Category Archives: Meetings

June 2020 Meeting Recap

June 2020 FACEBOOK LIVE Meeting Notes

Matthew Kellogg and Wes Soward both gave this month’s updates from their respective locations at the Eastern terminus of the Urban Wilderness! Our weather person, Dave Stanley, was on location in the Sahara.

If you weren’t able to catch the broadcast, you can do it HERE.

THE WEATHER

Mr. Stanley says there’s been just enough rain to “keep the forums interesting”. It’s hot and sometimes it rains. We are still up 13 inches for the year. Happy Solstice! The days are long and you have many hours to ride.

WORK DAYS

  • Our National Trails Day “Small Projects” were a success and lots of work got done at Concord, IC King, Hastie, Transfarm, and Burnett Creek Road (adopted for little pick-up duties)! Big (not small) thanks to all of our great and knowledgeable crew leaders!
  • We were up to $7500 worth of trail maintenance hours for the last month!
  • Stay tuned for more organized opportunities. If you want to head out alone or with your quaranteam, we’ll provide tools. Give us a shout at info@ambcknox.org and don’t forget to keep track of your hours.
  • Corey has covered A LOT of ground with the weed whacker and is currently averaging about a 41 minute mile. Kellogg thinks “that’s a little slow.. :)”

EVENTS

  • Knoxville Bike Racing Wednesday race series has started. Please keep social distancing in mind if you participate.
  • July 30th – Teton Gravity Research and AMBC will host the premiere of Accomplice at the Parkway drive-in theater in Maryville. Grab your tickets here!
  • We are seeking ways to stay engaged while distancing. Shout if you’ve got good ideas!

AMBC + UHS IN SUNFLOWERS

Because why not! Wes (from way up high) showed viewing audience the progress out our sunflower project with Urban Horticulture Supply.

‘In other AMBC agriculture news – Crossing our fingers for a good crop of AMBC fundraising pumpkins..

OTHER NEWS

  • Raccoon Mountain is back open.
  • Matthew and Carly from Catalyst Sports went to Loyston for a ride, they’re riding at various trail locations to learn more about how adaptive cycles can utilize existing networks.
  • Our Elkmont Exchange beer, in its SERIOUSLY AWESOME CAN (YAY Sara Whitt!), is out and available at all of your favorite watering holes. Mary Beth says “chop those tops off and use as a cute vase when you are finished”.
  • There’s an open comment period for the Nantahal -Pisgah Forest plan. Make your voice heard HERE. Keep an eye on surrounding SORBA chapters for more outdoor initiatives.
  • We were awarded a grant from REI! In years past we’ve used these funds for lots of cool stuff (hello awesome trail-side water fountains)! This year we’ll be working on making the Baker Creek to #yearroundgetdown connection all weather.
  • Speaking of REI – they are open which means the in-store AMBC zone is too (touch, feel and try things on in person) Did you take care of your dad on Father’s Day? He wouldn’t mind some belated swag!
  • Speaking of swag – we’ve got Sara Witt’s rad beer can design in note card and poster form at REI and in our online store!
  • Chris DeRolph, local cartographer, has created a super cool map that is available for pre-order. Proceeds will go to the AMBC and Legacy Parks!
  • Quinn reports that the new trail a Norris is starting to get good! We’ve got a meeting on the books to discuss some fresh connections out there so it’s only getting better!
  • BIGGEST NEWS OF THE MEETING – YES, YOU GUESSED IT – THE BAKER CREEK BIKE PARK IS OPEN. OPEN WE SAY. OPEN! There’s still some site work and other finishing up to do but you can ride your bike! Give former Mayor Rogero and current Mayor Kincannon a BIG shout out if you have the opportunity. They both have been serious champions of this project. We’ll have a proper celebration one day!

TRAIL PROJECTS

  • Zirkle + volunteers have been continuing to tweak and harden Victor Ashe.
  • We’ve moved the club machine out to Far East and are plotting a climbing line that will get you to two downhill runs ending at Burnett Creek Road. There’s some pretty hard digging that needs to happen in steep terrain and we’d welcome help!

MEMBERSHIP

  • IS UP! Thanks to everyone that has become a new member or renewed. The system does send a reminder when you are set to expire and you can configure things monthly or annually.
  • IMBA’s drive runs through the end of this month and you will be entered in the drawing if you auto renewed during this time.

Thanks for tuning in, folks! We’ll be back again next month to do it all again!

