An undefended breath sails on the wind

The above line (if I remembered it correctly) is from a poem I heard recited at the Ned PnR after patrolling last Monday (I visited the new brewpub rather than ride home). With the aspen in leaf, blue skies, moderate temperatures, just enough climbing and such great flow on the trail, indeed my breath did sail away with ease and carry with it all concerns.

To patrol specifics: without confirmations on my patrol dates, I don't know if I was actually supposed to patrol, but I did anyways. It was a quiet day despite the 20+ group ride that came up on the bus with me (few cars in the lots). I gave out a map and discussed the trails with another person who already had a map. I managed to maintain my happy demeanor when presented with a snide tone from the equestrian sweep (twice) and tried to assure a hiker that mountain bikers are not "wild and untamed". Lost a wrench but found a spoon. The trails are in great shape except for some running water on Clear Cut (342). Fort Kiva has collapsed. Finally, patrollers should consider starting the day at Happy Trails, the coffee/bike shop in town. I talked to
two people about the patrol there while replacing a skewer (luckily someone was actually working in the shop).

1st Patrol in the bag

Richard M chases down our favorite Daily Camera shutterbug/author on the first bike patrol of the 2007 season. Trails look great, crowds weren't too crazy for the holiday weekend and the thunder storms stayed at bay. Thanks also to Mike B and Chuck G for getting out on patrols #2 and #3. Great work everyone!

Snow today, gone tomorrow!

8200' at 7am this morning in Coal Creek Canyon. Returning patrollers who did not attend one of our training sessions will still need to sign the volunteer agreement with the FS before patrolling. Elaine will have the sign up forms at the front desk of the FS HQ at 2140 Yarmouth Ave. so please stop by and get signed up. She also has some more maps of West Magnolia for handing out. The West Magnolia map is also available to print off from the BMA website. Keep those dates coming! Thanks to Richard M., Mike B and Chuck G for patrolling this first weekend of the season!

Dont forget the DEET!

I got eaten up when I climbed the School Bus Trail last week. Good thing West Nile hasn't happened above 7000'..... yet.

Be sure to bring repellent!

mtbmike

Aspen Alley

West Magnolia is looking great and we are ready to start patrolling this weekend! If anyone is available for Sunday 5/27 or Monday 5/28 patrols please let me know ASAP and if you have not yet submitted your desired patrol dates please do so soon. I will get a community calendar of some sort up and running so you guys can see what dates are still available. Thanks to all who came out for training with the FS last week, returning patrollers, and all who have volunteered there time and energy to representing mountain bikers in Boulder County. We're looking forward to a great season in the high country!

Blurb in the Daily Camera

http://dailycamera.com/news/2007/may/11/boulder-mountain-bike-patrol-looking-for-new/

BMBP training May 15th OR 17th

West Magnolia trails are quickly clearing though a few drifts linger in the shadiest areas. Well worth riding now though. Big thanks to all who have signed up so far for the training sessions this week. For May 15th I have Rose A., Hillary S., Richard M., Chip & Nancy L., Mike B., Herschel, Dave & Steph R., Justin C., and Matt A. in attendance along with Ed and Elaine from the Forest Service. If anyone else would like to attend please let me know ASAP otherwise I will see the above at the FS HQ in Boulder at 5:30pm 5/15.

Driving Directions to Boulder Ranger District
From Interstate 25
From I-25, exit west at Highway 119. Follow 119 to Boulder and exit Highway 119 west at Jay Road. Follow Jay Road west to Highway 36 and turn north on Highway 36. Go about one mile and watch for the Boulder Ranger District office on the east side of the highway. There is a Smokey Bear fire danger rating sign along Highway 36 in front of our building. Boulder Ranger District 2140 Yarmouth Avenue Boulder, CO 80301

1st patrol completed!

M.A and R.A. got out to the West Magnolia system over the weekend to clean up a few of the many fallen trees blocking the trails, some of which are already creating alternate paths around the obstructions. Bow saw and one quarter horsepower patroller later...

Good to go! The BMBP does provide some basic trail maintenance for the FS on the West Magnolia system though from personal experience I don't recommend carrying a saw around on your back (I cut out about 6 spokes in my front wheel in a wreck later on...). Remember that whatever work we do needs to be compatible with the horses that use this area as well as bikers and hikers and when in doubt contact the Patrol Director or the FS before any major work.

Chainsaw faeries

Submit desired patrol dates ASAP!

Any weekend or Holiday date between 5/26 and 9/3 we have committed to providing a pair of BMBP patrollers at West Magnolia from 10am-5pm. We patrol in pairs (no cow needed) so request dates in pairs if you have a patrol partner in mind and let's book up the early part of the season first if possible. Only dates snapped up so far are 6/9, 6/23 and 7/7 (thanks Chip & Nancy). -Matt

Time to ride!

All NEW prospective patrollers need to attend one of the training sessions at the Forest Service HQ in Boulder on May 15th or 17th. The training will run from 5:30 to about 8pm and will be a great chance to meet some fellow patrollers, eat some pizza and learn about our patrol mission for 2007. Please contact me ASAP and let me know which date you will attend.

All returning patrollers do not need to attend but will have to sign a new Volunteer Agreement with the FS before patrolling for 07. Easiest thing would be for you to stop by one of the training sessions, pick up the 2007 info and sign the agreement then but we can make different arrangements as needed. Do let me know if you would like to attend one of the training sessions so I can get enough pizza and please submit your desired patrol dates for the season. www.moalford@hotmail.com or cell# 720-289-7960