2010 N.A.H.B.S. in the 804

I don’t know if you are privy to this good news yet but just in case you didn’t know Richmond will be hosting the 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show on Feb. 26th-28th.

This is a huge thing for us and a good way to further establish Richmond on the cycling scene’s map. There will be some amazing bikes on display from incredible frame builders as well as plenty of cool accessories and other things. We shouldn’t have to tell you that this is a “can’t miss it” event, but we just did.

So plan to be there or you may be square.

Race Across The Sky

So if you saw it, how was it? Leave us a comment.

If you were like some of us and didn’t buy tickets in advance you came to realize pretty quickly that the movie was sold out. We’ve heard a few good stories from our friends who went but fear not fellow cyclists there will be an encore presentation on Thursday November 12th.

Tickets will be on sale soon. I suggest that we don’t skimp on pre-purchasing tickets this go around.

See you there.

Trail Building 101

The setup: …. Trail Building IQ!

Are you familiar with any of these terms: in slope, back slope, grade reversal? Do you know what an in sloped turn is? What about a climbing turn? How about a rolling crown switchback? Would you know what a Grip Hoist is if you saw it? Can you give one example of a trail section in our local parks where the trail builders blew it? Can you outline the challenges facing urban trail builders?

If your answer to any of the above questions is no, or your concept of building sweet single track is dragging a garden rake through the woods, or you think that building a technical trail feature is tossing twigs at a log, then you need the trail building class being offered this weekend by the James River Park System and RA-MORE.

The knock down: While I was too busy learning several things about trail building that I didn’t already know to get a proper head count, I can gladly say that several folks turned out for last weekend’s Trail Building 101 class put on by the James River Park System & Richmond M.O.R.E. The weather was kind enough to cooperate with us and allow the in class instruction to be utilized out in the field.

(class is in session)

The classroom portion of the program was held in the Old Stone House in Forrest Hill Park and provided a comfortable relaxed environment for Nathan Burrell and Mike Burton to bestow a wealth of trail building knowledge upon the class participants.

(James River Park’s very own Nathan Burrell and Mike Burton of Long Cane Trails explaining proper trail markings and signage to the class.)


(If only high school had been this much fun)


(Nathan answering a participants question.)

After the morning classroom session and a superb lunch provided by the good folks at Crossroads Coffee & Ice cream the class participants headed out into the field to put some of their new skills to use.


(The class is learning how to properly block off a now closed section of trail through the use of natural elements like rocks.)


(Mike Burton & Clark Jones instructing volunteers on properly “setting” large rocks into place to keep them from moving and how to utilize them as an effective traffic control barrier.)


(Filling in an old section of washed out trail that will soon be reclaimed by nature.)


(Cutting in some new trail and working on a grade reversal.)

By the end of the field portion of the class we were able to successfully cut in a short re-route around a problematic section of existing non sustainable trail, build a grade reversal and prepare the trail surface for traffic as well as clearing out ample sight lines to accommodate the newly re-routed section and get the old un-sustainable section of trail properly closed off and prepped for mother nature to reclaim her soil.

It was a great learning experience and very productive day for all of the class participants. Richmond M.O.R.E. would like to thank the James River Park System, Long Cane Trails, Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream and all of you who came out to learn and contribute to your local trails.

Trail building season is upon us. Please do your part to help out and remember that even 30 minutes of your time really helps out. Keep an eye here or over on the official Richmond M.O.R.E. website for updates regarding trail work.

Happy Trails,
Ra-MORE

Powhite in the spotlight

Thanks to a local rider and friend of Richmond MORE Phil Hunicutt, we are able to show you a taste of some of the trail work that several hard working volunteers helped see through.

Thanks Phil.

Please Enjoy.



PS. There will be a RaMORE general meeting tonight following the trail ride at the Scout Camp. I suspect that Greg and Clark will be in attendance.

Keep the rubber side down and stay out of the poison ivy!
Richmond MORE

1/31/09 Powhite Trail work photos

Thanks to Joel we have a few photos from the Powhite trail work last weekend.

Enjoy.

Powhite Trail Work Saturday, 2/07/09 Part 2

First, a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who showed up last Saturday for our first effort in Powhite Park. We accomplished quite a bit more than we thought possible for one day, with a good deal of new trail being cut and old trail reclaimed. Our goals for this weekend will be to buff out the new section that was built last weekend, while installing a berm or 2, and also to cut new trail to continue the new line near the back fence. Additionally, we will be working on adding more technical(rocky) lines to the new trail. The weather should be beautiful both Saturday and Sunday, with highs for trail work on Saturday around 60. Hope to see everyone out on the trail.

Where
Although we will be working near the "back gate" of the park, Nathan has asked that we park in the parking lot just off Jahnke Rd across the street from the hospital and walk or ride our bikes in to the work site. The reason for this is that the dead end near the back gate will have equipment and a City vehicle or 2 parked there, and we would like to be considerate of the residents and not block the street any more than necessary. For those who have never been to Powhite Park, just follow the trail coming from the parking lot down the hill, cross the creek on the 60' decked bridge and bear left. Continue on this trail which borders the swamp(keeping the swamp on your LEFT) until you come to another, smaller bridge. Cross this bridge and you should see the work site up on the hill in front of you. If you have any questions, feel free to call Nathan Burrell at 357-8897.

What to bring:
Wear sturdy shoes or work boots and bring work gloves. Dress in layers because you'll probably warm up rather quickly once you start working. It is also recommended to bring some water and some kind of snack. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Cancellations:
In case of inclement weather, any cancellations of Trail Care will be made by 7:00am Saturday morning. Notification will be made on the Cycling Central VA forums (www.cyclingcentralva.org/forums), the Richmond-MORE website, or via email. Currently the weather forecast for Saturday is supposed to be partly cloudy with a high of 41, and rain is not expected. but it's still a wee

Hard work pays off

The good folks over at YeRen Outdoors have been busy making a new video collage that pays tribute to the new section on Buttermilk that we’ve been hard at work on. Check it out.


Also if you haven’t already seen some of their other videos take a peek.

(This one is one of my favorites.)


(Buttermilk trail)


(Buttermilk seat/fork camera)

Thanks guys for helping spread the word. You guys are a huge asset to Richmond MORE and great people to know on a personal level. Keep up the great work.