News/Events

EVMA April Meeting Minutes April 4, 2015

1.)  Treasures report

• General Fund Balance   $5,089.38 
  
• Trail Fund                       $5,946.98
• Checking Balance        $11,036.36
• Savings                             $674.55
• WOYW                                $52.00

2 .) Additions to Budget – Wahrani $1000 

3.) Insurance update

Our policy is currently lapsed while we search for a company that will provide the kind of coverage the parks ask of us, at an affordable price. No good solutions - too many industry losses on Mtb clubs is causing insurance companies to drop Mtb club coverage, especially general liability coverage (a nationwide problem).  Many companies were vetted, with close analysis of the three most promising policies.

• Motion: Renew with K&K. Pursue modified MOUs with each park in the coming year and use a less expensive policy next year. Passed with a majority vote.

4.)   Events & Call for Volunteers

• Spring camping trip April 30th to May 3rd Signup is still open.

• New Quarter 30th Anniversary Celebration May 2nd  
• • CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!  There will be an EVMA tent, and EVMA group rides. We need volunteers to lead A/B ride & B/C ride with two leaders apiece, and parking attendants. Park will have lots of vendors, hikes, bird watching etc 10:00am - 2:00pm Volunteers start at 8-8:30. We need about 18 volunteers. Please sign up on the Volunteer Page.

• 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.
• Next meeting June 6, at the Freedom Picnic shelter. We need a volunteer to grill. Email Jim Irby atpresident@evma.org to volunteer.

5.)   Trails & Call for Trail Captain Volunteers

• Freedom Park – On busy weekends, additional parking is available at school on Jolly Pond Rd.  The park has permission to use the school for overflow parking
• • Met with Nancy Ellis. Quarterly inspection of features with Freedom Staff.  Possibly add staff to the trail report systemso they can view reports.
  • Greg Hurley will take over as the New Captain of Freedom D loop.  
  • May 9th JCC will be holding Single Track Maniac, Trail A and B will be closed in the morning and D and E will be closed all day. 
  • D & E closed all day long A closed AM Dirt Diva & beginners will ride C first. No lunch will be served. No Meeting afterwards

• NQP - Trail Captain needed. Captain rides the trail once a month, reports condition & hazards, and logs volunteer hours. 

• Upper County – Park is adjacent to a hunt club, Spring turkey season opens April 4 and runs through May, Ride with caution. Hunters do not wear orange during Spring Season.  A current boundary dispute means that hunters may enter the park.

• YRSP – Marl Ravine will remain reversed through April.  Signs come down 30th

• Wahrani – Signage and trail maintenance in planning. 

• Harwood - some horse issues, working on signage.

• Reminder for Trail Captains to log inspections and maintenance on wildapricot or email Jim or Harry

6.)  Volunteers Needed

If you would like to volunteer with the EVMA, but don't have the time to take on a major commitment, we have many opportunities to help the club out with smaller tasks. Here are two more opportunities:

• Events Coordinator needed 
• Fall trip organizer needed (mostly to show up at park and guide parking, etc. . .) 
  

Good Evening EVMA Members! Here is your weekly update:

Single Track High movie shows April 3rd at the Williamsburg Library. Intro at 5:45pm, movie at 6:00pm.

EVMA Club Meeting & Lunch this Saturday, April 4th at 12:00 Noon at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center. We still need volunteers to bring a dish to share - comment on the EVMA Facebook post if you can bring something.

Dirt Divas Ride 9:00am April 4th at Freedom Park. Ride cancels in the event of rain - watch for updates.

Group Rides are 9:00am April 4th & 18th at YRSP, and April 5th & 19th at New Quarter Park & Harwood Mills.

Marl Ravine remains reversed for the month of April. Please use bail out (right turn after skinny bridge) if you decide not to complete the trail. Do not exit against the trail direction.

Caution at Upper County Park - the park is adjacent to a hunt club and it's turkey season. Avoid looking like a turkey, and be aware that spring hunters do not wear blaze orange.

Wednesdays On Your Wheel Race Series at New Quarter Park registration is open. See details & register at - http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Portals/0/publicinfo/2015-029.pdf  Watch for a sign-up genius email for volunteer opportunities.

EVMA Spring Camping Trip to Raystown Lake, PA space is still available. Join us April 30 thru May 3rd. See details and sign up at: http://www.evma.org/event-1836747

Enjoy the sunshine on the trails this week! We hope to see you all at the meeting this Saturday!

Good Afternoon EVMA Members,

This is your weekly update and notice of upcoming events:

Group Rides There are no scheduled group rides this weekend. 

It's Raining :-(  As always, please stay off wet trails. Freedom Park trails are currently closed (as of Thursday, 3/26).

