Ron and Dorothy Strasser

I am committed to the Saturday race, but urge anyone who can make this to attend and show the "numbers of riders" that do use the park, respect it and feel the need to be treated equal. This is America correct? Equal!
ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Baumann
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 6:06 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Forest Park rally ride this Sat.

First, we would like to apologize for this ride taking place on the same day as the cross race, but we just couldn't pass up the timing. If you are deciding between the rally and the race, support the local race scene! If you are resting your weary legs for Sunday, please come out and show your support of fellow cyclists. Bring your family, bring your friends, the more the better.

Northwest Trail Alliance is organizing a group ride in Forest Park at 9 am on Saturday, October 16 to demonstrate Portlanders' desires for increased singletrack bicycling opportunities in the park. The ride will take place on the access road that winds through the park, which is legally open to bicycles, and will be preceded by a short rally, fueled by free, fresh-brewed coffee.

Forest Park is currently bursting of fall colors and the weather is shaping up to be nice, so this will be an excellent opportunity to get in a fun and leisurely fall ride, show your support for mountain biking in the park, and make some new friends while you're at it.

"The ride is intended to be a peaceful show of support for off-road cycling in Forest Park," says Northwest Trail Alliance President Tom Archer, noting that it is also a forum to voice the group's disapproval of Commissioner Nick Fish and Portland Parks and Recreation's decision to delay implementation of the recommendations of the Forest Park Singletrack Advisory Committee. The committee recently recommended that the City increase bike access within the park.

"We invite all those who share our passion for riding in Forest Park to join us," says Archer. "We resolve to make Forest Park a place where cyclists don't feel excluded, but instead are treated at par with hikers, runners, nature watchers, and dog walkers."

Northwest Trail Alliance was founded 21 years ago to protect bicycle access within Forest Park, and though it has since expanded to create partnerships for building off-road riding opportunities on public and private land throughout the region, the Forest Park issue remains a priority.

"We believe that improving the overall conditions of the Park and increasing bicycle access could be accomplished simultaneously," wrote the Alliance's Board in an official response to the September 30 announcement from Commissioner Fish. "For the mountain bike community, increased bike access to Forest Park will remain a benchmark of how much the City of Portland is committed to treating off-road cycling at par with other forms of active recreation."

On Saturday, riders will gather at 9 am at the Thurman Gate--the far north end of NW Thurman Street--where statements will be read and coffee imbibed. At 9:30, the ride will commence on the Leif Erikson access road. All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. If driving to the event, Northwest Trail Alliance encourages riders to park down the hill from the Thurman Gate so as not to clog the access.

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Brian Baumann

First, we would like to apologize for this ride taking place on the same day as
the cross race, but we just couldn't pass up the timing. If you are deciding
between the rally and the race, support the local race scene! If you are
resting your weary legs for Sunday, please come out and show your support of
fellow cyclists. Bring your family, bring your friends, the more the better.

Northwest Trail Alliance is organizing a group ride in Forest Park at 9 am on
Saturday, October 16 to demonstrate Portlanders' desires for increased
singletrack bicycling opportunities in the park. The ride will take place on the
access road that winds through the park, which is legally open to bicycles, and
will be preceded by a short rally, fueled by free, fresh-brewed coffee.

Forest Park is currently bursting of fall colors and the weather is shaping up
to be nice, so this will be an excellent opportunity to get in a fun and
leisurely fall ride, show your support for mountain biking in the park, and make
some new friends while you're at it.

"The ride is intended to be a peaceful show of support for off-road cycling in
Forest Park," says Northwest Trail Alliance President Tom Archer, noting that it
is also a forum to voice the group's disapproval of Commissioner Nick Fish and
Portland Parks and Recreation's decision to delay implementation of the
recommendations of the Forest Park Singletrack Advisory Committee. The committee
recently recommended that the City increase bike access within the park.

"We invite all those who share our passion for riding in Forest Park to join
us," says Archer. "We resolve to make Forest Park a place where cyclists don't
feel excluded, but instead are treated at par with hikers, runners, nature
watchers, and dog walkers."

Northwest Trail Alliance was founded 21 years ago to protect bicycle access
within Forest Park, and though it has since expanded to create partnerships for
building off-road riding opportunities on public and private land throughout the
region, the Forest Park issue remains a priority.

"We believe that improving the overall conditions of the Park and increasing
bicycle access could be accomplished simultaneously," wrote the Alliance's Board
in an official response to the September 30 announcement from Commissioner Fish.
"For the mountain bike community, increased bike access to Forest Park will
remain a benchmark of how much the City of Portland is committed to treating
off-road cycling at par with other forms of active recreation."

On Saturday, riders will gather at 9 am at the Thurman Gate--the far north end
of NW Thurman Street--where statements will be read and coffee imbibed. At 9:30,
the ride will commence on the Leif Erikson access road. All ages and abilities
are encouraged to participate. If driving to the event, Northwest Trail Alliance
encourages riders to park down the hill from the Thurman Gate so as not to clog
the access.