A couple of years ago, CAMBA's Mike Farley wrote an article o­n this site about a trip to the North Fork Mountain Trail in West Virginia.  He wrote at the time that to him, North Fork Mountain is the definition of what mountain biking is all about.  Now we learn that this trail is threatened to be forever closed to bikes by a wilderness bill recently introduced by Rep. Alan Mollohan.  The wilderness issue is hitting very close to home these days and the o­nly way to stop these things is for YOU to take action.  Click here for information o­n how to make your voice heard.

Just a few weeks ago we told you about some fantastic trails in Montana being closed to mountain biking.  We were outraged, we hope you were too, and we know IMBA was because they have already raised almost $600,000 to fight this insanity in the future.  Read about it here and help IMBA in this fight by donating to their Legal Advocacy Fund.  With a National Park right in our backyard and a many National Forests just a few hours away, these trail closures could easily hit close to home.  Let's be proactive and ensure this doesn't happen again.  Donate today!

CAMBA is very proud to announce that we received the Ohio State Parks 2009 “Trail Partnership Of The Year Award” for our efforts to build and maintain mountain biking trails at West Branch State Park in Portage County.  CAMBA is the first recipient of this new statewide award to recognize volunteer groups helping to build, improve and expand trails in Ohio State Parks.  Everyone who has volunteered at West Branch made the award happen!  Thank you, West Branch volunteers!  Check HERE to read John Wilder's (park mgr) nomination letter.  Read more.

Mountain bikers recently learned that they will see trail access cut from 170 miles to just 20 miles in Montana's Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn wilderness study area (WSA). The restrictions stem from a lawsuit that challenged the Forest Service's management of the WSA, setting the stage for similar challenges in Montana, and perhaps across the United States. The plaintiffs — The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Montana Wilderness Association and The Wilderness Society — contended that the Forest Service failed to preserve the wilderness character of the study area. 

Are you as disgusted by this as we are?  Make a donation to IMBA's Legal Advocacy Fund and help IMBA fight this battle.  Click here for the full article from IMBA.

Last week I was lucky to attend the National Bike Summit (NBS) in Washington D.C. as a representative of CAMBA and IMBA. It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of the cycling movement on the national stage...

Read full article: 'CAMBA President attends National Bike Summit in Washington DC'

Cuyahoga Valley National Park has announced three dates for the first public input session for the new Trail Management Plan (TMP) and Environmental Impact Study (EIS).  The dates are Thursday, February 11th from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday, February 13th 10:00 am-noon.  CAMBA strongly encourages all mountain bikers to attend!



Read full article: 'Let your voice be heard! Attend CVNP’s February Open House.'

On December 17th the CAMBA board of directors voted o­n a nomination for a new President. Andrew Miller will be taking the presidential reigns as of January 1st 2010.

You may know Andrew from the CAMBA racing team, or the Medina group rides. Over the last year Andrew has been a regular face in helping with CAMBA events and advocating for mountain biking in North East Ohio. He's full of passion and enthusiasm and we're all very excited to see where he takes the organization.

Please help me in wishing Andrew good luck, and thanking him for his commitment.

We already pointed you to an interesting article from The Plain Dealer describing Judge Anthony Russo's involvement in the selection of a new Cleveland Metroparks director.  Shortly after that, The Plain Dealer published an editorial that sharply criticized Judge Russo for his involvement in the selection process.  CAMBA felt that this editorial was unfair and CAMBA Presdient Brett Zink responded to this editorial with a letter to the editor expressing our support for Judge Russo.

Read full article: 'CAMBA President responds to Plain Dealer editorial'

An article from The Plain Dealer discusses how "As the Cleveland Metroparks board commissioners look for a new executive director, the judge with authority for appointing the board has put himself in the middle of the search process.".  The article is worth reading.

As we've already told you, The National Park Service, in cooperation with Cleveland Metroparks and Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is developing a new Comprehensive Trail Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP).  This Plan is needed to guide the future course of trail management and development in Ohio’s o­nly National Park.

As part of this process, CVNP asked a number of stakeholder groups to provide early input into this trail planning process by responding to a survey developed by the park.  CAMBA was o­ne of the groups asked to answer the survey and we provided an extensive, 15 page response to the park's questions...

Read full article: 'CAMBA Responds to CVNP Stakeholder Survey'

The Cleveland Plain Dealer featured an article today o­n the Trail Study being conducted at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Read it here to see what is being said about Mountain Biking in Ohio's o­nly National Park.

CAMBA members put many volunteer hours into the community through trail building, bike repairs, classes for youth groups and more.  We've decided to track those hours so we can report to membership and other organizations our volunteer contribution.  CAMBA Member Nancy Desmond has volunteered to track this for CAMBA (Thank you, Nancy!).  So please send the following to her any time you organize a volunteer event for CAMBA, attend a meeting o­n behalf of CAMBA, or host a group ride (less important, but helpful)...

Read full article: 'CAMBA starts tracking all volunteer hours'

A big thanks to goes to Eddy's Bike Shop for their recent CAMBA membership promotion!




