News/Events

Hello, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the fabulous world of local mountain biking:

Bryce Park Road Trip June 28th!

Join the EVMA at Bryce Park Sunday, June 28th. Bryce is approximately 3.5 hours from the Norge Park & Ride. Those wishing to carpool can meet there. See details and join the event on the Facebook event page.

Summer Group Rides 

• Saturday, June 20th 9am New Quarter Park
• Sunday, June 21st 9am Freedom Park* 
• July 4th  no ride, Sunday, July 5th 9am Wahrani Nature Trail
• Saturday, July 18th 9am - Pocahontas Road Trip, details TBA
• Sunday, July 19th 9am - Freedom Park* 
• Saturday, August 1st 9am - Freedom Park*  
• Sunday, August 2nd 9am - York River State Park
• Saturday, August 15th - Buttermilk Road Trip, details TBA
• Sunday, August 16th 9am - York River State Park

* YRSP is the default back-up in the event Freedom Park trails are closed

Trails

• Trail Inspections - Trail Captains, please log your inspections and any work for the month of June. You may also email president@evma.org with details.

• Trail Work - Members who do any trail work, please see an email to president@evma.org with details: date, trail, number of volunteers, hours, scope of work.

• New Quarter Park needs trimming. Watch for a trail work day to be scheduled.

Upcoming Events

• Bryce Road Trip June 28th - See item #1 above
• New Quarter Park needs trimming. Watch for a trail work day to be scheduled.
• Saturday, August 1st 12 noon - Club Meeting & Lunch at Freedom Park
• September 18th-19th -  Fall Douthat Camping Trip twelve campsites have been reserved. Eric Van Duessen volunteered to be the event coordinator. Thanks Eric!
  
• Late April/ Early May, 2016 Raystown Lake Spring Camping Trip

Stay cool & enjoy your week!

Hello, EVMA Members!

The EVMA club meeting was held Saturday, June 6th  Here's what we discussed:

Treasurer's Report

Our treasurer, Crystal Richardson, was absent and sent the report to Jim Irby, who did not bring it to the meeting. In short, we have money! Seriously though, in the interest of transparency, the report is available to anyone who would like to see it. Email Jim Irby if you are among the financially curious.

Insurance

Insurance has been renewed with K & K for one year. We are considering and implementing additional measures to help limit liability including:

• Safety rules 
• Renewed MOUs
• Stricter enforcement of procedures (Freedom Park)
• Registration as volunteer organization with State Parks (YRSP)
• Background checks for leaders of children’s events (required by NQP, JCC)

Individuals can register as State Park volunteers also, and earn perks for their volunteer work. Visit Virginia State Park's Website to learn more.

IMBA Membership

The club is evaluating costs & benefits of becoming an IMBA Chapter.

Youth Activities

The idea of sponsoring a kids group was brought up and is under consideration. We are working with New Quarter Park & Freedom Park as venues for youth activities.  James City County requires background checks for ride leaders. 

Trails

• Wahrani 10 volunteers worked for 6.5 hours to install new signage and trim trails. We still need to GPS the trails, Steve Maxey is working with the park management to complete this task.
  
• Upper County Boundary dispute still ongoing. 
  
• New Quarter Park needs trimming. Watch for a trail work day to be scheduled.
• York River  we will be installing mileage markers every 1/2 mile on Marl Ravine. Mike Gross is heading up this project.

Summer Group Rides 

• Saturday, June 20th 9am New Quarter Park
• Sunday, June 21st 9am Freedom Park* 
• July 4th  no ride, Sunday, July 5th 9am Wahrani Nature Trail
• Saturday, July 18th 9am - Pocahontas Road Trip, details TBA
• Sunday, July 19th 9am - Freedom Park* 
• Saturday, August 1st 9am - Freedom Park*  
• Sunday, August 2nd 9am - York River State Park
• Saturday, August 15th - Buttermilk Road Trip, details TBA
• Sunday, August 16th 9am - York River State Park

* YRSP is the default back-up in the event Freedom Park trails are closed

Upcoming Events

• Saturday, August 1st 12 noon - Club Meeting & Lunch at Freedom Park
• September 18th-19th -  Fall Douthat Camping Trip twelve campsites have been reserved. Eric Van Duessen volunteered to be the event coordinator. Thanks Eric!
  
• Late April/ Early May, 2016 Raystown Lake Spring Camping Trip

Stay cool & enjoy your week!

