We certainly are off to a good start with our beautiful weather.  The kids and my father-in-law have been making weekly visits to Otter Creek to try out the trails that CORBA is working on.  I've biked to a few meetings downtown... and the trails are in good condition and pretty busy!  In Altoona, we are excited to say that the next segment of our trail loop made a leap forward this month.  We have been patiently awaiting approval for proceeding to the building stage.  Due to requirements of the grant dollars, this has been a long process.   But sometime this summer it should go out to bid and we hope to complete it in the fall of 2010.  This segment will link to the eastern end of Lake Road in Altoona, follow off road along KB and then become an on road trail approaching the KB/SS bridge.  This is a step to completing the 15 mile loop trail winding through Altoona and around Eau Claire.  It makes for a nice ride, and with some education, kids can ride along. 

In addition to the trail, hopefully some improvements around the school campus in Altoona will incorporate changes developed during Safe Routes to School planning sessions.  In an effort to make our community of Altoona a bike and pedestrian friendly community, we will be hosting some events this spring to educate our kids on bicycle safety.  Our parks and rec program is offering a woman's bike repair clinic, which you can sign up for at the parks and rec office in Altoona. 

Get out and ride your bike...be careful around loose gravel and be sure to wear a helmet.  Check out the following links to some of our local biking groups....

          http://chippewaoffroad.org   They do a wonderful job maintaining and building new mountain bike trails....always looking for riders and volunteers.  New trails are going in at Northwest Community Park in Eau Claire and Otter Creek in Altoona.

          www.altoonaoutdoors.org We'd love to have you ride our trails in Altoona.  Ride down to the Lake Altoona County Park and have a picnic.

          http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ECPIERIDERS This group rides!  They have a full summer calendar!

        www.chippewa-river-trail.com  Buy your annual pass for the Chippewa River Trail from the Friends and help them support the trails.  They are looking for new members and board members.  A great way to get involved.

        www.overdrivecycling.com I love their tagline...It's Not About What You Do, But Who You Do It With!"  Fill out your membership form today and hand it in to Terry at Eau Claire Bike and Sport. 

See you on the trail...