July 2023 Newsletter
What we’ve been doing
The Latest - Lots of good stuff happened in June Seven trail workdays to finish off the season with a bang. We gave away the bike to its winner from last month’s raffle with our partners at CAMTB. Another store joined our retail membership drive. Put our name in front of several thousand races at all four June Over the Hump events. Had a big fun party with a group of trail fixers and diggers. And kept up on our networking with park management at several meetings and events. …and lots more! Read on below!
The Good Dirt Ride
Whether you call it the 50 Mile Ride, the Rwanda Ride, or the Good Dirt Ride –join for a day of FUN and goodwill. You get the same fun, the same epic trails, the same huge raffle, and the same legendary post-ride party.
What began 16 years ago as a birthday ride with friends has now become a larger community event united by a love of cycling and doing good locally and around the world. With this purpose in mind, aim to have some fun and support your local trails thru OCMTBA or an African child riding her bike to school in a rural village. Although our community is local, we impact globally…that’s why - the Good Dirt Ride! Register Here
OCMTBA and OAKLEY sponsored a trail work day
After several rain outs with our wet winter, OCMTBA and Oakley were finally successful in scheduling a trail work day. Oakley has been a long time and appreciated supporter of the Orange County MountainBike community. They brought their crew out and worked Cactus trail at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, drains were cleared, and ruts were filled. Thank you to Oakley and OC Parks!
2023 Crankbrothers Dream Bike Giveaway
In May, we sent out a special newsletter announced the 2023 Crankbrothers Dream BikeOpportunity Drawing. This was a Commencal T.E.M.P.O. Trail Bike, custom configured by Crankbrothers in Laguna Beach. The funds raised benefit your trails!
The Grand Prize Winner was a Newport Beach Resident and OCMTBA member, Bill Chin. Last month, Bill, and CAMTB Board Member John Terberg, OCMTBA Executive Director Kurt Wiemann and Sebastien Salvant from Crankbrothers presented the bike to Bill at Crankbrothers headquarters in Laguna Beach.
Congratulations Bill!
CA State Parks Tour
The OCMTBA team set out this year to meet and talk to everybody we can to further our goal of more and better trails. David Browning, our president, spent a day with the highest levels of CA State Parks including Director of California State Parks, Armando Quintero and California State Parks commissioner Phil Ginsberg. They and other CA state parks management were touring coastal parks including Crystal Cove and San Onofre. Fun fact, SHARE, a foundational organization in our coalition, started out in Crystal Cove as Concerned Cyclists of Crystal Cove in 1988
San Clemente Single Tracks (Dog Park/Weed Patch) Trail work Day OCMTBA, San Onofre Foundation and San Onofre State Beach staff cleared a few miles of trails on June 11th. We had a great turnout, with OCMTBA volunteers, Las Ramblas Trail Crew and the Motley Crew riding group. This was a brushing event which is clearing weeds and plants to clear sight lines and allow a mountain bike to get through safely. We cleared Blue Chair, Butches and Couches.
OC MTB Social Mixer A group of trail fixers, diggers and riders got together at a psychedelic music studio for some casual conversation about biking, trail work and more. A lot of people that make things happen got to meet each other and compare how they do what they do. Beer, pizza and a live band led by our VP Jim Foley made for a great event.
Over the Hump 2023
Over the Hump is OC’s longest standing race series, now offering several seasons. We are a big supporter because of what they do to bring our community together. We’ve had a booth at all 11 races this year. This has put our name and us in front of more than a thousand people. Race teams, ride teams, bike shops are all there and we have great opportunities for conversation about sponsorship and staffing trail work events. Never raced? Try Over the Hump this winter!
GET OCMTBA GEAR!
Pedal Industries has created an awesome collection perfect for any mountain biker or OCMTBA enthusiast! Get ready for the June gloom with a sweet hoodie! Never forget any of your gear again with the OCMTBA Raceday bag. Even a race day wallet, jerseys, and socks! And with every purchase you are supporting your local trails!
Check it all out now!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ocmtba-store
Win an OCMTBA T-ShirtWe have partnered with Cassette & Co on a custom OCMTBA T-Shirt. Register here to win one for free! We'll have a drawing every 2 weeks all summer.
The Dirt
Oakley and OCMTBA cleaned up Cactus Trail at Whiting Ranch
OC Park volunteers worked on Chutes Trail at Santiago Oaks
OCMB volunteers joined Laguna Canyon Foundation at National Trails Day at Dilley Preserve
Laguna Canyon Foundation worked on Old Emerald Trail at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
OCMTBA, Las Ramblas Group, Motley Crew, CA State Parks and San Onofre Foundation brushed trails at San Onofre State Beach trails
The Path Bike shop sponsored a trailwork day with OC Parks at Santiago Oaks
OCMB volunteers joined Laguna Canyon Foundation at Valido trail in Aliso and Wood Cyns Park
The Warriors Society did their third event this year on Trabuco trail in the Cleveland National Forest
The Trails
OCMTBA President joined CA State Parks Management for a tour of our coastal parks
Laguna Canyon Foundation had an Ales and trails fundraiser at Troy Lee Designs Boutique. OCMTBA donated some of our branded merchandise for their raffle
David and Jim from the OCMTBA board took Antonio from Laguna Canyon Foundation on a mountain bike ride in Aliso and Wood Canyons Park to look at some trail repair opportunities
We had a fun mixer with a group of trail fixers and diggers, 1st of a quarterly event
The Partners
OCMTBA and our partners at the Good Dirt Ride had a booth at all four Over the Hump Events this June.
