Iola is only 12 weeks away!

A few changes for the upcoming season:

1. Mountain Outfitters is stepping back from the title sponsor role to that of an associate sponsor. From all of us, thanks Kevin for great level of support in the past, and thanks for sticking with us into the future.

2. Team Name - After many conversations (and a few beers), we've decided on a new team name: Team BONK. Apart from the obvious reference to Slow29er on endurance rides, there are a number of good reasons why we chose BONK. (While Snot Rockets also clearly describes Slow29er, MD had the final veto vote.)

BONK stands for Bicycles Over North Kettles, a name given to weekly rides in our area with a rich history of characters. So while BONK will be new to WORS, the name holds fond memories for many North Kettle area riders.

3. Jerseys, logo and additional sponsors - more details to come.

4. Blog website - not yet registered, but likely teamBONK.com.

See you soon!

Saturday I will be heading out to Glacial Blue Hills for a mountain bike ride. There is currently an approximately 2.5 mile loop that has been so well used by foot traffic that is looks like a small steam roller went through there. I'm going to be there around 10 AM. Let me know if I should be looking for you.

Matt


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Below is a meeting summary from Claire Cannon regarding Monday's meeting with DNR. First, the executive summary: DNR's Trail Committee is unlikely to consider mountain biking as a Nature-Based Activity. That said, Senate Bill 266 would create a Non-Motorized Trail Commission. This will be discussed January 20. The agenda is here:

http://committeeschedule.legis.state.wi.us/files/HearingNotices/10-01-20-1000-2009ATOU-12721.html

Write your State Senator!

Claire's notes (as copied from the WORS message board):

Here's a somewhat lengthy follow-up on the Trail Meeting. I took notes during the meeting, for my reference later - and figure I might as well share them for any who are interested.

The bottom line is as follows:
The DNR Trails Committee has some authority to set standards on how laws and guidelines pertaining to trail use are enforced. The HPT representative present was very competent at navigating this complex issue, and the HPT could use support. There is another hearing (I believe) this month here in Madison that will further impact how (or whether) bicycles are granted access to stewardship lands. There is also a public hearing on the 20th to discuss a bill that would create a council for non-motorized trail use and creation. The time, place and agenda is online.

Meeting began 10:00 AM
At meeting: Robbie Webber of Madison is the committee member representing bicyclists. She formerly worked at Bike Fed and is involved in transportation and community service issues. Other committee members include Ken Carpenter, Randy Harden, Tom Huber, Dave Phillips, Mike McFadzen, Tom Thornton. Various members represent hikers, snowmobiling, skiing, etc.

r.e. NR-52 group from LaCrosse, HPT, Gene Roberts will join on phone.

NR-52 topic began at 11:18. Wisconsin legislature has authorized stewardship funding through 2020 ($86 million) beginning in 2010 . Some activities permitted.

Nature Based Activities established by the legislature (hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking and XC skiing) must be considered. Any activity can be restricted or limited for reasons of public safety, endangered species or ecosystems, or to accommodate usership patterns.

A committee quickly member described the process for developing these new guidelines for use of Stewardship lands. A committee met for 18 months, reported to DNR and Natural Resources Board. Their finding went out to public hearings in fall at 5-6 locations across the state.

That present draft will be ruled on the 26th or 27th of January 2010 - Natural Resources can adopt, modify, send back to DNR... then goes to policy committee of the legislature (Senate). They can then modify or adopt. If modify, goes to Joint Rules before final law. On 26th will have a more defined idea on what will happen.

Opportunity to modify - senator or house public committees could have hearings - there are opportunities to modify. Dave, Robbie and I are tuned into this issue. Under current rules, MTB, rollerblading could be accommodated, but are not one of the primary uses.

Gene Robbins of the HPT is on agenda for the 26th.

