June 2025 is Mountain Bike & Trail Stewardship month for the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the state of California! BTCEB is participating with the California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB) on a state resolution for California State Mountain Bike & Trail Stewardship month and has advocated locally with the EBRPD Board of Directors to declare June 2025 as Mountain Bike & Trail Stewardship Month locally.  This isn’t nearly as exciting, sexy, or cool as a new trail opening up, but it’s the type of behind-the-scenes work that makes new trails a closer reality.  Resolutions like this are the result of building positive relationships with elected decision makers.  These resolutions help to document the broad benefits of mountain biking as well as the breadth of experiences and interests of mountain bike riders, and they help to educate elected decision makers and to inform them that an increasingly large number of voters are interested in mountain biking.  This behind-the-scenes work leads to more tangible projects like the Briones Pilot Program and the Wildcat Flow Trail Project.

As part of the effort with EBRPD, our BTCEB advocacy team pulled together members from our local trail community on a joint letter of support.  18 organizations signed onto the letter, and the Sierra Club also sent a separate letter of support.  The organizations included a number of Bay Area NICA teams, the NorCal League, several mountain bike advocacy and trail stewardship organizations like BTCEB, Stewards of Briones, Mount Diablo Trails Alliance, CAMTB, BAMBi, and some broader trail- or bike-oriented groups like Bay Area Ridge Trail, Bay Area Bike Project, and Bike East Bay.  Thank you to all the organizations that signed on and we hope to cast a wider net in 2026.  If you know of an organization that would like to support this effort, please let us know.  Below you’ll find the logos of all the groups who signed on:

CAMTB is supporting a variety of programming at the statewide level and anticipates that the CA State Senate will pass the resolution later this month. 2024 was the first year to have June celebrated as Mountain Biking Month for both EBRPD and the state of California. This year’s effort expanded to include Trail Stewardship, a natural fit to recognize this month because the mountain bike community is particularly active in trail stewardship, and this provides an opportunity to educate elected officials and the general public about the trail steward ship that the mountain bike community brings to the table and its benefit to all trail users.

Follow the link to find out more about the CAMTB Mountain Bike Month effort.

If you decide to take the CAMTB Mountain Bike Month Pledge you’ll receive a bonus benefit.

Support Mountain Bike Advocacy at the State and Local Levels

Bicycle Trails Council is teaming up with the California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB) and the legendary Ibis Cycles to celebrate California Mountain Biking Month and fuel the movement for more and better bike-friendly trails across the state.

DONATE $5 or more to CAMTB by June 30, 2025, and you’ll be entered to win a brand-new Ibis of your choice, featuring premium components from SRAM, Fox, Maxxis, and more.

How to Enter

• DONATE $5 or more by June 30, 2025 @ 11:59 PM PT
• Every $5 = 1 entry (see full entry schedule below)
• One lucky winner takes home a brand-new Ibis bike!

📌 80% of your donation goes directly to BTCEB’s trail projects, advocacy, and community programs!

One lucky donor will take home a brand new Ibis of their choice* with the finest components from SRAM, Fox, Shimano, Maxxis, and more.

Your Donation Supports:

• Local Trails – 80% of your donation goes directly to Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay’s programs.
• Statewide Advocacy – 20% supports statewide advocacy. CAMTB works with land managers, legislators, and public agencies to expand access and defend the places you love to ride.

About Our Partners

Ride More. Work Less.

On April Fools Day 1981, Scot Nicol ​“hung up his shin­gle” on a funky lit­tle shop a few miles east of Men­do­ci­no, Cal­i­for­nia. On that day, Ibis was start­ed with­out mon­ey and with­out a plan. Today they’re locat­ed in San­ta Cruz with 40 (or so) peo­ple work­ing at Ibis. Their 5 own­ers all work full-time for the com­pa­ny. Hans Heim is the CEO, Tom Mor­gan is pres­i­dent, Col­in Hugh­es leads the engi­neer­ing depart­ment, Roxy Lo is the design­er, and Scot tries to stay out of the way.

