Contrary to Lance Armstrong’s suggestion that it is all about the bike and, in going against the normal policy of this newsletter I humbly suggest that - ‘Houston, we have a problem.’

Now we aren’t trying to sell you something and we don’t want to raise your already high stress levels but….trail riding in the fabled North Shore is at stake here and I for one am going to batter you with information in the hopes to light a fire under your butts. From parking, trail conduct, civilian conduct, ignorance of issues, and an overall apathetic attitude towards your mountain biking future, you need to be heard and seen to be doing your part for the sport, habit, and lifestyle you live.

From a recent council member suggesting, “We are going to stop mountain biking all together” to the very vocal residences of the North Shore, the very existence of mountain biking in the mecca of the mountain bike world is at stake. This is not meant to glorify or exaggerate the situation but simply meant to tell you, an avid rider, about what can happen when you don’t make a point of being heard. It doesn’t take much and certainly is worth your involvement.

I’m not going to go into all the details and quite frankly if you want to find them out you can contact us at info@johnhenrybikes.com or you can contact the North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA), who will give you everything they can get their hands on. Check out the code of conduct that you should be riding and living by while your at their little site. Suffice to say that there are many, many mountain bike people who do care and are doing their part and representing you to the best of their abilities. They maintain trails, they sit on committees, and they preside over the growing population of riders of the North Shore. They are losing the battle to the very success of the sport they love. Riders eroding trails, conduct that nobody wants in front of their houses, parking problems, and financial constraints that non-profit societies deal with continuously. We need your help and your voice to help represent a truly inclusive sport like riding a bicycle.

With a user group from the ages of two through eighty years old this is a sport, like soccer, skateboarding, swimming, and hiking, to name just a few, that should be represented by councilors and citizens because of its amazing ability to include and have everyone participate. At present, unlike the other sports mentioned, it isn't. Without knowing that you want mountain biking to be a part of your official community plan, wherever you live, it never will be. One person cannot do this job unless that one person has the backing of thousands. You thought voting was just a waste of time. It is time to think again.

What to do? Start by joining the North Shore Mountain Bike Association. It is free, although any donations are greatly appreciated, and your name and address are used to increase the size and representation of the mountain biking voice for the entire community. Tell them what you think so they can represent you professionally and properly. Go to your local council meetings and give your opinion from a rider’s point of view. Then come down to one of the informal trail maintenance days. They are lead by the guiding hands of the NSMBA and your grunt work is not only appreciated but something you can take massive pride in (see May 4th issue of ‘The Seat Post’).

The next trail day is Sunday May 25th on Seymour Mountain. You will have a free pancake and sausage breakfast and Bean Around the World coffee served to you at John Henry the Bicycle Man starting at 8am. From there you can drive, ride, or shuttle up to Bottle Top trail on Seymour where massive trail revival will begin. One hour, two hours, all day, or anything you can spare is all we ask. Every little bit helps. At noon John Henry lights up the bar-b-que again and dishes out gourmet hamburgers with all the trimmings and potatoe salad under the race tents. Bring water and some gloves so that you are comfortable and you will have a fun day, I promise. Last trail day we had eighty five solid trail workers and we need much more to accomplish our goals.

Now you are trail crew veteran you can help to drive the membership and quality of information to the public. Get your friends involved. It is always a good idea to do quality work over quantity of work but it is equally important to make the public aware of what we as riders have been accomplishing for years without financial help. Think about all the trails that there are and how they got there. They were built by riders for riders.

Things are changing in the world and our beloved pastime of mountain biking is one of those things. Change is tough and people choose to fight against change. However, in this case it is necessary that you are proactive and progressive just like the bikes you ride and the computer you are looking at this message on. Be a part of the solution and not part of the problem because either you are in, or you are in the way.

Ride to ride again.
Willie Henry
John Henry the Bicycle Man Ltd.

Trail Day Sunday, May 25th
Meet at John Henry the Bicycle Man at 8am for Bean Around the World coffee, sausages, and pancakes all free and on the house. We will be leaving the store around 9am to go to Seymour Mountain to work on Bottle Top. Lunch will also be provided with John Henry bar-b-queing up a tasty hamburger with potatoe salad.

Check out the latest schedules for the riding clubs by clicking here.


BC High School Championship Race
Saturday, May 24th at Brackendale 94 schools will compete for the title of champions of mountain bike athletics. It should be a very busy little place.


BC JUNIOR MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL 2003 May 24th and 25th 2003
The Team from Shore Events that brought you the BC School Open Mountain Bike Championships and the Whistler Mountain Bike Festival last year have an enhanced Junior Mountain Bike Event for kids and their parents this year! The BC Junior Mountain Bike Festival 2003, run out of Camp Brick in the beautiful LSCR North Vancouver is slated to take place on May 24th and 25th 2003. Here is the breakdown:

Elementary School Family Fun Day – Saturday May 24th (presented by Garrison Beatty Insurance)
A day of clinics, seminars and fun activities for elementary school age kids and their parents.
Morning
The Learning Morning
A full morning of seminars and clinics for both parents and kids – Check this out!!
- Mini seminars all morning from Dave Moody, Hoots Jay and Dangerous Dan – amongst others
Afternoon
Fun and Games

The afternoon is all about family fun on the bike
Guided trail rides, Bike Rodeo, Family Poker Run and shows from the Flowriders, Hoots Jay and the Baia Brothers Trials Team.

ING Direct - BC Junior Race Day – Sunday May 25th 2003
The ING DIRECT BC Junior Race day is being run as an “Open” event. This means that any school age child enrolled in Grades 2 through 12 may enter!
Participatory fun races for Grades 2 through Grade 5 and age group races for Grades 6 though Grade 12.
Tons of performance and draw Prizes.

A huge thank you should go out to all that made the John Henry Dirt Jump Jam a tremendous success. Thousands came and watched as some of today's best riders lit up the street and went over and above our expectations. Thanks to all that came and all who participated.
Willie

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