Park Service slammed for new bike trail at Big Bend NP

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

The Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

Watchdog groups raise conflict of interest issues and fault the park planning process

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A simmering controversy over a new mountain bike trail in Big Bend National Park boiled over again earlier this month, as the park service started work on the trail before publishing a formal Finding of No Significant Impact or issuing required  rule-making.

Conservation groups are stewing over the project, which will create a trail in an area previously identified as potential wilderness. They also see a potential conflict of interest on the part of a former park service official now involved with a local mountain bike advocacy group. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Environment, national parks, public lands, recreation | Tagged: , , , , | 10 Comments »

Ski resorts, mountain bikers form new partnership

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Mountain biking at Colorado ski areas could benefit from a new partnership between the National Ski Areas Association and the International Mountain Biking Association.

Formal cooperation could lead to expanded cycling opportunities at ski areas the next few years

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Developed mountain bike activities at ski resorts around the country could get a boost from a new partnership between the National Ski Areas Association and the International Mountain Bicycling Association aiming to increase visitation and improve summer mountain biking experiences at U.S. ski areas.

The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding about the same time Congress passed a ski area summer use bill that could ease permitting for more extensive mountain bike facilities than currently exist. The mountain bike organization helped the ski industry lobby for passage of the summer use bill.

“Formalizing our partnership with IMBA is a logical progression, and we look forward to strengthening our symbiotic relationship further and leveraging the resources of both of our organizations toward the end benefit of our valued members,”  NSAA president Michael Berry said in a press release. (more…)

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Colorado: Cycling season peaks with races, winery tours

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado cycling will be showcased with a slew of races and other special events.

Explore the Centennial State on two wheels

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — From townie cruisers to body armored downhillers and sleek road-racers, Colorado is a true Mecca for cyclists, and this summer’s lineup of special events underscores the point.

In August, some of the world’s best road racers will be in the state for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, while top mountain bikers will line up to tackle the Leadville 100 and a marathon-length race up Pikes Peak.

And besides all that, the BMX scene is also growing by leaps and bounds, with the opening of a new track in South Park and another under construction in Frisco.

In short, there’s never been a better time to explore Colorado on two wheels. Here is a partial listing of Colorado cycling adventures for every speed:

•    August 13 – The Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race is among the most challenging mountain bike races in the country, featuring steep climbs and serious descents at elevations in excess of 12,000 feet. Although this year’s mountain bike race is full, thousands will travel to Leadville to watch and cheer on their favorites
.

•    August 13 – The Stonewall Century is a challenging road bike ride in southern Colorado that starts and ends in La Veta. Be treated to scenic vistas, friendly volunteers, great feed stations, and steep hills. The route follows Highway 12, a Colorado Scenic Byway known as the “Highway of Legends.” (more…)

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Vail’s Grand Traverse trail open for mountain biking

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Vail Mountain's bike trails are open for the summer.

Resort working on new intermediate and beginner bike trails for next summer

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In a sure sign that summer has finally arrived in the Colorado high country, Vail Resorts announced last week that the Grand Traverse — a signature mountain bike trail on Vail Mountain — is  open for the season.

Trails crews worked until late in the week to remove the last bits of snow from the ridgetop ride that features spectacular views of the Holy Cross Wilderness and the Gore Range.

From Eagle’s Nest, the 4.9 mile trail starts out easy as it loops through Game Creek Bowl and becomes increasingly difficult as it wraps around the top of Sun Down Bowl. Mountain bikers can exit Grand Traverse at Wildwood or Patrol Headquarters to Kloser’s Klimb. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Colorado, recreation, Ski Resorts, Summit County Colorado, Vail Resorts | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Big logging project begins on Frisco Peninsula

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

A GoogleEarth view of the Frisco Peninsula shows the huge expanse of red, dead lodgepole pines.

Crown Point Road to be closed, campgrounds, trails remain open

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Major logging operations are set to begin on the Frisco Peninsula July 11 as the U.S. Forest Service clears out beetle-killed trees.

Campgrounds on the peninsula will stay open, but Crown Point Road (FSR #1008.1) will be closed to vehicle traffic. Hiking and mountain biking trails will not be closed but the public should expect to see heavy machinery felling and skidding trees across some trails.

Visitors to the area are asked to use caution while on the peninsula and to consider an alternative location for hiking or mountain biking. Most of the felling will be on the west side of the Peninsula. Signs will be posted for hikers and bikers to inform people of the tree-felling operations. (more…)

Filed under: Summit County Colorado, Forest health, pine beetles and wildfires, Environment, recreation, Frisco, forests, forest fires, Summit County news, Colorado, hiking, camping, biking | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Mountain news roundup

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Jenney Coberly

Snow drought in New Zealand, more on fracking, prairie dogs roaming free, and the Path of the Pronghorn

Summer mountain biking in Crested Butte — Photo by JC Leacock, courtesy Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Crested Butte Bike Week starts June 23

Crested Butte Bike Week, formerly Fat Tire Bike Week, returns for its 31st year with a new name to celebrate the evolution of mountain biking in a town recognized by many as the sport’s birthplace. The 4-day event kicks off June 23 with a Night at the Museum party at the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame to honor past supporters and visionaries who helped discover and further the sport.

