What great day to build a trail. Sunday January 22^nd IMBA-SORBA Middle TN hosted a party of 25 trail volunteers and gave birth to phase 1 of the Cane Ridge Park Mountain Bike Trail. This 2.2 mile section is the beginning leg of a proposed 9 mile trail system in Davidson County’s southeastern border to Rutherford county line, just off Battle Road. Cane Ridge is an established ball park and radio control airplane venue, which is one of the current volunteer projects under construction by IMBA-SORBA Middle Tennessee.

A few facts from the 1^st work day:

-26 Trail Volunteers introduced to this project

-100+ hours of TRAIL LOVE!

-3600 feet of new corridor

-Lots of smiles and energy taking us forward!

Don’t let us loose this incredible momentum and Join us….February 4^th and 18^th Cane Ridge Trail Love Work Days.

Link to more details and REGISTER to show your volunteer spirit and become a TRAIL BUILDER!

Yazoo Brew Tap Room is hosting our Nashville Premier of “Pedal Driven” Bikumentary, at 6:oo pm, Wednesday Nov. 16th.  We are eager to share much about new projects and growth of mountain biking in Middle TN, so join us to get the scoop.  We need your support to complete these new trails.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Click here and register to attend.  Limited seats available.

This is a free event.  On sight Donations and IMBA-SORBA membeships are encouraged!

Not a member?  Join us NOW! Choose Middle TN for your affiliate chapter.

Yazoo Brew Tap Room is located at 910 Divsion Street, Nashville, TN 37203 – 615.891.4649

Visit Howell at the Moon Productions to learn more about Pedal Driven and other HATM documentaries.

Let’s see….how can we double the amount of mountain bike singletrack in Middle TN? Well, for a couple of years we have been working on taking area trails from a total 50 miles to over 100 miles by 2015. That’s only 4 years and tons of funding and volunteer sweat equity is required to make this happen. IMBA-SORBA, with local governments will make this happen with your support. We need members, active members! We must draw on the talent of folks that love the trail and are willing to challenge their neighbors to JOIN, Volunteer and share their Trail Love!

New trails….Where? Cane Ridge, Bell’s Bend, Percy Warner and Joelton Parks in Davidson County (Master Plan sites), with a potential site in Williamson County. Work day schedule for Cane Ridge will be published soon, so keep in touch. You can follow us on this site, NashvilleMountainBike.com forum and IMBA-SORBA MidTN Facebook Fan Page for updates and details.

Fund raising and leadership opportunities are upon on the horizon, including a local Country Artists offer to host a benefit for Percy Warner MTB Trail Funding. Are you up for it? It’s going to be a great ride!

This note from Nashville Metro Parks Planning on the heels of the Burch Preserve Meetings at Percy Warner.

Mountain Bike Trails
A spin-off from the Burch Reserve planning process has been the identification of approximately 120 acres in Percy Warner Park for the development of new, single-use mountain bike trails. Shared use with existing hiking and equestrian trails is not proposed.
In response to the need for additional mountain bike trails throughout Davidson County, Metro Parks convened in late 2010 a committee of representatives from IMBA, SORBA and Mayor Dean’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee to look countywide at opportunities for mountain bike trail development. The committee is developing a working conceptual master plan that will include priorities and recommendations based on geographic distribution, skill level served, program opportunities and other factors. Planning for the Percy Warner mountain bike trails is being wrapped into this larger planning process. Metro Parks expects to be able to present the plan later this year.

EVENT POSTPONED!!  Update 6/23/2011

Due to the unforseeable string of wet weather, we are moving this event to July 9, 10. July 9 the Festival and Kid’s race, July 10th the Harpeth Bikes 50 miles of Hamilton Creek. I think it will be too wet for this to be a success. Our goal is to have this race in dry conditions and having it this weekend will be impossible. In the future for Hamilton Creek events, I will make a rain date part of the original plan. It typically does not rain this much in June and we picked June for this reason. The trail will likely be damaged and the conditions dangerous if we run the events this weekend.

If this causes anyone who has pre-registered any hardship, please let me know so we can work out a refund for you. I believe I can speak for Harpeth Bikes and Sorba that we want the best event we can put on and create the best experience we can for all riders and spectators. Moving the event is the best way to do this.

Thanks for understanding and please join us!

Tim Spencer, Race Director

contact: hamcreekfest@sorbamidtn.org

MTB Community – Coming June 25 & June 26.

Harpeth Bikes and IMBA-SORBA Middle TN are stepping up this year to make this and AWESOME event! This year, among many other things to be announced as they become finalized, Harpeth Bicycles and Ellsworth will be GIVING AWAY a BRAND NEW Ellsworth Glimpse to one lucky racing participant.

Race Entry will be $45, but with Harpeth and other sponsors, we believe you are going to get your money’s worth! More details to come, but I think it’s time to start training at Hamilton Creek!

RACE INFO HERE!

How will we cross under Bell Road? Good question! There will be a MANDATORY dismount and riders will have to walk their bikes under the tunnel. We will have two way traffic marked off on the connector that gets you from the Pinnacle Trail to the Lakeside Trail.

