Last Saturday was the 3rd year for the Good Dirt Ride led by our own Good Dirt Kurt. What started as the Ride for Rwanda with Doug Grant seventeen seasons ago has now become the top community ride for us every year.
The Airport Fire this year resulted in a date change, but our MTB community came together just the same. We had over 650 riders in now four events, the 10m, 15m, 25m and 50m. The starts were staggered beginning at a brisk 7:30A and running all the way till 9:30A.
Each group was sent out by Kurt with a reminder to have fun and a bit of soundtrack to set the tone. Everyone was able to enjoy a few water crossings in Arroyo Trabuco, the 15m did laps at Waterworks and the long distances riders went all the way out to Caspers.
Riders came back in a bit dirtier (it is the good dirt ride!) and wearing big smiles on their faces. Lots of great tales from the trails to be shared as we gathered around the food trucks and beer garden for a fall afternoon party.
Kurt took the stage to recognized the volunteers, led by Steve Osborne of thinkMTB and the always present ambassadors at Linked Cycling, all told seventy or so of our community came together to make this event happen. Kurt also recognized our vendors and sponsors and Jim Foley for working with the so many of them that gave to make the opportunity drawing amazing. Pure Ride, Specialized/RocknRoad, Shimano, The Ranch in Laguna and Boyer Ranch were just part of the support presenting some amazing grand prize donations.
I was then able to acknowledge the biggest contributors of all, YOU - our own MTB community. Every registration and raffle ticket made for a donation to our own local trails, supporting efforts such as the recent and upcoming open space openings, pump tracks and skills parks, trailwork tools and trail strike team. Because of you we are able to deliver on our mission to protect and expand trail access.
The crowd then joined me in the most heartfelt expression of gratitude for Good Dirt Kurt. This is the guy that agreed to step up when Doug appropriately retired. This is the man that weathered mother nature's plans this year. And this is a man with a heart of gold, a true #TrailHero of Orange County, the reason this awesome event lives on for all of us.
We had quick update from Kim at Team Africa Rising on how the majority of the rider support is continuing to make a difference in that continent, following in the spirit of what was started so many years ago.....and then it was time for the opportunity drawing. And what an amazing one. Ton's of goodies going into the crowd, gloves from Tasco, Sock Guy product, Delium Tires while sixty baskets and ten grand prizes were awarded to so many lucky locals.
Yep, another year is in the books. We've had many awesome community gatherings this year, movies at the Rivian SouthCoast Theater, Open Space Explores in our new wilderness parks etc.....but this one might just be the best. What makes Orange County Mountain Bike Association? It's the Community, thanks for coming out and celebrating your being a part of that magic!
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