Best Urban Trail

Once again, jrps gets NOD! 

Blue ridge outdoors

BEST URBAN TRAIL

Editor's Picks...

BUTTERMILK TRAIL, RICHMOND VIRGINIA
Part of Richmond, Va.’s award-winning urban James River Park system, Buttermilk is revered by the city’s outdoor sect. Everyone from dog walkers to advance mountain bikers use the trail, so it can be slightly crowded, but you won’t find a better trail in the middle of a major city. This singletrack trail is well maintained and has everything one could ask for: steep climbs, roots/rocks, and consequence. Steep drop-offs line the riverside part of this trail, so beginners on bikes are urged to use extreme caution. Trail runners love the short climbs and riverside scenery; mountain bikers love the speed, tight turns, and technical sections. Linking up Buttermilk with the North Bank Trail and the Belle Island system will give you a 12-mile ride through the inner forest of the inner city.

source: BlueRidgeOutdoors.com Dec.28th, 2012

ALERT: Trail Sabotage At the SHED

ALERT:  Trail Sabotage At the SHED! 

Warning, if you ride there or maybe planning a trip there! 

It seems there are several issues going on from Trail sabotage to Rouge trail building to Logging.

Checkout MORE's Site for the full story!

Ralph White's Last Winter Solstice Walk

Ralph White retiring also brings us to Ralph's last lead of the Winter Solstice Walk.

Those planning to attend can meet up with Ralph and others on Fri, Dec. 21st, 4:30, Tredegar St. @ footbridge.

The Ralph White Story

Here is a GREAT STORY that shows the roots of the JRPS and how it got where it is today! 

A huge Thank You to Ralph White taking it on the chin from the city and maintaining course because the brilliance of your vision of the JRPS has come to light! 

Without Ralph and his cutting through the "RED TAPE" of the City, the JRPS and the volunteer groups of the local parks would still be in 2001, full of garbage and drugs. THANK YOU RALPH WHITE!

Ralph White Article on Style Weekly

Westmoreland State Park Project

FAMBE leading up the Westmoreland State Park Project

North Shore Trailcare

Awesome work from Richmond-MORE! 
To help out, Check Out Richmond-MORE.org, Richmond MORE FB, or CCVA for the latest trail work days!

Richmond Cycling Corps: Outreach Program

Richmond Cycling Corps

Their motto is hard to ignore,  "Can't Stop, Won't Stop." 

With a primary focus on the youth who live in Richmond's public housing projects, the goal is to use cycling as the platform for change. 

To borrow from their site, "We infuse ourselves; our passion, our values, our creativity, our drive, and our dedication into the lives of our youth."  "We have fun. We laugh. We teach. We learn." 

Fearless in their approach, RCC is dedicated to their promise of helping youth who get involved with the Richmond Cycling Corps out of the projects!  

But... Richmond Cycling Corps is much more than just an outreach non-profit organization, they also offer a very unique value to your everyday local bike shop.  

Enter Richmond Bicycle Studio, which offers bike fitment, full-service and sales, to indoor cycling classes. In addition to this facility offering customers an elite level of customer care and service, the proceeds help to support the Outreach program.

Brands carried: Kona, BH,  Zipp Wheels, Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, American Classic, Lazer Helmets, Yuba Cargo Bikes, WTB, Terry, Bellwether, Look, Selle Italia, Garmin, Schwable, Maxxis, Salsa, FSA & more...

Want to find out more about RCC or donate?  Check out:

• RCC site
• RCC Facebook
• RCC Blog
• RCC PayPal

Want to contact RCC?

Located in Historic Scott's Addition at: 1717 Summit Avenue | Richmond, VA 23230  | 804.525.8200

Updates and Upgrades to CCVA Forums Software

Hey Everyone, 

As promised, we're moving forward with some updates and upgrades to the CCVA forums software. 

This should be taking place over the next few days and should not interfere with using CCVA. 

You may see a sign posted saying the forums are down or disabled for upgrades, please check back in a few hours, but more times than not, the upgrades are done in the night.

Thanks, 
Admin

Single Speed Gearing

Single Speed Gearing:  What are you running?

Here's a simple gearing chart for the most popular 29" gearing pairs and how they stack up against the old standard base, a 26" wheel, 175mm crank arm, with a 32 tooth chainring and a 16 tooth rear cog setup.  AKA: 2:1 ratio.

The issue that arises when making comparisons becomes, how can we accurately describe the relationships between similar gearing when ratios only apply to the relationships between the chainring and rear cog, without actually accounting for the wheel size which needs to be taken into account as the user tries to spin it.

This is why we need to look at Gear Inches.  It more accurately takes into account and creates a direct correlation between gear setup and wheel size.