CHEERS!

May 2020 Meeting Recap

Weatherman, Dave Stanley, reporting from the front lines of Hurricane Meryl

There were no polls during this evening’s show, but we’ve definitely upped our graphics game.

If you weren’t able to catch the live broadcast, you can catch it HERE.

TRAIL REPORTS + THE WEATHER

  • It’s pretty wet out there kids. You know the drill – Sharps, Loyston, #yearroundgetdown and Baker on slightly dryer days.
  • Poachers aren’t cool. The new Baker Creek Bike Park is NOT open. We’ll mention this again.
  • Weatherman, Dave Stanley, reporting in from the angry outer band of hurricane Meryl gave the latest stats:
    • We are 15” over our normal rainfall for 2020
    • 4.5” over last year at this time – and last year was WET
    • Temps are pleasant in the upper 70s and low 80s
    • He’s got a 100% chance of kicking some cash towards local mountain biker and all around good guy, Scotty Wilson. Scotty had a bad crash and messed his pretty face up. Give HERE if you are so inclined.

WORK PARTY RECAPS

Obviously our regularly scheduled work party events have been cancelled but you all are CRUSHING IT solo style.

  • You’ve logged 226.5 solo work hours since the last meeting
  • 26 more people contributed their valuable time since last meeting
  • All of this time equals $6,000 of in-kind donations
  • We’ve had people:
    • Work on drainage and improvements at Ft. Dickerson and at IC King
    • Cut SO MANY trees at Concord – GO HALSTEADS!
    • Work on Transfarm and Far East
  • Build new trail! Hello Keith Crouch and his “Mayor’s Hot Tub” project. Named for former Mayor Rogero’s hot tub which he now possesses. Mayor Kincannon rode it the other day and had a delightful time. Go check it out.

BIG SHOUT OUT

Club member and trained chef, Chad Riggs, who has been cooking YOU ALL (seriously lots) of people dinner at Fall Fest has been presented with his official AMBC apron. The apron was donated by Marc Nelson Denim and adorned with a leather “AMBC” patch from the multi-talented Jay Basile. THANK YOU CHAD!

EVENTS

  • Lots of STRONG Knoxvillians participated in the Giddy-Up for Good Everest Challenge. They rode enough vertical feet to accumulate the same elevation gain as it would take to reach the summit of Everest. 29,029 feet with no stopping. Yes, you read that correctly. The event raised funds for COVID relief.
  • Knox Adventure Collective hosted Solo de Mayo, a multi-sport solo Strava race. Keith Crouch (previously mentioned in the Mayor’s Hot Tub segment) was the big winner. “Way to win, Keith”.
  • The TVB Checkpoint race has been cancelled.
  • Knox Bike Racing has their updated schedule online.

National Trails Day 6/6/20- We have cancelled our weekend of camping fun. Big sad. Instead we will be hosting a variety of socially distanced work parties. They’ll be limited to a leader + nine people and tools will be provided. CHECK OUT THE SMALL PROJECTS HERE!!!

WE HAVE A NEW AMBC BEER – IT’S REAL AND YOU CAN BUY IT

It’s a “hoppy kolsh” brewed by Elkmont Exchange and currently available at their North Broadway location. It should be available at both Trailhead spots, Casual Pint, McScrooges, Sokno Taco, and Cycology Bike Shop within the week! POW!

The super RAD can was designed with the talented Sara Witt! Give her an appropriately distanced shout out if you see her on the trail.

BIKE PARK

Yes, we know it’s tempting but please don’t ride the park. It is still an active construction site. We are patiently waiting on some work to get finished up, as well as signage. “Keep off, no really.”

MERCH

It ain’t no game!

We’ve got a fresh batch of our ever-popular lightning bolt socks in stock! The poison ivy is not messing around out there y’all and neither should you. Protect those legs.

Big thanks to everyone who has been placing orders. We were hoping to be outfitting the masses through our partnership with REI but.. well you know. Every order makes a difference and helps maintain trail.

TIDBITS

  • Troy University is doing a survey on traveling and mountain biking. It will take less than 10 minutes of your time.
  • We applied for an IMBA grant for trail counters. It would be cool and beneficial for more trail user data. Fingers crossed, and we’ll keep you updated.
  • IMBA is having their membership drive RIGHT NOW through June. You can win things. It’s been pretty great to see everyone’s membership roll in – we are up 30%! JOIN!

