Deer Hunting season is upon us again. The mountain bike trails will be closed at West Branch State Park the following dates:

November 21st and 22nd
November 30 - December 6th
December 19th and 20th
January 9th - January 12th.

On another note, be sure you're using caution when riding during small game season at WBSP. Wear bright colored clothing and ride in groups if possible. Be safe and stand out so hunters are aware of you. Remember to share the resource, and have fun!

A new organization has recently started for climbers in Northeast Ohio.  Many mountain bikers are also climbers, so we thought we let you know that they are having their Fall meeting at Kendall Cliffs Climbing Gym in Peninsula o­n Tuesday, November 17th at 7PM.  Topics will include access to climbing in Brecksville, liability insurance for Climbers in Cleveland Metroparks, and more.  Visit their website for complete info: www.NEOCC.wordpress.com or find them o­n Facebook.

At 10,000+ feet, against the misty backdrop of a former sleepy mining town, Leadville, Colorado, 1400 cyclists line the starting line, including several from Ohio. For many, it will be the most difficult race of their lives. For some, a bragging right to say they raced alongside the best in the world. Some imagine victory. Most hope only to finish. But everyone will count.

On October 22nd, experience a One Night Event in movie theatres nationwide featuring the debut of “Race Across the Sky” – a documentary covering the 2009 Leadville Trail 100 bike race, one of the most intense endurance races of all time - and candid conversations with Lance Armstrong, Chris Carmichael, Dave Wiens, and other elite and amateur cyclists who overcame extreme challenges to participate in this grueling race. To view the movie trailer...read on...


Read full article: 'One Night Event in movie theatres nationwide - Leadville 100...the Movie'

With a National Park right here in our own backyard, you might want to consider viewing the PBS series by Ken Burns "The National Parks: America's Best Idea".  The video of the series is available o­nline.  Ken Burns produces some epic documentaries (others include Baseball and World War II), so this promises to be great.  Maybe they'll mention CVNP?  Watch and find out.

High school mountain biking will take a step toward becoming a more mainstream sport o­n October 1 with the new The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) forming. The organization will promote and facilitate interscholastic high school mountain biking in the US.  Read the full story at Cyclingnews.com.

The trails will be closed on Sunday September 27th from 12:30pm until about 3:30pm. This is due to the OMBC race that will be occurring on the trails. We will be out on Saturday the 26th at 9am if you wish to give us a hand. We will be flagging the trail and doing any last minute trail preparations that may be needed.

A cycling music video that any bike geek is sure to love.

As a big thank you to supporting local mountain bike advocacy and trail building our friends at Dirt Rag magazine are offering a free subscription to anyone who joins CAMBA above the basic membership level.

You must send it your membership form, or join o­nline in the month of July to receive this very special offer. You also qualify if you renew your membership in July. This offer o­nly applies for memberships at or above the $35 level.

The folks over at Dirt Rag Magazine could not have summarized this benefit ride better. Check out the Dirt Rag Magazine article for more details to help an amazing organization “Change Through Chance” charity that provides horse therapy to children with special needs.   Dirt Rag Magazine

Today in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar confirmed that the park would receive about $7.8 million in federal stimulus money this year.  Read more by clicking here.

Are you aware of all of the hard work that's being done to make Cleveland a more bicycle friendly city? If not, check out this recent report o­n Cleveland Bike Week and a summary of the Cleveland 2010 Active Transportation Plan.

Don't underestimate the potential for Cleveland to become a part of the model for bicycle transportation, and recreation. There is some serious attention o­n this, and it's very exciting to think about how the CAMBA vision of 100 Miles of World Class Trail fits in.

Bike Authority is now a dealer of Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles. If you're looking for a new ride check out the line up at Ellsworthbikes.com or contact a sales associate at Bike Authority for more details.

Working in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers, IMBA's Trail Solutions and six other trail contracting firms have built 30 miles of amazing singletrack, the Allegrippis Trails, at Pennsylvania's Raystown Lake. A grand opening -- featuring group rides; free demonstration bikes from Cannondale, GT and Trek; and plenty of great food -- is slated for May 9.  From what CAMBA has heard, these trails are an absolute blast and are different from most of PA's trails.  Instead of being tight and rocky, they are faster, smoother, and flowing.  No doubt many mountain bikers from Cleveland will be checking these trails out this summer!  Click here for more information.

The person I bought my first "real" mountain bike from has opened his own shop...

Read full article: 'New Bike Shop!'

Every year I tell you about this great festival in Pennsylvania...


Read full article: 'The Bash!'

Here's an interesting website created by some local cyclists to promote the cycling lifestyle in the Buckeye state.  CarLessOhio.org

They also have a link to the Cleveland Planning Commission's website and some great information for local cyclists including maps of current and proposed bike paths and lanes.  Click here.

Did you know the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is coming to Indianapolis this February 27-March 1?  In the past this show has always been o­n the west coast so it's pretty cool to have it come out our way.  There a number of CAMBA folks already planning o­n making the trip.  Why?  Check out these pictures and we think you'll understand.

Just a quick reminder to support your local bike shops this holiday season.You still have a few shopping days left before Christmas and our CAMBA sponsors have lots of great gifts in stock. In this volatile economic climate it is even more important to spend your dollars locally. These shops are not only sponsoring CAMBA and the mountain bike movement, but all types of other cycling initiatives and events locally. Not to mention they create jobs and keep tax dollars in our communities. Do your part, SHOP LOCAL!

Happy Holidays!

Don't let the cold weather stop you from riding this winter.  Check out Dirt Rag's latest articles o­n cold weather riding.  Click here, here, and here.

Dirt Rag is publishing a series of articles o­n their blog about winter riding over the next few weeks.  We thought you might be interested.  From Dirt Rag: "Cold Weather Riding: It's All In Your Head"

Please keep in mind the MTB trails at West Branch will be closed during deer gun hunting season. The dates are; November 22nd and 23rd, December 1st thru 7th, 20th and 21st, and 27th thru 30th.

First, an arcticle from The Plain Dealer discusses Cleveland Metroparks recent decision to halt the rebuilding of Hogsback Lane.  The article should be particularly interesting to residents of Cleveland's West Park neighborhood and Lakewood. The park cites lack of available funds as the primary reason for their decision to delay the rebuilding until at least 2011.  Second, the New York Times has an excellent article and a great video about Dave Wiens' victory over Lance Armstrong during this year's Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race.  It's great to see anything mountain bike related getting some coverage in a national publication like this.

CAMBA has a new webmaster...

Read full article: 'New CAMBA Webmaster'

Team Spin Bike Shop has been forced to cancel their weekly Wednesday night cyclocross race series due to circumstances beyond their control.  They are working to find a new venue for the race and we'll let you know if they find o­ne.

West Branch State Park has asked us once a again to remind everyone that hunting season starts September 1st. That date starts out with small game. They advise people to at least wear orange.

Read full article: 'Hunting Season Starts up again at West Branch'