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U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

U.S. Forest Service                                                            

Coconino National Forest

www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino                                           

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For Immediate Release

October 11, 2012

Public Affairs Contacts:

Brady Smith, Coconino National Forest, 928-527-3490

Brienne Magee, Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-527-8290

Connie Birkland, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-203-7505

A call for community collaboration on future trails

Sedona, AZ – The Red Rock Ranger District, in partnership with the City of Sedona and the Big Park Council, are seeking to create a non-motorized trail plan that reflects local values and recreation needs and promotes tourism for regional economic benefit while protecting the resources that draw people to this special area. Your help is needed!

Local citizens are encouraged to join this collaborative effort by attending a kick-off meeting October 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.  This event will be held at the Synagogue of the Jewish Community of Sedona, located on Meadowlark Drive and State Route 179.

This is the first in a series of monthly meetings to update the local trail plan for our forest lands near Sedona and Big Park.  All members of the public are welcome. Your ideas are vital for this community planning effort.  

Agenda items for the October 25 meeting will include: an overview of the process, discussion of desired outcomes, sharing of ideas/values and trail interests, brainstorm of concerns, monthly schedule, and developing a core working group.

Annually, over 600,000 trail users enjoy National Forest trails in the Red Rock area. Popularity and use continues to increase, particularly for hiking and mountain biking. What will the future of our trails be and what new trail opportunities are appropriate? How can trails better connect with the community? These are some of the challenges that will be addressed.

For more information concerning this planning effort, please contact Jennifer Burns at 928-203-2900. Additional forest recreation information is available on our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.

Took a quick trip to see one of the pinnacles of our pedal powered sport in the Utah Desert. It is amazing to see how far people can take their technical skill level. Here are just a few pics from the Sunday finals of the Red Bull Rampage. Great riding in the surrounding area of Virgin, Hurricane and Gooseberry Mesa. If you get a chance make the trip.

The RRRD of the CNF has been expressing it's concern on illegal trail building. They are considering a potential closure to cross country travel, and the prohibition of use of non-system trails as a solution. The VVCC is very concerned about this as it could potentially close many of our favorite trails. Meetings have been taking place between VVCC, SMBC and IMBA leadership with FS staff and FS Law enforcement to figure out the details and hopefully prevent any loss of trail. Please sign the pledge to help show support that our MTB community will pull together on this. we are not asking anyone to turn people in, just to support no more illegal building, cross country riding to create trail and not support the culture that it is ok to do so. We have had much success on getting trails adopted, with more on the way. If riders continue to construct in light of great efforts by the FS to help, I worry that people choosing to continue building will cause the MTB community to lose traction on keeping trails and moving forward with new trails."

As President of the VVCC, I want to make clear that this is a purely voluntary pledge intended to show that our tight-knit community of riders is serious about changing the current paradigm. That we’re stepping up to work with the folks who manage the land – stepping up with our fellow riders to create an unparalleled mountain bike experience – legally! That after years of less-than-productive Forest Service relationships, endless illegal trail building and the inevitable trail obliteration which follows, dumbing-down of trails, and the unfortunate perception by many folks that mountain bikers are a bunch of hooligans, that we’ve grown. That the local mountain bikers are set to “man-up” and prove that we warrant the same respect as organizations such as Friends of the Forest or the Sierra Club. A united front will surely thrust us into the limelight as the skilled, knowledgeable, expert trailbuilders we already know deep down that we are. I think that as a group, we all feel absolutely certain that we have the potential to carry the torch of finely-honed trailbuilding genius into the next century, to the next level, and to the next generation of passionate riders. (As well as the rest of the trail users, who have already made comments recognizing the amazing trails we’re credited with creating. ) It’s time that we make clear to everyone that mountain bikers are not just another user group: We’re primed to take the lead as the most inspired generation of trail architects the Verde Valley has ever seen.”

“Please consider adding your voice to ours.  Pulling together, we can accomplish so much more than we have in the past. I invite you to be a part of this great undertaking.”

Lars Romig, Mountain Biker

President, Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition 

928-301-7792 – Please call me if you’ve got an opinion... any opinion. I want to discuss this with all the locals.

Please click on the link to fill out the form: PLEDGE FORM

Please click to read the POSITION STATEMENT

Jerseys are disappearing fast. We are nearly out, with roughly one of each size in men's and women's. Contact Benny if you are interested. Jerseys are 72.00 and you must be a VVCC member to purchase. 