Marl Ravine Trail This will be the final weekend for Marl Ravine trail to be reversed. The signs will be removed and the trail returned to normal direction,Tuesday, March 31st.  Exercise caution & enjoy the challenge! Note that there is a bailout if you try the trail and don't enjoy it. Take the first right after the long skinny bridge and continue to the exit. Please do not ride against the trail direction to exit.

Jersey Order This is final call for jersey orders. If you wish to purchase an EVMA jersey please email Jim at president@evma.org with type and size. 

EVMA Spring Camping Trip The sign up for the trip to Raystown Lake is still open. Join us April 30 thru May 3rd. See details and sign up at: http://www.evma.org/event-1836747

Club Meeting Our next club meeting will be April 4th at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center at 12:00 noon. The agenda includes the annual budget, insurance, upcoming events, and trail work at Wahrani. If you have any topics that you wish to add, please email Jim at president@evma.org.

Wednesdays On Your Wheel Registration is open. Pre-Rides April 11th @ 10:00am, April 12 @1:00pm. Races start April 15th.  See details at: http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Portals/0/publicinfo/2015-029.pdf  Watch for a sign-up genius email for volunteer opportunities.

 We hope to see you at our next meeting, April 4th!

Both of this weekend's group rides will be held at YRSP due to recent heavy rain. Freedom Park trails are closed today.

Good Afternoon EVMA Members,

This is your weekly update and notice of upcoming events:

Group Rides March 21st & 22nd 9:00 AM  Group rides this weekend are at Freedom Park, 9:00am Saturday, and York River State Park, 9:00am Sunday, weather and trail conditions permitting. If Freedom Park trails are closed Saturday, the group ride will be at YRSP.

Marl Ravine Trail at York River State Park is reversed for the month of March. Exercise caution & enjoy the challenge!

Trail Conditions  Trails are finally dry & Freedom trails are now open.  A HUGE "Thank You!" goes out to all of our trail captains and trail maintenance volunteers for their hard work removing downed trees from the trails. There is still quite a bit of debris to be cleared on some trails. If everyone takes the time to clear a few big sticks, we'll all have happier derailleurs, spokes, etc . . . !

Lake Maury Trail Clean Up  Twenty-five volunteers turned out to clean up the Lake Maury Trails last weekend. Together, they hauled out 35 large trash bags of trash, an armchair & other miscellaneous junk. Thanks to all who helped out.

EVMA Spring Camping Trip to Raystown Lake is on! Join us April 30 thru May 3rd. See details and sign up at: http://www.evma.org/event-1836747

Enjoy the sunshine and the dry trails! We hope to see you this weekend and at our next meeting, April 4th!

It's Spring! We have loads of upcoming events & new club officers, so please check out this month's meeting minutes (posted below)!  Saturday, March 14th: Trail maintenance at YRSP. Meet Kirk at the maintenance area at 9:00am. Sunday, March 15th: Trail Clean-up at Lake Maury, Newport News. Please see the event posted on our page for details & special driving instructions! Marl Ravine trail direction remains reversed for March. Exercise caution! While most trails are dry, trees & limbs are down on Marl & many EVMA trails. If everyone who rides clears a few limbs, we'll have clear trails in no time! Please email Trails@EVMA.org to report hazards, or report your volunteer work hours. Remember we are a family friendly organization - PLEASE use civil behavior and don't use foul language at group rides & all EVMA events. Thank you & enjoy the sunshine!

EVMA Meeting Minutes     March 7, 2015

A big THANK YOU!  was extended to our outgoing officers, Past-President, Mike Benton, and Secretary ErinTyler. Thank you both for your leadership & great service to the club! Erin has moved to Seattle. We will miss you Erin!

• No expenditures in February.
  
• General Fund Balance:     $4416.04
  
• Trail Fund Balance:           $5946.98
  
• Checking Account:          $10,363.02
  
• Savings Account:                 $674.55
  
• W.O.Y.W. Fund:                     $52.00
  

7.)  Upcoming Expenses/ Purchases

March

• Saturday March 14th, Trail Maintenance at York River State Park. Meet Kirk at 9:00am at the maintenance area (by Ranger's housing).
  
• Remaining March Group Rides are March 21st at Freedom Park, and March 22nd at YRSP. If there is rain the day before the Freedom Park Ride, the ride moves to YRSP.
  
• We are helping with a volunteer clean up of the Lake Maury Natural Area Trails in Newport News, Sunday, March 15th. Please see the event on Facebook, and note necessary driving detours due to a marathon closing part of Warwick Blvd.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1557228617866750/
  

April 

• April 4th Club Meeting & Lunch Freedom Park
  
• Group Rides are April 4th & 18th at YRSP, and April 5th & 19th at New Quarter Park & Harwood Mills
  
• April 3rd Single Track High movie shows at the Williamsburg Library. Intro at 5:45pm, movie at 6:00pm
  
• Wednesdays On Your Wheel Race Series at New Quarter Park starts. Pre-Rides April 11th @ 10:00am, April 12 @1:00pm. Races start April 15th.  Details at: http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Portals/0/publicinfo/2015-029.pdf  Watch for a sign-up genius email for volunteer opportunities.
  