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the fascinating world of local mountain biking:

EVMA Club Meeting Saturday, June 6th, Noon at Freedom Park. We'll be grilling burgers. Lunch will be at noon, followed by the meeting. We'll be grilling and meeting in the new picnic shelter by the playground. 

• Women's T-Shirts: We will have women's cut tee shirt samples at the club meeting. We would like some input as to sizing and colors.
• Summer Group Ride Planning: We would like to schedule group rides for the summer both local and day trips. Please come to the meeting with suggestions and to volunteer.
• Fall Trip Planning: We need a volunteer organizer for the fall trip.

Wahrani Update

• A big "Thank You!" goes out to everyone who worked at the Wahrani trail work day: Steve Maxey, Kirk Moore, Mike Benton, Mike Gross, Eric Van Dusen, Dave Barker, Robert Maye, Harry Caraway, and Jim Irby. Also, Rob, a local rider, gave us several hours of assistance and planned on joining the club. Kim Turner, New Kent County Parks and Rec. Director,  spent several hours helping and was very grateful for all of the work. Most of the signs were put in place. Many decals still need to be installed, and some old markers need to be removed. Ride with caution.

Group Rides 

• June 6th 9:00 am Freedom Park* - Dirt Divas & Beginner Mountain Bike Rides *There is a high probability these rides will cancel based on the current forecast. Check Facebook or the website for updates.

Trails  

• Trails are currently very wet at all parks, and Freedom Park trails are closed today. Please give the trails a chance to dry out before you ride.

Stay dry & enjoy your week!

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the wonderful world of local mountain biking:

Trail Work Day This Sunday!

• Sunday May 31st 9am - Wahrani Trail Work Day Join us at Wahrani Nature trail at 9am for a trail work day. We'll be removing the old trail markers and replacing them with new trail signage, and trimming a few sections of trail.
  

Upcoming Events

• June 6th EVMA Club Meeting Noon at Freedom Park. We'll be grilling burgers. Lunch will be at noon, followed by the meeting. 
  
• Dirt Divas & Beginner Mountain Bike Rides June 6th at Freedom Park, 9:00 AM

Fall Trip Planning 

It is time to make a reservation for the fall trip to Douthat State Park. We are considering the weekends of Sept 11th or 18th.  If you haven't done so already, please check the top post on our Facebook page to offer an opinion on which is better and if you might attend. Remember the UCI World Championships are in Richmond Sept 19th through 27th. Several people will be attending.

Group Rides 

• June 6th 9:00 am Freedom Park - Dirt Divas & Beginner Ride

Trails  

• Snakes -N- bugs  The ticks and biting flies are out, and the first copperheads of the year have been sighted at NQP, YRSP & Freedom. Recent rains have made great conditions for ground-dwelling wasps to dig also. Keep a sharp eye out for hazardous critters, and use precautions against ticks. See our Facebook post on ticks and Lyme disease. Remember most snakes are harmless, but all of our trails are in Copperhead habitat.  Learn friend from foe at the Virginia Herpetological Society website, but please don't harm any snakes.

Volunteer!

• Be a ride leader  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Cooks Needed to grill and volunteers to provide a side dish or dessert for the EVMA Club Meeting, Saturday, June 6th. We'll be providing the burgers. A veggie option will be available.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.

Keep the rubber side down, & enjoy your week!

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the wild world of local mountain biking:

Fall Trip Planning: It is time to make a reservation for the fall trip to Douthat State Park. We are considering the weekends of Sept 11th or 18th.  If you haven't done so already, please check the top post on our Facebook page to offer an opinion on which is better and if you might attend. Remember the UCI World Championships are in Richmond Sept 19th through 27th. Several people will be attending.

Group Rides 

• Memorial Day Weekend - No rides planned.  Post on EVMA Chatter if you're looking for ride buddies!
• June 6th 9:00 am Freedom Park - Dirt Divas & Beginner Rides

Trails  

• Trail Captains, monthly detail reports are due to the land managers! Please log your inspections and trail work or email Jim Irby and he will log them for you.

• Protect yourself - The ticks and biting flies are out, and the first copperheads of the year have been sighted at NQP, YRSP & Freedom. Recent rains have made great conditions for ground-dwelling wasps to dig also. Keep a sharp eye out for hazardous critters, and use precautions against ticks.  Remember most snakes are harmless, but all of our trails are in Copperhead habitat.  Learn friend from foe at the Virginia Herpetological Society website, but please don't harm any snakes.