Here's a simple chart to ponder and demonstrate the differences:
Using the 26" wheel as a base, look to see how and what Gear Inches vs. Gear Ratio combinations on a 29" wheel come close.  Higher values on gear inches makes it harder to pedal, but delivers higher top speeds, lower gear inch values make it easier to pedal, but lessen top speeds.

Talk about this on the forums: SingleSpeed Gearing Thread

Spoke Prep

Looking to build your first wheelset and find yourself wondering what spoke prep is?

The idea behind spoke prep is both a lubricant and thread-locker in one. It acts as a lubricant during the building process and helps to prevent binding between the nipple and spokes as tension increases.

As binding happens, the spoke itself begins to twist which will cause uneven tension your new wheel causing truing issues both before and after it's first few uses.

Perhaps the most renowned spoke prep is called, "Spoke Prep" from Wheelsmith.  Don't get too confused by the color options of blue and gold.  They offer both colors as a way to ID drive-side and non-drive side spokes for the build, but function of both colors are the same.

Are there alternatives to spoke prep? I'm sure there are, I've heard of people using Locktite, Chainlube, Linseed Oil, etc.  My opinion, Spoke Prep is designed for one thing and one thing only, to help you build and tension your wheels properly and few extra bucks to do it correctly is worth the price of admission.

Wheelsmith Spoke Prep

 "The ultimate spoke thread compound is SpokePrep™ because it is both a lubricant and a thread lock! How can it do both? When spoke tension is low and there is risk of loosening, SpokePrep "locks" the nipple by maintaining a minimum nipple torque. When spoke tension is high SpokePrep keeps nipple torque low with Teflon lubrication. We also have SpokePrep in two colors so you can prep your spokes and immediately know on which side of the wheel they will be used."

GPS: Using a Track vs Route

I've been wondering what the difference between a track and route?   So I did a little research and as it turns out, there is an easy way to explain the difference.

Track or Route, What is the difference? 

Route(s) characteristics:

• Route is about where you are heading/going ( more of a straight-line representation)
• It is used in the field to guide you from waypoint to waypoint.
• It uses straight-line, as the crow flies, navigation. 

Track(s) characteristics:

• Tracks are about where you have been. (more definitive representation of where you have been)
• GPS devices record your location based on your settings, usually a value defined by Time or Distance. Electronic "bread crumb trail" if you will.
• Tracks more accurately reflect the shape of the trail or road you have taken than the straight-line segments representing a route.

Both can be downloaded onto you computer or uploaded to online sites that overlay the information over a map so you can see exactly where you've been on your adventures! 

CCVA Forums Are Running!

CCVA forums are back up and running.

The short: We lost the last 4 months of data!
So if you have signed up during Jan. 25, 2012 until May 14th, you'll need to sign up again.

We have also modified the category structure to make finding areas of the forums easier.
IE: Less hidden.

Our goal was to reduce the forums titling down by 30%, we're close, but not quite there just yet.

Forums Future: The immediate future holds an forums software upgrade, after that, some new skins.

Our focus is going to be on spending more time riding and getting people to ride!  So don't be shy, post a ride, event, etc.

CCVA forums almost back online

We've been working all weekend to get CCVA forums back up and running.

In fact, we did get the forums running with some data loss and it looks like we'll be missing the last 3 months of content.  While this stinks, it's much better than loosing all 9 years worth of content.

We got a little greedy and went in for the latest upgrade which ended up going horribly wrong and now little is working well.

We hope to have everything up again within a day or two.

Thanks,
Jay

CCVA forums Update

Update: 
The old host is truly MIA and our last "full-site" offline backup goes back a few months,
so we'll be loosing a little data.

We're hoping to have everything running by late weekend or early next week!

PS: We thank everyone for the continued support in emails, Facebook comments, and donations.  We'll bounce back bigger and better!

CCVA New Hosting

Hello All, CCVA has new hosting!

While this great, it's just a start to solving the issue of getting CCVA back up and running.

CCVA hopes to be running between May 11-14th, but we don't want to make any promises.

We want welcome people to post topics and questions on the CCVA Facebook page in the meanwhile. www.facebook.com/CyclingCentralVa

Thank you again for your support and patience.

New Hosting on Horizon

It's been day 5,6, or 7 for CCVA being down, depending on which side of the limited access users fell on and it doesn't look to be coming back online. All attempts to get a host response have simply failed. CCVA is in the process of locating a new host and moving the site to it. Estimated time for a new site, we're hoping by week's end or the 1st of next week. Thanks again for all your support and we are working hard to make this work again...

CCVA Host Issue Continue

Good Morning Everyone, We are very sorry and deeply concerned at CyclingCentralVa.org by the lack of response time to by our host, ReadySetConnect.com. For close to a week now, there has been a server issue that has kept us from gaining access to CyclingCentralVa.org or our server files. We have been emailing and leaving tickets to get them to respond or take appropriate actions to avoid and correct this issue just prior to the whole site going down. We are taking steps to keep this from happening in the future by moving to a new host ASAP, but are willing to give a short time frame for the old site to come up to avoid loosing data. While we do have regular backups off host, our day-to-day operations have hosting backups and this will minimize a gap in postings. Again, our apologies for this hosting issue and we are working to remedy this issue as quickly as possible. CCVA Admin.

