In this issue:

1. Pow Wow Events are sold out

2. The Warrior’s Society Christmas/Thanks Party

3. First Trail Work Event of 2007 – Saturday, January 6th

4. In the spirit of Christmas; 50 mile MTB ride to benefit Project Rwanda

1. POW WOW EVENTS ARE SOLD OUT

The 2007 Counting Coup and Vision Quest sold out one month earlier than last year despite adding 50 more spots in the Vision Quest. It is always difficult to turn down participants who have done the event in the past but we constantly warn everyone that the events sell our earlier every year. We use to move up past participants on the waiting list but we continued to have too many past participants trying to get in after we sold out – and it wasn’t fair to those people who had never participated in the event(s) being pushed down the waiting list.

We plan on opening registration for the 2008 Pow Wow on October 1st 2007 and will not be adding any more spots. If you are serious about doing the event(s) in 2008 we suggest you register as soon as registration opens up next year.

2. THE WARRIOR’S SOCIETY CHRISTMAS/THANKS PARTY

After 10 years of existence the club finally had an “Official” Christmas Party hosted by our Backcountry Trails Manager Ned “Lone Wolf” Reynolds. It was great for club members to get together without it being to support trail work or an event.

One decision we made at the club party at the end of summer was to have more club member fun events. The result of this decision to have more fun rides/events are Bob McCarter’s full moon “Howls at the Moon Rides,” Suzanne and Mark Wilson’s “S&M” rides and the Christmas/Thanks Party. And we can’t forget the Dog Soldier’s 6th annual “Christmas Tree Ride” to decorate the tree on the Trabuco Trail.

Here’s the link to the Christmas/Thanks Party write-up (with pictures):

http://www.warriorssociety.org/News/xmas_party06.html

The Warrior’s Society wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

3. FIRST TRAIL WORK EVENT OF 2007 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 6TH

Last year club members and volunteers brushed the Holy Jim, Trabuco, Chiquito, West Horse Thief, Bell Ridge and Los Pinos Trails and rerouted the ending of the Upper Holy Jim Trail to protect the spring and cistern at Bear Springs and to prevent trail users from falling or getting hit by debris as they navigated this section of unstable trail. We also reinstalled three trail signs in the Blue Jay area. We hope to continue to keep our trails maintained in 2007 with your help.

For our first trail work event of 2007 we will be brushing the Holy Jim Trail from where the trail crosses the canyon about two +- miles below the Main Divide to down to the Holy Jim Falls junction. We have upgraded a lot of our hand tools to powered equipment, which has been a big help in increasing our efficiency.

We will meet at the Holy Jim Trail Parking Area at 8:00 a.m. and work until 2:00 p.m. Lunch and drinks will be provided after the trail work. Bring a pair of gloves, snacks and water for while you’re on the trail, a change of cloths (optional) and a chair to sit in during lunch. We would appreciate your help.

If you can help out RSVP to:

countingcoup@warriorssociety.org

Our next two Trail Work Events will be Saturday, January 20th and Saturday, February 10th working on the Trabuco Trail and the West Horse Thief Trails and will be meeting at the same location as our first event. If you are unfamiliar with the staging area let us know when you RSVP and we will give you directions.

4. IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS; 50 MILE MTB RIDE TO BENEFIT PROJECT RWANDA

I’m turning 50 on December 30 of this year. As an avid mountain biker for the past several years, I thought it would be cool to do a 50 mile ride on my 50th birthday. Even better, why not incorporate some type of fundraiser, something of significance, into the ride…

Our vision is to raise $7500 to purchase 50 bikes for:

http://www.projectrwanda.org/news.htm

Project Rwanda exists to provide durable bikes to coffee farmers as part of a micro-enterprise venture that will make a hugely positive impact on the lives of the local family coffee growers in Rwanda. We’d like to get at least 50 riders to participate, giving each rider the option of contributing in multiple ways – with their entry fee, with “per mile sponsorships” from friends and family, with sponsor solicitations, or with volunteering to help coordinate the event.

Although 50 miles is a long ride on a mountain bike, event organizers are designing the route to make it moderate enough for a reasonably fit rider to accomplish. The route incorporates two stages of approximately 25 miles each.

Leg #1 begins at 7:00 am – The Climb (25.8 miles).

Beginning at Cook’s Corner, participants will ride through Modjeska Canyon to Harding Truck Trail, up to Main Divide, and return back to Cooks along the same route.

Leg #2 begins at 10 am – The Cruise (25.2 miles).

The second stage will pass through O’Neill Park, out the Arroyo Trabuco Trail, across to Chiquita Ridge and Tijeras Creek Trails, a short road section (sorry!), down again to the Arroyo Trabuco Trail to O’Neill then back to Cook’s.

Riders can opt to do either of the two stages, or combine them both for the full 50 mile ride. To ensure everyone’s safety, please ride with your cell phone.