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 More Trails. Better Trails.

The California Mountain Biking Coalition CAMTB leverages the collective voice of California mountain bikers and other human-powered trail riders to expand and enhance bike-friendly trails in California. Together, and with the support of our 35+ member organizations, we advocate for the larger mountain biking community by:

• Influencing and Changing Public Policy – We engage local, state, and federal agencies to further the CAMTB Mission while cultivating strong partnership opportunities for the trail stewardship community
• Tracking, Influencing, and Authoring Legislation – We put the legislative process to work for cyclists to realize more and better bike-friendly trails while also protecting the places we love to ride
• Expanding and Accelerating Our Members’ Capacity for Agency Partnership – We provide a place for the teams of our member organizations to share their knowledge, insights, and resources

Giveaway Rules

• No purchase necessary. Free entry available here.
• Open to U.S. residents 18+ only.
• Staff, board members, and spouses of CAMTB or Ibis Cycles are not eligible.
• Entries: $5 = 1 entry, $10 = 2 entries, $25 = 5 entries… (full schedule below)
• Donations must be received by June 30, 2025, 11:59 PM PT
• Donations are not tax-deductible
• All prizes are subject to availability. If unavailable, CAMTB will select a comparable alternative.

Ibis Dreambike Giveaway Terms & Conditions

By donating to CAMTB you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:

• The “CAMTB 2025 Ibis Dreambike Giveaway” is open to US residents, 18 years and older only.
• The “CAMTB 2025 Ibis Dreambike Giveaway” is being conducted by California Mountain Biking Coalition, a non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation under the laws of the State of California.
• By donating to CAMTB, all persons agree that the contact information submitted may be shared with our CAMTB 2025 Ibis Dreambike partners, including Ibis Cycles. You can opt out of receiving communications from our partners at any time. 
• There is no limit to the number of entries one person may receive.
• Ibis Cycles and CAMTB staff, board members, and their spouses are not eligible to participate in this drawing.
• Donations can be made by credit card only. Processing fees are not counted toward the donation amount.
• Donation amounts can be made in $5.00 increments.
• Donation/Entry Schedule:
  • $5 = 1 Entry
  • $10 = 2 Entries
  • $25 = 5 Entries
  • $50 = 10 Entries
  • $100 = 20 Entries
  • $150 = 30 Entries
  • $500 = 100 Entries
  • $1,000 = 200 Entries
• By IRS declaration, donations are not eligible for charitable tax deductions.
• Odds of winning will depend on the total dollar amount of donations received divided by 5.
• Donations can be made using our dedicated donation link.
• All donations must be received with full payment no later than 11:59 PM on June 30, 2024.
• Prizes: (all prizes subject to availability. If the listed prize isn’t available, an alternate comparable prize will be selected by CAMTB at its discretion)
  • The Grand Prize: The winner can choose ANY bike of any size in the current Ibis line-up equal to or less than the current listed price of the Ibis Ripmo V3 GX Build ($7,199.00 USD) on the Ibis Cycles website. The winner may optionally upgrade and pay the amount above and beyond $7,199.00 USD prize value.
  • Prize Pack 1: Choose Your Tread: Maxxis MTB or Gravel Tires for a Year ($400.00 Value)
  • Prize Pack 2: Choose Your Slides: Crankbrothers Shoe/Pedal Combo ($400.00 Value)
  • Prize Pack 3: Choose Your Brew: Sierra Nevada Brewing Commemorative Yeti Cooler ($400 Value)
  • Prize Pack 4: Choose Your Line: 1:1 Coaching with A Singletrack Mind ($500 Value)
  • Prize Pack 5: Choose Your Adventure: Loam Pass – Two days of Mountain Biking at 40+ bike parks and shuttle services in North America ($250 Value)
  • Prize Packs 6 and 7: Choose Your Lube: Formula 100 Gift Bag – assorted selection bike washes, degreasers, lubes, and oils. ($100.00 Value)
  • Prize Packs 8 -12: Choose Your Tool – Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool + CAMTB 5-Year Anniversary Commemorative Shirt ($100.00 Value)
• Prizes are not negotiable and cannot be exchanged.
• Drawing will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 11:30: AM Pacific. The winner will be determined by random selection.
• Winner(s) will be notified by email within two (2) business days of the drawing.
• The prize winners are solely responsible for all local, state, and federal taxes, title, transfer fees, license duties, insurance, and all expenses incurred in claiming the prize. The prize winners understand, acknowledge, and agree that they are receiving a prize, and will hereby release and discharge CAMTB, and any additional sponsors, agents, officers, directors and legal representatives and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses or expenses arising from or caused by the award of such prizes, including, but not limited to the payment of any and all taxes that are due.
• Prizes must be claimed by July 31, 2025. Any unclaimed prize after that date will constitute forfeiture and be transferred to CAMTB as a donation.