This year we will be racing the ENTIRE trail and starting/finishing at the Ned Shelton trail head. We will be racing CCW direction (Not “backwards”) and there will be solo and team categories.

Festival -

We will have the normal events including clinics, the skid race, hill climb as well as Kids Mountain Bike Racing – kid Parent relay, face painting and more! Festival is Free! Mark your calendars, invite your friends because there will be demo bikes available
Thanks to Sorba Middle Tennessee and Harpeth Bikes for stepping up huge..and by the way, I haven’t even told you have the stuff that will happen there just because it’s not all 100% written in stone. (Just 99%)

Tim Spencer – Race Director   hamcreekfest@sorbamidtn.org

For those of you unable to attend the meeting last night…I’ll try to give a quick recap (as it pertains to mountain biking): Although mountain bike trails were not part of the master plan for the new Burch Reserve property, according to Tim Netsch (Assistant Director Planning & Facilities – Metro Parks) mountain bike trails WILL be added in Percy Warner Park on a tract across the street (I think I’ve captured the approximate area below with the green circle but don’t hold me to the exact location).  I believe its about 120 acres.  Trail cutting will not start immediately (even with the high level of interest).  Metro parks (with assistance from SORBA) is coming up with a county-wide master plan for mountain bike trails (this is very exciting!) that will include PWP.  They will prioritize the projects, and I imagine PWP will be 2^nd or 3^rd on the list behind a couple other existing projects.  When the master plan is complete, I will definitely pass it on!

I know many of you will remain skeptical until the rubber meets the dirt, but this is HUGE win…and the only reason this is happening now is because of your feedback/interest and the relationship SORBA/IMBA has established with metro parks.  If you are a mountain biker and are not yet a member…we need you!! http://sorbamidtn.org/join/

A big thank you to Metro Parks and Friends ofParks for including mountain biking in the plan for PWP, a big thank you to SORBA/IMBA for laying the groundwork for a great partnership, and a big thank you to everyone who provided feedback at the meetings or thru the website.  You have been heard!!!

If anyone is interested in seeing the master plan for the Burch Reserve Property (which includes some pretty cool features like observation towers, canopy walks, walking paths, etc…) the presentation should be available in the near future on the Friends of Warner Parks website (http://www.friendsofwarnerparks.com/).

Keep on ridin’!

Carolyn Heichel
SORBA Mid-TN Membership Chair

March 23rd Tennessean Article, “Runners Bikers want to use trails” after Public Meeting does not share all the details that will avoid user conflict.  With the announcement of mountain bike specific trails at Percy Warner that will not intersect others, we now look to the county wide master plan and work PW into a high priority project.  More info to be shared in April as sight review will render a glimpse of what’s to come.

Tennessean – Residents Debate Warner Parks…

IMBA E-news Article

SORBA Member’s letter to the Tennessean

Same Tennessean Article reference on NPR

Action Alert for Public Meeting for Percy Warner

Vanderbilt University’s Outdoor Rec Center’s Inaccurate Take on why MTB is not allowed in Percy Warner

One Speed Blog – Percy Warner New Addition

Join the Middle TN Chapter of IMBA-SORBA and attend the premiere of the Southern Mountain Bike Summit! Join land managers, industry leaders, politicians, and fellow mountain bikers in the scenic mountains of western North Carolina to teach, learn, meet, greet, ride, and grow the sport of mountain biking in the Southeast. Connect with friends, old and new, as you make mountain biking in your region exceptional.  Click here for the schedule of events and details.

Y’all come get some GRITS (Great Riding In The South).

SPONSORS

CST, Maxxis, New Belgium, Niner Bikes, REI, Shannon Ridge, Specialized Bicycles, Subaru of America, Thomson, Transylvania County Planning & Economic Development, Trek Bicycles

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN – CLICK HERE!

Please pass this link on to EVERYONE!  We need a strong response on the  Friends of Warner Parks website from the mountain bike community!!  It only takes a minute!

For those of you who were unable to make the public meeting last Thursday to discuss the use of the new Warner Parks Burch Reserve, I will try to give a short recap.  The property containing the old growth forest has already been set aside as a State Natural Area and will not be up for discussion (Hill Forest DSNA).  The area south of the Hill Forest DSNA is the Burch Reserve and has around 140 acres (post meeting correction…only 80 acres) north of the CSX tracks and is the focus of these public meetings.  Hodgson and Douglas (Landscape Architects) have been hired to come up with a master plan.  This first meeting was to gather input from the user groups.  At the next meeting on March 22^nd the proposals will be presented for public feedback.

There were about 150 people in attendance (standing room only).  I estimate at least 120 were cyclists.  The mountain bike community was well represented with thoughtful and respectful comments about the need for mountain bike trails on the west side of Nashville (in Warner Parks specifically).  Comments included the positive impact on child obesity rates, family activities, exercise, sustainability of properly designed trails, and the imbalance of the user groups to resources.  A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended and represented the mountain bike community in a positive way!!!