Upcoming Events

• Sunday May 31st 9am - Wahrani Trail Work Day Join us at Wahrani Nature trail at 9am for a trail work day. We'll be removing the old trail markers and replacing them with new trail signage, and trimming a few sections of trail.

• June 6th EVMA Club Meeting Noon at Freedom Park. We'll be grilling burgers. Lunch will be at noon, followed by the meeting. 

• Dirt Divas & Beginner Mountain Bike Rides June 6th at Freedom Park, 9:00 AM

Volunteer!

• Be a ride leader  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Cooks Needed to grill and volunteers to provide a side dish or dessert for the EVMA Club Meeting, Saturday, June 6th. We'll be providing the burgers. A veggie option will be available.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.
  

Enjoy your week! 

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the wild world of local mountain biking:

Kudos: Molly Nealer, York County Parks Director, gave a big "Thank you!" to everyone who helped with the 30th Anniversary Celebration at New Quarter Park. She said it was a great success. Thank you, Todd Smith, for heading that up, and to all of the EVMA members who turned out to volunteer!

Fall Trip Planning: It is time to make a reservation for the fall trip to Douthat State Park. We are considering the weekends of Sept 11th or 18th.  If you haven't done so already, please check the top post on our Facebook page to offer an opinion on which is better and if you might attend. Remember the UCI World Championships are in Richmond Sept 19th through 27th. Several people will be attending.

Group Rides 

• May 16th 9:00 am Group Rides & Beginner Women's Ride at YRSP Kids to Parks Day
  
• May 17th 9:00 am Harwood Mills
• June 6th 9:00 am Freedom Park - Dirt Divas & Beginner Rides

Trails  

• Trail Captains, monthly detail reports are due to the land managers! Please log your inspections and trail work or email Jim Irby and he will log them for you.

• Lions and Tigers and . . . Okay, nothing that serious. However, many riders have reported that the ticks are out, and the first copperheads of the year have been sighted at NQP. Recent rains have made great conditions for ground-dwelling wasps to dig also. Keep a sharp eye out for hazardous critters, and use precautions against ticks.  Remember most snakes are harmless, but all of our trails are in Copperhead habitat.  Learn friend from foe at the Virginia Herpetological Society website, but please don't harm any snakes.

Upcoming Events

• May is Bike Month  Many cycling groups are having events & rides throughout the month - Google it!  Many events are shown on the calendar here.

• Kids to Parks Day YRSP May 16th Group rides at 9:00 and hot dogs/ lunch at Noon. Beginner Women's Ride at 9:00am. See volunteer opportunities below.

• WOYW Youth Race Series concludes May 17th Information & Registration. 

• June 6th EVMA Club Meeting Noon at Freedom Park. We'll be grilling burgers. Lunch will be at noon, followed by the meeting. 

• Dirt Divas & Beginner Mountain Bike Rides June 6th at Freedom Park, 9:00 AM

Volunteer!

• Kids to Park Day at YRSP May 16th -  Group rides, grilling lunch. Volunteers needed to lead rides at 9:00 & grill lunch 11:30 to noon. Contact Penny Rich or Kirk Moore to volunteer. 

• Be a ride leader  This one is easy. No ride leading is actually required, but "Ride Leader" sounds better than "Clip Board Monkey", so we went with it.  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Cooks Needed to grill and volunteers to provide a side dish or dessert for the EVMA Club Meeting, Saturday, June 6th. We'll be providing the burgers. A veggie option will be available.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.
  

Enjoy your week & Happy Bike Month!

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the awesome world of local mountain biking:

Raystown Lake Report: Our trip to Raystown Lake, PA was a great success. We couldn't have asked for better weather or trail conditions.  It was a long drive, 5.5 from Williamsburg, but well worth it. THANK YOU to all that helped: Eric Van Dusen and Joe Klingshirn for making the reservation and acting as guides; Penny Rich for making sauce for dinner; Mike and Joan Benton, Justin Hlavin, Scott Reynolds for helping with dinner; It was great meeting the folks from New Jersey, Don, Stacy, Jim, Brent, Kim, Maggie. Definitely going back! 

Fall Trip Planning: It is time to make a reservation for the fall trip to Douthat State Park. Looking at the calendar, weekends of Sept 11th or 18th.  Please check the top post on our Facebook page to offer an opinion on which is better and if you might attend. Remember the UCI World Championships are in Richmond Sept 19th through 27th. Several people will be attending.

