Fort Worth Mountain Bikers to Host Fat Tire Festival

By Nicholas Olivier, communications intern

The Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association is a small, but passionate group of off-road cyclists dedicated to bringing the biking community together by building trails, hosting events and providing educational programs. FWMBA, pronounced “fwumbah,” was recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in August 2006 and has grown to about 100 members. The organization has agreements with the City of Fort Worth to build and maintain trails at Marion Sansom Park and Gateway Park. The group’s members have donated over 6,500 man hours of volunteer work towards the trails.

Among the events hosted by FWMBA is the series of Tuesday Night Time Trials. The set of eight races began in March and ended June 21st, alternating between Sansom and Gateway parks. I own a mountain bike and used to ride beginner’s trails as a teen, so naturally I entered the final race of the series. I showed up at Sansom Park and quickly realized that I might be unprepared. Most other participants wore Camelbacks (water packs) and had shoes that click into the pedals on their high-end mountain bikes. I came equipped with a water bottle and tennis shoes. I started out strong enough before losing track of the trail and having to backtrack for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, I was huffing and puffing my way to the finish line, coming in tied for last place alongside the one other newcomer to the series. I finished one lap (approximately 5.5 miles) in 90 minutes. That week’s winner finished two laps in 42 minutes. The good news is that Streams and Valleys has agreed to help fund signage for the Sansom Park trail so that other newcomers won’t have the same problem during next year’s series.

This Sunday, FWMBA will host its inaugural (and hopefully annual) Fort Worth Fat Tire Festival, July 10. Held in Gateway Park from 8am-2pm, the event features many different types of mountain bike events for riders of all ages and skill levels. The schedule includes a Kid’s Cup, an “on-and-off-the-bike” Adventure Challenge, and a Time Trial Finale. The “Fat Boy Crit” race allows riders over 200 lbs., called Clydesdales, to compete on a special oval course and is likened to “NASCAR on two wheels.” The event will also feature live music and wonderful Mexican food from Lanny Lancarte, owner of Lanny’s Alta Cocina. Lanny, an avid biker, will be providing burritos and iced coffee for breakfast and then tacos and tamales for lunch.

A $15 donation includes one meal ticket, an American Apparel t-shirt with FWMBA logo, a water bottle and a koozie. Proceeds go towards Phase II of the Gateway Park trail build, including over 200 feet of elevation and spectacular views of downtown. The organization estimates that the 5.5 mile extension will require 1000 volunteer hours per mile. To learn more about the Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association and its events, click HERE. To subscribe to the official FWMBA podcast, The Mountain Bike Whisperer Radio Show, search for it on iTunes or click HERE.

Click HERE to view photos of the final Tuesday Night Time Trial and podcast recording.

Click HERE to view videos of the bikers in action.

Have you explored the trails in Gateway Park and Marion Sansom Park? Did you know Fort Worth had such a thriving mountain bike community? Do you plan on attending this weekends Fat Tire Festival?

Fly Fishing On and In the Trinity River

The Fort Worth Fly Fishers aren’t your ordinary group of fishers. These fishers are serious about their craft. They regularly go on outings to fly fish at the best watering holes around the state, region and country. This past weekend, members of the group headed out to Southfork, Colorado. But staying true to their roots, members can also be found wading in the waters of the Trinity River.

I joined three members of the club last Tuesday to explore the Trinity, between Southwest Blvd. and Bryant Irvin Road. I can count on one hand the number of times I have fished and fly fishing isn’t one of them. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pick up the technique and that I would be a burden on this particular outing. Luckily, I had three very experienced, very patient teachers. FWFF president Russell Husted, former president Les Jackson and long-time member Larry Harbison.

Each took turns showing me the ropes. A proper fly fishing cast is like a golf swing, and I don’t golf. But within a few hours, I learned enough to truly enjoy myself. My biggest mistake was creating a “birds nest” of a tangle in the line while reeling in. I hadn’t caught a fish and we were about to leave, only for Larry to suggest a few more casts. Persistence paid off as I was able to catch a six-inch Perch, a true feat for a novice like me. There might not be a more intimate way to experience the Trinity River than to fly fish in it. Standing knee deep in its waters allows you to feel the current flowing through the heart of the city.