Additional Rules

• CAMTB, its Board of Directors, and its agents assume no liability for lost, late, misdirected, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, or entries without payment which will be deemed invalid and disqualified.
• The decisions and rulings by CAMTB are final on all matters concerning the drawing.
• Void where prohibited by law.
• No purchase is necessary to enter the drawing. To enter without purchase, mail a handwritten postcard to “CAMTB Administrator” at P.O. Box 550709, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96155, containing your (1) full name; (2) mailing address, including street address, city, state/district, and zip code; (3) telephone number; (4) email address; (5) date of birth; and (6) the statement, “I have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the Official Rules for the “CAMTB 2025 Ibis Dreambike Giveaway”. All write-in entries must be postmarked on or after May 15, 2025 and on or before June 25, 2025. They must also be received by June 30, 2025. There is a limit of one (1) write-in entry per person.

The East Bay Regional Park District is in the process of updating their park Master Plan.  This is a roughly once a decade activity that provides direction and commitment by the district to pursue certain things.  This is one of the key points in the public process where we can have input and help set the direction for the future.  We hope to see stronger language in this update of the master plan for new trails, more bike access and different types of trails such as bike-only downhill directional and different types of access such as directional and time based.  We also hope to see clear language regarding adoption of sustainable non-system (such as user-created, social, and bootleg) trails.  The lack of access and new trails contributes significantly to user-created trails which do not include stewardship surveys and can have more impact on habitat than planned trail projects.  

Please take a few moments to complete the park survey.  It’s five open-ended questions, so let them know what’s important to you, what you think the park district should be providing, and especially what they’re not providing.  Her are some things you might want to include:

• What type of trails would you like to have?  Advanced downhill oriented like the Briones trails, cross country trails, flow trails, etc.
• In which specific parks would you like to see more trails or more bike access?  
• How many miles of trail would you like to see in a given trail system?
• Do you want a variety of trail character in a given trail system or a concentration of a certain style/character?

This is the first of three phases of public outreach and input.  Please share this with others and ask them to complete the survey.  Comment on broader interests you have as well.   The master plan is meant to cover the breadth of the park district.

The current master plan was last updated in 2013 and calls for ‘trails for all’.  It does not call out how much access would be provided for biking, where that might be, whether it would be multiuse or bike only, or any other characteristics.  While it does state at the highest level the park district supports bike access and will work towards more of it this was not sufficient to drive enough significant tangible change.  Definitive language in a master plan provides backup to the elected decision-making directors to make bike access happen.  At the May 2 Board of Directors Workshop, Directors Coffey, Mercurio, and Waepsi all spoke supporting more mountain bike access.  Director Echols and Espana have also supported more bike access to narrow trails. To clarify what this means, we all need to participate in these survey opportunities.  If you’ve read to this point and haven’t yet completed the survey, click here and please complete it now.

The North Basin Strip is the portion of the McLaughlin Eastshore State Park located south of the Gilman Sports Fields in Berkeley. This area is approximately 20 acres and includes 2,800 linear feet of shoreline. EBRPD is embarking on a planning project to develop a preliminary design to improve this portion of the park that will include several opportunities for public engagement.

