Ron Strasser

The “Off-road Cycling Master Plan” is open for the last shot of comments / input from the community.
Please go to nw-trail.org click on the ORCMP pic. of boy looking at city from west hills and get the info. about possible input and places to provide it.
This is our last big chance to impact this plan before City Council votes on it. Deadline is Dec. 31.....but earlier and more comments are good. I know this has gone on a long time and it might seem nothing will come of it, but if we do not provide positive input but just let the off-road haters be the voice the City Council hears, then we have what we have. If we do not participate there will be no change. Forest Park (it is not a wilderness area) for example will be locked up for hikers alone for eternity and sneaking in to ride will be the only option. Lets overpower them with the love of nature, healthy living and equity for access by people who just want to ride here in the beauty of the city.

I am not alone in my feeling that one other BIG thing that should be pushed for with this plan is a world class venue location for short track, cyclocross and other off road events as well as providing a high school (and general public) training area. Aside from pushing the points mentioned in the NWTA position, this type of venue would be essential to making Portland what it now pretends to be. My personal choice for that venue would be Portland Meadows site as removing horse betting, lottery and other high quality livability activities that take place there....it is huge when you include the stable areas, has tons of potential for moving dirt around....even into huge hills and has some great parking and other infrastructure in place.
Please go on line or show up and provide positive support for what is the right thing for the city to do...........provide equitable access to off road cycling to help provide a means/ areas for healthy living, nurture love of nature and in the end have both a positive environmental and economic impact not just on Portland and Metro area, but the State and Planet.
Thanks so much for helping make this a better place. Please take the time to provide input.
ron strasser
old man wanting to see change that will help kids acquire more access and appreciation of nature while learning a healthy lifelong activity.