The Fort Worth Fly Fishers have been around since 1978, growing to over 100 members. As many as 30 members attend each outing. In addition to organizing fishing trips for themselves, the group aims to promote the sport of fly fishing in the local community. They contribute to conservation efforts, such river clean-ups, donate to charity and provide educational exhibitions. Larry Harbison joined over 10 years ago. His work doesn’t allow him to fish as much as he’d like, but the Trinity provides a close and convenient venue to do what he loves when he gets the chance.

The FWFF meets the first Tuesday of the month. For more information, visit http://fortworthflyfishers.org/.

Click HERE to see more photos of my excursion in and around the Trinity River.

Click HERE to see more videos of the experts in action.

Have you ever fished the Trinity? Thinking about joining the group? Did you know that it was possible to fly fish inside Fort Worth city limits?

Rowing Club Enjoys Piece of the Trinity River

By Nick Olivier, Communications Intern

Located between two dams, the Fort Worth Rowing Club enjoys a 3000 meter stretch of the Trinity River nearly all to itself. From its boathouse and dock near the Beach Street bridge to the Fourth Street bridge, you can often find members of the club rowing up and down the river. Whether training for the next regatta or enjoying a peaceful exercise, the rowers make full use of the Trinity River. The club averages 1,000 rowing trips a year among its members and guests, not including the Steerhead Regatta it hosts every September. Other than the most avid individual fishermen, the group of about 75 rowers touch the river more than any other user group.

Last Thursday evening, I strolled up to the club’s boathouse ready for a leisurely trip down the Trinity. I had never rowed before and I quickly realized that jumping in the boat and rowing down the river isn’t so easy. The mechanics of rowing and the unsteadiness of the skinny row boats made my first trip more difficult than I expected. After I learned the difference between holding my oars in “square” and “feather” positions, I was on my way. I think I did surprisingly well, perhaps due to past experience with ergonomic rowing machines in gyms. More likely it was due to great coaching.

I received a crash course (minus the crash) in rowing from two very friendly members, membership director Kristen Laramore and charter president Lee Smith. Smith, 76, has been with the club since it’s inception over 20 years ago. Smith and about 11 friends, many of them eagle scouts began meeting informally in 1989 and received recognition as an official USRowing club in 1991. A rowing merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts since 1950, Smith rows competitively with his daughter, Amy Rice. The pairing won a gold and a silver medal at the 1999 National Championships in Atlanta.

The long-term goal of the club’s founding members was to foster crews for high school and collegiate programs. Dallas has multiple high school rowing programs, but the Fort Worth Rowing Club would like to assist local high schools to start their own teams. The club produces serious competitors for state, regional and national competitions. One member was a collegiate national champion while rowing for the University of Wisconsin. The club is currently accommodating collegiate rowers on summer break from the University of Texas and the University of Pennsylvania. A Brazilian international rower on her way to the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York City trained for two weeks on the Trinity River.

Did you know: Technically-speaking, the Fort Worth Rowing Club engages in very little rowing. “Rowing” is actually done with two or more rowers on the same boat each using one oar on one side of the boat. Nearly all the club’s boats are geared for “skulling,” in which each person uses two oars, one on either side of the boat. This allows for individuals to get on the water by themselves, as well as in groups of two or four.

For more information regarding lessons and joining the club, click HERE.

Click HERE to see more photos of the rowing club and its boathouse.

Click HERE to see video of Lee and Amy row-row-rowing their boat.

Have you seen the rowers on the Trinity? Do you wish you could join them on the water? Or are you more of a canoe and kayak person?

5000 Reasons to Run on a Thursday

By Nick Olivier, Communications Intern

Ricky Cox is a legend in the Fort Worth running community. His summer 5K series has become a Fort Worth institution in its 26 years of existence. For 12 Thursday nights ever summer, the Trinity 5000 attracts more than 100 runners of all ages and origins. The race starts at 7:30pm and begins at the Haws Athletic Center. The 3.1 mile run occurs along the Trinity River with downtown Fort Worth serving as the backdrop. Every other Thursday, Trinity River Vision hosts the Rockin’ the River tube float and concert series, adding to the already festive atmosphere.

