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An Open Letter to Front Range MTB Riders Who Would Never, Ever Join COMBA

5217 Views 95 Replies 29 Participants Last post by  flowtron
I get it. COMBA's a joke. It's ineffective, inefficient, and focused on very few things that matter to you as a rider. You've come to know COMBA as a disorganized and unresponsive organization too interested in upholding and implementing bad but established policies acting as a surrogate arm of JCOS, instead of fighting for your rights and interests as a mountain biker. You've been burned before. You've felt that you have completely wasted your money by giving it to an organization that valued your membership so little that it couldn't even take the time to provide a receipt for your troubles, much less ask you to rejoin when your membership lapsed. And the last thing you want to do is support an organization that is so poorly managed.

But that's precisely why you need to join COMBA now. We finally have an opportunity to vasty improve COMBA and turn it into the progressive, assertive, mountain bike advocacy group you want -- the one you need, the one that our community needs! But to do it, we need to vote in new and effective leadership. And without your vote, the status quo could very well continue.

You'll see what I mean when you read the candidate bios on the ballot. One person currently running actually states the following: "I see COMBA as a grass roots effort to provide a medium for mountain bikers to give back to the trails, and to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the officials who regulate our open space." I don't. I see COMBA as a mountain bike advocacy group, that has been entrusted with dues and membership, that has a serious and fiduciary responsibility to clearly understand, dutifully respond, and vigorously represent its community's interests in all local trail issues.

If you agree with me, let's make a change ... now! For far too long, mountain bikers on the Front Range have needed an effective, dedicated, and responsive advocacy group to represent us, and that need has gone unfulfilled. We can have that organization now, by voting in the following candidates who support Terry Breheny's plan for '09:

Michelle Beckman
Jason Bertolacci
Joe Hanrahan
Kyle Henley
Adam Williams
Nate Wyant

So I sincerely urge you, the riders who would never, ever join COMBA, to do so now for exactly the reasons you have been reluctant to join so far! As a COMBA member or not, this organization's decisions and future direction will effect you, as it will effect us all.

Let's get this thing done. 2009 will be a great year for COMBA, with your help. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.

Michelle Beckman
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Yep, an organization like COMBA is only as good as the folks who support it. Just joining and paying dues is the minimum you should do. the next step is showing up for trail projects, writing letters and that sort of thing. The best thing you can do is step up and serve on the board or committees. Without a wide range of voices and participation, small volunteer based advocacy groups like COMBA will not be effective. All to often only a few people do the vast majority of the work and since they are not getting paid they are operating on passion and commitment to the cause, but a few people does not make an organization.

So not only do you need to elect good board members, you need to support and help them because without that help, they will burn out and that's good for no one.
TooManyToyz said:
Why pay to join when I can b!tch for free?
You get what you pay for
There were over 200 attendees at last August's Jeffco Open Space meeting, which was specifically held to address recent and important MTBR issues. Several prior Jeffco meetings had been held with similar attendance.

Less than half of those attendees are members of COMBA.

Chicken and egg, yeah.

We can either (1) continue to beyotch, point fingers, and assume others will deal with our growing needs for MTB trail advocacy, or (2) do nothing in a naive manner and hope that we continue to be magically spoiled by local MTB trail access, or (3) step up to the plate and get involved.

Let's step up folks, please. We need everyone's involvement to continue to enjoy and protect what we have, and perhaps increase our own use and access to local MTB trails.

If you cannot devote the time, energy, thoughtfulness, or resources to activist efforts for MTBR, then at minimum, please support those that want to do so via a new COMBA era.

Please, join COMBA and vote today. Thanks.
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zrm said:
You get what you pay for
Sounds like a sweet deal to me. Ride for free, b!tch for free.. what more can I ask for. :D
TooManyToyz said:
Sounds like a sweet deal to me. Ride for free, b!tch for free.. what more can I ask for. :D
Uhmmm......well, I suppose that would work for awhile. But what happens when we have to pay to ride the trails we love -- or can't ride them because another interest group (s)dominated all discussions with JCOS and convinced them that we mtbrs are nothing but trouble, or we become so restricted in where we ride that we loose all the fun, or.......

