14th, 2005)

SIMBS WANTS YOU. to attend the 2005 AGM!! This is our most important meeting of the year, where you will learn what's been happening over the past year, and what we've got planned for next year. New trails at Hartland, new riding areas on the South Island, new monthly rides, new board members.

Come on out and support SIMBS - buy a membership if you haven't joined yet, and have a say in the work SIMBS does by running for a position on the board of directors (members only). SIMBS' existing board is changing up, too, with the sitting president, vice president, treasurer and secretary all moving on or taking new positions.

Need more reasons to come?

Sofa King, Jelly Roll and Lumpy Pants are Closed. (Posted December 18th, 2004)
We have been instructed by CRD Parks to close these three trails. The reason, they are not authorized and until they are we are asking people not ride them.

We are diligently working to get these three trails "authorized" by CRD very soon so please bear with us. The paperwork is in CRD's hands, they just need to walk the trails. There may be some alterations needed but we'll wait and see. Once that is done the trails can be approved and officially open.

Until that time, all three trails, Sofa King, Jelly Roll and Lumpy Pants are closed pending CRD risk assessment. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

West Virginia, British Columbia Top 2004 IMBA Report Card (Posted December 18th, 2004)
"For the first time, a state east of the Mississippi River has taken top-honours in the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Report Card."

"West Virginia received the highest grade in the 2004 edition of IMBA¹s annual survey of mountain biking. The Mountain State has everything a mountain biker could want: endless miles of backcountry singletrack, stunning Appalachian Mountain scenery and a community of avid riders. The West Virginia Mountain Biking Association has emerged as one of the top mountain bike advocacy groups in the nation, balancing trailwork, advocacy, riding and racing to appeal to a broad spectrum of cyclists. But what really sets West Virginia apart is the support of government agencies like the state tourism department and governor¹s office."

"Internationally, British Columbia retained its position from last year as the ultimate global mountain biking location. Whistler ski area¹s freeride park is the benchmark for lift-accessed mountain biking. B.C. advocates are taking a lead role on improving access by hosting the World Mountain Bike Conference in Vancouver this summer. Finally, B.C. clubs do more than anyone to ensure the future of our sport by getting kids ­ sometimes by the thousands ­ on mountain bikes."

The grades are in and IMBA has posted it's report card here for 2004. Check it out....