Richmond-MORE's Trailicous 2

If you use any RVA trails or just want to support a great local cause, we're talking to you! 

No matter your preference for trail use, the trails in and around RVA require lots of volunteer time and and money to create and upkeep.  Or maybe you've heard about the new Richmond Regional Ride Center?  

Championed by Richmond-MORE, and sponsored by the City of Richmond, Trailicious 2 on Feb., 22nd, 2014 will provide loads of information on pushing forward with Project2015 and more. 

Taking place at the Carillon at Dogwood Dell, there will be a raffle, beer, band, videos, games and more; as-well-as many local favorite food-trucks out to the parking lot if you get a bite to eat...

Your $20 donation gets you 2 beer tickets from Sierra Nevada a proud sponsor, a raffle ticket for local retail prizes, and the warm fuzzies from contributing to the next big steps in the long history of trail building and cycling in the area. 

** Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event!

This event is for everyone who loves the outdoors and is family friendly. Word is a few celebrity types from the surrounding areas will be in attendance. Though we won't name drop. Might want to bring a pen for an autograph. 

Where: Carillon (600 S. Boulevard, Richmond, VA) 
When: 6:30-10:00 February 22nd Saturday 
Register online: https://www.bikereg.com/trailicious
Parking: The Carillon - Parking on site or better yet, ride your bike.
Enjoy: Raffles. Food & Beer. Live Music. Videos. Good Vibes.

Tickets: $20.00 pre-purchase only! (no tickets at the door)

High Bridge State Park set to Open Singletrack, Sept. 28th, 2013

High-Bridge-State Park is set for a Grand Opening of some new singletrack options on Sept 28th. 

While mileage is not epic by any means, the 2 mile loop that is approximately a mile and a half east of Farmville is just the beginning of a bigger network. 

Dig a little deeper and you'll find that the master plan calls for Mt bike Trails going in on 2 separate tracts. One between Farmville and the bridge and the other south of Rice. 

When combined with a ride from downtown Farmville and out across the Bridge including a loop of the new trail will net you 15 miles and some great scenery! 

In order to expand the system, the volunteer base will greatly need to be expanded.  One person has been doing all of the planning and cutting thus far, so if you live or know folks in the area, please consider contact the park to get involved! 

* Talk about it here on CCVA Forums.
* High Bridge State Park

First Legacy Project for Richmond 2015 Announced

By now, just about everyone has heard about Richmond2015 Legacy Project at PSP.   The idea is simple, make Richmond a destination for mountain biking by being one of only 10

or 11 IMBA Ride-Centers in existence!What is an IMBA Ride Center?  Is a prime destination spot for mountain biking that not only has trails for riding, but lends itself to enrich the experiences of mountain biking by creating a more proactive environment.  The idea for the IMBA Ride Center is to include both Pocahontas State Park (PSP) and James River Park System (JRPS) as the destination spot.  Plans of linking both systems via road and off-road bicycle travel are being considered. The plan is calling for the Northern section of PSP, just South of Courthouse Rd to receive the largest amount of changes, including: 

• 100 spot parking lot

• Hand Cycle Station / Storage

• Hand Cycle Trail

• Approx 30 mls of new mountain bike trail

• Skills Area (both for Hand-Cycles training and obstacles)

• Shelter

• 3 Acre Staging Area

• Restrooms / Showers

• Possibility for a small repair shop

Estimated costed for the Legacy Project range from $800k to $1.2Million.  But 1st a series of obstacles must be hurdled, the least of which the Master Plan for PSP must be changed.  PSP

revisits the Master Plan every 5 years and the last plan for set forth in 2011; so to move forward, a proposal and public hearing must 1st happen (happened on Aug 1st) followed by the state of Va. to revisit the old master plan, create an amendment, send it in for a vote, and approve or disapprove.  

Even if approved, the cost of the project is the single largest factor for failure or success! The Gov.has pledged $50k of funding towards the project and this is to be matched from Dominion Power, but that still leaves at least a $700k balance to complete the project.  

The other issue will be volunteers; All projects related mountain bike trails are from the efforts of volunteer groups, from downtown Richmond to PSP to the mountains in the West part of Va.  Without volunteers working in their spare time, none of the trails we ride our bikes on would be here today. NONE of THEM.  It takes thousands of hours of work to complete these trail and it simply can not be understated that in order to get Legacy Project 2015 from idea phase to completed, it will take thousands more and you help will be needed. 

