2024: what a year!
Remember when building high quality mountain bike trails in Colorado Springs was nearly impossible?
It was not long ago that COSMBA launched with a mission to produce real results for riders in the form of new trails that met two criteria that we felt was lacking:
quality construction and bike-specific progression. Two years in, there are few left who doubt the determination of COSMBA’s ability to accomplish those goals.
Before COSMBA, it was believed that the only way to accomplish the goal of building quality trails in Colorado Springs was to raise massive amounts of money and hire professional trail builders to build it for us. The problem with this concept is that it removes riders from the process. Frustration, confusion, and apathy was felt by many of the most engaged riders in our city who had lots of time to donate, but limited ability to give financially. Moreover, when you involve riders in decisionmaking, they also develop a better understanding of how trails networks are developed through the shared load of managing and preserving our public wild spaces and are willing to work in the system to enact change.
In 2024, COSMBA once again proved that given the change, riders are not only happy to help, but they actually carry with them some of the most critical trail building skills around. This was true during the development phase of our trail project, but also when we were called upon to fix the landing of the flyover feature.
This year, despite difficulties in organizing work days with Parks staff, our Dig Days averaged close to 10 people per day and went as high as 55. There is massive desire to pitch in towards building more public trails.
In total, volunteer initiative created around $35,000 in labor savings for landmanagers in the Pikes Peak region and around $80,000 in trail value based on bid estimates from professional trailbuilders. This means that COSMBA returned $2.41 in community value for every dollar donated.
Here are some highlights from 2024:
Completed trail construction on Colorado Springs’ most notorious trail - Captain Morgan’s.
Captain Morgan’s was Colorado Springs’ most notorious illegal trail… until this year. Known for it’s steep lines, big shark fin drop, intimidating rock garden, and precarious root turn, this trail was finally allowed to become a sanctioned trail thanks to city parks staff who understood the community’s desire for such a trail. In the fall of 2022, COSMBA formed a committee to take a close look at what would be needed to fix erosion issues to make the trail safe for more public exposure once it became legal. Those areas were identified and in the Spring of 2024, we scheduled 10 days to systematically address those areas.
We also worked closely with Colorado Springs Park staff and local trailbuilder, Trailcraft, on all three trail projects in North Cheyenne Canyon - Upper Ladders, Penrose, and Captain Morgans. COSMBA raised funds for these projects but also provided technical and rider support throughout the process. Along the way, we build great bonds with Tucker, Elias, and Colton from Trailcraft. After a full summer of work, we are proud to say that everything went according to plan. This was largely thanks to our construction foreman, Scott Marcum, who truly carried the load to see this through to completion.
As we wrapped up work in September, we took a moment to celebrate the accomplishment with a group ride hosted by our good friends at Bicycle Experience. Big thanks to those guys who sponsor COSMBA and run such a great local shop.
Captain Morgan’s wasn’t the only new trail we worked on. We also had a hand in finishing 3700 feet of a trail in Bear Creek Open Space which is used by El Paso County as a trail for physically disabled individuals. This regional trail features gradual grades, good site lines, and amazing views. It may not be a mountain bike trail, but why not employ our skills to help another group of people enjoy the outdoors.
COSMBA’s strategic focus on sustainability and minimal impact resulted in broad support for the final result.
Supported an effort to re-envision the C-line bike park in Red Rocks Open Space
Thanks to the leadership of Eli Cross, over 300 hours of volunteerism and fresh new features were invested in this lost gem in Red Rock Open Space. Eli took massive ownership of a property that had been left to rot. In fact, the first work days was cutting back weeds, trees, and trash that inhabited the jumps and features of the park.
Today, c-line has nice groomed kickers, new drops, a new step up wall, and lots more character. We are already looking ahead towards big ideas to make C-line a great place to ride again in 2025. Watch for a new shark fin, a hip jump, and the possibility of a new line at the top of the park. If jumps are your thing, don’t despair, things are happening. Reach out if you’d like to be part of making that happen.
Who doesn’t love jumps.
Hosted 7 MTB centric community events
The fastest growing segment of COSMBA is women mountain bikers. This clearly thanks in part to the amazing work happening at WMBA (Women’s Mountain Bike Association) but also a natural result of creating the type of culture and environment that champions ALL voices and creates opportunities for inclusion and good vibes.
This year COSMBA planned a women’s retreat in partnership with a few local businesses to raise funds for our work in Ute Valley Park. The retreat was a great success thanks to Singletrack Skills, Epic Adventures Bike Shop, Kineofit, Brian Chapel Photography, and the Salt Cave. These businesses donated their services and provided an opportunity for women to connect through a bike ride in Ute Valley Park followed by yoga, massages, lunch, and a bike repair clinic.
We also planned a movie night hosted by Sram’s Colorado Springs office. Riders packed the house for a series of 7 films all to do with different perspectives on mountain biking around the globe. We had so much fun.
Oh, and we can’t forget about our support of Criterium’s bike clinics throughout the summer. COSMBA provided support to these clinics with bike rides, marketing, and speakers. Criterium Bicycles has supported COSMBA from the very beginning and we’re thrilled to call those guys our friends.
COSMBA is more than just building trails. We are built on the idea that there is something special about building MTB culture and fostering community around our shared hobby. Let’s face it, many of us ride our bikes when we need to relieve stress or get away. But the benefit of having friends to ride with and cool events to attend is better than just about anything.
Our commitment to trail stewardship is stronger than ever.
In 2024, volunteers dedicated 513 hours to trail stewardship activities, ensuring a sustainable and safe network of MTB preferred trails.
We also increased our number of certified trail crew leads to 13!
It’s one thing to build new trails, but it’s another thing altogether to understand the work that goes into making sure those trails stay in top shape. This requires dedicated volunteers to give a Saturday or two and do backbreaking work to get it done. Our stewardship work focused in all the major open spaces where there are mountain bike trails in the city as well as county land.
COSMBA’s idea of Advocacy is largely tied to our stewardship work. We believe that the best stewardship is done in volunteer work as opposed to being antagonistic in public meetings.
Speaking of advocacy…
COSMBA advocated for new open spaces in Blodgett Open Space as well as Fisher’s Canyon in southwest Colorado Springs. COSMBA’s mobilized riders to speak in public meetings, provide expert opinion, and give feedback on trail plans with the new open spaces. And when things got heated with neighborhoods, we worked with other organizations in town like CONO, TOSC, and others towards mediation efforts to preserve trail access against those who would take it away.
We also worked with city leadership towards passage of an ordinance legalizing e-bikes on trails. Although the final vote is still ahead of us, we are proud of the fact that we chose to support access for e-bikes while other advocates in town continue to choose to side against riders and electric bicycles.
Consider a Year-End Donation
As we head into 2025, we're brimming with excitement for new trail projects and even more opportunities to connect with fellow riders, however, we can't do it without your support. I ask you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to COSMBA before the end of 2024. Your contribution, no matter the size, will go directly towards fulfilling our mission of making Colorado Springs a world-class MTB destination.
To learn more about COSMBA's work and donate online, please visit our website: https://cosmba.org/donate
