Photo Contest Beta Help

Hello SCOA! As we gear up for our upcoming photo contest and later the Adventure Photo Challenge, we need your help testing the system. Will you help us?

Anyone can help, here is what we need: go take a photo OUTSIDE of whatever you see - right now. Email it to photo@scoaoutdoors.net If you have a GPS enabled phone please turn on the GPS feature if it isn't already on. In the subject of your email include a photo title. That is it!

Oh, you don't have a camera phone - no worries. Go to your computer and email your favorite outdoor photo to photo@scoaoutdoors.net. In the subject line include the title of your photo.

Anybody and everybody should feel free to help out - even if you are in the UK or China.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated!

So you got a mountain bike, now what?

Here are some thoughts that were pilfered from various sites on the Internet. Read them and apply them as you see fit. The most important thing is to make sure all your questions are answered preferably by a qualified professional. So. Cal. Mountain Bikers does not qualify as professional advice - think of us a 'mountain biking buddy' - but perhaps as a catalyst for deeper investigation.

• Buy a helmet or borrow one that properly fits you. This is priority one, there are no exceptions! There are several pieces of safety equipment you can get, but aren’t necessary for the first few rides. As you progress further into the sport, you may find you require more. Equipment such as gloves, shin guards, arm braces, etc. you may look into later on.
• Talk to your local bike shop or friends about finding local places or areas that allow bicycles on their trails. If you are uncomfortable hitting the trails right off the bat, then go out and walk them before you ride and get acclimated with them. Be sure to be aware of other riders around you and step off the path when they approach you from behind.CORBA - provides a "must attend" Free Mountain Bike Skills Clinic on the first Saturday of each month. While I have not attended it, I hear it is an incredible class - so go. It is usually on our Calendar. Go here for more info http://www.corbamtb.com/programs/skills.shtml

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Additionally, Southern California Mountain Bikers has two weekly rides designed for beginners: Tuesday Brown Mountain (depending on time of year, you *may* need lights for this event) and Thursday Morning Sullivan Canyon/Westridge Rides. Takeaway - you've got the bike get out there and ride :-)

• Come prepared/be self-sufficient. On your first ride it isn’t necessary to have all of the equipment you will see most people carrying; however there are a few essentials: helmet, hydration pack, cell phone and tools to fix a flat.
• Make time and keep riding. As adults our lives are busy, but adults have to play too! I have found it to be a fabulous stress reliever.

Again these are just some thoughts on how to begin. Look around, ask questions but most importantly - don't put it off. There are a bunch of great mountain biking groups. It doesn't matter which one you ride with but get out there and ride!

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Hang on folks we are in for a potentially amazing ski season.  Mammoth Mountain just announced that they will be opening 16 October!

Read for yourself!

This summer has been the best ever for SCOA!

with Chris Ashford

330 events since we first started and 1,600+ members and growing. While the summer isn't over, I've been looking through the pictures and now video on our website - we have come a long way baby! Many thanks to all of you for coming out and playing with SCOA and to the Co-Organizers who make this group zip.

You should also know, we had a super successful first fully sponsored event on Wednesday - the Amazon Adventure Expedition was a huge success and they are super excited to be working with us! Also - take a minute and click on Columbia Clothing link. There is still much more to come but these successes were a long time in the making. Thanks to Samantha, Stephen, Brian and Erica for believing and encouraging SCOA along.

Are you starting to notice that a LOT goes on with SCOA on and off the Internet? This week we have had a lot of movement in the mountain biking world. While one place opens - Mt Wilson Toll Road - another - Sullivan Canyon - Closes. If you are a mountain biker or hiker in those areas I encourage you to read both blogs but especially the one regarding Sullivan Canyon. It is going to close unless we speak up (thanks Chris).

One of the best parts of working at SCOA is seeing all the photos and videos. This week was no exception! There are a few from the bungee jumping event that are breath taking. The ones from this weekend's Zion Canyoneering experience take the cake. Easily this was one of the most spectacular and dynamic events this year. On Saturday the "guided" up with a local outfitter to get the lay of the land. On Sunday, SCOA's own Stephen Lee hooked up the group with some secret sauce. He took the group down into places that don't see direct sunlight all year - check out the amazing photos.

There is lots of smoke and ash on the East Side today; unless the fires burn out or there is a major wind shift, this weekend could see some unhealthy air. Use caution outdoors this weekend. Regardless of what you do, enjoy it. Don't forget to take video and pictures and upload it!

Life well Played

Brad, Brian, Dario Padilla, Diana Bernal, Helen Leung, Katja, Rosemary Phillips, Stein, Stephen