Just sayin.... :skep:
Yetigirl said:
Uhmmm......well, I suppose that would work for awhile. But what happens when we have to pay to ride the trails we love
I DO pay for the trails I ride in JeffCo. I'm a JeffCo resident.
-- or can't ride them because another interest group (s)dominated all discussions with JCOS and convinced them that we mtbrs are nothing but trouble, or we become so restricted in where we ride that we loose all the fun, or.......
Then I will become an Outlaw Rider.

Which I'm OK with. :D

Maybe the way to go is make out-of-county residents pay to ride JeffCo trails? Say... maybe $500/year? :cool:
SkaredShtles said:
I DO pay for the trails I ride in JeffCo. I'm a JeffCo resident.
Yep,so am I....just don't want to pay additionally.... :cool:

SkaredShtles said:
Maybe the way to go is make out-of-county residents pay to ride JeffCo trails? Say... maybe $500/year? :cool:
That would seriously curtail my ladies mtb rides since many of the girls are residents of other counties.... I daresay it would have an impact on other mtb clubs as well.... :madman:
Ya know what is interesting here? Trailblazers never took a dime in membership fees yet built great trails with the blessing of land managers.

Go figure.
SkaredShtles said:
I DO pay for the trails I ride in JeffCo. I'm a JeffCo resident.

Maybe the way to go is make out-of-county residents pay to ride JeffCo trails? Say... maybe $500/year? :cool:
JCOS trails are supported with a sales tax. Anybody who buys anything in Jeffco "pays for them." These trails are no more yours or mine as Jeffco residents, than some one else's who drives here from outside the County and buys gas while they're here.

And this isn't just about building "more trails," this is about building a strong and mobilized front range mountain bike community, that has a vision for our sport, and that understands and supports our goals and interests.

Again, thanks sincerely for your consideration in joining the cause. If we get the right leadership in COMBA this year, I'm positive it will be the best $20 I will spend all year.
Yetigirl said:
But what happens when we have to pay to ride the trails we love -- or can't ride them because another interest group (s)dominated all discussions with JCOS and convinced them that we mtbrs are nothing but trouble, or we become so restricted in where we ride that we loose all the fun, or.......
So it would basically be like where I moved from in April. Most of the better trails back in the Austin area were privately owned and pay to ride. If that makes the trails better, I don't mind. I'm not going to pay COMBA for the possibilty of improvements. Besides, who's to say the improvements would be improvements that I want?

Show me a plan, then ask for my money.
Yetigirl said:
<snip>

That would seriously curtail my ladies mtb rides since many of the girls are residents of other counties.... I daresay it would have an impact on other mtb clubs as well.... :madman:
I'm just kidding... I like the way JeffCo works now. Haven't had any problems with them since 1993.
TVC15 said:
JCOS trails are supported with a sales tax. Anybody who buys anything in Jeffco "pays for them." These trails are no more yours or mine as Jeffco residents, than some one else's who drives here from outside the County and buys gas while they're here.
Any more info on the details on this? I would imagine sales tax revenue will be quite abysmal this year and next... any projected impacts yet on Open Space? Maybe they won't be able to pay rangers to hand out "yielding" tickets? :cool: :D
Here are some of my issues and concerns. I read Terry's site, his new vision, it all sounds good and hopeful, but these are the issues I raise.

First, there are people on here asking for votes and money. First, who are you and what is your vision? I'm very reluctant to send anyone money and vote for them just because everyone here say so? Terry's website is not enough information for me to make a valid choice in having someone represent Jeffco or for that matter any trails in Colorado for me. Second, I was at the COMBA/Jeffco meeting and I asked to speak but because my last name starts at the end of the alphabet I didn't get the chance to speak. I then was asked by Terry to send my letter to COMBA, I got a thank you and please donate money a few weeks later. WOW!

I was lucky enough to run into Terry on the trail and give some of my insight, nice guy I said my peace and went on my merry way.