Monthly Planning meeting for the Good Dirt Ride was held in early June for the 9/30/23. We are working on riders, sponsors, entertainment, and support services
Trek Bicycle Tustin gave away a free OCMTBA memberships with a bike purchase in June
Pure Ride Cycles in Lake Forest is giving away a free OCMTBA memberships with a bike purchase in July
We have partnered with Cassette & Co on a custom OCMTBA trail advocate T. Follow them on social media or Register here to win one for free! We'll have a drawing every 2 weeks all summer.
David and Lorie, our Corporate Secretary, rode with Girlz Gone Riding OC Chapter for their 5th birthday celebration. Lorie is also a ride leader for GGR
Upcoming Events
Sat 7/15 Santiago Oaks Trail work Day
Sun 7/23 The Luge Trail Trimming
Sun 7/23 Trabuco Trail Trimming
Sat 8/5 Saddleback Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon
Sat 8/19 Wilderness Access Day: Bommer Canyon
Volunteer Opportunities
Laguna Canyon Foundation
Orange County Parks
California State Parks - Crystal Cove and San Onofre
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Cleveland National Forest
The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo
Our Supporters
Pure Ride Cycles has 25 years in the cycling industry. They offer MTB, road and gravel bikes, clothing and accessories. Join them for a hosted ride or swing by for a professional fit by owner Kristen Lawrence. Pure Ride epitomizes the local bike shop full service experience, check them out.. Pure Ride Cycles is offering a free one year membership to the first twenty people that buy a new mountain bike in July!
Local Focus
Linked Cycling County Chapter From Paul Kuntzman at Linked Cycling
Linked Cycling is a Christian Cycling Ministry focused on reaching the cycling community as representatives of Jesus Christ. Although our home church is Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, CA., only about 40% of our members call Compass home and the other 60% from other churches in and around Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.
Our ministry was founded in 2008 when a small group of Christian men that often rode together realized that the best way to honor God, was to do so in a manner that glorified him through representing our faith in Christ in the mountain bike community. Today, Linked Cycling boasts upwards of 50 men shredding the trails of Orange County, Boise Idaho, and in North Texas.
Our ministry’s primary goals are geared more towards volunteerism and being excellent ambassadors of Christ in the sport we love in the local MTB community. Linked Cycling has facilitated and directed the kid's race at Over The Hump in OC for almost ten years and been Trail Ambassadors at the Good Dirt Ride (formerly the 50-mile ride for Rwanda) for about the same duration.
Although we are a group of Christian riders, our rides are open to anyone. Linked facilitates weekly Saturday mountain bike rides throughout the OC Parks for intermediate and advanced riders as well as a monthly Fellowship Ride held the first Saturday of each month. The monthly Fellowship Rides are held at Alios Woods, open to riders of all skill, ability, and fitness levels, and are followed by bagels and coffee at the trailhead afterwards. If you are a Christian looking to strengthen your walk with Christ or a non-Christian that just wants to ride with other guys having some good clean fun in the dirt, we’d love to have you! If you are interested, check us out at LinkedCycling.com, or feel free to email Paul@LinkedCycling.com for more information about Linked or details about the rides.
Cassette & Co. From Tim VanGilder at Cassette & Co.
Cassette & Co. is a rider-owned cycling brand that welcomes riders of all types, whether they prefer road, mountain, or gravel biking. Their mission is to inspire cyclists across various disciplines, from seasoned professionals to privateers just beginning their journey on two wheels.
With a deep passion for the bicycling community, Cassette & Co. creates goods that cater to the diverse needs of riders. They understand the allure of staring at a beloved bike in the garage and have a profound appreciation for bike tools, fine-tuning bike fit, and preparing for upcoming epic rides. Working on their bikes is considered a rite of passage, and they embrace the therapeutic nature of bike maintenance.
Based in Southern California at the foot of the Santa Ana Mountains, Cassette & Co. draws inspiration from the region's picturesque paths, trails, and roads. Southern California is renowned as a Mecca for riders, offering stunning mountain bike trails with ocean views, winding roads through canyons, and versatile gravel routes that connect it all.
Cassette & Co. acknowledges the vibrant racing scene in California, with XC racers chasing series points year-round and events like the famous Belgian Waffle Ride originating in the region. From fondos to century rides, Tuesday Morning Worlds to Solvang Centuries, Rock Cobblers, and Sea Otters, California offers a plethora of racing opportunities.
As genuine riders dedicated to the cycling lifestyle, Cassette & Co. believes that every ride, no matter the challenges faced, is a great one. They reject the notion of portraying models with distant expressions and instead embrace the authenticity of real riders. Whether using a power meter or not, stopping for photos or pushing through headwinds, Cassette & Co. embodies the true spirit of the Bicyclist.
Beyond their commitment to producing exceptional cycling gear, Cassette & Co. collaborates with organizations like OCMTBA to create limited edition tees that celebrate the cycling community. They understand the significance of the "bicyclist" identity and pay homage to the vibrant subculture. Their designs, crafted by accomplished designer and elite bike racer Tim VanGilder, capture the essence of the shared love for cycling and community.
Cassette & Co. thrives on community engagement, actively participating in cycling festivals, events, races, endurance rides, and gravel adventures. Through initiatives like the Singletrack Searcher Trail Challenge, they encourage SoCal riders to explore and appreciate Orange County's renowned trail network. Their collection of soft goods, including MTB t-shirts and lifestyle apparel, features thoughtful designs inspired by typography and industry trades, with a commitment to accessibility and inclusive pricing.
In the spirit of adventure, Cassette & Co. invites riders to discover the essence of their brand by visiting their website and embracing the cycling lifestyle they embody.
REV 071823.0812AM
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