Last Thursday (June 9), I participated in the second 5K of the summer. Having only run two 5K’s before and recently returning from vacation in New Orleans, I wouldn’t describe myself as being in top physical condition. My lack of competitive running experience made me think I could bring my small backpack with me on the run, which was a bad idea. My worries soon subsided and were replaced with exertion. The race is not overly competitive but it does attract some talented runners. I finished in the longest 33 minutes of my life. Seven minutes later, an 80-year-old man crossed the finish line.

The Cox family ensures that the race is fun and welcoming to all types of runners. A dozen or so family members organize and work at each week’s Trinity 5000. Cox Racing Services is the family business that organizes races in the Tarrant County area. Ricky, 51, is a three-time winner of the Cowtown Marathon. He’s run in the Boston Marathon, performing well enough to qualify for the 1984 Olympic Trials. He had three children and 10 grandchildren that all run or play football. When he’s not running five miles a day, Ricky is a paratransit supervisor for the T, Fort Worth’s Transit Authority.

Ricky hopes the Trinity 5000 serves multiple purposes. He aims to provide a venue for young competitive runners to train. He also wants it to be a social event. Each Thursday kicks off with a kids 1K race. Of the 135 runners taking part in last week’s 5K, many of them knew each other. Almost everyone knows Ricky and many have been running the summer series for years.

You can join them this Thursday. No prior registration necessary. For more information, click HERE.

Click HERE to see more photos of the Trinity 5000 as well as the Rockin’ the River tube float.

Click HERE to see more videos of the event, including the starting line for both the 5K and Kids 1K.

Have you run the Trinity 5000? Do you plan to take part some time this summer? Or do you prefer to watch from the comfort of your tube? What’s your favorite stretch of the Trinity Trails to run on?

Bluebird Project Increases Population Along Trinity River

By Nick Olivier, Communications Intern

Jim Marshall doesn’t claim to be an ornithologist (studier of birds) or even an expert birder (bird watcher). He’s just a guy who loves the outdoors and appreciates its wildlife. One day in 2007, he was surprised to see a few bluebirds along the Trinity Trails and Trinity River in Fort Worth. Having owned a feed store, he reached out to Streams and Valleys for help receiving permission from the city to put up manmade nest boxes along the trails. Four years later, the bluebird population is thriving, to the benefit of the birds and all users of the Trinity Trails.

I met Jim one weekday morning to follow him as he checked on the dozen or so nest boxes lined along a 3.5-mile stretch of the Trinity Trails between Rogers Road and Bryant Irvin Road. I expected to see few bluebirds and to have a hard time capturing them with my camera. I figured the closest I would get to seeing bluebirds would be their eggs inside the nest boxes. I quickly realized that the Bluebird Project was farther along than I thought. An estimated total of 70 fledglings hatched during the 2010 season alone.

Apparently, I picked a good day to join Jim on his check-up. We saw bluebirds flying around just about every nest box we stopped at. Usually, each nest box was accompanied by a male and female looking after and feeding their young. Two different bike riders, one stranger and one acquaintance, stopped to tell Jim that they appreciated his work and enjoyed seeing the bluebirds. Jim’s rounds included stops to give the bluebirds treats (worms), label a newer nest box and check in on some chicks nearly about to fledge (leave the nest for good).

Bluebirds 101: As with most birds, male bluebirds are more brightly colored than their female counterparts. The males are bright blue with burnt orange chests while the females are lighter blue mixed with brown. Bluebirds differ from blue jays in that bluebirds have orange chests and blue jays have a white stripe on their backs. Bluebirds eat insects and the parents bring the food to their babies. Bluebirds eggs are preyed upon by hawks, snakes and fire ants. Bluebirds are territorial up to about 100 yards and they nest in notches (holes) in trees. The nest boxes are meant to recreate these notches.

Click HERE to see the many more photos of the bluebirds, including fledglings.

Click HERE to see video of the bluebirds in flight, enjoying a worm and more.

Have you seen the bluebirds along the Trinity Trails? What other birds would you like to see on your next bike ride or jog? Do you wish there were more people like Jim working to make the trails a more scenic environment?