After the ride join us for a BBQ sponsored by Cook’s Cooks and raffle with a ton of MTB give-aways.

When: December 30, 2006

Where: Cook’s Corner Picnic Area (El Toro Road and Santiago Canyon)

Cook’s Corner
19152 Santiago Canyon Road
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
(949) 858-0266

Time: Registration begins at 6:15 a.m. ride begins at 7:00 am

Distance: 50 miles (off road)

Options: Don’t feel up to both 25 mile legs, pick your favorite.

Registration cost: $25.00

3 ways to register:

1. Sign up through Active.com (Preferred Method):

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1380346

2. Download the registration form and mail it in or bring it with you the day of the event. The deadline for mail in registrations to be received is December 23, 2006:

http://www.50mileride.com/downloads/50MileRideReg.pdf

If you can’t make the event please consider making a pledge to support the project:

http://www.50mileride.com/downloads/50MileRidePledge.pdf

Come ride, volunteer or simply drop off your donation.

Blessings,

Doug Grant
Founder, 50 Mile Ride
Avid MTB Enthusiast
Old Man

Manitou and Shimano are the Major Component Sponsors of the Warrior’s Society

Cytomax is the official fluid replacement drink of the Warrior’s Society

Clif Bar is the Official Energy Bar and Gel of The Warrior’s Society

The Warrior’s Society
A Tax-Exempt organization under 501(c) 4 of the IRS Code
www.warriorssociety.org

An MTBAccess and Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) affiliated organization

“Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name.”

Woodrow Wilson

In this issue:

1. Pow Wow update – Counting Coup sold out – 16 spots left in Vision Quest

2. Found: Sidi mountain bike shoes in the Blackstar/Silverado area

3. Orange County expatriate looking for riding partners during Dec. visit

1. POW WOW UPDATE – COUNTING COUP SOLD OUT – 16 SPOTS LEFT IN VISION QUEST

We have 16 positions left in the Vision Quest before that event sells out. The Counting Coup event is sold out. To be placed on the Counting Coup waiting list email us at:

Countingcoup@warriorssociety.org

The date of the Mountain Bike Pow Wow is Saturday, March 3rd. Participation is limited to 200 for the Vision Quest and 100 for the sold out Counting Coup. To insure a spot in the remaining event, the Vision Quest, register ASAP.

To download an application for the 56.5 Mile Vision Quest go to:

http://www.warriorssociety.org/events/PowWowApplication2007.pdf

To register online for the Vision Quest go to:

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1371821

2. FOUND; SIDI MOUNTIAN BIKE SHOES IN THE BLACKSTAR/SILVERADO AREA

Found: Sidi Mountain bike shoes in the Blackstar/Silverado Canyon Area….Call Switchback Cyclery if they are yours and give them the description of what you lost….they were found lying in the street so they probably fell off a roof or tailgate.

3. ORANGE COUNTY EXPATRIATE LOOKING FOR RIDING PARTNERS DURING DEC. VISIT

My name is Warren Reid. I put on the Cat Classic MTB race in PA. Probably the most serious and fun MTB race in the Northeast put on by grass roots enthusiasts. As a SoCal born and OC raised MTB rider who now lives in PA, I was pleased to find the Warrior’s Society from a link on Mountain Bike Action Mag’s website.

I am very supportive of your MTB access rights focus and find some of the same issues go on out here, although not quite so intense because the Hunting Lobby in PA is so strong, Enviro’s don’t have so much clout.

My last home in CA was in Portola Hills near Cooks Corner before I moved to PA in 1990. I rode a lot in what is now Whiting Ranch when I lived in Portola Hills. I was just starting to go up into the Santa Ana roads and trails before moving to PA.

All of my family still lives in OC. I travel there a couple of times a year and like to ride when I come out. I would like to do some serious riding up in the Saddleback Peaks area when I come out there for the Christmas Holidays.

Are there any riders willing to show around a fit and technical rider up in the mountains there (or group rides scheduled) from the 18th to the 26th?

Thanks,

Warren Reid

Warren_Reid@ahm.honda.com

PS: Here is a link to our race in PA.:

wwwcatclassic.net

In this issue:

1. The Sho-Air / Rock N Road Fall MTB Classic write-up

2. Follow-up; Dustin Ojeda’s wheel found and returned

3. The mountain biking community loses a member

1. THE SHO-AIR / ROCK N ROAD FALL MTB CLASSIC WRITE-UP

The Sho-Air / Rock N Road Fall MTB Classic write-up, which includes the crowing of the Male and Female Orange County Series Champions, is posted on our web site at:

http://www.warriorssociety.org/events/2006_fall_classic_writeup.html

The write-up has links to the final standings in the event and the final standings of the Orange County Championship Series.

Thanks to the participants, volunteers and sponsors for your support of the Orange County Championship Series.