Group Rides 

• May 9th 6:00 am Dexter Klock and Jim Irby will be riding Freedom A backwards, and  D and E forwards, to clear trails of spider webs prior to the trail foot race. Come join!
• May 9th 9:00 am Dirt Divas and Beginner Mountain Bike Rides on C Loop at Freedom Park.
• May 10th 9:00 am Harwood Mills
• May 16th 9:00 am Group Rides & Beginner Women's Ride at YRSP Kids to Parks Day
• May 17th 9:00 am Harwood Mills

Trails  

• Snakes like to lay in the sun. And, where is the sun? In the middle of the trail!  Most snakes are harmless, but all of our trails are in Copperhead habitat. Keep a sharp eye out, and learn friend from foe at the Virginia Herpetological Society website, but please don't harm any snakes.

• Freedom Park  D and E trails closed all day Saturday May 9th for single track Maniac Run. Trail A will be closed until 11:00am If you're riding Freedom Park this week, please take a moment to clear small limbs from the trail, and report downed trees via email or Facebook post, so they can be removed before Saturday. Thanks!

Upcoming Events

• May is Bike Month  Many cycling groups are having events & rides throughout the month - Google it!  Many events are shown on the calendar here.

• Kids to Parks Day YRSP May 17th Group rides at 9:00 and hot dogs/ lunch at Noon. Beginner Women's Ride at 9:00am. See volunteer opportunities below.

• WOYW Youth Race Series continues in May & concludes May 17th Information & Registration

• June 6th EVMA Club Meeting Noon at Freedom Park. Dirt Divas & Beginner Mountain Bike Rides at 9:00 AM

Volunteer!

• Kids to Park Day at YRSP May 16th -  Group rides, grilling lunch. Volunteers needed to lead rides at 9:00 & grill lunch 11:30 to noon. Contact Penny Rich or Kirk Moore to volunteer. There will be a Beginner Women's Ride at 9:00 AM

• Be a ride leader  This one is easy. No ride leading is actually required, but "Ride Leader" sounds better than "Clip Board Monkey", so we went with it.  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.
  

Enjoy your week & Happy Bike Month!

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the crazy world of local mountain biking:

Group Rides 

• May 2nd 10:00 New Quarter Park 30th Year Celebration - we hope to have an A/B & B/C group ride, but still need volunteers!
• May 9th 6:00 am Dexter Klock and Jim Irby will be riding Freedom A D and E at to clear trails of spider webs prior to the trail foot race. Come join!
• May 9th 9:00 am Dirt Divas and Beginner Mountain Bike Rides on C Loop at Freedom Park.
• May 10th 9:00 am Harwood Mills
• May 16th 9:00 am Group Rides at YRSP Kids to Parks Day
• May 17th 9:00 am Harwood Mills

Trails  

• Marl Ravine Trail remains reversed thru April and returns to normal direction May 1st.

• Upper County  is next to a hunt club & it's turkey season. There is a land dispute, which means hunters may wander into the park. Hunters do not wear blaze orange in the spring. Exercise caution!

• Freedom Park  D and E trails closed all day May 9th for single track Maniac Run.

• New Trail Captains Thank you Chris Ferguson (NQP) & Greg Hurley (Freedom D) for volunteering!

Upcoming Events

• Spring Camping Trip   It's not too late to join in! April 30th thru May 3rd  Be a happy camper &  SIGN UP

• May is Bike Month  Many cycling groups are having events & rides throughout the month - Google it!

• Kids to Parks Day YRSP May 17th Group rides at 9:00 and hot dogs/ lunch at Noon. See volunteer opportunities below.

• WOYW Youth Race Series continues in May & concludes May 17th Information & Registration

• June 6th EVMA Club Meeting Noon at Freedom Park. Dirt Divas & Beginner Mountain Bike Rides at 9:00 AM

Volunteer!  *We especially have a need volunteers at NQP on May 2nd!* 

• New Quarter Park 30th Year Celebration*  Saturday, May 2nd. We are still looking for volunteers to help out with this event. It's not an all-day commitment, come out and help for an hour or two! VOLUNTEER

• Kids to Park Day at YRSP May 16th -  Group rides, grilling lunch. Volunteers needed to lead rides at 9:00 & grill lunch 11:30 to noon. Contact Penny Rich or Kirk Moore to volunteer.

