News/Events

Harwood's riders - this weekend (31 Jul - 1 Aug) we will be opening that segment of the "A" trail that was previously closed due to logging operations supporting the Dominion Power utility pylon replacement project. The very end of the "A" trail (about 30 feet total) will be temporarily rerouted out to Multi-Use trail 1 (MU-1) so as not to interfere with the Dominion work. The temporary entrance to the "B" trail will remain in place until that utility work is complete. Thanks for your cooperation and support.

We are gathering information of who has an interest in attending the EVMA fall trip to Douthat State Park September 17th-19th.  Due to an increased interest in camping and multiple foot races in the park that weekend, the group was only able to get 2 camping spots which will hold 6 tents.  Some members may already have cabins or camp spots.  Please email Jim Irby at jimirby@aol.com if you have an interest in going.

Harwood's riders - some (temporary) bad news. Dominion will be tearing down the old wooden power towers between the "A" and "B" trails and replacing them with steel towers. This is going to cause some disruption over the summer.

Starting this weekend (12-13 June), that section of the "A" trail after the B02 bailout sign will be closed to allow tree-cutting crews to clear some of the right-of-way along Multi Use Trail 2 (MU2) beginning on Monday, 14 June. Riders will have to exit "A" at B02. There will be a barrier.

The current entrance to the "B" trail will likewise be temporarily closed. Riders exiting A on B02 should continue down MU1, cross MU2 using the gravel road, and pick up the "B" trail at the treeline across the power line field. A new, temporary, trail will be established. There will be signs.

Expect a lot of heavy equipment disruptions on the MU trails throughout this summer. Once Dominion is finished, then we should be able to continue normal use on both A, B, and MU trails

Harwood's Mill riders - the parking lot will be closed starting Tuesday, 23 March for a period of two to three days for milling/repaving.

Would you like to see more EVMA group rides?  Then we need your help.  If you are planning to ride anyway, consider being a ride leader.  You don't have to be the fastest in the group.  Just organize the ride and make sure everyone gets off the trail safely.  You get to pick the time and place.  Email Melanie at melanie_storrs@yahoo.com to volunteer your time.  Thank you to those who have taken the time to help throughout the year!

Harwood's riders - please yield the right of way to heavy equipment on the Multi-Use (MU) trails. Several riders have almost been hit because they failed to yield to a vehicle that's the size of a tank. The exit from the "B" trail is particularly dangerous because it's a blind intersection and the vehicles can't see you fast enough to react. This heavy equipment is owned by Newport News waterworks - they own the land that you're riding on. So please be respectful of their operations. Thanks.

EVMA just received a $250 grant from ExtremeTerrain.com for constructing some trail bridges as a part of our ongoing partnership with the City of Virginia Beach to improve hiking/mountain biking trails for Marshview Park!  Thank you to ExtremeTerrain/Turn5.com for this much needed funding!  Stay tuned for news about this exciting project to bring more quality trails to our riders on the southside!

Freedom Park will be working on their roads over the next two weeks. Starting next Tuesday, 8 Sept, some parking areas will be shut down. The following week, 14 - 18 Sept, some MTB trails may be closed. The park will update us next Thursday on planned work; however, during those two weeks it is recommended that you please call the park for updates before you expect to ride. 757-259-4022.

Ride leaders are needed.  Please email melanie_storrs@yahoo.com if you can lead a ride.  You get to choose the date and time as well as the place.  Group rides can only happen if we have volunteers to support the rides.

A big Thank you to Andy Booden, who is now Trail Captain of Indian River Park. He is already doing some outstanding work down there.  

The board hopes to meet soon to discuss the status of resuming meetings and if we will be having the fall camping trip to Douthat.  More details soon.

Trail Closure - Trail E at Freedom Park is closed until further notice.  An unfortunate thank you to Justin and his family who were riding and came across the ground bees on the trail.  The park knows about it and is working to fix the issue.

Ride Leaders Needed - EVMA would love to offer more group rides but volunteers are needed to lead the rides.  Do you plan to ride anyway?  Let me know and I can advertise to other group members.  You don't have to be the fastest, just ensure everyone gets off the trail safely.  Email melanie_storrs@yahoo.com to set up your group ride!

Thank you - A recent email asked for volunteer trail captains.  A big thank you goes out to Dan Sabin who is trail captain for Freedom D & E, and Eric Cunningham who is trail captain at New Quarter.  Also, maybe not mentioned earlier but Mark Willmann has recently become trail captain at Harwood's Mill.  We appreciate you stepping up and thank all the volunteers to monitor the trails and keep them safe for all of us.