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The May Buzz Ringing in Spring . . .
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Spring Advocacy Update
by Scott Bartlebaugh
- Progress was made on getting a couple pilot bike bell stations set up with EBPRD. REI committed to funding a grant to the East Bay Regional Parks Foundation. Look for pilot stations to be installed in early summer at Crockett Hills and Briones. The bike bell stations will have a tiny cowbell on a velcro strap that riders can hang on your handlebar or seat rails. The bells are intended to be borrowed but you can make a donation if you'd like to keep the bell. While this might not be the type of bell you want long term it will hopefully introduce riders to the positive impact bike bells have on sharing the trail with others. The early warning a bike bell provides reduces the number of hikers and equestrians that are surprised by bikes which is a frequent complaint about bikes.
- Kevin Brown from Oakland is stepping up and taking on an active roll in communicating public comment opportunities particularly with EBRPD. He'll be posting reminders of meeting dates and how you can submit emailed comment or speak via Zoom. His target is to have several public comments at each EBRPD board meeting and perhaps some of their committee meetings from a broad number of individuals to make the case that many park users desire access to narrow trails and more advanced bike trails. Watch for posts on either the BAMBi (Bay Area Mountain Biking) or BTCEB Facebook pages. Joel Shrocke is working on an email based call for public action communication platform and we'll let you know when that's up and running. If you don't use Facebook but would like to be plugged into notifications for public comment send an email to advocacy@btceb.org and we'll get you plugged in by our email.
El Cerrito Middle School MTB Trailwork Day
By Friends of China Camp
These teams groomed just over two miles of trail. China Camp trail coordinator noted the kids': "enthusiasm, attention to detail, respect for instructions, lets-do-it attitude and fun conversations".
For more pictures, check out the Friends of China Camp photo gallery
Thank you little shredders and to all of you out there that help keep our trails in good condition.
2021 EBRPD Community Survey
by Scott Bartlebaugh
The 2021 EBRPD Community Survey is now open. We encourage you to participate, voice your interest in increased bike access to trails, and anything else you'd like to see from EBRPD. While these surveys are not scientific they are part of the input the district uses to gauge the size of various user groups. Please pass this along to others you know to help our community to be counted.
Dirt World Bike Park Maintenance Day
Sunday May 30 - 9am to 1pm
4 21st St, Richmond, CA
37.931499, -122.350425
The work continues on Sunday May 30th at Dirt World Bike Park in Richmond! Last month we made great progress on smoothing and resurfacing the tracks, and there's plenty more work to be done as we roll into the summer months.
Come on down to Dirt World Bike Park on Sunday May 30 from 9am - 1pm to help perform maintenance, and keep the park in tip top shape. Dirt World is an amazing space for folks of all ages and skill levels to enjoy riding bikes -- your help to keep it running strong is a great service to the community.
 As for logistics, Gloves, masks, water, and closed-toed shoes will again be a must. COVID-19 protocols around masking and physical distancing will be in place.
Dirt World is hard to miss but can be tricky to find parking. Try 20th Street in the Richmond Greenway just north of 20th St at Ohio Ave intersection.
Please reach out to BTCEB Trails Director Chris Wikler at trails@btceb.org with any questions. Hope to see you there! Mike Hess Brewing "Hard Charger" Update By Mattie Terzolo Great news everyone! Mike Hess Brewing has decided to extend the fundraising campaign for their seasonal, hazy IPA called "Hard Charger Hazy IPA" through the end of May!
As you may recall last month Mike Hess was generous enough to donate 50 cents for every pint and $2 for every pitcher sold in the taproom. Now, they are upping the ante and will be donating $1.00 for every 6-pack sold and $1.00 for every growler filled--in addition to the original donations!
So get out to Mike Hess Brewing in Walnut Creek and enjoy a Hard Charger after your ride or grab a six or growler full to take home. Whichever you choose your Hard Charger purchases go to support BTCEB! BTCEB Membership Drive by Mike Udkow While membership on our Meetup site continues to grow to nearly 4,100 followers, membership in the BTCEB, your mountain biking organization, has been lagging comparatively.
