He’ll be at “The Pit” in the School of LA & RD Building, from 12:15 to 1:00.

Designing Trails for Canada’s Outdoor Adventures flier

The short version is we are having the inaugural meeting of the IMBA Ontario Leadership Council at the Toronto International Bike Show, on Friday, March 5, 2010. The meeting is  scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Better Living Centre’s seminar room, located next to the show office.The full press release: Ontario Leadership Council Press Release

The long version is after the jump.

Ontario has about 135 cycling clubs, most of which include mountain biking, if they aren’t already exclusively mountain biking. Most of those are not just social riding clubs, but also are involved in advocacy, political activism… but we’ve missed the boat. A few points:

• In 2009 NTC gave out money and we got very little of the $25m, particularly in Ontario. Snowmobiles got lots more money. Why? They are organized.
• The OTC was looking for a Ontario based MTB group to work with, and it doesn’t exist.

The local clubs are doing well, having good success at the local level, but on the whole we are disorganized. Lots of little voices, but not one big voice. Small groups with small “asks” won’t get heard at the high levels of government (provincial, regional) or by the larger land managers (MNR, TRCA). We need to form an Ontario Mountain Bike Leadership Council, not a new organization, but a way to unify our voice and get it heard so that we can sit at the table with the other large user groups like Hike Ontario, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, and the Ontario Equestrian Federation.

Fortunately, during the inaugural Ontario Mountain Bike Summit, several delegates committed to forming such a Leadership Council that will help clubs and businesses take mountain biking to the next level. And we even have some seed money to get it off the ground. The movie night at the summit and silent auction raised over $1,700 as seed money for this new group. Since then we’ve been asked how others can donate to the cause. To make it easier for people to make a contribution, we’ve created the Ontario Mountain Bike Leadership Fund on the IMBA Canada store. Please donate. The Cambelford Crew has already raised money on the Council’s behalf at their Epic ride last fall.

We are making good progress in the formation of the Ontario Leadership Council, and it’s time for the greater mountain bike community to get involved. So we’re calling on those who volunteered at the Summit, IMBA members, and any others who are interested to attend a the inaugural meeting of the IMBA Ontario Leadership Council at the Toronto International Bike Show, on Friday, March 5, 2010. The meeting is  scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Better Living Centre’s seminar room, located next to the show office.

The goal of the meeting is to present an overview of the Regional Leadership Council Program within Canada, invite applications and nominations for positions on the Council, and choose a development committee that will vet the candidates and settle on the final composition of the council.

All the delegates in front of the Subarus

Way back in September of 2009 we held the first ever IMBA Ontario Mountain Bike Summit. The premise was simple: for too long the many mountain bike advocates in the province had been acting in isolation. While they were doing a good job in there area, there was very little connection to the rest of the advocates in the province. We wanted to get all of those advocates in the same room, to share success, talk about challenges, and learn what we can do to make mountain biking in Ontario even better than it is already.

We lined up a a good suite of speakers that included land managers, bike park builders and operators, long time advocates, and successful club leaders.

So what happened?

Friday

Friday we had a few people attend the pre-conference trail building workshop. They learned the basics of trail design and layout. They also took part in the construction of a training square and a simple pumptrack.

Saturday

Saturday morning was devoted to discussing the mountain biking situation in Ontario. There are roughly 135 cycling clubs in Ontario, many with a mountain bike component, if not outright dedicated to mountain biking. Many of these clubs are actively engaged in advocacy at the local level. But when it comes to the issues that are bigger than their immediate location they don’t do so well. This fact can be seen in the recent allocation of NTC funding. Of the $25m allocated to Ontario, MTB got very little, on the order of tens of thousands. Why? Because we aren’t as well organized as other activities like hiking, ATV, and snowmobiles. We have many small voices, we now need one big voice as well.

Everyone in the audience then wrote down one issue and one success. We have a lot of issues, but we also have a lot of successes. However all the successes brought up follow-on issues. It seems an advocates work is never done. Everyone agreed that something should be done. What was agreed upon was to form a Leadership Council in the vein of what IMBA has been doing in the USA. We got a good number of people put their name down to be involved with this, whatever it may become. But, more about this in another post.

Saturday afternoon was devoted to bike parks. We had AJ Leeming from Chicopee, Chris Dewar who was involved with the McLennan Park in Kitchener, and Scott Bentley from Joyride 150. All discussed the large amount of work that went into their parks before a single shovel of dirt was moved. Business plans, technical designs, liability, all had to be addressed. Then construction could begin. A few key takeaways were:

• Accidents will happen people will get hurt using the park, plan for them.
• Signage should be user friendly and self-explanatory.
• Design, signage and staff can keep major accidents to a minimum, and reduce the severity of accidents that do happen.
• Partnerships are key, look for economic and tourism development opportunities.
• Programming will drive the business model, not “drop-in” riding.

