2021 is rolling right along! We can't believe it's already mid-February. We held our February meeting via Facebook Live and you can view it here if you missed it. We hope the weather will cooperate for the next meeting - March 9th at 7pm - so we can host a socially distanced in-person meeting at the CVTA HQ at Haw Ridge in addition to continuing the Facebook Live option. We miss seeing everyone!
Let's see what else is going on with CVTA!
TRAIL WORK DAY
Last month we had our first work day of the year helping Chuck Morris and Brian Poston finish up the Homestead trail at Norris. This was a super fun trail to work on and we had a blast. We'll be back out at Norris on Saturday, February 27th at 10AM to work on the Camp Sam Reroute. Details for the event can be found here. If you have never been to a trail work day, this is a perfect first-time opportunity for you and if you're a seasoned trail builder, you will be extra helpful showing new folks how it's done. CVTA will provide all the tools you need, just come dressed for the weather, ready to walk a couple of miles, bring some gloves, hydration and a can do attitude. Lunch will be provided at 1PM. We will meet in the parking lot just past Clinch River Brewery on Norris Freeway. If you have any questions, please reach out via our Facebook page.
DIRT LAB UPDATE
Mat and the crew have been busy! A local business donated riprap for erosion control, gravel to tame some mud and build an all weather set of jumps, and some large stone for new rock lines. Coker Rental Company located at Clinton Ace Hardware hooked CVTA up with a large excavator to move the rocks. Be sure to check out the results of their hard work next time you visit the Dirt Lab and keep your eyes open for work that continues to be done.
Work has begun on a metal ramp Mat Stanke donated. Can’t wait to see this!
Over the next few weeks Mat and crew will be cleaning up from the weekend’s muddy excavator work and continuing work on the steel ramps.
Big thanks to Caleb Aaron, Nick Dwyer and Jimmy Kuneman for bringing equipment out to get this work done.
Thanks to Adam Grice and Kailey Allen for putting in long hours with the hand tools too.
TRAIL REPORT
As you would expect from all the recent precipitation that's hit our area, trails are going to be wet for a while.
Reminder: We have a lot of new users - biking, hiking and running- on our trails. If you ride, hike or run in the mud, stay on the trail in the mud. Don't go around wet spots as this only increases our environmental impact and causes us to have fewer trails because we'll be busy fixing rather than building new trails. This could result in trail closures. Be aware of freeze/thaw conditions too. Early morning freeze than often lead to afternoon thaw and slippery peanut butter conditions. Be smart. Be safe.
Haw Ridge's low-lying areas will need time to dry out. Higher trails are generally drier. The Dirt Lab pump track is always a good bet and as mentioned above the Dirt Lab crew is working on all weather options.
North Boundary and Black Oak Ridge gravel is always a safe bet for wet weather riding and most of the singletrack handles wet weather well.
Norris is a great place to enjoy when other trail systems are drying out and it features a mix of doubletrack and singletrack.
Loyston Point is a wet weather favorite and drains well but can be sloppy in spots during freeze/thaw cycles.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TENNESSEE NATIONAL AT WINDROCK BIKE PARK March 11th-14th
As many of you may have already heard Windrock Bike Park in Oliver Springs is hosting the Tennessee National the southeast's premier mountain bike festival featuring downhill and enduro races, a freestyle jam and kid's races too. There are categories for youth, amateur and professional riders.
This event is always a lot of fun and they are in need of volunteers for course marshaling. Course marshals are strategically placed along the course to ensure the safety of racers and spectators during practice and races. The shifts will be about 8 hours but you are welcome to sign up with a friend. Volunteers (or only one if sharing a marshal station with a friend) receive a free pass to the Windrock Bike Park to use in the future. Registration is easy and we'd love to see you there. CVTA President, Lisa Mueller, is working with Windrock Bike Park's Sean Leader (CVTA Board consultant and builder of the Dirt Lab pump track) to recruit and manage volunteers for the event. Questions? Contact her at lisa@almphoto.com or 865-406-3870.
Note: Registering to volunteer is free but uses the same platform for race registration. See you there!
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
Tuesday, March 9th at 7pm
Mark your calendar for the March meeting! Stay tuned for more info via Facebook. We'll definitely be hosting via Facebook Live but weather-permitting we may gather socially distanced in-person at the CVTA HQ too. Monthly meetings are the best way to find out what's going on with CVTA and to also see what Buttons (the First Beagle) will do during the meeting. We've missed seeing you!
CVTA MERCHANDISE
We have a selection of CVTA merchandise including hoodies, baseball jerseys, buffs, hats, stickers and Haw Ridge maps (see Trail Report image). Contact us via cvtaswag@gmail.com if you are interested in making a purchase. Pick up is available at Cedar Bluff Cycles or at a work day or ride. New merchandise coming soon!
MEMBERS ONLY RIDE AT ASPIRE PARK
Want to get in on the monthly members only Aspire Park rides? If you're already a member of CVTA via IMBA you should be receiving the email notifications (unless you've opted out of them) with the details on date, time and place. Don't know if you are currently a member, think you might have lapsed or have questions about membership? Contact CVTA President Lisa Mueller at lisa@almphoto.com or 865-406-3870. These rides are a lot of fun and we get to explore the new trails ahead of the opening of the park in 2022.