• Be a ride leader  This one is easy. No ride leading is actually required, but "Ride Leader" sounds better than "Clip Board Monkey", so we went with it.  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.
  

Enjoy your week & Happy Bike Month!

Good Afternoon, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the fascinating world of local mountain biking:

Group Rides - there are no group rides this week

Trails  

• Marl Ravine Trail remains reversed thru April.

• Upper County  is next to a hunt club & it's turkey season. There is a land dispute, which means hunters may wander into the park. Hunters do not wear blaze orange in the spring. Exercise caution!

• Heavy Winds are bringing lots of limbs down. Stop and drag a couple off of the trail if you have the time! 

Upcoming Events

• The Burning of the Socks  April 25th 10 am to noon - York River State Park is hosting The Burning of the Socks to celebrate the beginning canoe season. Bring your old socks to burn and then take your canoe out.  Kirk and Penny will be leading group rides for those who prefer two-wheeled land-boats. 

• Spring Camping Trip  April 30th thru May 3rd  We still have room, be a happy camper &  SIGN UP

Volunteer! *We especially have a need volunteers at NQP on May 2nd!*

• New Quarter Park 30th Year Celebration*  Saturday, May 2nd. We are still looking for volunteers to help out with this event. VOLUNTEER

• Kids to Park Day at YRSP May 16th -  Group rides, grilling lunch. Volunteers needed to lead rides at 9:00 & grill lunch 11:30 to noon. Contact Penny Rich or Kirk Moore to volunteer.

• Be a ride leader  This one is easy. No ride leading is actually required, but "Ride Leader" sounds better than "Clip Board Monkey", so we went with it.  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Be a Trail Captain  We need a Trail Captain for New Quarter Park. Ride the trail once a month, report conditions and hazards, and log volunteer hours. Contact Jim Irby to volunteer or get more details.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.
  

Enjoy your week & keep the rubber side down!

Good Morning, EVMA Members!

Here's what's happening this week in the wild world of local mountain biking:

Insurance     Our insurance has been reinstated, so group rides are on.

Group Rides

• Saturday, April 18th    9am  Freedom Park - Ride leader - Penny

• Sunday, April 19th      9am York River State Park- Ride leader Penny ( moved from Harwood due to short notice)

Trails  

• Marl Ravine Trail remains reversed thru April.

• Upper County  is next to a hunt club & it's turkey season. There is a land dispute, which means hunters may wander into the park. Hunters do not wear blaze orange in the spring. Exercise caution!

• Freedom D Loop has a new Trail Captain. Thank you, Greg Hurley, for stepping up!

Upcoming Events

• Wednesdays On Your Wheel Race Series at New Quarter Park  Races start TODAY, April 15th .  Register at -http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Portals/0/publicinfo/2015-029.pdf .  Volunteers needed: Course Sweeper, Course Marshall, Scorer, Awards & Starting Line.  Contact Crystal Richardson to volunteer. 

• The Burning of the Socks  April 25th 10 am to noon - York River State Park is hosting The Burning of the Socks to celebrate the beginning canoe season. Bring your old socks to burn and then take your canoe out.  Kirk and Penny will be leading group rides for those who prefer two-wheeled land-boats. 

• Spring Camping Trip  April 30th thru May 3rd  We still have room, be a happy camper &  SIGN UP

Help Keep the EVMA Awesome - Volunteer!

• New Quarter Park 30th Year Celebration May 2nd. We are still looking for volunteers to help out with this event. VOLUNTEER

• Kids to Park Day at YRSP May 16th -  Group rides, grilling lunch. Volunteers needed to lead rides at 9:00 & grill lunch 11:30 to noon. Contact Penny Rich or Kirk Moore to volunteer.

• Be a ride leader  This one is easy. No ride leading is actually required, but "Ride Leader" sounds better than "Clip Board Monkey", so we went with it.  Bring a clip board with a sign-in page & collect the signatures of riders participating in the EVMA group ride. Contact Penny Rich to volunteer.

• Be a Trail Captain  We need a Trail Captain for New Quarter Park. Ride the trail once a month, report conditions and hazards, and log volunteer hours. Contact Jim Irby to volunteer or get more details.

• Events Coordinator needed contact Jim Irby  for more info, or to volunteer.

• Fall Trip Organizer needed. Mostly involves showing up at  the park and guiding parking, etc. . .  Once again, email Jim Irby to volunteer.

May the week bring you blue skies, sweet single track, and may your  rubber side stay down!