Sunday

On Sunday morning we had a panel discussion with four land managers: one urban land manager (City of Toronto), one rural land manager (Bruce County), one inter-regional land manager (TRCA), and one National land manager (Parks Canada). The intent was to give the delegates an “inside view” of what a land manager is concerned with, what they think we as a user group are doing right, and what they think we are doing wrong. Everyone was a bit surprised at how similar the point of view from the different land managers was, including the land managers themselves. Key messages:

• Not good: disorganized, bad attitudes, selfishness, unauthorized building, lack of self-policing.
• Good: stewardship involvement, understanding of land manager’s many priorities, volunteers, professionalism, relationship building, IMBA’s work.
• Wishes: one voice, be patient, set goals, get involved and help out, understand our perspective, do your research before you approach us about a topic (be smart). (Chris Laforest of Bruce County had a good presentation on this.)
• Emphasize the health benefits and family/community activity of mountain biking.

Also on Sunday morning we had another panel discussion about club creation, volunteer engagement and support. We had presidents from three established clubs discuss what their club does ,how, and the challenges they face. On the panel were: Morris Martini (GORBA), Leigh Booth (Caledon CC) and Chuck Hammel (Waterloo CC). While all three clubs had different roots and took different paths to get where they are today, the did have a few things in common. In particular they all reached the following conclusions:

• Develop a trail network to accommodate riders of different skill levels,
• Establish a good working relationship with the land owner/manager,
• Only a handful of dedicated people donate their time.

On Sunday afternoon the group split into two.

One group went to hear a talk given by members of GORBA about their chapter of the National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP). The GORBA patrollers were doing patrol duty for the entire summit so riders who went on any of the XC rides would have seen them at work. I did not attend that session, but from what I’ve heard many in attendance were very interested in a NMBP chapter for their area.

The other group heard Tom Hawks, of the DMBA, talk about the successes they’ve been having with Take a Kid Mountain Bike day. He discussed the planning that goes into the event, the successes that have been had and why.

Wrap-Up

While I didn’t poll any of the delegates, I did talk with many of them over the weekend. It was nice to finally meet many of them in person. I’d say that the general consensus among delegates was the summit was a success and they are glad they came. I’m inclined to agree. I hope that we can build on the interest that was generated and make mountain biking in Ontario even better. How? One way is through the Ontario MTB Leadership Council that will be forming at the Toronto International Bike Show in a couple of weeks. But more about that in another post.

Originally established as a competitive ski event and training centre, this unique 360 acre (146ha) property will be of interest to innovative and creative proponents seeking site locations with diverse characteristics, rugged terrain, natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage and proximity to urban amenities and services.

While the site is ideally suited for alpine and cross-country ski operations, preliminary submissions are encouraged to identify any compatible uses and development proposals that are complementary to the social, cultural and environmental values of the land and its surroundings.

Sounds like it ideally suited to a multi-discipline mountain bike facility too. XC, DH, 4X, could all easily be accommodated. Think you might be able to make something of this location? Then the Ministry of Tourism wants to hear from you before March 1, 2010.

Interested parties are encouraged to outline their ideas in a written Expression of Interest describing your proposal in a maximum of 10 pages (exclusive of attachments or other supporting documentation) and should include an overview of:

• Your firm’s core business, mandate and financial resource capacity
• Experience in similar development types as proposed
• Experience in multi-stakeholder partnerships, including government
• Experience in aboriginal consultation
• Preliminary methodology to deliver the project including, but not limited to the total cost of the project, financing plan, marketing and stakeholder consultation
• Qualifications of key associates to be involved in the project
• Investors must be able to demonstrate the ability to secure capital and provide a financially sound business plan for sustained operations

Proposals will be assessed for their compatibility to the area’s natural and cultural environments and those which provide a social and economic benefit to surrounding communities.

It would be a cool mountain bike destination. Hey a guy can dream can’t he?

Details here. You can download the entire request document here.

So break out your studded tires, bundle up, and register for the race. Or just lend a hand volunteering, race organizers can always use some help.

They hurtle past, one by one, then disappear down the trail as fast as they appeared, leaving nothing behind but the impression of their tire treads in the snow.

These members of the Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association are the antithesis of the stereotypical bike gang, or any fairweather cyclists for that matter.

While most people have consigned their bicycles to the shed or garage to languish in silent hibernation until the warmth of spring returns, these perpetual pedallers look for any excuse to hit the trails.

Be sure to go read the entire article at the Guelph Mercury’s site.

