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The August 2021 Edition . . .
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August Gala Ride at Joaquin Miller
Saturday August 28, 2021 9:00am to Noon
Joaquin Miller Park Oakland, CA
The Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay (http://www.btceb.org) invites you to our monthly Gala Ride. THIS MONTH WE WILL BE RIDING ON SATURDAY AUGUST 28TH AT JOAQUIN MILLER PARK IN OAKLAND!!!
We will gather at the large parking area after the Ranger Station off of Sanborn Dr (the lot on the left just past the Community Center/Ranger Station lot on Sanborn).
We offer ride groups for ALL SKILL LEVELS, from novice to intermediate to advanced. All rides are ‘no-drop’ rides (we won’t leave you behind or let you get lost) and are fully supported. A novice rider should be able to ride 8-10 miles on hilly narrow trails for 2.5 hrs.
Rides are free and open to the public and led by experienced local mountain bikers familiar with the trails. Medical coverage is provided to all paid BTCEB members, one more reason to join. So go to our web site and hit and JOIN TODAY button.
We start gathering at 9:00am and hit the trails promptly at 9:30am. Join us for refreshments and snacks after the ride. Safety glasses are suggested. A well-tuned mountain bike is a must!
Remember! Your membership on MeetUp is not a membership in the BTCEB. To enjoy the full benefits of the Club and to support Bay Area MTBing, go to www.btceb.org and hit the JOIN TODAY button.
Look for more ride-related details on our Meetup page and be sure to RSVP to join the ride.
Ride Like a Girl Ride at Anthony Chabot
Saturday August 21st, 2021 8:30AM to Noon
Crockett Hills Trailhead
38.047080, -122.221270 
This time, we’ll hit the trails at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley on August 21st. Join ride leader Rebecca Lewington (Ariana Milelli will be racing her bike in Europe!) at 8:30am at the trailhead at Redwood Canyon Golf Course on Redwood Road. This will give us plenty of time to sign in, go over how the rides work and answer any questions you might have before rolling out at 9am. Sign up on our Meetup page.
Our basic route will cover about 12 miles with 1,900 feet of climbing, so be prepared for a workout, but the downhills will make it all worthwhile. For those who find themselves with something left in the tank near the end of the ride, there will be an opportunity for an extra singletrack loop which adds about three miles and 600 feet of climbing.
Please bring your mountain bike (obviously) in good working condition. Whether you’re running tubeless tires or not, please make sure you have a spare inner tube to fit your wheels, plenty of water and some food for the trail.
We usually hang out for a while after the ride, so bring along after-ride beverages and snacks if you feel like it. If anyone needs a little help with their technique, we can do impromptu skills classes then.
And don't forget to join BTCEB! We are much more than a group that puts on group rides. BTCEB tirelessly advocates for better bike access on trails in the East Bay and we need your support. Join today at memberplanet.com/btceb.
If you have questions, please comment below and we’ll get right back to you.
Please RSVP to join the ride or post ride specific questions on Meetup. August Advocacy Update
By Scott Bartlebaugh
The TUWG met in July and has its final meetings scheduled in August and September. The last two meetings will be aimed at generating proposed actions and considerations the park district can use to enable more progress in providing trails to users and reducing user conflict.
Lime Ridge Walnut Creek Open Space
The WCOS Parks Recreation and Open Space commission skipped its June meeting but met August 2nd. Environmental evaluation work continues and bike access / proposed flow trail was not on this agenda. Look for a likely agenda item and update on the October 4th meeting and a call for public comment. On a related note a dozen commenters spoke in favor regarding the Triangle jumps near Larkey park slated for removal and a need for more bike recreation infrastructure.
EBRPD Tyler Ranch progress
In July the EBRPD increased a contract to keep the Tyler Ranch project moving forward. Over 10 years in the making this project continues with construction scheduled for completion in 2022 and will bring additional mountain bike access to multi-use trails. The Tyler Ranch property is adjacent to Pleasanton Ridge.
Matteo Diaco from the El Cerrito Middle School MTB Program makes a live public comment! El Cerrito Middle School MTB Program Advocacy
A shout out and kudos to Cortis Cooper and the El Cerrito Middle School MTB program. Cortis has begun a public comment leg of their program and is working with his students to make live public comment at the EBRPD Board meetings on a continuing basis.
Crockett Hills Goldfinch Trail to get some Love
The EBRPD Small Trails crew is scheduled to spend some time on Goldfinch trail to re-work the tread surface. They will be bringing in a smaller machine than was used on the Sugar City regrade several years ago along with water and equipment to do some post grading and shaping compaction. While moisture is far from optimal this time of year for tread work they are bringing water out and understand this concern.
Goldfinch trail was machine cut in 2015 when Sugar City and Tree Frog were added but wasn't ever completely finished. Subsequent seasonal closures due to nesting Golden Eagles and a lack of vegetation maintenance along with some cattle damage had taken its toll.
BTCEB volunteers have been working the past couple seasons to begin to reclaim the tread and help manage vegetation even though it is only open seasonally half the year typically. These efforts along with increased use by riders and hikers has been noticed by the park supervisor. The EBRPD Small Trails crew is separate from the Roads and Trails crew and is still in a trial type status. It's hopeful that they will continue to get support and become a long term team to support larger and machine intensive trail projects.
