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Metroparks, Serving Summit County Important Update

May 23, 2013 By

The announcement was just made public from Metroparks Serving Summit County concerning development of the Hardy Road area for mtn bike trails! See the link.

CAMBA/IMBA is pleased with this recent development which we anticipate will allow us to work closely with park staff in the establishment of the new trail. We certainly leveraged our relationship with IMBA as our regional director, Andy Williamson, was able to meet with the park as they are seeking knowledgeable input in trail design that will reap maximum benefits for users.

Greg Spickard

CAMBA President

Filed Under: Advocacy

Bedford Trail Days have arrived!

February 25, 2013 By

At last week’s meeting, Ralph and Nancy from Cleveland Metroparks joined us to speak about current status and plans for new trails at the Bedford Reservation.  They also provided more details on how to get registered as a volunteer with the Metroparks, including info on the orientation classes.

No doubt, this is a new process for CAMBA volunteers.  In the past, we’ve basically done our own safety and skills training on either trail days, or with one of many IMBA Trail Care Crew visits.  But this is a CMP requirement for all volunteers working in any Cleveland reservation, no matter what group you represent or experience you may already have.  So please be patient with this ‘new’ process, and read this DOCUMENT for more details about registering, and then following through with the training.  Participation in this program is hugely important for CMP, and we strongly encourage everyone to get involved and represent CAMBA!

Please send me an e-mail if you have any questions about upcoming plans at Bedford (trails ‘at’ camba ‘dot’ us).  But please use the e-mails in the attached document  from CMP if you have any questions about registering or orientation with CMP.

Check this recently-updated LINK  for general info on our trail days and the new Bedford trail dates.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Trail Building, Trails

Trails United E-Newsletter from Cleveland Metroparks

February 20, 2013 By

The Cleveland Metroparks(CMP) is embarking on a long term effort called Trails United to repair, rehabilitate and redesign our trails to protect natural resources and enhance public experience and they are asking for trail users and sponsors to participate over the next several years. Open to all trail users, CAMBA/IMBA working together are poised to make an impact for mountain biking with a show of volunteer strength we can generate from membership located in the Cleveland area.  As a reminder, we will be having several representatives from CMP at our meeting this week to discuss details of the volunteer program.

To further stay informed with the Trails United progress, you can sign up to receive the e-newsletter that is generated periodically by CAMBA member and CMP employee Nancy Desmond. The most recent newsletter can be found here, so click the link at the left of the page to sign up for automatic delivery to your email. In this issue you will find several entries of interest to mountain bikers and there can more as our success continues!

Greg Spickard

CAMBA President

Filed Under: Advocacy

Parks & Rec Article on Royalview!

October 11, 2012 By

Definitely some good PR in this ARTICLE! 

Way to go CAMBA!…..major thanks again to all the dedicated volunteers who contributed!

Filed Under: Advocacy, Trail Building, Trails

Royalview Grand Opening – Reminder!

June 7, 2012 By

CAMBA members have waited a long time for this and the day is fast approaching…..so don’t forget!;  Cleveland Metroparks is opening  9+ miles of mountain bike/hike trail in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville.  Coupled with CMP and SCA efforts, CAMBA volunteers donated over 1,800 hours of labor to help complete this incredible trail! (all in less than 8 months??)

So Friday, June 15:  Cleveland Metroparks will officially open the Royalview Trails at 2 p.m. with a media event and short presentation.  CAMBA members are encouraged to attend and ride after the ceremony (weather & trail-condition permitting!!).

Then, Sunday June 17:  Join us for the public event celebrating the trail with group rides, beginner clinics, food and music.  11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

In case of foul trail conditions and/or bad weather, group rides will be cancelled until the trails dry out….but other events on Sunday will continue!
In the meantime, send an e-mail if you have any questions (trails ‘at’ camba.us).

Filed Under: Advocacy, CAMBA Events, Group Rides, Other Events, Trail Building, Trails

Cleveland Metroparks open houses

April 11, 2012 By

The Cleveland Metroparks is having their 3rd round of public Open Houses to discuss the parks future. This is a good way to let the Metroparks know that you want more trails in the Metroparks. Please stop by one of the meetings to show your support for mountain biking and trail access. Details, locations and dates can be found here: http://www.clemetparks.com/CentennialPlan/meetings.asp

