eNewsletter 1608


August 2016
In this issue: Areas: Manjimup Pinjar Kwinana Events Pinjar Maintenance August 13 Login for more information To access the Members Only area of the RTRA Web site you will need to log on as follows: User Name: {tag_recipientusername} Password: Forgotten your password? Helping to save your riding areas	Dear Member, It has been an exceptionally busy month for your Association. Projects on the go at Manjimup, Metro Road, Gnangara and Pinjar; lots of follow-ups from Ranger Reports; cranking up our State election campaign, and tackling issues arising from new Hoon Laws. Here's the latest rundown: Big Response for Manjimup Rider Survey The Rider Survey developed for the Manjimup Trail Bike Trails Hub project has already received over 2,200 responses - a huge number that demonstrates a high level of rider interest in this project. Data from the survey will be used to project the trail requirements and potential economic impact, and will help guide the feasibility study. If you haven’t already completed the survey you still have time. See tbma.com.au/manjimup-rider-survey. More information on this project is available from www.manjimup.wa.gov.au/trailbikehub WA State Election WA goes to the polls at the State Election in March next year, so the RTRA is taking the opportunity to meet with government and opposition members to discuss the needs of trail bike riders. We have contacted a dozen sitting members in the southern suburbs and Perth hills region, and have a number of meetings confirmed for later this month. We will be reminding all the politicians we speak to that the State Trail Bike Strategy was delivered in 2008, endorsed in 2011 … and still not properly implemented in 2016! We will be asking them what action they are prepared to commit to - and we'll let all members know of their positions. Pinjar Maintenance Morning - Now August 13 We’ve had to reschedule our next Monthly Maintenance Morning to August 13. If you or your kids enjoy riding Pinjar please come along to lend a hand. Apart from a general cleanup and inspection of the tracks we will be doing some drainage works on the PeeWee trail to prevent the pooling of water on the inside of turns - so bring a shovel if you have one. We’ll be meeting at 9am at the Family Zone car park. RTRA Now a Full Member of WA Sports Federation Our application to join the WA Sports Federation has been accepted and the RTRA is now a fully fledged member. As such we get representation on the Council and will be attending our first meeting this week. Also attending will be the Minister for Sport and Recreation (and Water), Hon Mia Davies. This will be a great opportunity to represent your Association alongside other peak sporting and recreation bodies. Cars Broken into at Kwinana Off Road Vehicle Area If you are riding at the Kwinana (Medina) Off Road Vehicle Area, be aware that cars have been broken into in the car park recently. It appears that the trees close to Thomas Road are helping to conceal the miscreants, so it might be better to park in the more open side of the car park. The RTRA is continuing to push for a major upgrade to this facility, and we are meeting with local members of Parliament in August to discuss how we can get something happening for south-of-the-river riders and families. Minimal Impact: Maintain Momentum on Hills There's nothing quite like that 'Yeeha!' moment when you get to the top of a challenging hill. Watch a good rider tackle a gnarly hill and you'll see that they pick a good line and hit the hill with enough momentum to ride smoothly to the top. If they don't make it they'll roll down to the bottom and start again. There are a couple of tips on this. First, have a look at the hill and plan your line. Knowing where you want to go will give you more confidence to tackle the hill with a bit more speed. Go back to a point where you can accelerate so you hit the base of the hill at the right speed and in the right gear. Don't try to start right at the bottom and accelerate up. Most damage to hills comes from riders trying to start half way up and revving the bejeesus out of the bike with the back wheel spinning and digging a trench. Once the dirt is loosened like that the next rain will start a rut forming. And once a rut starts on a hill it can only get worse. Before long the hill will be a mess and 'those bloody trail bikes' will be blamed. Get the technique right and you'll not only look like a hero but you'll also be protecting your trails! Help Spread the Word New to the RTRA? Here are the four key objectives the RTRA pursues: To protect and extend quality, safer off-road riding opportunities for Western Australian recreational trail bike riders of all ages. To promote and encourage safety and responsible riding attitudes, including minimising noise and trail damage. To actively pursue the needs of trail bike riders with State and Local Government, landowners and other stakeholders. To improve the perception of trail bike riding as a recreational activity. If you think the RTRA is having a positive impact for riders, just think how much more effective we'd be if we had double the members. It's actually not that hard - all it takes is for each member to find one other rider to sign up. If you have riding buddies who are not yet members of the RTRA, please forward them this email and give them a prod to join up.
Recreational Trailbike Riders' Association of WA Inc