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NSMBA - New Directors: Same Name Sharon Bader Steps Down

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Sharon Bader proposed the name change.  For several reasons - not the least of which is confusion between nsmb.com and the nsmbA - she felt the way forward was to re-christen the North Shore Mountain Bike Association the North Shore Trail Association. Rider after rider spoke out against this.  In my book if Sharon thinks it's a good move it's a good move - and she lays out here reasoning on the nsmbA site here. The resounding opposition leads me to believe the nsmbA will still be the nsmbA this time next year.

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There was a lot of good news at the meeting this year and some of the best was that the North Shore Ripper Series - a joint venture between the nsmbA, Dizzy Cycles (soon to be Obsession: Bikes) and nsmb.com, raised $12,200 for the trails.  Thanks to all the great volunteers, sponsors and to everyone who came out for a Rip.  We'll see you again in 2007.

Tougher to swallow was the resignation of Sharon Bader.  She has singled-handedly taken the nsmbA from a two-bit organization to a force to be reckoned with.  She wrote successfuly grants, lobbied several levels of government and worked tirelessly on behalf of the trails we love.  It's pretty obvious Sharon will still be involved but she'll be missed as the head honch.  Everyone gave Sharon a much deserved ovation.

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Next on the agenda was nominations for a new board of directors.  If you pull Sharon Bader and Jeremy Power out of the photo above and slide Richard Juryn in you have the new board.  We're lucky to have such dedicated folks around who are willing to volunteer their time to ensure we have great trails to ride - not to mention continued access to our favourite lines. 

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Hoots Jay gave us an update on the as-yet-unfinished riding park at Inter River - just west of Capilano College.  It's not yet officially open but Jay seems to think the dirt jumps are coming along nicely.  Eventually there will be a complete bmx track as well that will be open to everyone when there isn't an event happening.  Unfortunately there will be no pump track at Inter River.

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Before the meeting was done it was time to hand out some swag,  If every company was as generous as Eric Fox of .243 Racing we'd have a full time trail crew working on the Shore.  He has donated four frames this year as well as a bunch of soft goods.  You are a star Eric!  Ironically the three winners have taken it upon themselves to maintain Team Pangor - so they'll be able to pedal to their next project on new frames.  Earl Anderson's Norco Fluid was donated by Lee Lau but he credits it to Norco's excellent warranty program.  Congrats lads!  Thanks for all your hard work.

It wasn't quite a love in, but this year's nsmbA AGM was about as positive as I can remember.  There was no mention of Councillor Crist, the Trail Nazi - and we almost escaped without any news about the woman formerly referred to as the frog lady.  The trails are in better shape than they have ever been and it appears that for the moment we aren't vulnerable to any particular threats.  Of course dilligence is necessary.  Trails need to be maintained, riders need to be courteous and vigilant about responsible trail use, but all in all things are looking almost rosy.

The Alpine Recreational Strategic Study seems to be resurfacing though and it's quite possible some trail closures will be proposed for Mount Fromme.  Hopefully these suggestions, if any, will be sensible and well thought out.

Thanks again to Sharon Bader, Lee Lau, the outgoing and incoming boards and to everyone who volunteers their time to maintain the trails on the Shore.

Cam McRae

For more info on the Shore's advocacy and trail maintenance organization visit nsmba.bc.ca

Got an opinion about any of this?  We'd love to hear it right here.

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