May 7, 2003, 8:58PM
Groups team up to maintain trails in HuntsvilleBy STEVE SIEVERT
Special to the Chronicle
Northwest Cycling Club and the Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association are
joining with Texas Parks and Wildlife to further develop and maintain the
multi-use trail system at Huntsville State Park.
NWCC donated $1,500 to GHORBA last month to assist in the effort.
GHORBA will use the funds to purchase materials to construct bridges for the
trail system. The two groups plan to combine their volunteer forces and donate
the necessary labor for the project by holding "work parties" to complete
construction in the months ahead.
Due to wetlands in the park, many boardwalk-style bridges are required to allow
visitors to traverse all areas of the park. GHORBA volunteers regularly perform
maintenance on the trail system and provide materials for construction and
preservation of the bridges.
"Our club's partnership with GHORBA will help support off-road cycling in the
Houston area," said Lori Walker, NWCC president. "We are particularly eager to
support Huntsville State Park as a local venue for the fall series of the Texas
Mountain Bike Racing Association."
GHORBA has been a long-time supporter of Huntsville State Park, which is about a
one-hour drive north of Houston and offers more than 20 miles of trails for
cycling, running and hiking.
"It's thanks in large part to groups like GHORBA and NWCC that we're able to
continue to improve the trail system in the park," said Huntsville State Park
manager Oscar Carmona.
GHORBA and NWCC, both nonprofit organizations, are among the most active cycling
groups in the Houston area. GHORBA, in particular, has been the catalyst for
raising the profile of off-road cycling in the area and has been instrumental in
educating local leaders about issues important to its members.
Bike by the beach-- The Houston Bicycle Club has several rides scheduled in May,
including a scenic trek along the seawall in Galveston this weekend.
The ride departs at 9 a.m. Sunday from the Family Store shopping center on the
Gulf Freeway and takes riders to Moody Gardens, along the seawall, over to
Bolivar Peninsula via ferry and back to Galveston for a lunch break.
The main route is 54 miles, with a 20-mile route option. The ride, which is free
and doesn't require pre-registration, is one of more than 10 on the club's May
calendar.
"I've been doing this ride for over 10 years," said Houston cyclist Joe Flores.
"On previous rides, when we've taken the ferry, we've seen dolphins and have
really enjoyed the Gulf breeze."
Additional details are available on the club Web site www.hbc.stevens.com.
National Bike Month-- For the 47th consecutive year, the League of American
Bicyclists has designated May as National Bike Month.
Designed to promote cycling as a means of exercise and transportation, National
Bike Month features both Bike-to-Work Week, May 12-16, and Bike-to-Work Day,
Friday May 16. The theme for this year's National Bike Month is wellness.
The LAB is sponsoring educational programs, commuting events, trail workdays,
helmet promotions and film festivals across the country to draw attention to
bicycling.
Several Bike Month events are planned in Houston, including BikeHouston's
second-annual Bike Bash. This social gathering for Houston-area cyclists is from
6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Twelve Spot, 218 Travis.
"We've had a couple of weeks to recover from this year's terrific MS 150, so we
thought that cyclists would want to celebrate," said Regina Garcia, a
BikeHouston board member and event organizer. "Bike Bash is a great opportunity
for cyclists to have a conversation beyond saying, `on your left.' "
Representatives from local bike clubs and stores will attend to promote their
programs and upcoming rides. Attendees also can enter a door prize contest for
the chance to win bike supplies.

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Steve Sievert covers cycling for the Chronicle. His notebook appears Thursdays.
Call him at 832-978-4359 or send e-mails to cycling@....

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