Whether you made the Jan. 27th Warner Parks meeting or not, please go to the Friends of Warner Parks website (link below) and click on “Share your Thoughts” to provide your comments. I would love for their box to be flooded by comments about the desire for mountain bike trails in Percy Warner Park.  Your comments will be recorded as public record.

http://www.friendsofwarnerparks.com/

Points you may want to consider in writing your response:

• mountain bikers are one of the most underserved communities in Nashville
• studies have shown that mountain biking (on a properly built trail) has equal or less impact to the environment than many other user groups (including hiking and particularly equestrian)
• mountain biking provides a safe and fun outlet for kids and families (good alternative to computer games)
• IMBA-SORBA can facilitate designing, building, and maintaining the trails using volunteer labor, fund raising, and grants.  Rebuilding & sharing existing trails within Warner Parks must also be considered.
• Mountain bikers out number golfers by almost double in the U.S.
• IMBA-SORBA

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR COMMENTS ASAP!!!

My Comments (for your reference):

The Burch Reserve and the adjoining Hill Forest DSNA properties are a wonderful and unique treasure for the city of Nashville.  I recognize importance of preserving the natural state of such a unique and interesting property.  With that said, I would like to propose that if ANY trails are to be included on the Burch Reserve, that mountain bike trails are considered as one of the leading options.  I have seen studies and witnessed first hand that mountain bike trails (when properly built using IMBA standards) have less impact to the soil, erosion, and surrounding plant life when compared to other user groups (including hikers and equestrians).  I think this is often misunderstood and should be studied and understood before a conclusion is made.

In the public meetings starting in 2008, it has been clearly documented that mountain bikers are one of the most underserved user groups in metro parks.  It has been requested for many years that mountain bike trails be considered for inclusion in the Warner Parks system, but the requests have fallen on deaf ears.  The inclusion of mountain bike trails will move Nashville up in the ranks of “cool” outdoor cities to live in.  We are behind most other cities in the areas of green space and outdoor recreation and the inclusion of mountain bike trails will only improve that standing.

I would like to request the following (in order of preference):

• Please consider mountain bike trails as one of the options for the new Burch Reserve property.  At least 10 miles of trail are requested (with a density of 1 mile per 15-20 acres).
• If trails are not considered on the Burch Reserve, please offer at least 200 acres of land in the currently existing Warner Parks for the creation of at least 10 miles of mountain bike trail.
• Take a section of the horse trail in addition to the property adjacent to Cheekwood and allow the creation of at least 10 miles of mountain bike trails.
• Provide dual use of current horse trails using alternate days.
• Provide land for a few miles of trail in the Burch Reserve in addition to acreage in the existing park to create at least 10 miles of mountain bike trail.

Please consider these options and consult SORBA/IMBA for questions or more studies:

The Warner Parks are the largest municipally administered parks in Tennessee and together span 2684 acres of forest and field, 9 miles from downtown Nashville.  Mountain bikes have not been allowed on any park trails since the early 1990′s.

Here’s a link to some of the impact studies referenced:

http://www.imba.com/resources/research/trail-science/environmental-impacts-mountain-biking-science-review-and-best-practices/

I appreciate the opportunity to provide my feedback and look forward to seeing your proposal for the property.

Carolyn Heichel

SORBA Mid-TN-Membership Chair

A $25 donation is all it takes to grab your very own custom glass and compare some silky suds.  There will be a limit to how many can enjoy, so keep an eye out for your chance to donate and get a few tickets….bring your riding buddy, saucy date….or both.

Registration available at www.imAthlete.com/events/aleforthetrail.

Amanda Contreras to Entertain us…..

Breweries and supporters attending Ale for the Trail….

The Brews….

Fat Tire Ale

Mighty Arrow

Ranger

Pig Pale ale

Crystal Amber

Ork’s Blood Barrel Aged Stout

Wooly Marino Black IPA

Dick Chaney APA

Chamey Side Up IPA

My Friend Porter

Gubna

Old Chub

Mama’s Little Yella Pils

]]> http://sorbamidtn.org/2010/12/ale/feed/ 0 http://sorbamidtn.org/2010/12/call-to-action/ http://sorbamidtn.org/2010/12/call-to-action/#comments Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:44:57 +0000 Darryl http://sorbamidtn.org/?p=828

New projects, fund raising opportunities and attracting new members are just some of the tasks at hand.  We are calling out for new ride leaders, trail work volunteers and chapter leadership.

If you are interested in helping move our organization into 2011 and beyond, we need you!  If you have business skills or mountain biking passion to offer, or just an interest to learn more, we need you!  There are committees, event planners and board member positions that may just fit you perfectly.

Our chapter leadership will help mold not only our local trails, but have input at a regional level.  Want more trails and protect the trails we ride?  Here is your chance!

Chapter Board of Directors elections are upon us for 2011.  All officer nominations must be submitted by end of business January 5th, 2011.  Ballots will then be submitted by January 14th for final vote.  To learn more or volunteer please contact:  president@sorbamidtn.org