Here is the thing, I've lived in Jeffco pretty much all my life, I've ridden the trails, donated time and money and I can understand why some people are uneasy about giving their money to a cause that seems to have their own agenda.

Oh, I visited COMBA's website, which needs major revision. The sites sucks and that is putting it nice.

I give you all applause for your effort but, I think some people may have a bad taste in their mouth. I'm very interested in seeing how things unfold.

Best wishes and Cheers!

BG.
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TooManyToyz said:
So it would basically be like where I moved from in April. Most of the better trails back in the Austin area were privately owned and pay to ride. If that makes the trails better, I don't mind. I'm not going to pay COMBA for the possibilty of improvements. Besides, who's to say the improvements would be improvements that I want?

Show me a plan, then ask for my money.
Developing a master plan and having it adopted by JCOS is something COMBA should think about.
Snauzers, which trails do TB focus on, presumably BC, Bergan, upper/western Jeffco, etc? In general, those trails don't see nearly the trail usage of lower/eastern Jeffco, MTBR and otherwise. I also recall you had stepped out of it all for certain reasons, no?

Yetigirl, bring it if you have something to say, you have a ton of creds. SS, how would you like it if your local MTB trail access became restricted or became buffed like sidewalk? TMT, presume you came here at least partly because of the mountain amenities and perhaps easy access to MTB trail systems, cause Austin is one heck of a cool place?

Comba obviously needs our collective help to both protect what we enjoy and to take it to the next level in such a heavily used and incredible Jeffco trail system. Those seeking election at Comba want to represent us more effectively, whether it be communication, trail advocacy and access, trail improvements, JCOS planning, website development, trail conflict resolution, gravity enthusiast issues, new trail acquisition and development, or a host of other needs that so many have put forth here. In addition to the statements on the COMBA website, candidates are also available to discuss your issues or questions, and most can be pinged on MTBR.com via PM, or possibly email. All of the candidates seeking election have way more commitment, desire, and knowledge about Jeffco and MTB trail needs, trends, and challenges than most of us can offer to the sport, including our time.

This isn't going happen on its own, and it isn't going to magically be all be peachy keen and stay the same as it ever was, and it isn't going to improve without hard work, personal time commitment, and efforts. It's understandable that people become apathetic, just hard to understand how people complain and abstain.

This isn't basket weaving or tiddlywinks. Mountain Bikers generally are a little more aggressive than average. MTBR's also spend more than a few thousand on their gear, sometimes in recurring years. Is it really the $20? Bring it.
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Moosehead, I've talked (emailed) with T and have volunteered to help in whatever capacity is needed. I'm on board and willing to take this to the next level. I'm bringin it.... :cool:
Attagirl YG. You sound like a MTBR that appreciates what we have and is willing to reach out and stake claim.

For 20+ years, I blissfully rode my bike and had no clue about what was going on in JCOS, Comba, trail advocacy trends, or conflicting trail uses. Then I realized that there were too little trails available to MTBR's in Boulder, Colorado of all places. Then saw the forest die from mountain pine beetle in Grand County which is going to heavily and negatively impact the ST trails here (unless a major effort is made by MTBR's to protect, regenerate, and create trails). Then watched tech features buffed out on certain popular Jeffco trails and learned how critically important and difficult it is to care for a trail system. Then noticed how much more crowded that Jeffco trail systems became, and how that impacted both the trails and their user groups. Then saw much more frequent discriminatory behavior towards MTBR's, some completely unwarranted, some deserved.

Most importantly, this past season, I was able to witness the incredible knowledge, personal efforts, and commitment to our sport that many of the Comba BOD candidates bring to the table. It is an easy $20 investment when it can support so much more than that to our local sport.
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moosehead said:
TMT, presume you came here at least partly because of the mountain amenities and perhaps easy access to MTB trail systems, cause Austin is one heck of a cool place?
Austin is a great place. But it's too damn hot in the summer. I moved here because I lived here as a kid in the 70's and loved the mountains and the summers here are very mild.

As for giving away my $20 to an organization run by a bunch of people I don't know that don't have publicized plan of action, it's just not going to happen.
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