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It's already March and the trails should be calling your name soon.
Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein
So, you are not a COTA member yet? Can't use the "I'll join next year excuse anymore". Join now!
Read on for some of the latest news from COTA.
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New Corporate Sponsors |
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Thanks to U.S. Bank and Ruff Wear for becoming COTA Corporate Sponsors in 2010! U. S. Bank will be the title Sponsor for COTA's Spring Fling Work party. Their support will ensure sharp tools, plenty of food for the after party and all the other supplies we will need to ensure a successful event this coming May 22nd. Please help us with expressing a HUGE THANKS to U.S. Bank!
Ruff Wear held a closeout sale from which the proceeds were dontated to COTA. The generous people at Ruff Wear wanted to make sure our trails are well cared for this year. Their Corporate Sponsorship will go a long way towards matching funds needed to complete the Wanoga Trail system. Way to go Ruff Wear!
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In the News |
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In other news, COTA's Board of Directors has submitted comments to USFS Bend / Fort Rock District Ranger Shane Jeffries to request naming the mountain bike trail head at the East end of the Wanoga Snow Park the "Steve Larsen Trail Head". Steve's many friends and family members are helping by sending in their comments in support of this action as well, and you can too.
This is a fitting tribute to a professional athlete and an important member of our community who sadly passed away last Spring. Steve's friends and family have already organized a large work party held last Fall and are planning several more this season in addition to several large donation pledges to help pay for trail head kiosks and signage.
Please send your comments to support this action to: USFS, Bend / Fort Rock Ranger District; 1230 NE 3rd St, Suite A-262; Bend, OR; 97701. It would be most appreciated. |
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March Meeting |
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In this short month of February, the monthly meeting caught up to us before sending out the newsletter so this month's issue has a "Meeting Wrap-up" instead of an invitation to show up. If you've never been to a COTA meeting well here's what you've been missing:
Brief Introductions around the room for the benefit of any newcomers. This is a good chance to tell us a little bit about yourself and for us to put a face on COTA.
Update on the Trails: First hand discussion of current conditions and announcements of work party events coming this month. We discussed most of the East-side desert trails and general consensus was lots of "hero dirt" out there. Also there was a small re-route near the top of Sand Box Canyon trail in the Horse Ridge area, primarily to remove the tread from fall-line to a more sustainable alignment including some much-needed drainage. Also, there is a work party scheduled for March 20 at Maston. Meet at 9:00 am at Trinity Bikes of Redmond (811 SW 13th St, Redmond, OR 97756
(541) 923-5650) for this work party, and everyone will gather back there afterward for a barbeque party.
Tool Report: We are happy to announce an impending purchase of a dedicated trailer and a Ditch Witch SK650, walk-behind power shovel with six-way hydraulic blade for trail tread and bench cutting. We are using our matching funds and RTP Grant funds to make this large purchase in the next few weeks. This equipment will be used to cut in brand new trails and trail corridors in the Wanoga Project area.
Freeride Report: There will be a Work Party at The Lair on April 24 from 9:00am to 2:00pm followed by a barbeque party at The Lair. Stay tuned for more info. On going meetings with Forest Service officials hopefully will yield a resolution on the future of Enhanced Technical Features of both wood and earthen construction. Our goal is to continue to provide "progressive" enhancements to the trails but to do so in a way that land managers can agree upon. This process is severely hampered by "renegade" trail and feature construction which could also negatively affect the relationship between mountain bikers, COTA and public land managers. Thanks for your patience!
COTA Training events: COTA Trail Experts will be providing a Chain Saw Certification Training on April 23 & 25, and a Dirt Work / Drainage Training on May 8. Interested volunteers are encouraged to sign up early as these classes may fill. Please contact the trail work coordinator [email] to reserve your spot. Also the Forest Service is holding it's annual volunteer training sessions both in Westfir and Camp Sherman (Allingham) on May 14 - 16 and June 4 - 6 respectively. Check here for more info: http://www.highcascadesvolunteers.com/index.html
Volunteer Opportunity: We have a new COTA volunteer position which specifically deals with the implementing of signage throughout our trail system. This is a huge responsibility that has become too much for the trial work coordinator so another position has been created. Please be patient as new signs are placed, old ones updated and fixed and new trail head kiosks are put in place over the next two years. Of course, you can also help us by identifying specific signage needs and letting us know where and of what type those might be and by respecting the new signs as they are planted.
Hope this has picqued your interest and will see you at the next meeting Thursday, March, 25 at 7:00pm at the Central Oregon Environmental Center (16 NW Kansas St. See you there!
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Adopt-a-Trail Program |
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How else can you help? Become a Trail Steward for one of your favorite trails. Click here for info on how to become a Trail Steward and other pertinent information about our new Adopt-a-Trail program. |
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Become a fan of COTA on Facebook
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Click NOW to be in the "know" of important COTA updates and reminders on Facebook! |
