UMBABig news:
Ucluelet Mountain Bike Association (UMBA) has secured grants to build a climbing trail and two new machine-built blue-rated ‘flow’ trails on Mount Ozzard in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation (YFN) territory, working in conjunction with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation.
We’re posting two Requests For Proposal — if you’re interested in working with UMBA and YFN, please read through the RFP(s) and submit your proposal(s) by the May 16 deadline.
Pinkbike posted a great article/photo-spread of some rippers visiting Ucluelet’s trails:
It seems there’s been some amazing buzz lately about trail work being done on Indigenous land, with collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and how it’s a step in the right direction towards reconciliation.
Check out this great short video about the work the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program is doing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk4M-E5683c
And this awesome article in Beta MTB magazine: ‘Can trails help heal scars of Colonialism?’ https://www.betamtb.com/culture/can-trails-help-heal-scars-of-colonialism/
This article (which is behind a paywall…) dives deep into the work our local UFN trail building crew is doing in conjunction with UMBA up on Mount Ozzard. It was worth the $24 subscription for me 🙂
Hello all!
It’s been a long stretch of winter since our last dig, and things are finally starting to look better out there.
Come on out this Sunday the 20th, (10am-1pm). We’ll be fixing up some ruts/rain damage, and working on a new entrance to Yellow Brick Road after some heavy rain/erosion. Bring a rake, shovel, food and water. A mask also if working close with others. Our local mtb scene has shown their love over the past few seasons, and this ones shaping up to be the best so far. Let’s dig in!!
Meet at the Mt. Ozzard gate at 10am.
Also, if you haven’t already renewed your UMBA membership for the year, please visit our website: https://uclueletmountainbikeassociation.org/
(By becoming a member you help us pay for important things like trail insurance, and help bolster our “membership” count when applying for grants…)
Summer’s here and the dirt is good!
Come on out and help keep the trails flowing!
We’ve had some good turnouts over the past dig days, and great work is happening. Bring a shovel, rake, and trimmers/clippers. We’re working on Blue Crush again and opening up the growth on the upper traverse. This blue trail will be ready for some fun laps!
Meet at the Mt. Ozzard gate at 10am. Bring water, a snack and mask (if working close with someone).
Also, if you haven’t already renewed your UMBA membership for the year, please visit our website: https://uclueletmountainbikeassociation.org/
(By becoming a member you help us pay for important things like trail insurance, and help bolster our “membership” count when applying for grants…)
And swing by Ukee Bikes and grab one of the sweet new UMBA hats while you’re at it 😉
Hope to see you on Sunday!
Come on out!
The Blue Crush climb trail is getting a makeover! Bring a shovel, rake, water and a snack. (And also a mask for Covid safety if/when working close).
Thanks to all the volunteers who have already been out getting awesome things done!
Meet at the Mt. Ozzard Yellow gate at 10am.
Also, if you haven’t already renewed your UMBA membership for the year, please visit our website: https://uclueletmountainbikeassociation.org/
(By becoming a member you help us pay for important things like trail insurance, and help bolster our “membership” count when applying for grants…)
And swing by Ukee Bikes and grab one of the sweet new UMBA hats while you’re at it 😉
Hope to see you on Sunday!
Come get your hands dirty this Sunday!
Lots of work has been going on over the past two months on the new trail that we are excited to share with you.We have a couple sections that still need to be finished up and some bridges to be built.
Meet at the Yellow Gate at 11:00am.
Bring whatever tools you have, shovel, Pulaski and rakes. Bring water and Snacks.
Hot Dogs will be BBQ at the end of the day so you don’t go home hangry.
Ready for some shoulder season stoke???
UMBA just got confirmation that we have been approved for our first grant! Tourism Vancouver Island shares in our vision to bring an inclusive trail system to the west coast and has decided to support our initiative with $15,000 through their Catalyst Fund. We have been working closely with Ucluelet First Nation to develop an approval system for trails on treaty land and are ready to break ground on a new collaborative project.
The location of the new trail was specifically chosen for its mellower terrain and will be a true intermediate addition to the network. As well as covering the cost of much needed tools and building materials, the contribution of the Catalyst fund will allow us to provide paid positions for the UFN youth trail crew. With the new project approved we are finally ready to get you guys out on the ground again.
Come out this Sunday at 10am to check out the progress and lend a hand!
Markus Rannala
President, UMBA
Feels like a good time for some good news!
I am absolutely thrilled to report that the Ucluelet First Nation has voted in favour of a formal land use agreement! Recognizing the need for consent to ride and improve the existing trail system on First Nation land was a founding principal of the society and as such this represents a huge landmark for UMBA. We are looking forward to future collaboration and would like to give a huge shout out to Carey Cunneyworth whose work inside UFN has been instrumental in pulling this together.
Our work on establishing inclusive machine built trails within the adjacent Barkley Community Forest is ongoing and we could really use your help! We have a goal of applying for grants by this fall in partnership with the municipality however we are still in the lengthy process of finalizing our BCF land use agreement. Any support that you are able to show right now will make a huge difference in the speed of our work.
Please pick up a membership if you don’t already have one and take the time to advocate to our municipal council.
Markus Rannala
President, UMBA
Greetings fine people, feels like time for another update on all of the exciting progress!
The UMBA board has been busy over the last few weeks assembling all the working pieces of a non profit society. Needless to say it has been a learning experience for us all, but also very rewarding to see things come together! As of this week we have:
Soon we will be offering memberships to the public and as things return to normal, resuming weekly rides and community work parties.
A big shout out to the volunteers that came out last week to help remove all of the first generation features and debris from the trails. Providing active stewardship of existing trails will be the cornerstone of building our relationship with local landholders!
Stay Tuned,
Markus Rannala
President, UMBA