• The EVMA Spring Camping trip to Raystown Lake, PA Join us April 30 thru May 3rd. See details and sign up at: http://www.evma.org/event-1836747
  

May

• No club meeting this month
  
• May 2nd NQP 30th Anniversary Celebration. All day event with trail rides, kayaking, bird watching etc . . . Volunteers are needed to lead rides, staff tent, and assist with parking. Call Todd Smith at 564-1049 to volunteer.
  
• May 9th Single Track Maniac Run at Freedom Park - most trails will be closed to cyclists for this cross country track event. Volunteer opportunity for trail clean-up
  
• WOYW race series continue & conclude this month at New Quarter Park.
  
• May 16th York River State Park Kids to Parks Day. Volunteer opportunity - EVMA will have a tent and serve grilled hotdogs & chicken. Penny Rich is coordinating.
  

10.)  Trail Status

* All parks have winter debris/ trees down and are in need of volunteer maintenance. If everyone who rides clears a few limbs, we'll have clear trails in no time! Please email Trails@EVMA.org to report problems, or report your volunteer work hours. 

We are 2 short of a minimum order, but will submit the order soon. Please contact Jim Irby or Penny Rich if you want a jersey!

EVMA  Annual Election March 7th  The EVMA annual election, monthly club meeting & lunch, will be held this Saturday, March 7th, 12:00 to 1:30pm at Freedom Park. Hot lunch will be served at 12:00, followed by the election and meeting. We will be electing club officers and are still in need of volunteersfor two positions: Trails Coordinator, and Advocate. If you would like details of what these jobs entail, email Jim Irby at jimirby@aol.com   We expect the trails at Freedom will be closed to riding Saturday. 

Group Rides March 7th & 8th  Group rides this weekend move an hour earlier. The Freedom Park, 9:00am Saturday ride is cancelled, York River State Park, 9:00am Sunday, weather and trail conditions permitting. We will make a call regarding YRSP on Saturday, please watch Facebook for updates. 

The Dirt Divas ride is also cancelled, and a Dirt Divas walk will be held at Freedom Park at 10:30 AM instead. Come on out, you know being cooped up is makin' you crazy!

Marl Ravine Trail at York River State Park is reversed for the month of March. Exercise caution & enjoy the challenge!

Trail Conditions  We all know how much work goes into building and maintaining our trails, so please respect the labor that goes into them and stay off wet trails. Thank You!

Lake Maury Trail Clean Up  Join us for a volunteer trail clean up followed by lunch, Sunday, March 15th 9:00am to 2:00pm at Lake Maury Natural Area in Newport News. This trail is not an EVMA trail, but well used and popular with local mountain bikers. Work will be primarily removal of trash & dumped debris. See details on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1557228617866750/

EVMA Spring Camping Trip to Raystown Lake is on! Join us April 30 thru May 3rd. See details and sign up at: http://www.evma.org/event-1836747

The EVMA Website migration is complete. Thank you, Mike Mumford! Bookmark the new site http://www.evma.org/

Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, March 8th. Weekend group rides now start at 9:00am.

We hope to see you all at the meeting Saturday!

Good evening EVMA!  

All the rain and snow have kept us off the trails, but hopefully this weekend we can get back out there! We are having a group maintenance day at Harwood Mills this saturday.If you would like to help out meet in the parking lot at 8:45 am and bring your work gloves, water, a rake, and gas powered leaf blower if you have one! It will be wet so wear some boots that will help keep you dry and warm. The group ride will also be at harwood mills this saturday at 10am, if it dry's out enough. This saturday ride will count toward January's challenge so if you need to get your second group ride to fulfill the challenge, come on out.

This saturday is the last day for the January challenge. February does not have a specific challenge but you can work on 1 of 3 challenges: 1. Bringing a friend who is new to mountain biking 2. Ride 1 trail outside the EVMA system and write a short review for the club 3. Lead rides at 1 park for a full month. Remember to email evmachallenge@evma.org so that you can get credit for a completed challenge!

For the month of february group rides will be at Harwood Mills on Saturday, and York River State Park on sunday. Both days rides will start at 10am

The winter social is coming up next weekend February 8th at the Coventry community club.   Come out and join us for an evening of relaxing, eating, and mountain bike talk.  We will have some entertainment, along with the photo contest.A suggested donation of $10 will be collected at door.

 Jersey Orders will be taken through February 14th. All items must be paid for before ordering.