Speaking of the Station Fire, here is a chance to take action.  The Mount Wilson Bicycling Association is having a fund raiser.  Money raised will be used in the upkeep and general maintenance of local trails.  SCOA WILL be attending the event!  You should too.

Just got this email from a SCOA mountain biking stalworth.  Not sure if he got it from an email or one of the MTBing forums.  The message is clear, have fun but be courteous and stay on the trail.  The Station Fire has messed things up for all of us.  Please don not excaserbate things by riding off trail - read on. . .

(Editor's Note)

==================

Subject: Cherry Cyn. Access Threatened
 
  Hello
  Just wanted to share a concern we have.

  With the bulk of the forest closed we have seen a huge increase of riders in Cherry Cyn. Thats cool, I mean we've gotta ride, right?. But sadly there have been riders cutting the trails and riding off trail. Serious damage and erosion is already visible in places. This is pissing off the wrong people off and could result in Cherry Cyn. being closed to bikes!

 I would strongly suggest avoiding the general email blast inviting all and anyone to come ride Cherry Cyn. You should have select responsible groups (High School league and other wise), should stay on the trail and ride respectfully, but the word has got round and we now have irresponsible mountain bikers riding in Cherry Canyon and cutting trails. This must stop!

When you ride, please share this and make sure that we govern how these trails are used. If you see the misuse of a trail taking place, please educate the poor fools responsible.

It’s a special gem spot and cutting trails or being rude to hikers will get it closed.

The Station Fire was and still is a tragic loss, but regardless we must be patient and let the mend run its course.
 
Thank you so much, best regards.

Concerned Cherry Canyon Riders

Pavacachi is more a military base than a town. We landed on the runway about 3000' of dirt carved from thick rain forest canopy. A short walk to the water took us past the military garrison of 5. One officer maybe 18 or 19 organizing, controlling and directing 4 enlisted that were probably a year or two younger than he. Uniform restrictions were lax. The only way I knew he was an officer was by his cover (hat) it had Lieutenant bars on it. The rest were wearing tattered shorts or sweat suit bottoms like the Eastern Block Russian mafia are always wearing.

Quick side bar, the military garrison had apparently 'lost' their foot ball. Prior to arriving in Pavacachi our mission was to find and purchase a replacement. Think about it, if we were going to be rescued or our security was in doubt they would be the first line of rescue. We had a vested interest in their happiness.

I could easily empathize with the smiles of joy on their faces when they saw the ball, in a previous life I lived in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. After a few words from Mickey, a few 'yeah yeahs, thank you' from them - they immediately began playing with it. Seclusion in the rain forest provides a warped perspective. I didn't understand this exchange at first but looking back. . . I am getting ahead of myself.

Three families of the Kichwa community share Pavacachi with the military. Technically the families own it and are stewards of the land. They can pretty much do with it as they see fit. They have built a lodge, "housing" for the families, an air strip and HF antenna too. Mostly though there is rain forest, 1000s of acres of it. Flying in, one quickly realizes, if things get sideways, it is going to be LONG while before anyone gets to you. There is a symbiotic relationship between Eco Planet Adventures and the families of Pavacachi too. EPA provides the people and cash resources. The families show us the detail of their land a perspective that you cannot read in National Geographic or watch on the Discovery channel. This rain forest adventure is a once in a life-time experience.

Back on the ground in Pavacachi, one of the more impressive factors of the rain forest is the heat and the humidity. During the descent from altitude the cockpit went from a pleasant 75 to 100! It was probably only 95F but it felt like 115. The humidity was impressive too. Is it possible for humidity to be 110%? Standing on the runway, I began to have second thoughts. . . "Damn. They weren't kidding about the heat. Better start drinking my electrolytes. . ." Then the kids showed up with the baby monkey.

Check out the video - here

Here is a link to a cool new online Mountain Bike Magazine.

Click Here - http://www.imbikemag.com/issue4/

The Plan was simple, spend 10 days in the rain forest, moving by foot and dug out canoe and camping on sand bars of the Curaray River. Logistically we would, connect with our guides, Eco Planet Adventures in Quito. Zip over to Shell (Mera) by auto. Then blast 200 miles into the rain forest in small plane. Simple - eh?

Shell Mera was established in 1937 as a Shell Oil Company base. It originally consisted of little more than several basic shacks and a 5,000-foot (1,500 m) airstrip. It was operated as part of Shell's prospecting efforts in the region.

The base was located near some Indian tribes that were known to be hostile. On a few occasions the Indians attacked Shell, resulting in the deaths of several employees. The oil company eventually considered the base too dangerous to maintain, and abandoned it in 1948. (WikiPedia -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Mera)

What they don't tell ya is that between Shell and Pavacachi there isn't anything but pristine rain forest and wide silty rivers. Almost as soon as you take off there isn't anywhere to land!