The East Bay Regional Park District is having its second public input meeting for the North Basin Strip Improvement Project on Sunday, June 1, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709.  Two concept options have been developed: (1) a small bike park area with details to be determined; (2) a small collection of trails, likely adopting some of the existing informal trail system. The final recommended option will likely include elements from both options based in part on public input, and that’s where you can get involved! Register here.

If you are local to this park, this is an opportunity for you to help shape its direction.  A strong turnout by the bike community increases the chances that bike-specific considerations are included.  Responding to public input gives the elected board backup for decisions.  When you show up and speak up it makes it easier for them to make decisions supporting bike access.

If this isn’t a local park for you, then it’s still an opportunity to come see how this process works so it’s familiar for you when it comes to a park closer to where you  live.  It’s also an opportunity to meet EBRPD staff and possibly the elected directors that will ultimately decide what happens. Click here to visit the EBRPD project website.

BTCEB has put in over 400 hours of trail stewardship at Crockett Hills so far in 2025, performed by 45 of our volunteer members.  The bulk of the work has been focused on drainage, hardening, berms, and rollers on the Sugar City trail.  Some additional drainage and tread work has been done on Edwards Loop as follow up finishing work to the park district Small Trails Crew and also some drainage improvements on Tree Frog trail. 

We held three larger weekend workdays, one in each of January, March and April, and had another work day rained out in February.  We also held six Thursday morning sessions which knocked out some significant work as well. 

In May we also had a “co-work” day with the Crockett Hills park staff, who brought out their Toro Dingo machine, and we addressed some cupping and drainage issues on Soaring Eagle.  More importantly, both the park staff and volunteers got to know each other a little better, and we’re looking forward to more of these opportunities in the future.

As the rains drop off and the soil becomes drier and harder, our trail stewardship emphasis shifts over to brushing or cutting back vegetation.  Volunteers aren’t permitted to use power tools, including battery operated tools, so we use our muscles instead, using weed whips, loppers and hand scythes. 

Park staff made one pass using their power mower on Soaring Eagle, Sugar City, and Two Peaks trail in April. Thanks to this year’s excellent growing conditions, and many of those areas are in need of a second pass that should be coming soon.  The mowing inevitably leaves some tall plants that lean into the trail corridor as they grow.  Volunteers have been working on cutting down those taller, sagging plants outside the mow path. And, of course, we cut back everyone’s favorite, poison oak! As with mowing, it’s challenging to keep up with the vegetation during the peak growing times.

Expect weekend work days to return until next fall. 

Follow BTCEB on Meetup or go to our Trails page to subscribe to trail work emails to stay up to date on current trail stewardship opportunities.

Last weekend, Ride Like a Girl ventured beyond the East Bay up onto the Peninsula skyline. Seventeen wonderful women hit the fun, flowing singletrack in three preserves: Monte Bello, Russian Ridge, and Coal Creek. Big thanks to Heather and Sharon for helping to lead.

We had a happy mixture of regulars and newcomers, the weather was perfect and the trails were in great shape. We hit all the classic trails, including Bella Vista, White Oak, Ancient Oaks, and Hawk Ridge.

Fun fact: I learned to mountain bike in these parks, back when only cars had disc brakes, rear suspension was for downhill racers, and a seat dropper was a clumsy mechanic!

Judging by the smiles and happy chatter afterwards, everyone had a good time. And thanks to Best Day Brewing for the post-ride libations! A frosty non-alcoholic beer is the perfect thing after a serious ride. (The kölsch is my favorite.)

The next edition will be on July 19 at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland. BTCEB volunteers have put in thousands of hours over the years making the trails at JMP some of the most fun on the East Bay. This one is going to be a bit special, for reasons I’m not going to divulge yet. Visit our Meetup group to sign up and get notifications about all our events.

We always ride on the third Saturday of the month, so may I suggest you block your calendars?

Rebecca Lewington, Board Member-at-Large.