Color Country Cycling Club Newsletter

Members present were John, Chad, Quinn, Holly, Steve W, Steve M, Ron, Brent.

John Stavros updated the club on his work with the St. George based Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association. DMBTA is a trail advocacy organization started by Cimarron Chacon. John was asked by Cimarron to join the association’s board of directors as the CCCC’s representative. Below are the Organization’s goals:

-work collaterally with government and private entities and other trail organizations

-achieve a world class trail network that provides opportunities for all abilities, interests, and skill levels

-assist in the planning, design, and construction of new trails and trail opportunities in the area
assist in maintaining current and future trails infrastructure, including preserving the trail objectives for which each trail was created

-educate current and future mountain bikers and other trails users on proper etiquette and trail sustainability

-provide the opportunity for community ownership in the trails system, including adopt-a-trail programs, scout and church projects, and other volunteer opportunities

The hope is that CCCC and it’s members will help with both the organization’s trail advocacy goals and upcoming trail maintenance, and hopefully new trail construction. John suggested that the club make a donation to DMBTA, and the members present voted to donate 1000.00 to this organization. Half of this money was actually donated to the club by Cimarron 3 years ago to be used for work on the Little Creek Mesa trails.

Upcoming club rides were also planned and will be added to the club’s calendar. Below is a list of some of these bike rides. Since only one road rider was present at the meeting the road riding schedule will have to come later-

Feb 18-The JEM 
March 24- Gander Trail
April 27,28- Little Creek Campout
July 13,14-Navajo Lake Campout
August 24,25-Rainbow Rim Campout

Scott Goldthorpe, a local Boy Scout, is working on his Eagle project and could use our help. He intends to remove the thistles and other noxious weeds from the north side of Navajo Lake. This is an important effort as these kinds of weeds can quickly overwhelm native plants. If you can help, bring nippers or a shovel, and work gloves. We’ll meet at the restrooms on the far side of the lake at 9 AM Saturday morning, August 13.

The club’s semi annual mountain biking trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon is coming up in a couple of weeks(August 19-20). The Rainbow Rim trail runs along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon just outside of the national park. The ride is 18 miles out and 18 miles back if you want to do the whole enchilada, but it lends itself well to taking on shorter sections at a time. There are a couple of little 400’ climbs — nothing too hard. This trail has all the right combinations of superb design and use of topography, good surface, solitude, ponderosas, wildlife, and gorgeous vistas that make it a “must do” ride.
The plan is to do the 3-hour drive to the North Rim Friday afternoon. We’ll camp at North Timp(primitive; no water or facilities), and then begin the ride at around 10 AM. This gives people who are unable to camp time to drive out Saturday morning. Call John Stavros at (435) 590-1158 for more details and to get directions

The shortest route is on hwy 22 which begins on hwy 89 about 1.5 miles east of Fredonia. This is not a well marked road so keep an eye out. It’s paved for a while but then turns to gravel. After about 40 miles or so, turn onto FR 206. From the junction of FDR 206 and 271, follow FDR 271 for 5 miles to FDR 271A, turn right and follow FDR 271A for 3 miles.

Camping is primitive with no facilities of any kind. Bring everything you need.

Click here for the map to the camping area-

Grab your sunscreen and work gloves and do some good! Here is the latest opportunity to make a difference close to home. National Trails Day June 14

We met at Freestyle Pizza.

The wrong date (May 14) was printed in Cycling Utah for the date of the Color Country Century.  It was decided to print something up in the newsletter to correct it.  For non-club members, it was determined not to be an issue because there was no starting place given.  Anyone who wanted information was to call Brian or Quinn, at which time the date would be corrected and other information given.

Our President had requested bringing the use of headphones / earphones to the table for club rides.  It was decided unanimously that headphones / earphones are not allowed on club rides.

The party and barbeque that Stu had proposed at the April meeting was brought up.  Since Stu was not present, the BBQ was tabled until later.

Chad Horman reported on multi-use trails planned for Cedar City.  First on the docket is the East Bench Trail (from approximately the water tank on third east to the Wal Mart area) to be constructed this summer.  Additional trails to be completed will include from the ball diamonds by the golf course out to the existing trail in Fiddler’s Canyon area followed by a trail behind Lefty’s Hideout.  The master plan in place allows pursuit of various grants.

Membership renewals were received for Michelle and Chuck Taylor and Merrick Taylor.

Upcoming ride of note:

Killer Loop – on July 16

The June 8 club meeting will be held at the Park Discovery at 7:00 pm to enable the kids to be better entertained while we meet.

On Saturday, May 28, the club is hosting a barbecue picnic at Over The Edge Sports in Hurricane at 4 PM. Click the Ride Calendar link on the right for a map and additional details. OTE is guiding a group ride at 10 AM on Gooseberry Mesa (possibly the Gander Trail) so you can join them, or do a ride of your own. (Contact OTE if you plan to join them so you get all the details before you show up.) Either way, come to the picnic at 4 PM. The club will provide burgers and dogs so bring a side dish to share and join other club members plus the OTE gang for a great afternoon. The weather forecast looks perfect so be sure to mark your calendar. Thanks to Stu and Vicki for spearheading the effort and making sure the club has activities for everyone.

On Saturday, June 4, the US Forest Service is sponsoring a work day for the lower half of the Thuder Mountain trail on Highway 12 just west of Bryce Canyon. Read the USFS press release for all the details.

We have a new mountain bike race coming to town in July, the Fire Road Cycling Mountain Bike Race. And the promoter is asking for volunteers to help with various facets of the race. Click here for the official website and if you would like to help out with the race click on Volunteers for more info.

During a club ride the week of April 17, club member Bruce Beattie overcooked a turn that contained more gravel than expected and went down hard. The crash resulted in a broken hip.

On Wednesday the 27th, Bruce had surgery to correct the problem. His doctor ran a nail down into the femur then ran a screw through the nail into the head of the femur.  He will be non-weight bearing for 4 to 6 weeks and then 2 weeks 50% weight bearing.  (Bruce expects to be riding on June 1 but is not sharing that with his doctor. We hope she does not read this newsletter.)

Bruce says (and we quote), “calls from sympathetic females are welcome.” We all hope you heal quickly, Bruce — even the sympathetic males.