President’s Review of 2015

MWBA President, Jenny Johnson’s Review of 2015

At the end of each year, we always think, wow, how can the next year get any better? 2015 was no different. Thanks to the diligent work of the MWBA Board, our members, our tireless volunteers, and the other local advocacy groups, 2015 was another year of pretty cool and impactful milestones.

MWBA’s Big Success in 2015:

• MWBA accomplished our goal to host trail work at least once a month in 2015.
• MWBA volunteers completed USFS Chainsaw Sawyer Certification. This enabled us to quickly clear fallen trees off our local USFS trails.
• Together with CORBA, MWBA volunteers put in extra trail work days on the Ken Burton trail.
• We stepped up our advocacy work on behalf of our members.
• MWBA volunteers made emergency storm repairs on El Prieto so the 2015 Angeles Crest 100 endurance runners could finish on a clear and open trail.
• We implemented the MWBA Bike Shop Collective program.
• We implemented our MWBA Bell Program and have greatly increased bell use on our local trails.
• We launched our Beer Night Socials with much success and lots of beer!
• MWBA assisted shuttle company SCOA on their sponsored Silver Moccasin trail work day.
• Pro riders Brian Lopes and Kyle Strait joined us at our successful Henninger Flats Taco Membership Drive in November 2015.
• We launched a new dynamic website in 2015 and stepped up our social media and marketing efforts.
• MWBA is now officially a corporation.
• Volunteers Mike and Robin McGuire were the first mountain bikers to be awarded the 2015 USFS Angeles National Forest Volunteer of the Year award.

What 2016 looks like for MWBA:

• Our Pancake Breakfast & Raffle will be in April/May 2016! Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming Save the Date notice.
• Ken Burton trail work will continue regularly until the trail can be opened again to trail users.
• We will actively work to secure grants to fund our trailwork days and advocacy work.
• The 2015 momentum of our bell program will continue and MWBA will get many more bells out on the trails.
• The MWBA Bike Shop Collective will expand to include more shops, but to also unify our trail courtesy message, distribute more bells and spread awareness of all trail user needs.
• Stay tuned as MWBA discusses such issues as the wilderness debate Sustainable Trails Coalition is taking back to Congress and our stance on E-Bikes on our trails.

We hope to see you on one of our trailwork days this year or out on the trails doing what you love to do best: 

RIDE! HIKE! HORSEBACK RIDE! 

Jenny Johnson, MWBA President