News/Events

Wednesday's (25 June) retirees group ride is canceled due to extreme heat.

This is for Massanutten WESTERN SLOPE (shuttle assist) at 4360 Happy Valley Rd., Keezletown, VA.  NOT the lift-assist bike park at the ski slopes.

***As of 6/5/25 at 8:15 PM, we're on.  But if the forecast changes we might have to cancel, so check back here by Friday night.  As of 6/5/25 the weather forecast for Saturday now has a chance of passing rain or even afternoon storms. 

Assuming that we do go.....Details:

1.       If you plan to go, want to carpool, or have questions, please reply to the EVMA e-mail from 6/5/25.
2.       You’ll need a day pass, sign the waiver, and get the all-day shuttle pass which you can get here for $50 with option 4, “Unlimited Western Slope Bike Shuttle”: https://book.massresort.com/Ecomm/Shop/activities/6548646/en-US/?startdate=06%2F07%2F2025&productcategoryId=197
*You might want to wait until later this week when we confirm the trip.
3.       As of 6/5/25, there are at least 4 of us going.
4.       1^st shuttle is 10:00 AM, so meet in the parking lot NO LATER than 9:30 AM (preferably earlier) to meet up, gear up, sign in, etc.  Last shuttle is 4:00 PM. 
5.       Port-john and changing room are on site.  Bring food for lunch/snacks between runs, and plenty of water. 
6.       Shuttles run every half hour On Fri & Sat.  We plan to try to catch shuttles every hour or 90 minutes.  Shuttles are van-pulled trailers with bench seats and hanging bike racks.  ~5-8 minute ride in the full sun up the gravel road.  Have sun protection.
7.       Trails: The group plans to ride the shuttle to the top and start on the difficult, rockier trails (2,000 hrs, Peak Ridge Trail to Puzzler, Kaylor’s Knob Ridge to Upper Ravine, etc.), which are all extremely rocky but feed into less rocky and flowy-er/easier trails.  If lots of rocks is not your thing, you could start slightly down the mountain on the easier, flowy-er, but still extremely fun trails (Special K, Red White & Blue, etc. which are totally suitable for those who don’t like techy rocky gnar).
8.       Again, any questions, reply to the 6/5/25 EVMA e-mail. (Or join the EVMA so you get the weekly e-mails!)  We're happy to answer questions and convince you to join us!

Join us Sunday, June 1 at 10:00 AM at Wahrani Nature Trail.  17485 Eltham Rd. Lanexa, VA.

*We might get more rain Friday night and maybe even Saturday, so check back here to make sure we're still on.

This ride was suggested by a Southside EVMA member who has ridden here once before and needs some guiding to find the best way around.

Want to get push notifications when trails are closed due to weather/wet conditions?  James City County just added Freedom Park to their Rainout Line.  Sign up at the Rainout Line Website https://rainoutline.com/subscribe/notify/7572392002/0 and use the tabs to choose app, text, or e-mail alerts.  You can sign up to get alerts only for Freedom Park Trails A-E, or any JCC facilities that face weather closures.  (*This is ONLY for Freedom Park bike trail closures, but if Freedom trails are closed, we should probably avoid nearby trails like New Quarter, YRSP, Wahrani, Harwoods Mill.)  You can also still call 757-259-4022 x1, or visit here: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Freedom-Park-7.

We get lots of new EVMA members but many miss the annual renewal e-mails (spam folder, too many e-mails, etc.) and their membership lapses.  Download the "Wild Apricot for Members" app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to get renewal reminders on your phone and never miss a renewal again!  It's free and you can renew and pay right from your phone.

Norfolk Glow Ride: Friday, May 16, Downtown Norfolk!  Light up your bike and join the group!  https://www.downtownnorfolk.org/event/glow-ride-ix  (This is not an EVMA ride; we’re just letting you know about this public event.)  Some EVMA members plan to attend.  If you want to meet up, park at the Virginia Opera House @ 160 W. VA Beach Blvd (in the past they said it’s OK to park there for events like this) and look for our guy Jan between 7:00 and 7:30 PM.  He’ll leave at 7:30 for a very short pedal to The Plot meeting point for the Glow Ride.

Project: build two new short sections, one extension on Slingshot after the two tables and adding one additional jump, and one reroute after Slingshot to have a flowy-er downhill.  Meet Wahrani Trail Captain Mike Benton at 9:00 AM in the parking lot.  He’ll bring the tools and his 4 wheeler.  Bring your bike so you can ride in, and plenty of water.  Mike and Bob already cut lumber, so planned work will be mostly raking and some bench cutting.  Mike thinks this has the potential to be a fun section.

The EVMA has an agreement with JCC Parks & Rec to offer periodic Beginners Rides that are open to the public, but are also good for newer riders, family members who aren’t regular riders, etc.  Join us if you are new to mountain biking, or want to bring inexperienced friends/family, or introduce somebody to the sport.  Kids are welcome if accompanied by a parent/guardian.  This is a casual pace, introductory ride.

Required: bring your own mountain bike, helmet, and water. 

Meet at 9:30 AM in the small parking lot near the Bunny Trail trailhead and log cabins.  We plan to ride sections of the mountain bike trails, taking lots of stops, catering to the skill and interest of the group, and with plenty of places to "bail out" if needed.  

We have about 15 riders planning to join in the fun.  Tentative ride schedule if you can join us:

Thurs, May 1, Douthat State Park, 1:30 PM at the White Oak Campground

Fri, May 2, Carvin's Cove, 10:30 AM at Bennett Springs parking lot

Sat & Sun, May 3 & 4: TBD based on weather.

Sunday, April 27: We’re headed back to Blue Ridge School (north of Charlottesville) as a warm-up for the Douthat trip.  Professionally built (mostly) trails with some climbing, some rocks, and fun downhills. Meet and start riding by 10:30 AM.  4 people confirmed so far. *PLEASE REPLY TO THE MOST RECENT EVMA E-MAIL IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND OR JUST WANT MORE INFO, and to make plans to carpool.  We’ll send a confirm e-mail to attendees Fri or Sat.Trail map & REQUIRED waiver here: https://www.blueridgeschool.com/outdoor/trails-facilities/.  Exact location: search Google maps for “Blue Ridge School Grass Field, Unnamed Road, Dyke, VA 22935.”