To grow, to survive, and to represent the mountain biking community, we need your support. Your membership dues support our Gala rides and our RLaG program, pays for our insurance, helps to support NorCal High School MTBing and supports trail work at China Camp, Rockville, Fernandez and Crockett. We are hard at work developing the JMP Pump Track. Our Board of Directors meets bi-monthly to discuss all topics relevant to local mountain biking.
Membership levels start at $30, with a $15 student/hardship level. Lifetime membership is $500.
Aside from the dues, we truly need and value your membership.
Please join or renew today at www.btceb.orgSee you on the trails!
BTCEB via on Social Media
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From the Dusty Trail . . .
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What's In A Name ?
By Scott Bartlebaugh Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers has changed their name to SAGE Trail Alliance.
None of these organizations have abandoned mountain bike advocacy. All have been very successful and continue to be very successful. A large part of their successes come from taking a trail community approach to advocacy to improve experiences for all trail users rather than taking and being viewed as a mountain bike special interest group. In some cases this has brought in significant funding that donors would not give to a mountain bike special interest group. So as you think about how we work together to get better trail opportunities consider how changes in access and the addition of trails can benefit all trail users. 
As a mountain biker it's fair to say we don't have our fair share of access to trails in the east bay. That argument alone has not been largely successful. A broader view and collaborative approach at JMP many years ago is part of the success at the access enjoyed there. As you're on your ride think about turning other trail users in to allies. Slow, Say Hi. Find out from them what would improve their days on the trail.
Bicycle Film Festival - Silicon ValleyHosted by Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Now thru May 17, 2021
 Bicycle Film Festival has been celebrating bicycles through art, film and music for the last 20 years with over 90 cities worldwide and a viewer audience of 1 million and growing. The festival has an incredible history of working with the most important artists, filmmakers, venues, and institutions around the world.
BFF Select Shorts appeal to a wide audience from film connoisseurs to avid cyclists and everything in between. The curated collection of select short films will take you on a journey around the world . . . More info about the Silicon Valley event is here or go to the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coaltion's website. Doing the Little Things for Advocacy
by Sage Trail Alliance's Insta Feed
Remember that every time you clip on a helmet and ride a trail that you are taking part in mountain bike advocacy! Little things like yielding, wearing a bell, and being friendly go a long ways towards trail user cooperation and are just part of being a good human. Wear a bell. Be nice, say Hi!
#ShredLightly #RideResponsibly
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Reminder: As a BTCEB member, you can receive a 10 percent or higher discount for parts at many of the bike shops in the East Bay. You just have to ask. Thank you to the many bike shop sponsors for your support!
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ABOUT BTCEB
BTCEB is a one-stop shop. We defend access rights. We lead volunteers to build sustainable trails and repair historic trails. We host social rides. We teach underprivileged kids to ride. We fund youth mountain bike race teams. The list goes on because as riders we can do more together than individually. If you have not already, please consider joining us as a member. Many bike shops in the East Bay grant a 10% discount on bike parts to BTCEB Membership Card holders. It is just another benefit of joining BTCEB. Thank you to all the East Bay bike shops that support our efforts both on and off the trails!
CONTACT US
Do you have a good ride story, trailwork report, or other bike trail news? Tell us about it. Please send a paragraph with 150 words or less with a pic (under 10MB please) and/or link telling us about trailwork, rides, events, or any good mountain bike effort to bring our community together, etc. Please send via email to our editor Jamuel Starkey (with pictures if possible) at: buzz@btceb.org
To reach the entire board, email: board@btceb.org
BTCEB BOARD MEMBERS Jerott King, Presidentinfo@btceb.orgYvette Skinner, Membership and Promotions Directormembership@btceb.orgMirek Boruta, Vice President
Tom Holub, Secretary
Alan Enrici, Treasurertreasurer@btceb.orgScott Bartlebaugh, Advocacy Directoradvocacy@btceb.orgChris Wikler, Trails Directortrails@btceb.orgBen Brunetti, Community Outreach Director
Jamuel Starkey, Communications Director
Tom Gandesbery, Director-at-Large
Josh Church, Director-at-Large
Mattie Terzolo, Director-at-Large
John Roberts, Director-at-Large |
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