News/Events

Harwood's riders - please yield the right of way to heavy equipment on the Multi-Use (MU) trails. Several riders have almost been hit because they failed to yield to a vehicle that's the size of a tank. The exit from the "B" trail is particularly dangerous because it's a blind intersection and the vehicles can't see you fast enough to react. This heavy equipment is owned by Newport News waterworks - they own the land that you're riding on. So please be respectful of their operations. Thanks.

EVMA just received a $250 grant from ExtremeTerrain.com for constructing some trail bridges as a part of our ongoing partnership with the City of Virginia Beach to improve hiking/mountain biking trails for Marshview Park!  Thank you to ExtremeTerrain/Turn5.com for this much needed funding!  Stay tuned for news about this exciting project to bring more quality trails to our riders on the southside!

Freedom Park will be working on their roads over the next two weeks. Starting next Tuesday, 8 Sept, some parking areas will be shut down. The following week, 14 - 18 Sept, some MTB trails may be closed. The park will update us next Thursday on planned work; however, during those two weeks it is recommended that you please call the park for updates before you expect to ride. 757-259-4022.

Ride leaders are needed.  Please email melanie_storrs@yahoo.com if you can lead a ride.  You get to choose the date and time as well as the place.  Group rides can only happen if we have volunteers to support the rides.

A big Thank you to Andy Booden, who is now Trail Captain of Indian River Park. He is already doing some outstanding work down there.  

The board hopes to meet soon to discuss the status of resuming meetings and if we will be having the fall camping trip to Douthat.  More details soon.

Trail Closure - Trail E at Freedom Park is closed until further notice.  An unfortunate thank you to Justin and his family who were riding and came across the ground bees on the trail.  The park knows about it and is working to fix the issue.

Ride Leaders Needed - EVMA would love to offer more group rides but volunteers are needed to lead the rides.  Do you plan to ride anyway?  Let me know and I can advertise to other group members.  You don't have to be the fastest, just ensure everyone gets off the trail safely.  Email melanie_storrs@yahoo.com to set up your group ride!

Thank you - A recent email asked for volunteer trail captains.  A big thank you goes out to Dan Sabin who is trail captain for Freedom D & E, and Eric Cunningham who is trail captain at New Quarter.  Also, maybe not mentioned earlier but Mark Willmann has recently become trail captain at Harwood's Mill.  We appreciate you stepping up and thank all the volunteers to monitor the trails and keep them safe for all of us.

Current Events - Now located on the Home Page

Group Rides: The weather is getting nicer and everyone will want to get out and ride more.  Please consider being a ride leader.  Contact Melanie at melanie_storrs@yahoo.com if you want to lead a group ride.  You do not have to be in the lead to be the leader.  You just have to organize the group and make sure everyone gets off the trail safely.  At one time, EVMA had group rides nearly every Saturday and Sunday morning, but evening rides, weekend afternoon rides, or even weekday rides are not out of the question.  Volunteering is good for your health and mental well-being, so please consider giving back while doing something you already enjoy!

Current Events -  Now located on the home page.

Thank you – A big Thank You to everyone who came out to Wahrani for trail work earlier this month.  We had about 20 members show up and got a lot of work done that day.  Thank you to all!

T-Shirt order – The club will be ordering a supply of green tech tees that will be available for purchase soon.  Some members have expressed an interest in other colors. Please visit Facebook to see to take the survey about additional colors.

Donation letters – If you have made a donation to the EVMA, or purchased something for the club and do not need reimbursed, ask Kurt Bradley for a donation letter.  EVMA is a 501c3 so any donations are tax deductible.

EVENTS COMING UP

Feb 8 – Trail work at Wahrani at 9 am.  Come help get this trail in shape for our Leap Day Ride.  Meet at the parking lot.  Bring gloves, water, and your bike to ride afterwards.  If you have never ridden this trail, it is very different from other trails and a lot of fun.  Lunch will be provided for all of our volunteers.

Feb 15 – Group ride York River State Park starting at 10 am.  Meet in the parking lot just past the Ranger shed.

