This last Saturday, SFUrban Riders and friends descended upon Mt. Sutro to make some good trails even better.

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Mt. Sutro to lend a hand, a shovel, or a McCloud to improve the wonderful habitat and spectacular multi-use trails on that hillside.  There were more new faces than old, and the showing of the MTB contingent was strong and welcomed with 21 riders representing.
We all sat back and enjoyed pizza and refreshments afterwards, remarking on what a wonderful experience it is for newcomers. You start shoveling where you’re told, not knowing exactly what or why you’re doing it. Then after a couple hours you see a beautiful, ride-able switchback emerge from what was a previously steep and erosive hillside trail with 25% grades.

Meanwhile on the Habitat side volunteers are removing invasive plants like Himalayan Blackberry, Cape Ivy, and Nightshade which improves the views and reveals more of the Franciscan Chert rock out cropings which make Mount Sutro so special.

Thanks to the Mount Sutro Stewards for hosting, and it was a pleasure to work alongside other community groups like One Brick, Nature in the City, and the California Native Plant Society and everyone else.  In total there were 48 volunteeers – it looks like all of them were kicking off the New Year right!
Here are some great FLICKR Photo links from January 3rd:
Dustin’s photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustindsmith/sets/72157612126667582/

Peter and Kristin’s photos
http://www.flickr.com/gp/33952394@N06/a0ZN6J

And in other news, here’s some news about news:
Look who the examiner is writing about.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/36958144.html
Looks like our motions to get some respect, some terrain, and some trails and parks dedicated to the mountain biking populace in San Francisco is not going completely unnoticed.  Like many reporters, they don’t have all their facts straight (Trails on Mt. Sutro Illegal? I think not)
If anyone feels inspired, why don’t you leave a comment on the examiner’s page, asking for more coverage of this newstory that is near and dear to our hearts.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned, because it’s a new year, and we’ve got new developments in the works for this new year.  Maybe we won’t have a world class bike park this year, but we’re planning on having a new website, a new HQ, and a couple great events coming at you throughout the year.  Lube those chains, pump those tires, stretch those legs, and go kiss your local singletrack… we’ll be in touch.