Caspar Trail workday

A Trail workday is planed for Sunday December 3^rd starting at 9am. This trail is progressing nicely! With a good day of work it will be getting very close to the existing trail. JDSF has done brush clearing of the existing trail so we should have little trouble completing the trail from Rd. 409 (Caspar/Little Lake Rd.) to Rd. 600 (Caspar Creek) before Summer 2007. We will meet at the easy access to this trail at the pull out (Rd. 690) north of 35mph sign just east of Mile Marker 2.76 on Rd. 409. Bring a lunch, water, gloves, and your favorite trail tool. Rain will cancel this workday. Chris

Trash Clean Up Day October 22nd

We had a good turn out for the Trash Clean up Day on October 22^nd. Most trash was small this year. A group collected shooters trash from the rock pit at the end of Rd 530. Another group pulled all fagging left on trails and picked up some four-wheeler truck parts and other trash on S/H Trail. Stan hauled a couch and other debris from the Caspar Orchard area. John Lowden brought his nail magnet and collected nails from party spots on Rd 500. Although we did not collect the volume of trash of past Clean up days getting the small stuff dose make a difference in trail enjoyment for all users and hopefully discourage abusers.

Taking a break

Caspar Cassic September 10th

Caspar Classic Mountain Bike Race

Mendocino Coast Cyclists' President Marc Tenzel
said of the inaugural Caspar Classic Mountain Bike
Race, "We had wonderful support and enthusiasm with a
great turnout on a fine course on a beautiful day."
Young Sophie Balme completed the children's
course accompanied by Cindy Ellis. Cindy, an
accomplished rider of our local trails, was impressed
with Sophie's riding as well as her ability to
maintain steady commentary and conversation while she
rides.
The Beginner's category was won by Adan Valencia
with a fine effort on short preparation. Adan rides
occasionally but hadn't been on the bike for a while.
He took to the trails several times last week and
showed good overall fitness and riding ability on the
fairly challenging course.
Adam Sherf of Willits finished 5 minutes behind
Adan but did so on a single-speed mountain bike. The
single-speeder handles well for Adam but sometimes
lacks favorable gearing for the hardest of climbs.
Near the top of "Three-post" trail the terrain pitches
up steeply and it was here that Adam had to walk his
bike. Adding to Adam's challenge was a wrong turn on
the course which cost him up to three minutes on the
backtrack.
Jake Madden, a relative newcomer to the wonders
of the Jackson Demonstration State Forest, enjoyed his
race in finishing third.
Visitors Susan Walsh and Nancy McAravy finished
the course together, walking their bikes where needed
and riding well within their abilities to tie for
first place in the women's Beginner division.

On the Sport/Expert podium were David Conrad,
Gary Calder, and Ed Balme. David rode his "96'er" to
victory in the division and continues a successful
year. Gary was three minutes off David with a great
effort for second place. Gary's been riding somewhat
seriously and very regularly for a little over a year
and has made remarkable gains. Ed rounded out the top
three in the Sport/Expert category. It was great to
see the participation and support of the Balme family
as father and daughter raced while mother and little
one cheered them on. The Balmes sometimes ride as a
family -- three bikes and trailer for the baby Balme.

Visitors came from points beyond -- three
gentlemen from Modesto left around 2:00am to make our
10:00am races and left quite satisfied with their fine
day. We're gaining a reputation for having a unique
trail riding experience. The word of the North
Coast's mountain biking treasure is spreading in bike
shops and in riding groups around California.
Mendocino Coast Cyclists expect this annual event
to grow and become a late-season "must ride" for those
who enjoy the beauty of single-track and cross-country
mountain biking. The MCC thanks its sponsors Catch A
Canoe & Bicycles Too, Fort Bragg Cyclery, and Down
Home Foods for this fine race. The volunteers who
marshalled the course and provided other support are
appreciated as well as the California Department of
Forestry and the Jackson Demonstration State Forest.
From Rick Riley

Campout August 18th-21st

The annual Mendocino Coast Cyclists campout at
Jackson Demonstration State Forest Camp One went just
as expected this past weekend with plenty of good
food, friends, and great mountain biking fun. The 20+
attendees included: Chris, David D, Marc & Naomi,
Jesse & Roanna, Stanley & Rose, Jim & Cindy, Michael,
Colin, Cate, Bill, Tom, John, Gene, Charlie, Gary,
Rotary Exchange Student Franco, and me.
Jesse had the impressive backwoods hot tub set
up, utilizing water from the North Fork of the Noyo
next to the spacious Tilley site of Camp One. Camping
here is always free and available on a first-come,
first-served basis. MCC makes great use of Camp One
and the Jackson Forest and are always grateful to the
State and its employees for the fine upkeep and access
to this local treasure.
The "Poker Ride" was won by Rose Fordyce with a
pair of Kings over Cindy Ellis and her pair of Queens.
Rose employed the strategy of collecting her cards
last in amassing the winning hand. Well played, Rose.

The Hill Climbing competition was won by Colin
Belisle as he bested Marc Tenzel and Gary Calder by
mere inches up the steepest rideable slope near the
camp. Later, Colin treated us to a demonstration of
"Big Air", launching his bike off a ramp built near
the top of the climbing hill.
Marc Tenzel, club El Presidente, noted that we
now maintain and use the greatest amount of the trails
in our area, more than any other group according to
his informal survey. Mountain biking has grown and he
is most pleased. Jim Ellis remarked that the number
of rideable trails has greatly increased over the past
several years. Still, the roads that crisscross the
Jackson Forest quickly become overgrown with brush and
vines due, in part, to the heavy rains this past
winter and spring. The solution: more riding. We
love our trails but the roads need some attention.
Next up: The Mendocino Coast Cyclists Mountain
Bike Race to be held Sunday, September 10.
From Rick Riley