We’ve got so much going on that I missed some important updates that CAMBC is doing to grow and contribute to the community.
- May Membership drive:
- Paid members are up from 180 to 220. Thank you, loyal members!
- Kudos to Eric Magrum for leading this drive.
- We have many more bikers on this mailing list. Please consider joining CAMBC as a member.
- BTW: you can go to IMBA.com and create a personal login so you can view/manage your membership yourselves. No need to ask the board if their dues are paid up.
- CAMBC teaching mountain biking through City Parks and Rec:
- CAMBC teaching mountain biking beginners clinics (for ages 6 to 16) this summer through City Parks and Rec. Clinic dates June 8, July 6, and August 3. Interested participants register at City Park and Rec department. Coaches and assistant coaches are needed. Contact Dave Stackhouse at davecambc@gmail.com.
- CAMBC leading three 4-day mountain bike “adventure ride” caps this summer through City Parks and Rec. Adventure ride dates are June 10 to 13, July 8 to 11, and August 5 to 8. Interested participants can register at the City Park and Rec department. Coaches and assistant coaches are needed. Contact Dave Stackhouse.
- CAMBC has a robust schedule for weekly group rides:
- Tuesday beginner rides at Preddy Creek at 6 pm.
- Wednesday Ladies rides (location TBD).
- Thursday urban ride from Champion Brewing, 6 pm. Usually lead by Morgan Cruthirds.
- Did you know that anyone can post their own ride? Don’t be shy. Use our email list to find folks in your neighborhood who want to join you for a ride.
- Walnut Creek trail update:
- CAMBC floated the idea of creating a new section of trial at Walnut Creek that will make the blue dam loop friendly for beginners (think to avoid the rock gardens down at the stream and the grunt climb leading back up to the dam when traveling counterclockwise).
- Jenny Whedbee and Dave are flagging this trail this week. Once the County blesses the proposed route we intend to schedule construction of this new trail to begin in August.
- CAMBC supports mountain biking in local schools:
- CAMBC sends sponsor money each year to each of our local high school MTB teams (Monticello, AHS, WAHS, and CHS).
- CAMBC is working with an involved parent to design and construct a small MTB trail system at Greenbrier Elementary school. The first trail work day is scheduled for this Saturday, June 1. Meet at Greenbrier track at 9 am Saturday. This effort is being led by Tom Connaughton, parent of a student at Greenbrier. CAMBC is providing design assistance and tools.
- Other CAMBC advocacy efforts:
- John Lewis acts as CAMBC liaison to Rivanna Trail Foundation. CAMBC and RTF work together to maintain and improve the Rivanna Trail.
- Dave Stackhouse sits on Charlottesville Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). BPAC advises Neighborhood Development Services, City traffic engineers, and City Council in all issues relating to infrastructure for bike and pedestrian access and connectivity.
- John Lewis and Dave Stackhouse host monthly luncheon meetings with trail planners at Albemarle County Parks and Rec and City of Cville Parks and Rec. These meetings keep CAMBC informed of plans and implementation in the City and County and help CAMBC be strategic and instrumental in advocacy for more and better trails throughout the City and the County.
And a clarification about Ragged Mountain.
In our newsletter, we said biking was not allowed. Silly word correction routines. What we meant to say is biking is not not-allowed.
More specifically, mountain biking at Ragged Mountain is not not-legal as the City passed an ordinance that allows it, while the County has an ordinance that does not specifically outlaw mountain biking but also does not specifically allow it. The City and the County are involved in a lawsuit to determine who has authority at Ragged Mountain. This ongoing litigation is into its second year with no resolution in sight. Since birdwatching is specifically allowed, anyone who decides to bike there should indicate they are bird watching and they should follow signs for the Upper Loop until they get to the far side of the reservoir, then use the lakeside loop.
Folks who ride Ragged Mountain are reminded of the need to always be courteous, to be good ambassadors for our sport, and to yield to all other trail users. Also, it is a good idea to avoid riding Ragged during busy periods such as nice weekend days.