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 [email protected] 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!