Trail News
2008 Year in Review
It was a great year for GHORBA and the Houston area. The most significant news was in the “trails” area. We had grand openings for three new trails! Through a few grants and a lot of hard work from GHORBA volunteers like you, we opened trails in the Woodlands, Conroe, and Cypress areas.
New Trails
2008 was really a year in which the fruits of our labors of the last few years have come together.
Flintridge Trail
With the help of a REI, Harris County, Montgomery County and Woodlands Cycling Club, we were able to complete the Flintridge Trail in The Woodlands this past Fall.
Flintridge started in early 2007 when GHORBA was awarded a $5000 REI grant that was used on a piece of land offered by Montgomery County as part of the Spring Creek Project. Matching funds were provided by the County and The Woodlands Development Corporation. With a combination of professional design and leadership by Talon Trails, support from Montgomery County and a huge volunteer effort by the Woodlands Cycling Club, a 5 mile trail is now in place and in use. Plans are already in place for branching out from this trail along Spring Creek.
Carl Barton Jr. Park Trail
We now have a 3 mile loop trail in Carl Barton Jr. park. A grant funded project started in early 2007, and the 3 mile loop system was finished in early 2008. It is now open, with plans to expand it to a 5 to 7 mile system.
Cypresswood Trail
On December 4th, Cypresswood Trails became “official”, with GHORBA participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony which opened both a hike and bike trail linking major local parks and the Mountain Bike Trail. The trail is now marked on the park map of this local section of the Cypress Creek Greenway Project as a dedicated “Mountain Bike Trail” – the first one to be so designated in Harris County. The Cypresswood volunteers, lead by Gerry Nicodemus, have built 5 miles of new trail in the last 2 years and this marks the culmination of 5 years of work by GHORBA to preserve Cypresswood Trail.
Double Lake
In August 2008, we were awarded a $120,000 trail grant by Texas Parks & Wildlife to construct a 12 mile addition to the existing Double Lake trail. We also received a $10,000 grant from industry trade group Bikes Belong to add to the matching funds required for the $150,000 project budget.
This is again the culmination of two years of preparatory work with the Forest Service, building a short addition to DL in 2007 and developing working relationships with the FS. Not only this, but the FS have also requested GHORBA develop a Master Plan for trails in the Sam Houston National Forest. We’ve developed the first draft of the plan which you can review in our forum.
Other Projects
GHORBA is participating in production of the Master Plan for Lake Houston Park, which will include a significant MTB trail system.
Skills Clinics
GHORBA Skills Clinics have always been a popular draw. This year we had a record four clinics at Jack Brooks, Memorial Park (two), and the Cypresswood Trail. This has been a great way to meet new folks and to enlist more volunteers. The highlight this year was a very successful clinic just in December at the new Cypresswood Trail promoted by Sun & Ski and Marin Bicycles.
Our sponsors brought in Shaums March, the former Masters World Champion Downhill rider to help teach some advanced skills. We had a record turnout all day long and the response was very positive.
The 2008 Big Ring Challenge
The “BRC” as we call it was another success bringing close to 500 racers into the Sam Houston National Forest for a fun weekend of events and racing. We had great support from our local bike shops for this important fundraiser to build trails. Please support you local bike shops. We know the internet is fun, but your local shop can special order whatever you need in the same time, without shipping, and you’ll be supporting organizations that do so much for everyone. Form a relationship with your local shop and buy local!
Please join us for this years BRC, May 2-3 for a fun weekend including the GT Golden Bike Race for amateurs!
2009 Look-ahead
Please join us for rides, social events, and hopefully revived member meetings this year. Join us for clinics and a Sprockids events (by the way, we’re looking for a new director of this outreach program).
GHORBA will be focusing on managing our grant for the additional Double Lake trails and we also have plans to become an IMBA chapter to strengthen our membership voice in the Houston area. GHORBA is a 100% volunteer organization and our area needs more recreational space and places to enjoy. Please volunteer in 2009 for a work party, to lead a ride, or in any area you have passion.
New Annual Membership Renewals
We are moving our membership to annual, or calendar year dues. This means if you joined or renewed after Oct 1. 2008, your membership is good through end of 2009. If you haven’t done so last year, please renew your GHORBA membership now. You will keep your old membership card and we will send you special stickers to extend your membership through end of 2009.
Yes, we have received a chunk of grant money, but your membership dollars will go towards other trails, outside of the Double Lake area.
Happy New Year!
- The GHORBA Board
View all Trail News
By: will singleton
Jan 14