BIKERS DEVOUR DOZENS AT IOCO ROCK FEST

VEGETARIANS INCENSED AS CPTA ACCUSED OF WHITEWASH TACTICS

Government cutbacks, high taxes and CPTA membership dues got you down? Well, regarding the cuts and taxes, you'll have to contact your local MLA or elected scallywag. But if there happens to be any doubt that your CPTA membership and required dues aren't the best bargain in the Ioco woods, then read on.

Our club is comprised of a number of groups of individuals, but is for the most part made up of people of all ages who enjoy being involved in the sport/recreation of observed trials and trials-type trail riding. Some ride while others just enjoy supporting a friend or family member who does. Whatever our level of involvement, and whether we ride a trials motorcycle, a trials bicycle, or, for that matter, a trials unicycle, we are all united in the same passion for trials.

Another common thread we share is our need for a legitimate, appropriate and legal place to ride. That said, having such a place to enjoy is not necessarily a right, but a privilege that has to be earned and maintained.

We members of the CPTA can consider ourselves very lucky to have what we have available to us at our Ioco/Belcarra lands. How many people can legitimately use such a unique, varied, beautiful and "trials-appropriate" area within such close proximity to a major urban centre like Greater Vancouver? Believe me, this is an enviable and unique situation. Your membership and dues thereof allow you otherwise free access to this great playground. Land access and the trials you ride in come as results of the efforts of many individuals. Over the last 30 years, members have not only built, developed and maintained our trials, they have also tackled the enormous political task of forging, nurturing and sustaining good relations with the owners of the lands we use (i.e., BC Hydro, GVRD and the federal government).

Your membership dues should be seen as the price of admission. Think of it as a season's pass for a 365-day season. Quite a bargain - wouldn't you agree? Last time I checked a day pass to ski on the hallowed hills of Whistler/Blackcomb is about 60 dollars!

The money generated by membership in the club and by participating in club events goes directly to a whole myriad of things we all enjoy equally regardless of what or how we ride. The most important item in the club costs column is the required 3^rd-party liability insurance that has to be in place before anybody can ride in the area. If you are not a member you are not covered, and therefore are not allowed to ride on the property; this is mandatory, costing the club $1500 annually.

In order for us to have sustainable use of the land, GVRD has requested we provide a bathroom - so guess what: a bathroom has been constructed and is nearing completion. This comes as part of our nearly complete clubhouse building: a heated, powered space sheltered from all the elements we so enjoy. The cost of this structure thus far is over $10,000, and, you guessed it, all made possible solely by CPTA membership dues and entry fees.

Whenever you compete in an event, all the supplies, signs, cards, ribbons, trophies and awards do not, of course, magically fall from the "supply tree"; they are purchased with club revenues. In addition, the CPTA also spends money on supporting some of our allies (WRAP most notably) and occasionally donates modest sums of money to causes we feel better our image in the community. Allocating funds to our community increases our profile and thereby will enable us to enjoy the riding area for years to come.

In summary, regardless of what you ride, I hope you'll agree that we are, every one of us, very lucky to have such a first-rate riding facility. Without your membership and participation in events and functions this facility's constant upkeep and improvement cannot be sustained. A healthy area benefits us all, equally.

That said, lest I forget - in reference to my sensationalist and attention-grabbing headline: it seems to have fulfilled its purpose by luring you to hear my message. Though a common construct of yellow-journalism, woven amongst sensationalism are the threads of truth. Decoded and expanded, the opening headline reads 26^th May saw a good turnout of devoted CPTA members converging on the club-riding area to participate in the Spring Work Party. Litter and trash were collected from throughout the area, the interior of the clubhouse was painted (white), the bathroom was wired, tons of rock was used to "pave" sections of Calli's Creek for erosion control, gutters were installed on the clubhouse, fun was had, dozens of hamburgers were enjoyed and no lives were lost.

See you at the next one!
Guy Smeeth