Feb 22 – Trail work at New Quarter Park at 9 am.  Meet in the main parking area, closest to the trail.

Feb 29 – Leap Day Ride at Wharani.  It only happens once every 4 years so don’t miss it.  Ride Leader:  Mike Benton.

Night rides – Night rides are still happening at Harwood’s Mill on Tuesdays, New Quarter Park on Wednesdays and Freedom Park on Thursdays but will end the first week of March.  Get out and ride while you still can.    Rides begin at 6 pm and we have to be out of the parks by 8 pm.  Every rider should have 2 lights, and no one should be riding alone.  Rides will be canceled if there are not at least 2 riders.

OTHER NOTES

Spring Trip Survey – You should have received a 1-minute survey from EVMA this past weekend.  Please take a moment to express your interest in the spring trip so final plans can be made.  If you have not taken the survey, please take it now https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FK2D525.

Lake Maury Trail Signing - Newport News park has asked Mike Gross to sign the trails at Lake Maury as was done at Harwood’s Mill. Mike needs someone who is very familiar with the trails to consult on a loop system, and later install the signs.  Please contact him if you are able to help.

A Big Thank You – Thank you to everyone who donated to the EVMA trail fund in December.  There were over $700 in donations brought in that will not go to any admin expenses.  It’s never too late to donate.  All donations go directly to trail maintenance.

EVENTS COMING UP

February 1 – Group ride at Freedom Park at 10 am followed by club meeting and lunch at noon at the Interpretive Center. There is a very good chance of rain so be sure to check EVMA Chatter that morning for ride cancellation.  Meeting will still go on even if ride does not.  Come out and help plan the EVMA spring trip, discuss other trail work needs, and get your T-shirt order submitted. 

February 8 – Trail work at Wahrani at 9 am.

Night rides – Night rides are still happening at Harwood’s Mill on Tuesdays, New Quarter Park on Wednesdays and Freedom Park on Thursdays but not for much longer.  Get out and ride while you still can.  Rides begin at 6 pm and we have to be out of the parks by 8 pm.  Every rider should have 2 lights, and no one should be riding alone.  Rides will be canceled if there are not at least 2 riders.

OTHER NOTES

Lake Maury Trail Signing - Newport News park has asked Mike Gross to sign the trails at Lake Maury as was done at Harwood’s Mill. Mike needs someone who is very familiar with the trails to consult on a loop system, and later install the signs.  Please contact him if you are able to help.

A Big Thank You – Thank you to everyone who donated to the EVMA trail fund in December.  There were over $700 in donations brought in that will not go to any admin expenses.  It’s never too late to donate.  All donations go directly to trail maintenance.

EVENTS COMING UP

January 25 – Trail work day at Wahrani CANCELED for this weekend.  It’s supposed to rain during the night on Friday and early Saturday morning.  Reschedule to Saturday, February 8^th at 9 am.

February 1 – Group ride at Freedom Park at 10 am followed by club meeting and lunch at noon at the Interpretive Center.  Come out and help plan the EVMA spring trip, discuss other trail work needs, and get your T-shirt order submitted. 

Night rides –  Night rides are still happening at Harwood’s Mill on Tuesdays, New Quarter Park on Wednesdays and Freedom Park on Thursdays but not for much longer.  Get out and ride while you still can.    Rides begin at 6 pm and we have to be out of the parks by 8 pm.  Every rider should have 2 lights, and no one should be riding alone.  Rides will be canceled if there are not at least 2 riders.

OTHER NOTES

A Big Thank You – Thank you to everyone who donated to the EVMA trail fund in December.  There were over $700 in donations brought in that will not go to any admin expenses.  It’s never too late to donate.  All donations go directly to trail maintenance.

New VP of Trails – Thank you to Mark Willmann who has stepped up to the challenge of being EVMA’s VP of Trails.  If you have been doing the night rides at Harwood’s Mill, you already know him.  Mark has extensive knowledge about computers and has already offered a lot of great tips, so we are very happy to have him on board.