The Future of Morning Mountain

The Nelson Cycling Club is working to plan the future development of mountain biking amenities in the Morning Mountain Ski Area. A charrette will be held for anyone interested in participating.  Nelson Cycling Club members, mountain bikers, and users of the Morning Mountain Ski Area and surrounding trails are especially encouraged to come out and be involved.  Some of the topics to be discussed will be:

·         Trail improvements

·         Signage

·         Parking and circulation

·         Opportunities for including multi-use trails

·         Public amenities

·         Facilities for the Fat Tire Festival 

DATE: Monday, February 13, 2012

TIME: 7pm

LOCATION: 225 Hall St.

Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Centre & Economic Office

(Entrance on the Nelson Community Complex side of building)

Have a say for the future of MTB @ Morning Mtn.

JANUARY BOARD MEETING - January 25th. 5PM. Chamber of Commerce

The cycling club is holding its monthly meeting this coming Wednesday, January 25^th at 5 PM. in the Chamber of Commerce District Office.  The following is a brief agenda of items we'll be discussing.  If you're interested in attending, would like to get more involved or discuss your ideas around these topics, please come on out.

Grants and Funding Available

A general discussion on what grants are available and what we'd like the money for.ie. bike park expansion, trail network improvements, signage…….

 

Urban Systems Foundation (USF)

Jan Korinek will update us on funding received from USF for bike park improvements.

 

Trail Stewardship

An update on what's going on in the Giveout Creek Polygon. 

Trail maintenance priorities and vollie program.  

 

2012 Work Plan

What projects will be undertaken this year.

What holes do we need to fill in to manifest the work plan? 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ON THE BIKE SWAP TEAM

The Nelson Cycling Club has hosted an Annual Bike Swap for the past five years. It is the club's biggest fundraiser: essential to the club's activities and to all those Nelsonite's  looking to buy or sell biking hardware.

The swap has been organized for the last four years by a group of dedicated volunteers who are almost ready to step down but are keen to mentor new volunteers to plan and coordinate the swap.  If you are a cyclist who is keen to "get more involved in 2012" this is your opportunity.

We need two or three volunteers to learn the ropes and be committed for at least two years. 

For the NCC executive, it has been a relief knowing we don't have to look for a new group of organizers every year and could count on Doug, Helen, Darcey and Bruce to get the job done. For anyone who steps up to run the swap, feel an immediate sense of satisfaction knowing you've contributed and that we wouldn't dare pester you to swing a pulaski for a trail maintenance day or stand out in the baking sun at the Fat Tire Festival. You've pretty much contributed your time before the peak riding season has begun!  So if you want to get more involved in club activities and can contribute some time to this important event, please get in touch with the bike swap committee by emailing Doug at doug@fp2.ca  The first organizational meeting is planned February 8^th and the swap is scheduled for April 22^nd.

 

 

THE NELSON CYCLING CLUB WANTS YOU!

The Nelson Cycling Club would like to thank all the mountain bikers in Nelson and area that support the club by becoming members. Fees provided from members are vital support for the core of mountain biking in our community and without a membership; Nelson would not have the infrastructure it does today. Originally built by passionate renegades—and this continues today—many of the trails are now maintained by the club.   Over recent years, membership fees, grant money and the generosity of club members has supported trail construction and the development of a bike park in Rosemont. 

 

Currently, at 200, club membership represents only a guesstimated 30 percent of the riding population. A membership of 200 is impressive but a club of 500+ members would speak even louder and stronger. In essence, more members means more money means more trail maintenance and development.

So why do riders not become cycling club members?  Is it because being part of an organization is too restrictive? Is the word "club" just too geeky? Or is too "gangsta"?  Is it because they believe there should be no cost associated with crown land activities? Is a bike a statement of freedom so why should we pay to ride? After all, we don't have to pay to ride on city streets. Is $25 too expensive, or have they just forgotten to join?

For riders who have forgotten to get their membership this year or wonder what a membership goes towards, weigh up the following:

·       In 2005, the NCC was responsible for bringing Mountain Station back from the dead spending $5,000 on signage and trail maintenance. They also pay annual insurance premiums to maintain rider access to Mountain Station, located on private land. 

·       The NCC spent $2,000 constructing Eli Sim and has spent countless hours of volunteer labour on that trail.

·       For the last five years, the NCC has spent a minimum of $6,000 annually on trail maintenance

·       The NCC negotiated recreation agreements with the provincial government, raised grant funding to match club funds, spending over $10,000 on the layout and construction of the Smallwood Trail Network

·       NCC members lobbied, wrote grant funding proposals and raised over $6,000 for the construction of the Rosemont BikePark. Again, club volunteers spent innumerable hours volunteering their time at the park.

·       This summer NCC paid the "Tuesdays work crew" to clean out Paper Bag; second time round, two NCC members voluntarily cleared 100 trees off the trail. The crew and club volunteers spent three days cleaning off The Vein.

·       In 2011, the club raised grant money to make improvements on the Morning Mountain trail infrastructure used for the Fat Tire Festival.

 

Just think how much more could be done if the membership doubled. So if you haven't renewed your membership from 2010 - it's never too late. Your membership will go towards better mountain bike opportunities in our area. Memberships are available at the bike stores and online* by credit card at www.nelsoncyclingclub.org  Annual memberships are valid from April 1^st of each year.

 

*If signing up online don't forget to check the box indicating that you have read the waiver.

 

Pat Wray

NCC Club Den Mother

Frog Jam "Art Walk"

Painted by Haley Cooke. I can't think of another MTB trail complete with an Art Installation. Only in Nelson, BC. Head up there and see it for yourself.

Vallelujah!

The newest trail in the Smallwood Trail Network was christened this past Sunday. Votes were counted with a second ballot victory for Vallelujah, a name submitted by Katie Mitchell, avid mountain biker. Other contenders included Moose Knuckle and Morning Wood but without a doubt, the trail was aptly named as all riders will feel the vibe of inspiration as they come up the trail to a stunning view of the Valhalla Mountain Range.

The construction of this trail was made possible through a partnership between the Nelson & District Credit Union, the Columbia Basin Trust, the NCC and its members and the Ministries of Forests and Tourism, Culture and Arts.  

Thanks to all riders who attended the celebration and to Troy Trillo, xc extraordinaire, for donating his $50 gift certificate back to the club kitty.