PS if there are any other mountain bike clubs out there that are getting press let me know and I’ll post it up here. It’s good for morale.

The TRCA is seeking members for the next term of the Don Watershed Regeneration Council. From the invitation email:

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is seeking committed members for a new term of the DON WATERSHED REGENERATION COUNCIL.

The Don Council is comprised of a diverse group of individuals, including residents, community groups, businesses, universities and colleges, all levels of government, public agencies and TRCA who work together to protect, regenerate and celebrate the Don.

As a member of the Don Watershed Regeneration Council, you will:

• Act as local champion for your watershed;
• Make connections with environmental professionals and organizations;
• Participate in projects to achieve the TRCA vision for The Living City;
• Assist with implementation of the Don River Watershed Plan;
• Attend seminars, technical training sessions and other educational programs;
• Share knowledge, experience and skills on environmental topics; and
• Work with communities to build capacity to deliver programs.

For more details information regarding the Don Watershed Regeneration Council and to download an application form, visit our website at: www.trca.on.ca/watershed-champions.

Please join us at our PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS to learn more about the Don Watershed Regeneration Council and how you can assist to protect, regenerate and celebrate the Don!

Bayview Hill Community Centre East York Civic Centre – Council Chamber
114 Spadina Road, Richmond Hill                                850 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto
Tuesday, January 19^th - 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm                        Wednesday, January 20^th - 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The application deadline is January 25^th.

The Don Council has some serious clout with respect to what happens in the Don Valley, so if you’re a civic minded mountain biker who can handle a serious dose of bureaucracy please consider being a voice at the table. Right now our sport has not seat at this particular table.

The group will do its own research and then provide input about on-road cycling facilities and other cycling initiatives in the city (emphasis mine). Because it is a sub-committee of the Trails Advisory Committee some of those other initiatives could legitimately be mountain biking related.

If you’re a civic minded mountain biker who lives in Cambridge who would like to sit on this committee get in touch with Jason Leach at 519-740-4682 or by emailing leachj@cambridge.ca.

On January 6th a group of about 20 Hamilton mountain bikers, and me, got together upstairs at The Coach and Lantern in Ancaster. Some were local riders who frequent MTBR, some where locals who organize rides via email, some were from the Hamilton Cycling Club (HCC). I was just there to pledge IMBA support and to meet some Hamilton mountain bikers. A number of options were discussed including forming a new MTB specific club; joining HCC as part of its MTB initiatives; one person spoke about some of the research and background preparation he’s been doing in this area. The discussion kept coming back to a few key issues. What everyone in the room was concerned with was:

1. Advocacy, specifically for mountain biking,
2. Trail Access, specifically legitimizing many of the currently illegal trails,
3. Effort required to get a club going, and then maintaining it.

When I asked the question “Who is willing to step up and take a leadership roll?” a number of people raised their hands. An excellent sign. Overall I think the meeting was a success and a huge step forward. I think most everyone in attendance thought so as well. Here’s the summary of the meeting.

But wait it gets better.

The HCC invited those brave folks who raised their hands to come to their next executive meeting. Two where able to make it, and reported that the HCC executive voted to:

1. Create two board positions dedicated to mountain biking,
2. Affiliate with IMBA.

As garage monster reports:

Both were PASSED UNANIMOUSLY with no hesitation! To say that the executive was eager to have us would be a gross understatement. Furthermore, they will amend the club’s constitution at the next AGM to include specific verbiage with regards to mountain biking.

Suffice to say the general feeling all around is very upbeat and positive. So if you live or ride in Hamilton and have been concerned about who is representing mountain biking there, worry no further. The combination of passionate local riders, and a well established and respectable club is a very good step (or 2, or 10) in the right direction. Now it all depends on you, the Hamilton rider, to lend your support. For the trails’ sake join the HCC today.

The Ont. Court of Appeal just decided a cross country ski case, which has some good language for trail liability and defining the standard of care, and does a clear job of explaining Occupier’s Liability in relation to trails. In essence, the judge stated that going off the trail and getting injured (ala Kolapore) is still under Occ Liab:

the objective of s. 4(4)(f) of the Act is to encourage landowners to allow recreational use of marked trails on their lands by imposing on them a lesser duty of care.  It would make little sense to limit this lesser duty of care to users when they remain on the marked trail, only to impose a greater duty of care when they venture off the trail.  As the occupier has no effective way of policing the use of these trails, this would, in effect, impose a duty on the occupier to make the off-trail portions of his or her property safer than the trail itself.  This would defeat the purpose of the Act.

This is a good clarification, and offers protection to trail managers and land owners. The full text is here.

Did you catch the reference to the former Kolapore case? The last I heard that one had been dismissed or abandoned. So things are looking up on a legal front, in Ontario at least.