EMAIL ADDRESSES TO HELP US HELP YOU

  • trails@ambcknox.org – report any downed trees or issues you spot on your rides. Please drop a pin and take a picture. Any info you can provide is helpful.
  • info@AMBCknox.org – if you want to check out any of our tools for trail maintenance. Don’t forget to log and report your hours pretty please!

Thanks for tuning in, folks! We’ll be back next month to do it all again!

CHEERS!

April 2020 Meeting Recap

We went LIVE on the internet and it was.. ridiculous! If you couldn’t tune in on Monday night, you can still watch HERE.

We had about 72 people join us from the comfort of their own homes. Matthew Kellogg (Executive Director) and Wes Soward (President) tag teamed the meeting with flair AND distance. We had comments, polls, and many outfit changes.

Matthew, sporting a jaunty Alliance hat, cracked a matching Alliance beer and welcomed the group.

TRAILS REPORT + THE WEATHER

  • POLL: Where have you been riding during the shutdown? Lots of people have been hitting up the Urban Wilderness. Sharps Ridge and Loyston have also been popular but it seems like all of our trails have been seeing tires.
  • We are SUPER lucky to have lots of options and good partnerships with the City of Knoxville, Knox County, private land owners, the State of Tennessee, Legacy Parks Foundation, Aslan Foundation, Ijams Nature Center, and all of our awesome sponsors.
  • Downhill directional trails are still closed and we will report back as soon as we have any information from the City. ***UPDATE – As of 5/4/2020 City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation has reopened all trails. Please use social distancing practices on and off trial.***
  • Our regular weather man, Dave Stanley, has a new future shredder at home so Wes gave the weather report. Proudly wearing his new Southcoast Pizza tank top – “Suns out, guns out”. We’ve had some rain in the last few days but Sharps has been good. “Good for your gardens, bad for the trails”.

WORK PARTY RECAPS

  • Matthew, clad in our awesome AMBC wool trail builder shirt and sipping a Hi-Wire Brewing cold treat, gave some impressive stats!
  • March 7th – Harper Audi fed fifty volunteers and Hi-Wire Brewing kicked in the cold beers! We worked Lost Chromosome and trails in Hastie in the Urban Wilderness.
  • Our spring work parties had a total of 259 volunteers and 900 hours documented for a total of around $23,000 of value!
  • Twenty-three people OF THEIR OWN ACCORD have put in 104.5 hours for a total of $2657.44 of value! If you, or your quaranteam, would like to work on your neighborhood trail, we’d be happy to check our tools out! Reach out to Matthew Kellogg about our Rogue Hoes To-Go program info@AMBCknox.org.
“Work days aren’t for everyone but they are for most people.”
~ Matthew Kellogg

THANK YOU ALL!!!

POLL: Which is your favorite trail building tool? Multiple choice: rogue hoe, loppers, bucket or sledge hammer? The clear winner was the rogue hoe with loppers coming in second.

EVENT RECAP

In a snazzy Sokno Taco shirt sipping from our environmentally friendly AMBC stainless steel cup, Wes reports:

  • The Tennessee National race at Windrock Bike Park happened on March 7th. Two local pro riders made the podium! These guys love to train in our back yard!
  • The always fun Tres Amigos Sokno Taco 3rd Anniversary Celebration and Scavenger Hunt (benefiting AMBC) was March 1st and a good time was had by all!
  • We have a new date for our BIG BAD Marathon Water Stop! November 15th BEER THERE!

POLL: What was your favorite race stop? Everyone loved all of the awesome small business check points 🙂

NEWS

  • Matthew, utilizing the new blaze orange Trailhead buff as a handy mask and sipping a “juicy takeout IPA, wants you to help us help you. We’ve got two new club email addresses:
  • Please report any trail issues or down trees to trails@AMBCknox.org. A screenshot of your location on an app or map showing the location of the problem is super helpful. We’ll get it taken care of!
  • Please log your volunteer hours at hours@AMBCknox.org. Knowing when and where you are spending your time helps us let our partners know what we are up to and we’d love to give you a high five if we see you! SEND PICS!
  • Dave Williams is available to work on some problem spots. On the list currently are touching up the currently closed downhill trails and drainage on Booger and Pit Viper at Fort Dickerson.
  • Socks are back in stock in the club store! Katie Tugwell says “Take my money!” GET SOME!
  • The Knoxville Adventure Collective has set up Solo de Mayo, a solo virtual “race” happening May 1-10th. Ride! Paddle! Run! and log your times on Strava. Winners get prizes!
  • IMBA is having a membership drive during the months of May & June. Go online to check your status and tell your friends! Don’t worry – we’ll remind you again.
  • WE HAVE A BEER! Elkmont Exchange + Lipman Brothers = easy drinking “Best Medicine” goodness with a can designed by our very own Sara Witt! Stay tuned for a list of retailers!

