April, 2021 - Backyard Bend's Kristian Jamieson interviews Emmy Andrews, our first Executive Director, who provides a quick update on the larger issues for Central Oregon mountain bike trails. Learn about new trail systems in Madras and the Ochocos, COTA's relationship with land managers, and the future of eBikes and public downhill developments.
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The new Lemon Gulch Trail network project in Crook County is making progress! Lemon Gulch was included in a comprehensive, multi-user trail proposal developed by Ochoco Trails Collaborative Group that was submitted to Ochoco National Forest Service. Their proposal was approved by ONFS and subsequently selected as a priority area for creating new mountain bike trails. Trail route planning was completed during fall, 2020 and the ONFS environmental analysis is now underway.
The Lemon Gulch proposal wish list includes 30 trails (51.4 miles!) and 22,121 feet total descent; 5 green, 10 blue, and 15 black diamond rated trails; 1 uphill-only trail, 2 bi-directional trails, and 27 downhill-only trails - a long yearned for modern shuttle-accessible DH trail network and just 15 miles east of Prineville. If you think Central Oregon would benefit from this type of trail network send in your comment of support. Here is the scoping info link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58831 and the link to comment online: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=58831 The Lemon Gulch project is the first big project in COTA’s collaboration with the Ochoco Trails group. This paved path would provide a safe way to travel between the southern boundary of Bend to the Lava Lands Visitors Center, running parallel (but separate) to Highway 97. Public comments are welcome via email until May 8 to comments-pacificnorthwest-deschutes-bend-ftrock@usda.gov Use subject line, Paved Path. The Deschutes National Forest Press Release in PDF format with active links can be found below. The scoping notice can be found here. Membership matters! But why?
Interested in serving on the COTA Board? Elections are coming up in May. Yes, being a board member requires a time commitment, at least 15 hours a month, but there’s just no better way to get involved and influence the current and future mountain biking efforts here in Central Oregon (and have fun while doing it). Board positions are 3 year terms.
Check out the Board Job Description here to see what being on the board entails. This election cycle has 3 at-large Board positions, plus the Madras Chapter/Board member and SoDeCo Chapter/Board member spots. Interested? Complete the Nomination Form here by April 30. The election process timeline:
Any questions, please email the 2021 COTA Elections Coordinators, Darlene Henderson or Kelly Burke. Check out this great article written by Annie Fast as she shares the who's, what's and why's of our Wanoga winter fat bike trails. Article link here.
GET AND KEEP ACCESS TO MORE TRAILS.
COTA advocates tirelessly for new trails and protects access to existing trails. SUPPORT TRAIL BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE. Your membership dollars help us build and maintain hundreds of miles of trails in Central Oregon each year. TOGETHER WE HAVE MORE POWER. More members strengthen our voice when we talk to land managers, politicians and writing grants. KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING FIRST. Members are kept up to date on advocacy issues, events, races and rides in our region. BE PART OF A COMMUNITY. Meet and ride with like-minded mountain bikers who support fun, sustainable, legal trails. Sign up here and chip in for trails! Matt Prymak of Bend! Matt held the winning raffle ticket for our fundraiser to pay for winter trails grooming costs and to fund more trails. Thanks to EVERYONE who supported COTA with a raffle ticket purchase. Your generosity far exceeded our expectations, and we were able to raise a whopping $10,575! These funds will be used to:
