May is just around the corner but feels like we skipped straight to November. Looking out at the foot of new snow on the ground, it is hard to believe how well Mushroom Rock was riding just a week ago. But independent of what Mother Nature may think, spring is upon us and RFMBA has been busy trying to make this season a good one for our local riding community.

Hidden Gems Update

RFMBA is continuing to work with Hidden Gems proponents, local stakeholders, our elected representatives, and IMBA to represent the local riding community during these critical times. We recently met with members of Wilderness Workshop and The Wilderness Society to convey ongoing concerns about the current Hidden Gems Proposals. We are also working closely with a new IMBA representative whose job is to help local mountain bike advocacy groups in situations like the current Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal.
 
The biggest recent news concerning the Hidden Gems Wilderness campaign is that the proponents have split the original proposal into two separate parts each focusing on a single Congressional District:

• Colorado District 2 (CD2), Rep. Jared Polis which includes Eagle and Summit Counties
• Colorado District 3 (CD3), Rep. John Salazar which includes Pitkin, Garfield, and Gunnison Counties.

Recently, the Jared Polis (CD2) proposal was submitted by proponents to the Congressmen to create a bill that will then go before Congress. At this point, that proposal is in the hands of Polis staff who are continuing to work with local constituents. So this process is not over but we are at a critical juncture.
 
The main remaining areas of concern in the Polis (CD2) proposal are Basalt Mountain and Red Table Mountain. Hidden Gems proponents are proposing a large swath of Wilderness area that would perpetually block direct mountain bike access from the Basalt Mountain riding area to the Frying Pan valley. RFMBA is proposing border adjustments and the use of a non-motorized corridor that would maximize new Wilderness while retaining this valuable riding connection.

While we still don’t have an outcome either way for the Polis proposal and are even further off from one with the Salazar one, we are in high hopes that continued discussions with Hidden Gems proponents and Congressional staff via IMBA is our best options at this point. We are continuing to maintain a positive tone in these dialogs and request that members do the same for now.

Upcoming Events

Forest Hollow / Scout Trail Maintenance - May 8th, Glenwood Springs: Every mountain biker in the valley should participate in at least one trail maintenance day a year and this is the best opportunity to do it. RFMBA is helping organize this trail day and is mobilizing a mountain bike maintenance crew. We’ll be shuttling bikes and gear up to the top, working all day, then riding the trail down to a great dinner, beer, and raffle at the bottom. How can you beat that? To volunteer, go to RFOV’s website at www.rfov.org/, email them at info@rfov.org, or call at 970-927-8241. All volunteers must register with RFOV prior to the event.

Prince Creek / Crown Cleanup - May 15th, Carbondale: If you treasure the Prince Creek mountain biking area and nearby Hay Park, please consider helping out on this cleanup day. The implications of volunteering for this event are greater than just cleaning up trash. They go toward building bridges with the local ranching community and homeowners in the Prince Creek area. To volunteer, meet at 8:30 AM on the 15th at the McIntyre's big red barn on Prince Creek. The barn is the one on the corner about a mile and a half from Hwy 133. Anyone coming to help should bring gloves, the BLM will provide trash bags. The cleanup usually goes from about 8:30 to 11:30 depending on how many people show up to help.

RFMBA Memberships Now Available

We're excited to announce that individual membership in RFMBA is now available. As a 501c3 non-profit, we rely on memberships, donations and grants to fund the work that we do on behalf of the mountain bike community in the Roaring Fork Valley. We have several different support levels with great premiums like t-shirts, socks, water bottles and decals available. Show your support of RFMBA out on the trail or in town by wearing these items proudly.

Business owners, we have also created an offering of sponsorship programs for your company.

Please visit our website at www.rfmba.org/membershipto view all options for supporting RFMBA. 

Race Across the Sky

Last month RFMBA helped host the Mountain Town Movie Tour featuring Race Across Sky presented by Rebecca Rusch. The event started at Ajax Bike and Sport for a great social gathering complete with free beer, schwag, and a chance to mingle with Rebecca and a healthy gathering of Leadville 100 belt buckle owners. The crew then proceeded to a showing of the movie at the Carbondale High School.

In addition to a great time, the event was also a fundraiser for both IMBA and RFMBA. The Carbondale show brought in over $2000 for RFMBA. This event was a huge success and a great opportunity for us. Totals for the entire Mountain Town Movie Tour raised about $19,000 for IMBA and the local IMBA affiliates in the areas visited!  

All of us on the board would like to send a huge thank you to Rebecca, Specialized, Ajax Bike and Sport, and all the other sponsors that helped put on the event.