Filed Under: Advocacy

CAMBA Member Lands Job as CMP Mountain Bike Instructor

March 7, 2012 By

Mountain biking excitement is building here in NE Ohio.
By now you should know that Cleveland Metroparks has taken the bold step to open more trails for mountain bikes, starting with the Royalview picnic area in Strongsville’s Mill Stream Run reservation.  The trail was built with the hope that beginners will be able to enjoy it equally with the veterans.  In line with that aim, Cleveland Metroparks’ Institute of the Great Outdoors recruited CAMBA member Brian Jay to conduct beginner and intermediate MTB classes at the Royalview trail. We met up with Brian to ask him some questions about his new job.
So how did you get the job?
When I saw the posting on the message boards I immediately went into “interview mode”.  This is a job I’ve wanted for a long time – even before it existed.  I prepared a cover letter and a mountain biking resume’.  When I was called in for the actual interview I approached it just like any other “real” job.  I guess they liked my attitude and my experience.
What is your experience?
I have been riding off-road since I was 7 and we used to chase my brother’s motorcycle around the West Creek trails.  I have ridden on many different types of terrain in the Eastern US, usually on rigid bikes but also on suspended bikes.  I race from time to time.  I have an off-road tandem that is a hoot to ride.  I have given instruction to the Boy Scouts.  I often ride off-road with my 6 yo daughter on her trail-a-bike.  And I have been involved with the Cleveland Sight Center’s tandem bike and hike program for over 10 years.  I also used to be a bike shop mechanic.
What are your classes like?
In my classes I am trying break down the MTBing experience into measurable pieces so a rider can quickly find their strengths and weaknesses.  I give an outline of the concepts we will cover and we go over each one riding just on grass.  Then the group rides the trail.  As we go, there are specific areas out on the trail where we can work on each concept.  I want everyone to become familiar with their equipment, be able to prepare for a ride, be able to “read” a trail, to find their limits, build confidence, and above all to enjoy the experience at whatever level they choose to do it.  Hopefully this will provide a shortcut across the MTB learning curve.
Are the classes for any level of rider?
The beginner class is geared for someone who has never ridden off-road.  The intermediate class is for someone who is beyond the beginner course who feels they need guidance to up their game.  When a person leaves the intermediate class, they will be ready for a CAMBA group ride.
How do you sign up for a class?
Keep an eye open on the Institute of the Great Outdoors webpage http://www.clemetparks.com/education/igo/index.asp
or in the Cleveland Metroparks’ Emerald Necklace newsletter http://www.clemetparks.com/aboutus/info/EmeraldNecklace.asp
or show up to the Royalview Mountain Bike Expo on June 17th http://www.clemetparks.com/events/mountain_bike.asp
Any final comments?
Just that I’m really excited about the new prospects for MTBing in Cleveland, and I hope everyone will come check it out.

Filed Under: Advocacy

OMBA Annual Meeting Held

February 4, 2012 By


CAMBA members represented Northeast Ohio at our annual meeting on Sat. Feb. 4 2012. The state of mountain biking in Ohio is only getting better as the number people and parks continues to grow. Columbus as well as Cleveland reported progress in access and support. Like us, our friends in Columbus are helping, but not completely “in the know” of what happens inside the politics of park offices. We’ll take whatever we can. The biggest limit is volunteer hours to build, maintain, advocate and host mountain bike trails and events. So everyone’s support is appreciated and needed.
Look for some changes to happen in this year’s Muskingum Mayhem (May 20, 2012) and OMBC race schedule and rules.
Mohican S.P. trail will be receiving some upgrades courtesy of a $5,000 grant.
Mike Ryba, Gregg Spickard and Tim Rhodes attended from CAMBA

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With:

Missed the planning sessions? Send the park email.

January 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you weren’t able to make the Cleveland Metroparks Planning Sessions, you can submit your comments to the park via email.  Check out this article if you’re not sure what to say.  Email:  masterplan@clevelandmetroparks.com

Do not miss this opportunity.  Submit your comments today!

Filed Under: Advocacy

What do I say at the planning sessions?

January 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You’re planning on attending the Cleveland Metroparks Master Planning Sessions, right?  Good.  Here’s what you can talk about:

  • Allow mountain biking.  Studies show it causes the same impact as hiking, which is allowed most places, so why is there less than 2 miles of trail available to mountain bikes?  There isn’t a supportable reason why not, so tell them you want it!
  • Create substantial mileage for mountain biking.  Pittsburgh has have over 100 miles in Allegheny County!
  • Deal with the vehicle/road bicycle conflicts and remind the park that  it’s a park first.  Recreation should rule, not commuter demands. Close the road more often for events such as running races and bike races, multi-sport or other events.
  • Make the trails sustainable.  Reduce maintenance and make them more interesting at the same time.
  • More dirt, less pavement.
  • More outdoor experiences, less buildings, parking lots and manicured landscapes.
  • Make Cleveland Metroparks the best place for cross-country skiing in Northeast Ohio.  Groom trails properly and groom them in many places.
  • Allow backpacking and camping in designated areas.
  • Allow rock climbing in designated areas.
  • Build and enhance your outdoor recreation programming to introduce new people to the outdoors in a FUN way.
  • Become a LEADER in fighting the Cleveland “brain drain” by learning and applying what attracts young professionals to a city (outdoor recreation!!)
  • Become a LEADER in fighting the obesity epidemic.
  • Remind the park that recreation opportunities will positively effect our community.

And if you REALLY want to get fired up, remind yourself what CAMBA has gone through trying to get mountain bike trails in Cleveland Metroparks!

Filed Under: Advocacy
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