Trek Superstore Donation
First, AMBA would like to thank our local Trek Superstore for its donation of matching funds to our December fundraiser. The club raised $1000 through individual donations and new memberships, and Trek has matched that amount with a $1000 donation. We also wish to thank BikeABQ (http://www.bikeabq.org/) for their significant contribution which helped us reach our $1000 goal. The $2000 raised will go towards local trails!
Sandia Collaborative
A big part of what AMBA does is build relationships with land managers and other organizations to advocate for mountain bikers. An example would be The Sandia Collaborative - the newly re-formed Landscape Team which was originally formed during the initial period of revision for the Forest Service Plan. While currently under revision, the purpose of the Collaborative is: ” ... to promote, preserve, restore, and enhance the landscape of the Sandia Ranger District for traditional and contemporary multiple use for current and future generations.”
The December meeting focused on team building and revising existing documentation. Additionally, Crystal Powell, head ranger for the Sandia Ranger District, talked a little bit about the focus of the Forest Service this year, which will be on trails North of I-40. While not official yet, there was some talk of making the downhill trails that start at the 10K trailhead official system trails. The Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA), which will document trail plans, was supposed to be released early January but we’ll have to wait until after the shutdown to see it.
Meetings for the Sandia Collaborative are held at the at the James McGrane Public Safety Complex in Tijeras every third Thursday of the month from 9:30am-12pm. For more information about the Collaborative, contact Marsha Kellogg, Facilitator: marita.kellogg@gmail.com
Cibola/Santa Fe/Carson National Forest:
Plan Revision Update
It appears that all three of New Mexico’s northern national forests will be presenting their draft plans to the Washington DC office early in 2019. After incorporating any changes identified in that final review, they will be releasing the final draft Forest Plan Revisions and Environmental Impact Statement for the official (NEPA-mandated) 90-day public comment period. Given the government shutdown it's difficult to say when the public comment period will start.
This public comment period is the last official public comment opportunity and the one that establishes “standing” if one chooses to challenge the accuracy and appropriateness of Forest Service documents and decision. This links below are the most direct way of keeping track of the respective Forest’s Plan Revision process:
White Ridge/Mesa
AMBA met with Jackie Leyba, BLM land manager for Cuba, concerning White Ridge. Jackie is the land manager for the White Ridge and Cuba area, and we met with him at his request. AMBA was the first of the user groups he is talking to in order to form a user cohort to partner with to provide input and support. We discussed threats and opportunities pertinent to White Ridge. First was the mine expansion. The mine was granted an extension toward the bike trails, but it will be ten years until they get there. They have not yet been allowed access to the bike trail area. The second threat is a threatened species of flower (threatened by user generated trails spider webbing everywhere) and cryptobiotic soil preservation. Options for mitigating damages include education and physical barriers (roped off areas w/signs). Opportunity exists because Jackie fully realizes the recreational importance of the area. He’d like to develop the area with funding through grants. Development could include improved parking, information kiosks, picnic facilities, restroom facilities, creating an official trail system, signage and maps. We’ll keep everyone updated as we learn more.
Cuba, NM
The following comes to us from Dan Roper of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. You can reach Dan here if you would like more information: droper@continentaldividetrail.org
In 2018, a group of stakeholders from Cuba, New Mexico was awarded a Rural Pathways Project grant award to promote outdoor recreation-based tourism in the Cuba region. With assistance from the New Mexico Tourism Department, they are working to promote trails and outdoor recreation opportunities around Cuba, as well cultural and historic sites that appeal to the adventure traveler. Central to the Cuba project will be the development of a professionally-designed regional trail map highlighting opportunities for hiking, biking, equestrian use, and other outdoor opportunities on public lands around Cuba, as well as installing new kiosks and signage that direct visitors to the trails. Part of this project will involve identifying the best local trails for mountain biking and posting routes on popular trail apps used by mountain bikers. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) passes through Cuba and is open to mountain bikes on sections outside of designated wilderness areas. In addition, the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forests has over 200 miles of trails and dirt roads open for exploration, though not all trails are open to bikes. By identifying new mountain bike trails and routes in the area, locals hope to attract this user group to the region and improve the regional trail network for bikers in the coming years. Keep an eye out on apps like MTB Project and Trailforks for some new rides to try out, or grab a Santa Fe National Forest map and pioneer a route of your own.
Meetup - Meet Your Ride Leaders!
Our Meetup group is going strong with over 700 members. Our volunteer ride leaders have done a great job providing rides at all levels so make sure to thank them when you see them!
Meet Ride Leader: BRAD!
Tell me a little bit about yourself. I work as a business loan officer at TBK Bank
What got you into mountain biking? I discovered it by accident riding an old street bike on Tramway and coming across a dirt trail and giving it a try.
Where’s your favorite place to ride in NM, and why? South Tijeras trails just because of the extensive trail network and the variety of trails from smooth flowing trails to intense rocky terrain. I also like White Mesa.
What’s the most unique/challenging/interesting ride you’ve been on? I really liked Phils World in Cortez, CO the best. Alien Run hear Aztec, NM was pretty good too. Most challenging was doing a monster loop from Coyote to Pine Flats and back down Otero (Tijeras area trails).
Want to join a ride? Click on the Meetup icon below!
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