Mooseknuckler Cycling Alliance

Sanitization of trails is a serious problem for the avid mountain biker. Our favorite trails are hacked and made so even the handicapped can ride them. I have nothing against the handicap but riding up a ramp instead of the stairs doesn’t seem like fun, and so it is with trails.

Those of the Alliance that dwell in the southern half of the state are familiar with this problem. Every time we ride the Goose, the Barrel Ride or any of our other trails, we find cheater rocks, washed out corners, and secondary lines that go around obstacles. Secondary lines create illegal trails and promote more erosion and often times ruin the scenic beauty that is defined by narrow single track. Cheater rocks destroy the challenge of a trail. And washed out corners, well there washed out corners. I don’t think I need to say more. (more…)

Now that the reality of an Obama presidency is sinking in, I want to give you a sense of what it means for the future of the media.

In a nutshell, if the new president lives up to his campaign promises, we are poised to see an unprecedented transformation of U.S. media.

Unlike George W. Bush, the president-elect is a strong supporter of Net Neutrality and universal, affordable Internet access. He is opposed to further consolidation of media ownership, and he is a friend to public broadcasting. Obama’s election represents a sea change in leadership that allows us to go from playing defense to offense. These are exciting times.

While Free Press is a tax-deductible, nonpartisan organization that cannot and does not endorse political candidates, we are heartened by our nation’s new direction.

Obama’s election rekindles hope that media reform may finally claim its rightful place in American politics as a bona fide political issue — one whose success is essential to progress on every other issue: from health care to the environment; from financial reform to war and peace.

Free Press has worked tirelessly since our founding five years ago to stop the Bush White House from allowing runaway consolidation of media ownership, from slashing funding for public broadcasting, and from handing over control of the Internet to the largest phone and cable companies. Thanks to your unwavering support and activism, we have succeeded to an extent that few thought possible. (more…)

Each year at this time, IMBA takes stock in what we have achieved. As 2008 draws to a close, we see ample cause to celebrate our many accomplishments, and to evaluate new opportunities for creating great riding experiences. Despite economic turbulence and change afoot in Washington, DC, we are certain that IMBA is poised for unprecedented success in the months ahead.

We passionately believe that your donation will bring substantial results for you and your community. Please include IMBA in your year-end giving to fuel our work that results in more new places to ride in 2009!

IMBA is sending our professional trailbuilders far and wide to help build quality singletrack. At the same time, we are revitalizing our club support programs to ensure that local affiliates can thrive. We know that trails build communities and that communities build trails, so we are investing in both!

I’m asking you to make a gift to IMBA’s Annual Fund today to develop the trails of tomorrow. Your generous donation to this year’s Annual Fund will help accomplish this work: (more…)

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

“Google Maps ‘Bike There’ Feature Request”

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/bikether/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too.  If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider
signing yourself.

Best wishes,

Erik Bachmann

Howard Zinn now says he’s voting for Nader.

The famous historian lives in Massachusetts, where Obama is ahead by 20 points.

Zinn created a stir earlier when he said he was voting for Obama.

He legitimately took some heat for supporting the corporate Obama.

But late last night, Zinn admitted in an e-mail to our campaign that he made a mistake and now says he will vote for Nader.

And Zinn urges all people of conscience to vote for the true progressive in slam dunk states.

Of which there are now many. (more…)

“They’re Ba-ack…”

This Halloween, the powerful lobbyists at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are trying to scare Washington with horror stories about “white spaces.”

Listen to them and you’d think we’re facing the biggest danger to empty, static-filled TV screens since Poltergeist.

In reality, the static we used to see between TV channels is nothing to fear. These white spaces represent a tremendous opportunity to provide high-speed Internet service to millions of people trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide. (more…)

Dear Nader/Gonzalez Supporters,

Come to our Peace Movement teach-in in Salt Lake City!  On Wednesday the 29th at the Nader office (455 E 400 S #203), starting at 5:30 PM, we will be talking about how to take our Peace Movement back. (more…)

In response to increasing demand for bicycle corridors in Utah, UDOT is preparing a statewide Bicycle Corridor Priority Plan. Key elements of the plan include: an assessment of current bicycle accommodations; a methodology for improving bicycle corridors; and public input and recommendations.

You can comment on existing and potential bicycle corridors as well as prioritization factors UDOT will use to evaluate bicycle corridors. Visit  http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg:340496592319391:::1:T,V:2124, (or just go to http://www.udot.utah.gov/ and follow the links on the home page). (more…)

Just think…

If mainstream media spent as much time covering the events that produced the economic meltdown as they spent on pop culture and horse-race politics, we might have avoided this financial crisis altogether.

That’s why most Americans didn’t see this mess coming, and why most don’t understand the $700 billion plan that is supposed to rescue us. (more…)

(Richfield, Utah)-The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will host a series of public open houses throughout the state to discuss existing and potential bicycle corridors. The St. George open house will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Best Western Abbey Inn, 1129 South Bluff St. in St. George.

In response to increasing demand for bicycle corridors in Utah, UDOT is preparing a statewide Bicycle Corridor Priority Plan. Key elements of the plan include: an assessment of current bicycle accommodations; a methodology for improving bicycle corridors; and public input and recommendations. (more…)