That said, ETA for the project (if approved) is April 2015.We are a long way to getting there, but it will also be upon us before you can blink an eye. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation should be voting on the amendment to the PSP Master Plan by early Sept. Once given the "OK", Local groups like the Friends of PSP and Richmond-MORE will be setting their bars high for fundraising events! 

Talk about this on CCVA.

DCR Townhall Public Meeting @ PSP: IMBA Mountain Bike Ride Center Aug. 1 @ 6pm

 8/1: Please Share this with you friends! 
Straight from Friends of Pocahontas State Park, if you want to see the IMBA Ride Center happen at PSP, a must is having a SOLID showing from the mountain bike community at the DCR townhall meeting!

It's imperative for the MTB community to show up in support to change the master plan regulations that will allow for the IMBA Ride Center to be installed at PSP!

August 1st, that's 8/1 @ PSP's Heritage Center @ 6pm sharp

Virginia Regulatory TownHall Meetings

Richmond RPD to step-up JRPS Patrols

As the title suggests, this is an update about Richmond PD police presence in the JRPS; which I believe to also entail normal planning and in response to any recent events in JRPS.

A first point that must be made it that the JRPS falls under two different precincts, the 1st & 3rd:   Just about everything but Belle Island is out of the 3rd precinct.  The following was given by someone of the 1st.

RPD P1 has initiated "overtime" positions which should increase police presence on Belle Island (most of the overtime is on the weekends). There are also have several larger initiatives planned for the park system that will involve more resources and personnel.  

Our local contact is not involved with any of the new initiatives, but wanted to give an update as to how RPD is paying attention to issues around Richmond, and in particular, in the parks where so many of us go as a form of recreation, gather with friends and family, etc.  

Lieutenant Timothy Wyatt of the 1^st Precinctis responsible for Belle Island is fine with any posting of this information.  He also would be happy to speak on the subject at any meetings that may arise from such topics. 

Side Note: About 3 weeks back, Lisa and I were hiking through Forest Hill Park and came across 3 RDP uniformed officers on some Kawasaki duel-sport bikes; they appeared to be practicing maneuvers, etc.   

And we have also noticed patrol cars cruising through Forest Hill Park, so some one in Richmond is paying attention.  

National Bike Month 2013

May is National Bike month!

So the goal is simple; get those bikes out of storage and start riding!

National Bike to School Day is May 8th.
National Bike to Work Week is May 13-17.
National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 17.

But...  Don't let these few announced days limit your riding!  Consider taking the bike to the local store for that gallon of milk, to run visit a friend, run a small errand, etc!

Have kids that want to ride to school?  Join them!
Wondering what you can do as a family this weekend?  Explore a park or battlefield via bike as a family.  We promise, it'll be fun!


Talk About it-CCVA Forums

EVMA: A Call to Action.

EVMA: a call to action. 

When:  Saturday, January 12 @ 9AM
Where: York River State Park

Take up your tools and fight for trails at York River State Park! We have over 12 miles of new trail flagged at YRSP and are waiting for approval. 

At 9 am on Saturday, January 12, the YRSP Park Manager will be meeting with DCR Officials and our crew of trail volunteers. We want YOU there to represent the EVMA and ask for approval for the proposed new trail. 

A good turn-out of volunteers will demonstrate to DCR our commitment to this project. 

We will be meeting in the maintenance area, look for the EVMAbanner. 

Come out and show your support for more trails at York River State Park. After the meeting we plan on 2 - 3 hours of trail maintenance. Please stay for the trail maintenance if you can. 

The meeting should be brief, but good attendance is critical. If you plan on staying for trail maintenance please bring work gloves and a rake. 

If you have a high powered backpack leafblower, bring it.

Chapel Island Trails

New Trails and Boat Put-in Coming to Chapel Island

Over the next couple of months, Nathan and the City Trail Care Crew will be building a boat put-in and new beginner-level and greenway style trails on Chapel Island near Great Shiplock Park (Dock and Pear St.).  This work is part of the recently passed Richmond Riverfront Master Plan.

They will be working there during the week and having volunteer days each Saturday from 9am - 1pm. Janurary's focus will be on the boat put-in and corridor clearing.  February's focus will be on trail building.

Many volunteer groups will be helping out during this time and we encourage Richmond-MORE members and friends to come out and help whenever they can. We'll keep you up to date on the progress and let you know about scheduled Richmond-MORE work days.

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

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

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

Is Blair Witch Trail Open?

Blair Witch Trail, Open or Closed?

Poor Farm park is in the process of loosing some trails due to the addition of some new soccer fields, so people are tempted more than ever to search for every last trail to hit within the Poor Farm Park territory which is raising the question, "Is the Blair Witch Trail Open to the public?"