Racing begins on Friday, June 24, with the Wildflower Rush, the fifth stop of the 2011 Mountain States Cup tour. This year’s downhill event is part of the Pro-GRT series, bringing the best gravity racers to the slopes of Crested Butte Mountain Resort to test their skills in the Evolution Bike Park.

This year the organizers have added reggae to the mix, hosting Toots and the Maytals and The Melodians on Saturday night, June 25, at the Red Lady Stage at Mt. Crested Butte.

Read more stories after the break …

(more…)

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Mountain bike trail planned in Big Bend National Park

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Hiking in Big Bend National Park. PHOTO COURTESY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

Backers and critics are rallying their troops for public comment

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In a potentially precedent-setting move, Big Bend National Park is pushing to build a single-track trail designed for mountain bikes in its undeveloped backcountry.

The project is a collaboration between the south Texas national park and a private mountain biking group, raising disturbing “pay-to-play” questions about user groups carving out park lands for special purposes, according to comments filed today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

The environmental assessment for the 10-mile trail and associated parking lot is open for public comment through April 2, 2011. Most of the backcountry trail would be single-track — about the width of a bike, with one-way traffic moving counter clockwise. Horses would be barred from the trail. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, national parks, public lands, recreation | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments »

Colorado eyes new mountain bike law

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Mountain biking in the Arizona desert. PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

Proposed bill would limit liability for mountain bike venues and event organizers; backers claim economic benefit

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A new Colorado law aimed at reducing potential liability for mountain bike event organizers and venues could help promote the sport by making it easier for landowners to hold events.

The bill would acknowledge and defining the  inherent risks of mountain biking. Read it here.

Lawsuits resulting from injuries caused by the inherent risks of mountain bicycling would be barred, making it easier for land owners and operators to hold mountain biking events. According to the advocacy group Bicycle Colorado, the bill was conceived by former State Senator Chris Romer after encountered obstacles to hosing a mountain bike event.

In an update on it website, the group says Colorado would benefit from the law because it would encourage more residents and visitors to participate in mountain bike events. The law is being equated to similar statutes that define the risks of skiing and equestrian activities. (more…)

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Video: Connecting the Peaks Trail with Breckenridge

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Town, resort look to reduce impacts in Cucumber Gulch preserve

By Jenney Coberly

Here is a 5-minute video synopsis of the two-hour Peaks Trail site visit yesterday by BOSAC, led by open space and trails planner Scott Reid.

BRECKENRIDGE — Since I live nearby, I tagged along on the Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission (BOSAC) bike tour yesterday, August 17, 2010.  The tour visited three sections of trail which are pending some sort of re-use, re-routing or upgrade.

The tour helped me appreciate the complexity of the job of managing open space, balancing the needs of recreational users, wildlife, and landscape protection.  Decisions often have to be made with limited information in many cases.

How will the increased development on Peak 7 at the Breckenridge Ski Resort impact the nearby trails and open space?  Which sections of trail will be most-used and most in need of upkeep or possible re-routing for summer use?

Read this story for more background.

Related stories:

Breckenridge OKs summer gondola operations.

Breckenridge: Preservation or recreation?

Breckenridge holds council meeting on gondola issues

Breckenridge: Ski area runoff affecting Cucumber Gulch

Filed under: Breckenridge, recreation, Ski Resorts, Summit County Colorado, video | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

BOSAC plans mountain bike site visit in Breckenridge

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Impacts to neotropical migratory songbirds in Cucumber Gulch like this pine sisken are at issue in plans for a new trail in Breckenridge. PHOTO BY CHRISTY CARELLO.

Today’s site visit open to public; open space advisory group to scope alignment for new connector from Peaks Trail to town


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By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — It’s not every day that you have a municipal planning board go out for a site visit on mountain bikes, but that’s the plan in Breckenridge today, where the local open space advisory group will spend a couple of hours scoping a new alignment for a trail connecting the town with the popular Peaks Trail.

The site visit is open to the public and begins at 12 p.m. at town hall. Call open space planner Scott Reid for more details, (970) 453-3160 (Ext. 1155).

More stories:

Breckenridge OKs summer gondola operations.

Breckenridge: Preservation or recreation?

Breckenridge holds council meeting on gondola issues

Breckenridge: Ski area runoff affecting Cucumber Gulch (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Breckenridge, Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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