Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Patrol
Patrol Director: Jeremy Hakes
Volunteer Manager: Jerome Bollinger
Patrol Manager: Mike Deceglie
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Who is BCMBP?
The Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Patrol (BCMBP) is a volunteer mountain bike organization affiliated with the Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) that is dedicated to promoting responsible mountain bike riding and trail use on our public lands. We provide assistance and education to all trail users in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area (BCRA). 2022 will be our 26th season of continuous operation under an agreement with the United States Forest Service (USFS).
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Our Beginnings
In the summer of 1996, the 12,000-acre Buffalo Creek forest fire and subsequent flooding occurred in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area of the Pike National Forest. The events had a heavy impact on the town of Buffalo Creek as well as the surrounding National Forest lands. In 1997, recognizing that the USFS was in need of help, a group of concerned mountain bikers headed by Keith Clarke and Stu Miller formed the Front Range Mountain Bike Patrol. In 2019, a new Agreement with the USFS was signed and updated the name to Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Patrol to more accurately identify our target area of the BCRA.
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The High Meadow fire in the summer of 2000 and the Hayman fire of 2002 added to the devastation of this heavily used recreation area. Additionally, the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) designated the Buffalo Creek area an IMBA “Epic Ride” in 2004. These fires as well as the increase in the area’s popularity further demonstrated the need and utility of the BCMBP and the partnership with the USFS.
What We Do
The BCMBP acts as the eyes and ears of the USFS in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area for all trail users. We patrol weekend days from Memorial Day through Labor Day. To date, we have contributed over 9,100 hours of service!
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Our Mission
BCMBP promotes responsible riding and trail usage, provides first aid and simple bike repairs, and supplies information on USFS rules and regulations as well as IMBA’s Rules of the Trail, as well as general knowledge of the area. We also provide feedback to the USFS regarding trail conditions, maintenance issues, emergency situations, and non-compliance issues. We help all Buffalo Creek trail users to have a safe and enjoyable experience in the BCRA. The one thing that is not part of our mission is law enforcement - that is left to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
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Patroller Requirements
You must be interested in riding your bike, having a good time, and helping others. All volunteers must be at least 16 years old, be an enthusiastic rider and patrol a minimum of three weekend days during the season. Patrollers are required to ride in pairs — you are allowed to patrol with a friend rather than another patroller if that works best for you. Patrol training will be held via online webinar, and is required for all new volunteers. First Aid and CPR certification are helpful but not required. No e-bikes are allowed.
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We Want YOU!
In addition to giving back to the sport and demonstrating to the USFS that we, as mountain bikers, are a responsible and committed user group, there are several other benefits. We receive local sponsorship from BikeSource, who provide us with free consumables such as tubes, patch kits, water bottles, and discounts on products and services. The new trails in the BCRA have happened in part due to the relationship between BCMBP and the USFS – the patrol’s efforts benefit all visitors in the BCRA!
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For more information or to sign up, please contact us! BCMBP@COMBA.org
Deadline to sign up is May 27, 2022; patrols run on weekends from May 28 - Sept. 5.
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