2. FOLLOW-UP – DUSTIN OJEDA’S WHEEL FOUND AND RETURNED

Last week we sent out an email asking for help in finding Dustin’s wheel, which he lost on his way to a ride up Harding. Luckily Dustin’s wheel was found and returned. Below is his message of thanks to the mountain bike community:

“Dear Warrior Society and biking community:

It makes me proud to belong to such a great community where honesty and a sense of brotherhood exist, as it does in mt. biking.

I had contacted the Warrior’s Society to help try and locate my wheel and he was able to get my email out in the next Warrior Society newsletter. I received several emails from people who had seen or knew where and how to locate the wheel. Mark Cluttey found my wheel turned it over to Rock N’ Road Cyclery and followed up with a call once the newsletter had been sent out.

I want to send my deepest thank you to all of those who helped locate my wheel. To the response I received from the Warrior’s Society, fellow members and Mark Cluttey, I say thank you.

I appreciate the response from everyone and can’t wait until the day I can be the one to give back to the group. Thanks again.

Dustin Ojeda”

3. THE MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMUNITY LOSES A MEMBER

Last Tuesday evening mountain biker Christy Kirkwood was hit by a car and died the next day. Christy was my son’s Jr. High School science teacher. I first met her at the school’s open house where she was wearing a knee high skirt. I immediately noticed the cuts and scratches on her legs; she was obviously a mountain biker, which she confirmed when asked.

Christy took the technical skills class we offered at the Flying B Ranch. I was always impressed with Christy’s happy demeanor and athleticism. We talked about our kids and how we hoped to set an example to them about keeping active.

Her death truly saddened me and hit me like a ton of bricks.

We are driven to challenge, driven to find heaven on earth; as humans that is our nature. Like Christy, our shared love of mountain biking gave us a small taste of heaven.

I some times question God’s wisdom when tragedies such as this occurs – but deep down fully understand that he never promised us heaven on earth – only the promise of heaven once we disappeared from earth; that gives me comfort in the sorrow that life confronts me with.

All God offers us is Grace until the time he calls us home – and I am more than willing to accept it – and the gift he gave me of knowing Christy.

Life is precious; value every minute of it.

The following was written by Mark Warrick. He’s the originator of the 3FBicycling Club – Chris

Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous sport. We know each time we ride that our lives and the lives of our loved ones can be seriously or gravely altered without notice. We cheat injury and death every time we ride, perhaps to remind ourselves that we are alive.

When I hear things like this, I sense feelings coming from all directions and I can almost feel inside the other person. Call it empathy, telepathic connection, or perhaps a spiritual connection. But it’s something. And I know it’s real.

I thought first about Christy. I doubt she had any fear. I doubt there was much pain. I sense just a brief moment of confusion followed by nothing. Is grim as it sounds, she’s lucky in some regard that she was knocked out instantly. I believe that she didn’t fight for her life. Rather, I believe she embraced her own death.

I thought next about Chris. His pain will last forever. And I thought about Corey. He’s so young that he probably can’t even comprehend death. Holidays – ruined forever. They’ll need all the support they can get from their friends, family, and the community. They’ll need reassurance that God is with them even when they lose their loved ones.

Lastly, I thought about my mom who will undoubtedly be reading about this story soon in the paper or perhaps seeing it on TV tonight. She once told me that she’s so afraid I’ll die while mountain biking that she can’t bear to look at the photos of my trips. Imagine how afraid she must feel that I might slip away without notice. I’ve told my mom time and time again that if I should happen to die while mountain biking please know that I was doing what I love to do with friends that share the same passion.

Are we selfish to dare our lives every time we ride? Should we restrict our activities to less risky things? Perhaps. Will it stop me from riding though?

Absolutely not.

I lost a friend many years ago to a heart failure. He was only 27 years old. He was a postal carrier that walked all day long, every day. And when he got home he and I would work out together. One day he was working out with a friend and just collapsed. He was dead before he hit the ground from a genetic defect: a small tear in his hear ripped open causing an immediate and fatal cardiac arrest. I stopped working out that day. I sold all of my weights and I told myself that I would never put myself in the face of that kind of danger again. It took me a good 7 years before I would ever work out again. In that time my health deteriorated and my lifestyle deteriorated. I gained weight, took up smoking, and drank too much. I should have never stopped doing what I loved to do for fear that a loved one might lose me while I was working out.

At the same time though today, I definitely feel a bit of guilt knowing that the people around me might suffer in the way that Chris and Corey are suffering now. My prayers are with them. I have no answers for my mom though. I can only try to reassure her that I’m coming back whether in this life or the next.

—Mark

Manitou and Shimano are the Major Component Sponsors of the Warrior’s Society

Cytomax is the official fluid replacement drink of the Warrior’s Society

Clif Bar is the Official Energy Bar and Gel of The Warrior’s Society

The Warrior’s Society
A Tax-Exempt organization under 501(c) 4 of the IRS Code
www.warriorssociety.org

An MTBAccess and Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) affiliated organization

“Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name.”

Woodrow Wilson