Summer is Here!

TORBA had an exciting and busy end of May, with several huge accomplishments and successes!

The TORBA Umbra Launch Event was a huge success, drawing many riders and bicycle community folks out for amazing atmosphere, terrific trials, and superlative speeches! Les Mandelbaum of Umbra presented Tim Charles with a big fat cheque, and further support was promised. Many thanks to Umbra for hosting this event and Steamwhistle for signing on at the last minute to provide good times...more to come! Props also to Carsinn Wilson, trials rider extraordinare!

The U of T / Task Force to Bring Back the Don / City of Toronto Don Clean Up Day was also hugely successful, with literally tonnes of garbage picked up, and many trees planted. Telus provided an enormous contingent of volunteer staff. Prizes were doled out, and the free BBQ was delicious. City Of Toronto had some big guns on site to give the event a boost...Councillor John Parker, Scott Laver, and Ray Stukas all represented and pitched in with the community. This annual event is growing exponentially, and next year's cleanup is already being planned.

Behind the scenes, TORBA finally recieved its Letters Patent, meaning we are now officially incorporated, which means TORBA will live on past its current executives, thereby achieving the goal of "building a sustainable, effective organization." Incorporation qualifies TORBA for funding, creating contracts with other businesses, and formalizing the association legally. This is a major step for a group like us, and no small task.

Also of note is the City of Toronto's builds in Crothers Woods, where several new trails have been constructed, both with community involvement and contractor / IMBA work. Mark Schmidt himself marked most of the new trail, and helped directly in building the new switchbacks at the Loblaws Trailhead. This is a signifigant sign that IMBA and City Of Toronto intend on working with TORBA and the community to build trails. Things are changing!

TORBA has also ramped up lobbying and advocacy efforts, with some very progressive and successful meetings with local Councillors and senior staff at City of Toronto. Solutions are being explored and discussed at very high levels, and the prognosis is good. But, these negotiations take time, and so does building positive relationships. Many of the answers will not come quickly, or easily, but we will endeavour to keep the cycling community's interests at the forefront of our efforts.

So June has come quickly, and...well...it's riding season! So we've been out on the trails, meeting real riders, and not spending so much time "in the office"! But have no fear, there are some big plans in the pipeline, and as soon as they solidify, we'll let you know what's gonna happen!

Build trail culture

Donations

Here at Torba we strive to keep dirt under your tires and cash in your pockets!

That's why membership is free!

Some of you maybe saying; Hey, I wanna help.

That's cool too, just follow the link below to our donation page.