China Camp Gala Ride Report
By Jamuel Starkey
The July installment of the BTCEB Gala Ride happened at China Camp back on the 24th. We saw more than 40 riders turn out for what became a gorgeous day of riding and socializing. The ride started at the Miwok Meadows group picnic site.
And as is tradition groups were divided by riding ability into A, B, and C groups. The A group, led by Mill Valley teen Ethan Revitch, railed the lesser known trails on the upper, "Backside" of China Camp while the B (led by BTCEB board members Alan Enrici and Ben Brunetti) and C (led by yours truly and my little shredder dynamic duo of William and Thomas) enjoyed rides around the more traditional front-side loops.
 Following the ride the groups all reconvened back at Miwok for post ride refreshments and snacks provided by the club. Our club "beer sponsor" Mike Hess Brewing from Walnut Creek provided us with two of their favorite taproom brews (Hard Charger Hazy IPA and Steel Beach American lager) at a hefty discount. There were plenty of other healthy beverage options available as well.
Again thank you all for attending. It was very cool to see so many like minded riders aged 8 to (nearly) 80 back out on the trails together again!
See you on August 28th at JMP. #PitterPatterLetsGetAt'er Pop-up Rides
By Jerott King
 These rides are for intermediate level riders looking for a bit quicker pace than a casual group ride. The first iteration of the #PitterPatterLetsGetAt’er Pop-up was on July 13 at JMP. Ride host, Jerott King, was joined by BTCEB member and DEVO coach, Nathan Wilson, and Caesar for a quick evening romp. There was enough daylight remaining to do a lap down big trees, a quick stop over at the pump track, then a lap down Cinderella to wrap things up.
The second round of the #PitterPatterLetsGetAt'er Pop-up ride was held on July 22 and featured Lime Ridge in Walnut Creek. Ride Host, Jerott King, was joined by six other riders. The group met at Mike Hess Brewery in Walnut Creek and was able to squeeze in a 13 mile ride before the sun set! Post ride the group hung out at Mike Hess and enjoyed their signature Hazy IPA known as the Hard Charger.
 EDITOR'S NOTE: Jerott is hoping to host 2-3 of these #PitterPatterLetsGetAt'er Pop-up Rides per month so keep your eyes peeled for MeetUp notices.
The 24-Hour Squad
by John Roberts Last month’s Buzz had a call for trail work volunteers that can do special projects. This included working on poison oak management, as well as on post-rain 24-hour notice trail drainage work.
Mr. Bart Trickel responded to that call. Accordingly, we did a dry run. This involved trimming back some blackberry vines on the Sunset Trail just south of the Joaquin Miller Park meadow.
Before:
After:
After that, we went for a great ride. So, stay on the lookout for future volunteer opportunities to help manage our trails, or proactively email trails@btceb.org and state you would like to join the 24-hour Squad’s email list. Ride Report: Ride Like a Girl at Crockett Hills
By Rebecca Lewington
Ride Like a Girl is back and the reviews are in:
“So happy the RLAG is back! Fun ride, thanks to the organizers!” – Theresa
“Many thanks to the organizers and for the great spirit and strong women you all are. Pushed my limits in a good way!” – Nis
Seventeen dirt lovers joined ride leaders Ariana Milelli and Rebecca Lewington to enjoy the best singletrack in the East Bay at Crockett Hills Regional Park on July 17th. It was so much fun to ride with such a great group of new friends and everyone claimed to have a good time.
One of our lovely riders lives a few minutes from the trailhead and we gathered in her garden for a very cheerful post-ride hangout. It was quite an upgrade from the parking lot!
Join us for the next episode of Ride Like a Girl on Saturday, August 21st at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. BTCEB Membership Drive by Mike Udkow While membership on our Meetup site continues to grow to over 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 . . .
Bicycle Film Festival Comes to the OaklandNow thru August 15, 2021
The virtual 20th anniversary tour of Bicycle Film Festival comes to the Bay Area, July 30 – August 15. 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, covering such topics as:
• Cycling as a response to knife crime epidemic in London
• Access to education is opened up to young female students in Kenya after receiving bicycles
• The incredibly stunning and thrilling view of the annual Tour De Rwanda
• A brief history of the bicycle
• The story of Julian Molina, the beloved, full-throttle one-legged cyclist
• A portrait of Bike Rides For Black Lives
• A love between a father and his young BMX-rider son (produced by Lebron James)
• A charismatic Ghanaian immigrant in Amsterdam who teaches refugee adult women to ride bikes
• First female BMX competition at a major sporting event
• ... and more!
Purchase tickets here. View the trailer here.
How does the virtual Bicycle Film Festival Oakland work?
A ticket allows you to view the 90-minute short film format from July 30 at 6:00PM PDT through August 15 at 11:59PM PDT streamed to your computer, tablet, or smart TV by simply clicking on the link provided by email 15 minutes before the opening date and time.
Tickets are priced on a "sliding scale" $10, $15, $20 so all ticket prices entitle you to the same content. You may view BFF in one sitting, or as you will, from the comfort and safety of your home. Richmond Adult (and Teen) Learn-to-Ride Class
By Mayor Tom Butt E-Forum
 On Saturday August 21st at 10:00 A.M., Rich City Rides, Bike East Bay and the City of Richmond are teaching Richmond residents how to ride a bicycle.
Know anyone 13 and up who wants to learn how to ride a bike? Free class. Bikes and helmets included for those who sign up first. Register here. ------
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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