We flew in a 1970 Islander. Design of the Islander started in 1963 and the first prototype BN-2 first flew on 13 June 1965. The Islander is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with a rectangular fuselage and two wing-mounted engines. The fuselage, which has a conventional tail unit and fixed tricycle landing gear, will usually accommodate one pilot and up to nine passengers and enough gear to last us 10 days. . . (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britten-Norman_Islander)

Fortunately, we had a great pilot who knew his way around the cockpit. His trusty Garmin 296 GPS got us right where we needed to be.

The video is the landing click here or click the picture.

For those of you who have seen me since the Rain Forest Expedition to Provachi Ecuador, you know I lost 18 pounds. But that isn't the real story. I feel great!

It's going around, that is measuring health fitness success by goals other than the loss of weight. The folks at FormWell, personal fitness trainers, are teaching their clients to look at other matrix besides the scale.

Read more here

.  Whatever you decide to do, be consistent and be patient.

Be well -

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!

As we train, as we live life sometimes we focus on the outcome.  Sometimes we use that word - "failure."

Listen to Srikumar Rao.  He has a great philosophy on approaching living our lives.  Focus on the process rather than the outcome. It is a great listen - check it out.

http://www.ted.com/talks/srikumar_rao_plug_into_your_hard_wired_happiness.html

Many of you have traveled with me and OPtical Edge Inc (SCOA's parent company) on our amazing Isla Holbox adventures where we: swim with the whale sharks, fish with the fishermen, check out Salt Water Crocodiles and watch sea turtles lay their egss.  Every year there is a new developer wanting to put property right on the water.  This year they might be successful.

Please read the below email I received from one of the hotel managers we have worked with in the past.  Read the note and read the petition.  If it resonates with you as it did with me sign it and pass it on.  While it isn't clear to me this will stop the developers, at least your voice will be heard.  Alternatively, if you have a different view make a comment let us know.

Become informed, think, take action. . .

Please join me in signing the Save the Holbox Beach! petition
 
Click Here sign the Save the Holbox Beach petition!
Don't let local authorities destroy the Holbox Beach!


Local authorities have decided to develop the beach IN FRONT of the hotels that already exist. They plan on building cement block bars and businesses and a paved road! Now only will they be destroying the environment, and the vibe of Holbox, but they will be destroying their own prospects for tourism.

The "proyecto" (project) planned for the beautiful Caribbean island of Holbox, Mexico- will destroy the dunes and the white powder sand that is so special to Holbox; part of the eco Reserve of Yum Balam. Their plan is to bring in the machines, knock down the dunes and the palm trees, and build a boulevard running parallel with the water's edge and then build permanent structures all along the avenue for rent to restaurants and bars.

Gone will be the golden sunset walks, the sea shells, the frigates, pelicans, flamingos and cranes. The wide white beach will be converted into a commercial zone, serving only the tourist that enjoys traffic... The rustic-caribbean-laid-back-funky tourist town will disappear and the natural beach will be gone forever.

We need the voice of world tourism to express their love for Holbox in its natural state; non-developed, non-groomed, and without bars, restaurants, and traffic. Please help show the tourism department and the local "planners" the error of their ways by signing this petition!

DONT FORGET TO PASS IT ON & INVITE OTHERS!

Who Else Wants Sports Nutrition Advice?
Free Upcoming Webinar

When it comes to sports nutrition advice, most coaches and parents aren't sure what they should be telling their athletes.
Is breakfast really that important? (Yes.)
How much water do they need each day? (At least half their bodyweight, in ounces)
How many calories do athletes need to consume each day? (2500 - 5000 depending on sport and gender)
How often do athletes need to eat? (Every 2.5-3 hours)
Are training supplements bad for you? (Some, but not all.)
And when I talk to young athletes, I see they don't know any of the answers either.

Because, in most cases -

They don't eat a healthy breakfast (if at all), they don't drink enough water, consume enough calories, eat frequently enough or understand the basics about taking sports supplements.

The result? Fatigue, injury, moodiness, decreased performance, poor grades...

The list goes on and on. And these are just the short term issues they face...

If you want your athletes to perform at their best (on and off the playing field) you must help them make better and more consistent nutritional choices.

That's why I'm excited to let you know about an upcoming FREE webinar on (teen) sports nutrition being hosted by highly regarded sports performance expert Jeff Cavaliere.


As the former strength and conditioning coach and physical therapist for the New York Mets and a featured monthly contributor for Men's Fitness magazine, Jeff is one of the most sought after sports performance experts in the country.

In addition to working extensively with high school athletes of every sport and gender, he's also worked daily with the likes of perennial All-Stars Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and Carlos Delgado as well as future Hall Of Famers Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana and continues to train All World 3rd Baseman David Wright each and every off-season.

You might think these athletes have completely different nutritional needs than your developmental athletes, but the surprising truth is elite level athletes have the same nutritional weaknesses and needs as your athletes do. Jeff knows practical, real world nutrition and he's going to share those secrets with you on the free sports nutrition webinar he's hosting on Tuesday, March 9, 2010.

Because your athletes will feel and perform better when you help them upgrade their nutrition, register now for this Live event and get answers to your nutritional and health related questions.

Webinar Information / Registration


Regards,

Chris Poirier from Perform Better