News/Events

Wednesday's (14 May) retirees group ride is canceled.

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.

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.

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.”

Join us for a group ride Friday, April 18 at the James River Trails in downtown Richmond.  Looks like great weather!  If you've never ridden these trails, this is a good opportunity for a guided tour. 

Details: meet at 10:00 AM at Forest Hill Park, 4021 New Kent Ave (at intersection of W 42nd St) in the parking lot.  There is a less than ideal bathroom, and possibly a porta-potty.  So far we have at least 9 people confirmed.

Our route will probably be about 20 miles including Forest Hill Park, Buttermilk, Dogwood Dell, Northbank, Belle Isle, Poop Loop, etc. We'll be in and out of sun & shade, with a very little bit pavement riding but not on streets with cars.  Be prepared for some more rocky tech and short climbs than you'd expect for trails right in the middle of a city.

We're hoping for fewer pedestrians than on a weekend day.

Dirt Divas Ride & Women’s Trail Festival, Sat, 3/29/25, Freedom Park: The 1^st annual Women’s Trail Festival (https://happycatfitness.com/races-and-results/womens-trail-festival/) asked the EVMA to send a female EVMA rep to talk about what we do, so EVMA Secretary Salley Rowe will speak about the EVMA between noon & 1:00 PM.  And separate from and not an official part of the festival, we’re doing a Dirt Divas group ride (females only, please) at 10:00 AM on 3/29/25. Our own Kiwi Dirt Diva, Penny Rich, will lead the ride at a casual pace.  DIRT DIVAS and all female EVMA members – please join us for this ride and help us recruit some new members.  Any other EVMA ladies interested in being a Dirty Diva, let us know and we’ll add you to the group.  And please post this on EVMA Chatter to encourage more female riders to attend!