Wes, with a refreshing beer from Simpl and quick quarantine takeout poll. Support our supporters!!! Don’t forget our friends at Sweet P’s BBQ, and Central Flats and Taps.

AND WE FINISHED WITH A BOTTLE ROCKET SEND OFF. As you do…

CHEERS!

If you are interested in any of the many featured looks or delicious treats from this evenings show, please hit up the AMBC online store and consider reaching out to our awesome local favorites. They support us during good times and can really use our help right now.

February 2020 Meeting Recap

We had 76 lovely people come out in the cold rain for this month’s meeting!

As this meeting grows, please be respectful of the neighbors, use public parking and avoid on-street parking in the neighborhood. Ride your bike when possible!!!

TRAILS REPORT + THE WEATHER

  • It rains. And rains. And rains. Please stick to the usual wet weather riding spots.. and don’t forget Norris!
  • Russ Manning filled in for Dave Stanley to report the weather. We’ve had 11 inches of rain in the month of February. BUT we’ve only averaged 4.5 inches in March for the last three years. Fingers crossed for better riding weather ahead!
  • In #yearroundgetdown news – the best place to park is still at Baker Creek, then ride in on Red Bud Crest. There are three parking spots on Sevierville Pike at the Marie Meyers entrance as well. We are working on fixing the problem spots to make dry access easier.

The City is working on new trail maps (we build trail faster than they can make maps) but club member Vinny has been working hard to get the trails (especially YRGD) uploaded to Trailforks & MTB Project.

INTRODUCING MR. MATTHEW KELLOGG AS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (and MC for this meeting WITH a new PA)!

WORK PARTY RECAPS

  • February 8th at Meads Quarry – 33 awesome people showed up to work! Cycology Bicycles fixed an excellent meal, kept the fire pits going and gave a gift card to every volunteer! Lipman Brothers kicked in cold beers! We worked on moving LOTS (10 tons) of gravel to Hickory and Flow trails. We’ll be working on new bridges on Hickory in the near future
  • February 22nd at IC King – The City Mayor was there! It was an accident but she gave the crew of 52 (!) volunteers a pep talk before she headed out for her run. We worked on trail at the east entrance. The county has approved more trail in the east side of the park and that should get going in the next 6-8 months. Hi-Wire Brewing + Tennessee Valley Bikes crushed lunch!
  • Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville is in as our beer sponsor for the rest of the work party season!!! WOOP!

BEER COLLABORATION WITH Elkmont Exchange

You heard that right – we are getting an AMBC beer! It will be an easy drinking pilsner, around 4.6-4.8% ABV, in tallboy cans and kegs, to be distributed around town. Keep your eyes peeled, they start brewing next Tuesday! BIG THANK YOU TO CLUB MEMBER JEREMY WALKER FOR KEEPING US IN BEER!

APPALACHIAN YOUTH CYCLING

Ryan Leach reports that they can always still use volunteers and that they are working on getting information on the website and a better calendar so stay tuned.

FUN THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR

  • March 1st (THIS Sunday) – “Trés Amigos!” the SoKno Taco 3rd Anniversary Celebration to benefit AMBC! Bike scavenger hunt entry is $25 and that get’s you a full day of fun, race t-shirt, one Oscar Blues cold beer + dinner! Registration is behind the restaurant (please park at Baker Creek) from 11-12:45PM and the race is from 1-5PM and the winners will take home some sweet prizes.
  • March 7th – Urban Wilderness Work Party! sponsored by Audi of Knoxvilleand the new all new Audi Q3.
  • March 4-8 – TENNESSEE NATIONAL BIKE FESTIVAL at Windrock Bike Parkincluding Round 1 of the US Pro Gravity Tour (!!!), Continental Enduro World Series, Youth Downhill, and Best Whip! They are looking for volunteers and will trade park passes for your service.
  • March 14th – 15th Banff Film Festival
  • March 22nd – Joy Ride Loyston-Spring Ride & Potluck They’d love to have some volunteers and are planning on an E-bike ride!
  • March 23rd – AMBC Monthly Meeting
  • March 29th – Knoxville Marathon Water Stop (stay tuned for more info on facebook)! Bring your bells! We have won best water stop for the past few years and we don’t plan on giving up our title!
  • March 29th – The Waucheesi Bike Race by Rapid Expeditions
  • BIG FUN TUESDAYS! We are going to #bringtuesdaysback starting in May! Stay tuned for updates about food, music, beer and more!