Get ready for some good times at Dead Horse State Park at our annual picnic. Come see members of the club and socialize. Enjoy some great rides in Dead Horse State Park starting around 8-10. Meet leaders within the club and learn about current projects the VVCC is pursuing. More Details to follow.

                         

Thanks Over the Edge and Sedona Destination Adventures for supporting the VVCC. Two businesses run by avid cyclists that are helping make the cycling community better for all. If you have not been into OTE stop in for some great service and an awesome selection of bikes/gear. Sedona Destination Adventures can take you or your visiting friends or family on some sweet single track riding through the red rocks with professional/permitted guides .

Thanks Guys!!!!!!!

     Click on the image to view the agenda

Saturday September, 29th the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest hosted a work day to rehab a 1/2 mile of trail illegally constructed off of Brewer Road. Volunteers showed up ready to work and put tool to ground to help restore the land. There has been much success in moving forward and developing the trail system here. The VVCC does not stand to see any more illegally constructed trail and will continue to work with the RRRD to help adopt, plan, maintain and construct new trail in the area. If you couldn't make it you missed out. Good times and some good prizes. we had a great offering of schwag from the local shops Bike & Bean, Over the Edge, Absolute Bikes, The Hike House and the VVCC. A couple attendees even won double prizes. Stay tuned as we will have more trail days coming up to get involved in and help. Click read more to see the pics.

NICA announces high school cycling league in Arizona

High school cycling programs now in nine states

Press Release. For immediate release. 

Contact: Paul Skilbeck paul@nationalmtb.org 415.516.1444

BERKELEY, Calif. – The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) a youth development organization governing high school mountain biking in the United States, today announced the Arizona High School Cycling League as one of three new leagues in its expanding national program. Arizona's entry into the national association marks a significant step towards NICA’s mission of providing high school mountain biking coast to coast by 2020.

The Arizona League, based in Scottsdale, brings the NICA movement to 10 leagues, spanning 9 states, including (in chronological order): California, Colorado, Washington, Texas, Utah, Minnesota, and the 2012 inductees Tennessee, New York and Arizona.

“We are pleased to welcome the Arizona league into the flourishing NICA community,” said Doug Selee, executive director of NICA. “Arizona brings with them a great passion for mountain biking and a love of youth development. Moving forward, our national NICA team will provide training and support as they prepare for their inaugural season in 2013.”

Mike Perry, director of the Arizona league, said, “We are really excited to be working with NICA to bring organized high school mountain bike racing to Arizona. NICA has a proven formula in other states and the Arizona team is primed to carry forward those principles and values.”

The Arizona League management team will work closely with NICA staff to replicate the existing high school student cycling programs, which promote strong mind, body and character through mountain biking. Support from NICA will include a wide range of educational and training services geared to both a successful first season and a sustainable program.

Thanks to generous sponsorships from founding league sponsor Pivot Cycles, as well as Epic Rides, DNA Cycles, Mountain Bike Association of Arizona, Empire Cat, STI Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and Vassago Bicycles, the Arizona league is making a flying start.

Top of the agenda now for the Arizona League is its inaugural annual Leaders’ Summit, a two-day conference for coaches, which will take place in spring 2013 near Phoenix. Arizona's first high school mountain bike racing season will commence in fall of 2013.

To find out more about the Arizona High School Cycling League, contact Mike Perry at mike@arizonamtb.org or go to www.arizonamtb.org.

About The National Interscholastic Cycling Association

Founded in 2009, The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is the National Governing Body for grades 9-12 interscholastic mountain biking and fosters the development of high quality competitive cross-country mountain biking programming for high school aged athletes. NICA provides leadership, governance and program support to promote the development of interscholastic Mountain Biking Leagues throughout the United States. NICA exists by virtue of generous donors and sponsors including the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, as well as Easton Foundations, SRAM, Trek Bicycles, Clif Bar and Co., Primal Wear, Shimano, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, adidas Eyewear, CamelBak, Crank Brothers, Dirt Rag, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, Mellow Johnny's, Mountain Bike Action, QBP, Ritchey Designs, WTB,and Yakima. For more information on NICA visit www.nationalmtb.org or call 510.524.5464.

Doug Selee (executive director, NICA), Mike Perry (director, Arizona), Rick Spittler (president, NICA). Credit: PB Creative