News/Events

Join us for 1 of two group rides on Sat, Aug 30:

1. Mariners Lake (Newport News), 10:00 AM.  If there's enough turnout we might have 2 groups for different speeds.  Meet no later than 10:00 AM at the main parking area right along Warwick Blvd.  Parking is limited.  There is small lot on the west side of the water for Causey's Mill Park, which is a Newport News City park.  Please obey all parking regulations elsewhere.  Thanks to EVMA member Amarli Leo-Reid for suggesting and co-leading this ride.

2. Beginners' Ride, 9:30 AM, Freedom Park.  This is open to the public as part of our agreement with James City County to provide introductory rides to familiarize people with the trails.  This ride is meant for beginners and will not be a blazing speed.  If you know somebody who could use a very easy ride with some figurative hand-holding, invite them to attend. 

Saturday, Aug 23, Pocahontas State Park, 10:00 AM wheels rolling time. Meet in the big parking lot by the pool BEFORE 10:00 AM so we can get rolling on the Swift Creek trails (flow trails).  Expect ~20 miles, with plenty of stops/regroups/socializing.  These machine-built trails are super-fun, so if you haven’t tried them yet, come join us during some unseasonably mild August weather (high in low 80s!).  *Assuming that Hurricane Erin doesn’t turn towards us

Try riding in reverse direction (clockwise) on Marl Ravine trail at York River State Park starting Saturday, July 19 through Sunday, Aug 31.  The trailhead & end will have temporary signage.  Last time we did this was..…we can’t remember exactly.  It’s been a minute, as the kids say.  MR backwards is like a whole different trail.  Some parts are tough, other parts are fun.  Give it a try for something different.  We’ll see about a group ride there sometime. 

This Wednesday's (20 Aug) retirees group ride will be at New Quarter Park, 10 AM.

Join us for a group ride on Marl Ravine trail while it's running reverse direction.  We'll see what anybody feels like riding after that.  Meet in the parking lot just past the pay station.

We haven’t done a local group ride in a while and had a member request to ride at Wahrani.  Meet us there by 9:30 AM.

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!

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.