As I put some gas in the dirt bike this past weekend and drove to the desert I was reminded that it’s time to inform the membership as to what your executive board has been up to these past few months. We took a couple of months off due to busy schedules and just started meeting again in January.
Website
One of the main topics of conversation has been polishing the web site. We’ve hired a web designer to whip it into shape and she’s off to a great start. We’ve got big plans for ideas to be implemented in the next couple of months.
Scott Keithly has agreed to manage the membership which means updating renewals, etc., so expect to see renewal notices soon. As always, you’ll be able to renew online as well as creating and updating your profiles.
Another idea we’re all very excited about is a trail status page which will include current trail conditions for every trail on the Payette open to motorcycles. We will ask members to report on conditions and work they’ve accomplished on a weekly basis and we hope to have new information posted by Wed. of each week so that folks can use the information to make weekend plans.
Jared Hendee is setting up an online store for club bling including t shirts, hoodies, caps, decals, mugs, and maybe even CITRA bike graphics kits.
Johanna Defoort is creating a photo archive of club events etc., and will be looking for your favorite photos. We’ll also have a “Yard Sale” page to list all of the used bikes and equipment cluttering up your garage.
Another item of interest will be a discussion forum where members can discuss anything from trail related questions to tires to jetting. The trail status pages as well as the forums will be “members only” areas as we feel that anyone that uses them should be contributing to the cause.
We are also working on an idea for a kids program which could include sponsorship in the form of money, equipment, or training, for kids that want to ride or race but have limited resources.
We’ll also include a calendar of events, news related to local land use issues, and links to relevant organizations as well as our sponsors. Please check it out as it evolves and feel free to make comments and suggestions. www.citra.rocks
Lands Management
With regard to Lands Management, we continue to participate on several fronts including The Land Allocation Branch of the Payette Forest Coalition where we are charged with reviewing current designations and making recommendations to the PFC which will be carried forward to the Payette Nat. Forest. We are involved in the South Fork Restoration and access management plan and hope to help shape our future on the Krassel. We’re committed to helping the Payette Nat. Forest with several projects this year including a brand new bridge over French Creek at Jenkins Crossing as well as the first phase of a trail improvement project on some of the wet portions of the Jackson Creek Trail.
We’re in the process of setting dates for a chain saw certification class to be held some time in April and we encourage anyone who carries a saw to attend. This certification will ultimately legitimize our efforts and make it possible to partner with the forest service under their volunteer program so that we can participate in projects sanctioned by the forest service and also be covered by their insurance. We’re very excited about this partnership and feel certain that it will help insure that our trails are maintained and that we continue to have a welcomed presence on the forest landscape.
Upcoming Events
In the upcoming events deptartment we’re planning another Hells Canyon ride on March 10th. This is an advanced dual sport or fairly easy dirt bike ride of about 30 miles based at Pittsburg Landing. Last year we probably had 30 or so people and we all had a blast.
Next on the calendar is a desert trip to a place called Chimney Rock or Woodside, north of Green River, UT on the edge of the San Rafael Swell. This is a great place to get out in the desert while avoiding the crowds of Moab. The riding runs the gamut from nice dirt roads to extremely technical single track. There’s something for everyone and we plan to be there from Mar 24-31.
Next is our 2nd annual South Fork Salmon weekend where we work on our favorite trails and then ride them. Those dates are May 25-28. Watch for these dates and more details on the web site.
It’s been a great year for the club and I’ve only scratched the surface in terms of all of the good things we’ve been a part of. I hope to see you all at our upcoming events and I hope that we can count on your continued support. The future of our beloved sport is truly in the hands of you and organizations like CITRA.
Steve Lacey
President
Central Idaho Trail Riders Alliance