CCVA is still down and we are looking into options of moving the site. More info to come as we move forward.

12 Hours of Lodi Farms

This weekend is the 12 Hours Of Lodi Farm race in Fredericksburg, Va. Good luck to all the racers!

CyclingCentralVa.org site is down. We're trying to contact the host and this issue is usually resolved in 24-48hrs. During this time frame, access to the forums may be spotty; meaning some folks may be able to access the site without issue, while others or later attempts may be met with failure.

May "IS" National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month. May 9th is National Bike to School Day, May 14-18th is National Bike to Work Week and May 18t is National Bike to Work Day!

Upcoming races in early May

12 Hours Of Lodi Farm race in Fredericksburg, Va. and MiddleMountain Mama at Douthat State Park are right around the corner. Both of these races are endurance races that will test your fat tire skills and resolve!

Illegal Trail Mods to Buttermilk

It's being reported that someone is modifying Buttermilk Trail in numerous areas by removing features and rocks. It is illegal to perform any work to state or city property without permission; not to mention it undermines the users and working relationships with the city and state. If anyone sees someone damaging the trails, PLEASE report them ASAP! In some cases, it appears that the illegal work is actually being done with a sledgehammer, so they should not be too hard to spot.

In case you've missed it, the Camp Hilbert Mountain Bike Race Series is Now called the, "Virginia Mountain Bike Super Series." Race Results from Race 1 Below. www.runriderace.com/RESULTS www.runriderace.com

Looking to try out a Niner? Look no further! Niner DEMO day @ Trevendale Farms, just outside of Charlottesville on April 22nd. Please RSVP to Scott Scudamore mtbmore -at- gmail -dot- com RSS Niner Demo Day at Teven Trails cyclingcentralva.org Niner Bikes Demo, Beginner.Intermediate MTB Clinic, Ride & Trail Run all at Trevendale Farms outside of Charlottesville on April 22nd.

Race Reminder: Massanutten's Yee-Haw DH race this weekend and next weekend is Middle-Mountian-Mama!

Coqui Bikes, Richmond's Newest Giant Dealer

We're getting reports that Richmond's Giant Dealer will also be Richmond's newest bike shop, Coqui Cyclery at the Forest Hill & Semmes Split.

Camp Hilbert Series starts on 3/24! Race 1: FYI: Camp Hilbert is private property, you can not just show up to do a pre-ride for this event.

If you've used North Shore Trail recently, you must have noticed the dozers! Richmond is clearing out the homeless camps... Northbank Trail mystery; homeless camps to be razed Richmond Outside richmondoutside.com

CAMBC Spring Mountain Bike Festival: March, 24th @ McIntire Park: 9-12 Trail Building, 12pm Guided Park Tours and Skills Clinics, Free Tune-Ups, Kid's Intro. to Mountain Biking Clinic and more... CAMBC Spring Mountain Bike Festival cambc.org

Lodi Farm Trail Update: Installed the new trailhead bulletin board today. Special thanks for monetary donations from A. Coleman, L. Rovira, L. Thornton in support of this project. Additionally, thanks for the support from L. McCall from McCall's Home Services for the build and help with the install. Lodi trail map and trail information will be installed soon! New online forms and payment coming to website soon to support Ms. Grigg and help decrease the potential for vandalism and theft.

"Beer, Bikes, & Big Wheels" is the tagline that says it all!! A Funky Scavenger Hunt on a bike, Obsticles, Beer, and Music! This event looks so promising! Urban assault Ride UAR 3/25/2012

Anyone have dish on Diablo for 2012? So far, here's what we've gathered. It's our understanding that Lift accessed DH/Freeride biking will be a go for the 2012 season under the name Mountain Creek Resort. All who previously purchased 2012 season passes under Diablo Mgmt will still be honored by Mt Creek despite not seeing a dime of that money.

Forums are being upgraded tonight. Moving to IPB 3.2.

Belle Isle will have a new destination point! Richmond-MORE and the City of Richmond are planning Bike Skills Course Planned for Belle Isle, under the bridge. Richmond MORE (Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) is planning to begin construction of the new bike skills course in April, 2012 and should have it wrapped up by mid-summer. They will need a helping hand from the community via man hours to make this project finish quickly, so please consider heading down to Belle Isle on Sat. mornings to lend one. See the Richmond-MORE site or CCVA's posts for trail building dates and times.

Congrats to Courtney Cotton's 5th Annual Polar Plunge! It's attracting all sorts of positive attention every New Year's day! 5th Annual Polar Plunge at Pony Pasture www2.richmond.com