Read full article: 'Big thanks to Eddy's Bike Shop!'

Today in the Cleveland Plain Dealer a short article decribes a recent survey of Ohio college students about their plans after school. The survey found that 58% of students were planning to leave Ohio shortly after graduation.

"But 89 percent said jobs and career opportunities are their first priority in deciding where to live after college. Because the students surveyed seemed to have little faith in their ability to find a good job in Ohio, their aspirations for staying in Ohio were low. Ohio also ranked low in the second-highest priority for student, the notion of living in a place that is "active, exciting and fun."

That's right, the second most important factor for young professionals chosing a place to live is being "active, exciting and fun." CAMBA has been saying this for a long time now, and we feel that Northeast Ohio parks can play a major role in fighting brain drain. Placing a priority o­n outdoor recreation and demonstrating that Northeast Ohio is an exciting place to live can go a long way to fight the struggles our region faces. This is why CAMBA continues to stay focused o­n the vision of 100 miles of world-class trails in NE Ohio. The recent news about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park trail study and the partnership with Cleveland Metroparks proves that we're seeing some progress. It's as important as ever that everyone takes responsibility and continues to be an active mountain bike advocate.

Back in October, we told you that Cuyahoga Valley National Park would be undertaking a comprehensive trail study.  During this process, mountain biking will be evaluated as a potential use o­n existing and/or future trails in the park along with hikers and horses.  In addition to looking at trails within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we have now learned that Cleveland Metroparks will take part in this process and assess the Bedford and Brecksville reservations.

Read full article: 'Cleveland Metroparks to participate in CVNP trail study'

Yep, it's that time of the year again. The mountain bike trails at West Branch State Park are closed from February 16th to May 18th this year.

Read full article: 'Seasonal Mountain Bike Trails Closure at West Branch'

Here at CAMBA HQ, we try to be very careful about issuing a "call to action" to Northeast Ohio mountain bikers.  We try not to call out the troops unless it is really necessary.  This is o­ne of those times when we need everybody to take action.  Seriously folks, this is a big deal.  We need your help and it won't take more than 10 minutes...

Read full article: 'Want to ride in National Parks? You MUST take action.'

2008 was a great year for CAMBA (one of our best ever) and we’d like to recognize CAMBA's 100% volunteer team for all their hard work.  Read o­n for a recap of some of our accomplishments for 2008.

Read full article: 'What CAMBA volunteers did for Northeast Ohio in 2008'

We told you about the proposed rule change for the National Park service. We told you about the impact that this could have o­n mountain biking in North East Ohio.

Now it's time for you to do your part. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is asking for comments o­n the proposed regulation. Click here to read more and offer your support.

Support for mountain biking in Northeast Ohio comes from a wide variety of area residents. Recently, a group of Neurosurgeons from University Hospitals wrote a letter to Judge Anthony Russo.  Judge Russo, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge, is assigned the very important task of appointing Cleveland Metroparks' Board of Park Commissioners, who oversee the operation of the Cleveland Metroparks. In the letter, the doctors expressed their strong support for mountain biking in Northeast Ohio . They also emphasized that allowing mountain biking in Cleveland Metroparks would help promote healthy lifestyles and provide a symbolic impact that will help reverse some of the negative perceptions of our region. CAMBA applauds the neurosurgeons letter of support and as always encourages all mountain biking supporters to do their part in advocating for legal off-road bicycle trails in Northeast Ohio.

While Cleveland Metroparks remains opposed to allowing more bicycle access o­n the narrow dirt trails we call single-track, Allegheny County Parks System in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, has a different take o­n trails.

Read full article: 'A Tale of Two Park Systems'

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson wrote a great editorial in the Plain Dealer last week reminding residents that he views this region as a glass half full.  The situation for mountain biking in Northeast Ohio is similar.  While it is true we still have our struggles to gain more access, the fact is that for mountain bikers, Cleveland looks nothing like it did 8 years ago before CAMBA started...

Read full article: 'Mayor tells city to think positive, we agree'

Sunday's Plain Dealer featured an article indicating that the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will begin a "total trail study" and that the park is "eager to consider mountain biking".  This, along with the revision in the rule making process we told you about o­n Friday, is probably the biggest news EVER for mountain biking in Northeast Ohio.  We realize that without a lot of background o­n all of the regulations that govern the National Park Service, it's probably difficult for most people to grasp just how huge this is.  So, we'll try and explain what this means.

Read full article: 'Cuyaghoga Valley National Park to study trails, including mountain biking'

The front page of the metro section of Sunday's Plain Dealer featured an article about CAMBA and Cleveland Metroparks.  It is well worth reading.  From the Plain Dealer: Mountain bikers at odds with Cleveland Metroparks over building more trails.

A proposed National Park Service regulation change will be very beneficial as CAMBA continues to lobby for the ability to ride a bicycle o­n natural surface trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  The new policy would empower park superintendents to manage trails for bicycles and streamline an overly cumbersome process, while maintaining all review and comment required under the National Environmental Policy Act.  Read more here and stay tuned to the CAMBA website for updates as this rule progresses.