Happy (winter) trails to you all. After conducting a thorough and robust nationwide search, COTA has found the perfect candidate right here in Bend. We are very pleased to announce Emmy Andrews as our first Executive Director. Emmy has been hired to lead COTA in its next phase of growth, while continuing its core mission of developing, protecting, and enhancing the Central Oregon mountain bike experience through trail stewardship, advocacy, collaboration, and education. Emmy has been actively involved on COTA’s Board of Directors for over four years (2016-2020), serving as Board Treasurer for three years, and then becoming the Bend Chapter Representative. While on the Board, Emmy was instrumental in developing COTA’s first Strategic Plan and coordinating the Crew Leader program. Emmy has been an active trail work volunteer and mountain bike advocate for many years. “Emmy’s energy and enthusiasm for what we do, her ability to maintain positive long-term relationships with stakeholders and volunteers, and common sense approach convinced us that Emmy is the one to guide COTA in achieving great things in the years to come,” said COTA Board Chair, Bruce Schroeder. “We look forward to working with Emmy in this new capacity starting in 2021.” With over 20 years of experience in project management, planning, and marketing, and a passion for implementing COTA’s mission and vision, Emmy is ready to get started. “Mountain biking trails are essential to Central Oregon’s identity and economy,” Emmy said. “As Executive Director, I will focus on empowering COTA’s amazing volunteers and growing our revenue base so that our trail network continues to be among the best in the country. I look forward to strengthening COTA’s relationships with our members, volunteers, land managers, partner organizations, and sponsors.” “COTA is growing at a phenomenal rate. We have six chapters—Bend, Crook County, Madras, Redmond, Sisters, and South Deschutes County—and trail planning or building going on in all of them. As Executive Director I want to make sure all of our chapters have the resources and support they need to achieve their goals.” This newly created Executive Director position marks the first paid position for COTA. Established as a non-profit organization in 1992, all efforts by Board members, vast numbers of trail workers, and others have been 100% volunteer driven. Emmy was selected after a five-month search that included evaluating a strong list of applicants from all over the country. Emmy’s start date is January 4, 2021 and can be reached here. For more information, please contact COTA’s Board Chair, Bruce Schroeder here. Winter riding is around the corner so we’re kicking off our raffle fundraiser to pay for grooming costs & to fund more trails. Chip in $10+ for a chance to win a 2021 Rhino FLT fatbike, generously donated by Fatback Bikes! Get out and enjoy snow-cruising COTA’s groomed Wanoga fat bike trails; then ride sweet singletrack, forest roads, sandy trails and beaches when summer hits.
Your Ticket Purchase/Donation Helps Us: Grooming approved trails. Prepping snow-packed fatbike trails requires snowmobiles and unique grooming equipment, plenty of gas and oil, machine maintenance, equipment storage and insurance. COTA covers these costs via donations like yours. Adding new trails. It’s challenging and time-consuming to get new trails approved by the US Forest Service. We’re proposing a new 4 mile loop, dubbed ‘Saddle Ride,’ that winds over the saddle of nearby buttes. NEPA (environmental) studies and other expenses that may be required are often partly or wholly funded by COTA (via your donations and memberships) to help get projects to the finish line. Sharing the trails. Our winter trails are open to fatbikes, snowshoers, cross-country skiiers and dogs - woof! Enter now to win - Chip in to support winter trails! Tickets $10 each; 3 for $25, 7 for $50 The Jackpot: A 2021 Fatback Bikes RHINO FLT tricked out with NX SRAM components, Fatback’s proprietary Big SU wheelset and upgraded Terrene Johnny 5 tires. Your choice of frame size, from XS - XL. Pedals not included. Retail price: $2,199. Fatback’s Rhino FLT was highlighted in Outside Magazine’s Best Fat Bikes of 2020 roundup with this comment: The Fatback Rhino FLT proves you don’t have to spend a fortune for a great winter ride. Because the frame is aluminum, it won’t break the budget. The geometry feels tight and responsive, and [includes Fatback’s] surprisingly light and sturdy Big SU wheels. Blue Ice color / Any Size Frame from XS-XL / Free Shipping in Lower 48 States To check out a Fatback Bikes Rhino FLT in person, stop by WebCyclery in the Old Stone Church at 157 NW Franklin Ave in Bend. Last Chance to Buy Tix: Sunday, December 6th, 2020 at 11:59pm Drawing Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 8:00am Online Drawing: Following safe COVID protocols, the drawing will be online this year with the winning ticket selected at random by RaffleCreator. The winner will be notified by phone and email within 24 hours. Proceeds go to COTA's winter fat bike trail efforts. |
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