The long and short answer is no! All the property that is on the other side of the creek on the lower parts of Poor Farm is private property and should be avoided. There used to be trespassing signs up, but someone has torn them down as of recently.

Mountain Bikers have your voice heard.

The George Washington National Park and Sherando are looking for your input as it pertains to the trails you ride at/& near Sherando Park.

Please vote in the poll to illustrate mt. bike use at Sherando......
You can vote more than one choice. ...

I'll give the results of this poll to the Forest Service at the plan meeting on Monday, April 19, 2010 (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) at Rockbridge County High School, 143 Greenhouse Road, Lexington, VA 24450.

Somehow, mt bike use was missed at Kelly Mountain (aka Sherando), we'll need to get it added back to the doc that's linked below.

Other areas are well represented thanks to the hard work by mt bikers.

Capability and Availability Results begin on page 14 of this document GWNF: Forest Plan pdf

Thanks!

Vote Here on your favorite Sherando Trail.

Mountain Bike Stolen in Fan

My friend recently had her bike stolen from her locked basement in the fan area.
It was a brand new, gold, specialized hardrock 29er, 24 speed, disc brakes, 15 inch frame, black water bottle holder.

If you think you might have seen it, please send me a message with the details (who, where, what, when, etc.). Not sure if it will do any good, but at least the police could add those details to the report.

Muchas gracias!
Have Info, goto Forums Thread...

Hanover Parks Meeting, Action Needed to save Poor Farm trails

On Dec. 14, at 7pm, Hanover Parks is conducting a master plan update meeting at the new Mechanicsville Library, 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place.

This meeting is advertised as Hanover County Resident's opportunity to give their opinions on the plan. So calling all Hanover Resident MTBS.....this is our opportunity to ask them to revisit the idea of tearing down the flats......

If any non-residents have any good ideas on how best to express our views I am happy to listen to any good advice.....
Talk about this on @ the Hanover Parks Poor Farm Meeting thread.

What: Hanover Parks Meeting
When: Monday, Dec. 14th
Time: 7pm
Where: Mechanicsville Library, 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place

State Park Hunting Closure List '09

For your safety, please remember that during Hunting days, no other users will be allowed into the park(s).

Douthat State Park
Nov. 9-12
Nov. 16-19.

Pocahontas State Park
December 7th - 8th
December 17th - 19th

York River State Park
Nov. 9th & 10th ( this coming Mon.& Tues)
Dec. 7th & 8th (also a Monday & Tuesday)

Forest Hill Park Lake Maintenance.

What: Forest Hill Park Lake Dredging.
Where: Forest Hill Park, Richmond, Va
When: Spring/Summer 2009

The City of Richmond has worked with the Contractor to develop plans to minimize the mess that may occur from the project of restoring the Forest Hill Park Lake back to it's formal self.

The $1.7 million restoration project over the next six months began in early May and is expected to take approximately 6 months.

Tthe City is sensitive to limiting the impact on our neighborhood streets and the park itself during the project.

Dredging and restoration work at the park will begin on weekdays around 7:00 a.m. and will end approximately 5:00 p.m.
Saturday work will not occur unless the project falls behind schedule and no work is scheduled for Sunday's.

Spring and summer programs are still scheduled to occur in the park!
Park Events:
~ Every Saturday, Farmers Market will re-open near Shelter #2 on Saturday, May 2.
~ Music in the Park will again continue on selected summer Sunday evenings.

What's Off-limits?
Easy, just look for the orange fencing roping off the area around the lake.

** This does have an affect on how the trails are accessed and is you are wanting to use trail know that a reroute plan is in effect.
Please don't tear down the fences! This has happened twice already and the city has already approached the local mountain bike club to help spread the word to keep out of this area.

Richmond-MORE & Westview on the James create MOU.

RA MORE / Westview Cooperation

A verbal MOU agreement has been reached between the property owners/land managers of Westview On the James and Richmond-MORE for trail development on their land.

Notable facts:
~ Ed Jones, AKA "Cycle'sEd" fantastic trail building at Camp Brady was the reason Westview approached the club about such a co-op.

~ Greg Rollins and Steve Hodson are the duo working on behalf of Richmond-MORE to develop this plan with Westview, as well as design and develop the trails on the land.

~This project has been in the works for approximately 1.5 yrs and still has much more work to come.

~ Opportunities for Richmond-MORE members as well as the general public to get involved will be coming up in the future.

In the up coming month the club will be taking a property survey of the property, so Stay Tuned!

Last minute info and chat about this topic: Ra-MORE/Westview Trail MOU.