GHORBA June Meeting
June 11, 2001 Jax Grill

Memorial Issues ? Trail Closings for Wet Conditions, Maintenance, and
Connection Trail

GHORBA has had two meetings with the Parks Dept. since I sent that email,
the first meeting having been called by Director Spellman. The first
meeting went well and got the PD attention concerning trail maintenance. We
should see improvement in that area. The issues with the info line and
trail closures are being worked out - Larry has another meeting Tuesday
this week to tie phone numbers and websites together, define "wet trails"
for all involved, etc.

The thing that's going ever so slowly, as usual, is the connection trail.
This became very clear in the second meeting we had when we began talking
about the logistics of the connection trail, specifically the Slick Rock
crossing. Can't get anyone to accept a low water crossing yet even though
it is common practice in many other parks (low water crossings are usually
rock or something similar that allow water to flow through but provide a
crossing point in a stream). We are trying to find a suitable design to
convince them to allow us to construct the crossing. We have a bridge
design, but it will be a maintenace nightmare in a couple of years, and
it's too heavy to lift w/o 20 people if we actually make it a break-away
bridge. The suggestion of a suspension bridge similar to the one at Warda
was suggested by the PD - that idea hasn't been denied by the MPAB yet.
There is also concern over the construction of the switchbacks out of Slick
Rock and their longterm sustainability. Chris has a meeting with an
erosion control and stabilization consultant this week and will take him to
look at the crossing. In addition to all of this fun, we're still working
out everything to get the wetlands delineation and cultural study per the
TP&W grant and the Corps of Engineers...we're told we're 6 months out for
it to be completed. Tried to get the PD to at least approve the middle
section of the trail to show some progress but only got excuses.

To this point, the MPAB has been the main road block and has not committed
any resources (i.e., engineering firm) to help us find a way to make the
crossings work and protect the spring they're worried about - everything
has come from GHORBA. A report from GHORBA is due this week to Director
Spellman to let him know what the prognosis of the situation looks like.

Olympic Park ? Hill at Sims Bayou

The $1MM grant was denied. Sims Bayou Project came in 6th place out of 13,
and grants were only given to the top three projects. GHORBA wrote letter
or support for the PD to apply for grant #2 for $125K under a different
section of the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Harris County Flood Control is
expected to do it work to create the stormwater retention pond and contour
the area ? work is independent of grants.

GHORBA Jerseys

Morgan Stanley (logo goes on the side panel if they want it) ? waiting to
confirm donation of $1500. Bikesport, Boones Cyclery, WestEnd, Northwest
Cyclery will all go on the back ? all have paid $300 each. Westside
schwinn originally paid $150 but aren't sure they want to go to $300. Mark
to give the owner a list of who is on the Jersey - they may be out or they
may be in. Planetary - waiting on them ? just sent them a proposal by
letter and should hear this week. GHORBA logo is on the front of the
Jersey, front collar tabs, and back of the collar. IMBA logo is on a
sleeve. Ridoto; the people that make the jersey will also be on the back.
Going to sell the jerseys in shops, at meetings, and on PayPal on the
internet.

Bike Maintenance Classes

Planetary Cycles and GHORBA are hosting two bike maintenance classes.
First general maintenance class is Thursday, June 14th at 7 pm; second
class is on brakes and deraileurs and will be held Thursday, July 12th at 7
pm. Both classes are being held at Planetary on S. Braeswood. Cost is
$10. Bring a chair and paper to take notes.

Riding Clinic #2

Ryan Spates and Susan have offered to teach riding clinic. Date has not
been set, but will be in July. Preferences? Location will be TC Jester
Park (directions will provided later), and cost is $25 per person.
Includes snacks and drinks.

Tax-exempt Status

As was stated in the June announcements, GHORBA is now considered a
tax-exempt charitable organization. This will allow GHORBA to accept
donations and raise money without being taxed (would have been taxed at
corporate tax rate of 35%). Doing research on which activities money can
be raised from and still be considered tax-exempt (i.e., bike shop
donations and use of logos on jerseys). Just a reminder that GHORBA cannot
do lobbying of any type or endorse candidates in political races.

Various Topics

- Group Ride at Huntsville Rescheduled for Sunday, June 24th at 9 a.m. ?
same meeting place.

- The World Championship Mountain Bike Races are being held in Vail, CO
the weekend of September 15th and 16th. A group from GHORBA will be going
and staying in a condo in Breckenridge. We have 8 people confirmed so far.
Condo is $120 per night divided among people staying. It sleeps 8 in beds,
but there is plenty of floor space. Will ride in the a.m. then head over
to watch races in Vail in the afternoon. If you are interested in going,
please contact Christina. Note: this is not a GHORBA-sponsored event,
just people going. Anyone is welcome, though. If you don't want to stay
with us, there are many other places to stay in the area for similar cost.
It should be a great weekend.

Pasadena Trails

The city of Pasadena should be hearing whether their grant application was
accepted. If it is approved, GHORBA will be involved in design of
approximately 2-3 miles of trails at Redbluff and Genoa/Red Bluff.