After the meeting, I spoke with various members of the Trail committee. My goal was to better understand why off road biking was not considered as an NBA (likewise, ATV use, etc are not so considered). I spoke in particular to a DNR staff member named Brigid Brown - she tells me that she tells the Bike Fed what to do, and seemed involved in all aspects of this committee. In her opinion it is not possible that bicycles can be added to NBAs, because it would re-open the list issue to other users, you would need a legislative sponsor, and legislative action. When pressed, she stated flatly that there was too much bias against mountain biking, and that mountain biking would never be considered an NBA.

Done with NR-52 by 11:32.

The committee discussed the IMBA Trail Building workshop to be help May 11-14 at the LaCrosse HPT. Members of the committee were invited to attend and visit the trail system.

There was discussion of a hearing on Jan 20, 10 AM. Two bills regarding non-motorized trails, including the proposed creation of a committee for non-motorized recreation and trails council. Room 300 NE in capital. I believe this may be significant, as a committee member at the DNR said "A non-motorized trail bill would allow funding for maintenance of non-motorized trails". A council for non-motorized trails would be a valid place to start. Here is a link to that meeting agenda
online

I was not entirely clear on the other meeting, on the 26th - but fortunately Gene Robbins of the HPT has gotten in touch with me and I hope to ask him..

I'm posting a link to a Silent Sports article on mountain bike trails in Lacrosse, for which the legal ramifications may affect us here:

http://www.silentsports.net/content/of_special_interest/stories/editors-letter-1-10.php

I would urge everyone to write an email to the members of the state trail commission before the meeting scheduled for January 11 (Monday).

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/trails/council/

Marc

Dan (my old man) and I are heading down to Muir for a ride tomorrow, we plan to arrive at 12. Anyone that's interested in joining give me a call or leave a comment.

Matt
262-227-6012

12 noon - New Fane: the trail is 90% clear of leaves, thanks to the diligent efforts of the trail gnomes.

Hope to see you out there, let's take advantage of this great late-season weather.

Slow29er
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Sorry for the spur of the moment notice...

Anyone want to ride at New Fane today?  We'll be out for what might be our last chance for a ride with decent weather.

Sunday, 1 pm, New Fane.

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It was a great year! 
Here are some photos taken by Dana over the year.  Great pictures Dana!
Marc also put together a short of Sheboygan to show at the banquet; little ditty to hold you over until he puts together the team video.
We will be posting photos from the banquet for those of you that decided not attend and miss to all the fun!

   Photos         Video


    

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It never fails, every week I forget to mention one of our team members.  This week, it was Sam Jansen.

I wanted to make a special effort to congratulate Sam on his 5th place finish in Citizen last Sunday at Sheboygan, since this may have been his last race with us...his family is in the process of relocating to Fort Meyers, Florida.  So a big thanks to Sam (along with his family) for having been a great competitor, but most of all a great friend.  We'll miss all of you!

And to show you how hard Sam was riding, here's a clip from Sunday's race:

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In previous years, the Sheboygan race has been held in temperatures that have sometimes pushed the 90 degree mark - not this year.  Sunday morning dawned with the mercury falling down to 21 degrees under clear, calm skies.  But Friday's rain and Saturday's snow flurries completely missed the trail, leaving it firm and faster than ever.

Congratulations to all the MOR riders on a great race:

Sam had the only real bad luck of the day, DNF after a chain break on the Roots of All Evil;
Mark Hanson (fighting the flu) hung in for 8th;
Chris Hoyme, 10th after missing a turn on the course;
Clay Puralski, 14th;.

And some great podium finishes:

Jeff, winning a coveted Sheboygan plaque with the fastest time in Juniors (by over 3 minutes);
Rob MaUtz and Jason Roggenbauer sharing the podium, 2nd and 3rd;
Rob Willmas - 1st place in the male 30-39 Trail Run;
Slow29er - 3rd (beat by "the Don" again!
and Matt Millin, posting the fastest time on the team, 5th in Open SS.

More fun on the way, we're not done yet!

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