LIMITED EDITION TRANSFARM T-SHIRTS

Are available at REI (6700 Papermill Drive, Knoxville, TN) WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

January 2020 Meeting Recap

TRAILS REPORT + THE WEATHER

  • One word – WET. Please stick to the usual wet weather riding spots.. Loyston, Sharps, #yearroundgetdown.
  • “Go kayaking, it’s much better with rain”

BIG NEWS!

Our organization has grown and taken on much responsibility in the community. It’s time to take the next step and we are excited to announce that Matthew Kellogg is our new executive director! Matthew is a former AMBC president and has been instrumental in our growth thus far. You’ll be hearing much more from Matthew in the future! (Tidbit from former president, Randy Conner- we started out with seventeen members and had meeting attendance of around eight people!)

JANUARY 25TH WORK PARTY RECAP

  • We had a great crew (58 people!) come out to help at the Forks.
  • We worked on draining and hardening problem areas on Whaley Trail and West Perimeter.
  • Luke led a crew tidying things up at Sharp’s.
  • Harper’s Bike Shop provided lunch and Yee-Haw Brewing donated cold beers!

JANUARY 19TH BELL JOY WOMEN’S DIG DAY RECAP

  • It was a COLD morning but thirty women came out to learn how to dig trail (thanks for the instruction Becca Stone!) and get started on Tennessee’s first adaptive mountain bike trail!
  • Bell Joy + Legacy Parks + Catalyst Sports + AMBC = making awesome things happen!

CATALYST SPORTS – I’LL PUSH YOU

Carly Pearson came to tell her inspirational story about how adaptive sports programs have changed her life since her catastrophic spinal cord injury. Leslie King with the Knoxville Catalyst Sports chapter, shared their upcoming fundraiser and screening of I’ll Push You: A Camino Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends and One Wheelchair. It’s Saturday, February 1st at Onsight Rock Gym. All proceeds will go to Catalyst Sports of Knoxville. TICKETS are $10 and include a Q & A from adaptive athletes in Knoxville and surrounding communities.

BIKE PARK UPDATE

Rebekah Montgomery (City of Knoxville Urban Wilderness Coordinator), Scott McClure (Blalock Construction), and Randy Conner (Contour Trail Design) filled us in on the latest with the Baker Creek Bike Park project. Some fun facts:

  • Nearly $250,000 spent to date (out of $650,000 budget)
  • 120 tons of asphalt spread
  • 7000 cubic yards of dirt moved
  • 260 tons of crushed concrete used
  • 480 feet of pipe run
  • Completion percentages: overall grading 80%, fine grading 60%, east jump line 70%, asphalt jump line 60%, skills park 70%, pump track 20%
  • APRIL is the goal! (weather permitting obviously)

Huge THANK YOU to the City for prioritizing outdoor recreation on a major scale. This is a one-of-a-kind, groundbreaking (ha!) project that’s a BIG DEAL for Knoxville. None of it would be happening without YOU ALL. Our cycling community is pretty awesome!!!

KNOXVILLE OUTDOOR TOURS

Alex Clark has a new venture – Knoxville Outdoor Tours . He’ll be hosting guided mountain bike rides around the Urban Wilderness. He’d love to take any visitors or new riders around to show them our awesome trails. Give them a like!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR FUN STUFF COMING UP!

  • February 1 – Little Bellas registration open!
  • February 8 – Urban Wilderness Work Party
  • February 22 – IC King Work Party
  • February 24 – February Monthly Meeting
  • March 1 – “Trés Amigos!” the SoKno Taco 3rd Anniversary Celebration & Scavenger Hunt benefiting AMBC
  • March 4-8 – TENNESSEE NATIONAL BIKE FESTIVAL at Windrock Bike Park including Round 1 of the US Pro Gravity Tour (!!!), Continental Enduro World Series, Youth Downhill, and Best Whip!
  • March 29 – NEW Waucheesi Gravel Race hosted by our friends at Rapid Expeditions
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