August Chapter Update
The Riding Season is Far From Over!
Advisory Council Meeting
1. RTP proposals - shifts in funding requirements for '14
2. Communicating with District Coordinators
3. Act 250 specifics and how it impacts chapters
4. Going over the "VMBA Chapter Program"
5. Chapters sharing successes from the 2013 riding season.
Representation from Forests Parks and Recreation have been invited to help ensure the most definitive information available on all state land topics.
Wednesday, Sep 4, 2013, 07:00 PM
The VYCC Monitor Barns in Richmond, Vermont
RTP Funding Available for 2014!
Heads up! The 2014 RTP grant proposals are due on September 30th of this year. Attached below is a short message from the VT grant administrator, Sherry Winnie. Please be sure to reach out to your district coordinators regardless of project location and to incorporate a letter of support from VMBA in your materials.
FPR is currently soliciting RTP grant applications for local trail projects in need of trail funds for next summer, application deadline is Sept. 30, 2013. Check out the following link for more details & application materials: http://www.vtfpr.org/recgrant/trgrant.cfm
More information can be found at: http://www.vtfpr.org/recgrant/applicationmaterials.cfm
Is the RTP funding process a mystery to you? If so, the state has set up three trainings designed to help you prepare the very best proposals.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Elmore State Park during the VT Trails & Greenways Council’s (VTGC) Quarterly Meeting7:00PM – 8:00PM
VTGC Meeting begins @ 5:30PM/Grant session attendees are encouraged to attend VTGC’s Meeting
Tuesday, August 27, 2013 Mt. Ascutney Pavilion 10:00AM – 12:00 PM
All are invited to bring lunch & tour trails on Mt. Philo from 1PM – 2PM for a show & tell session of trail reconstruction work that was completed by the State Trail Crew on Mt. Philo.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Mt. Philo State Park Pavilion 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
All are invited to bring lunch & tour trails on Mt. Philo from 1PM – 2PM for a show & tell session of trail reconstruction work that was completed by the State Trail Crew on Mt. Philo.
RSVP/Sign up for one of these sessions by calling or e-mailing Sherry Winnie 802/760-8450 sherry.winnie@state.vt.us
VMBA is working on the 10-year expansion plan with the state, which will include long-term maintenance schedules. These templates will be made available to everyone once completed. In the meantime, please carefully consider the maintenance plans of your entire network. Lots of mileage is great, but takes a lot to maintain. Please be in touch and let VMBA help! Thanks everyone.
10-Year Expansion Plan Update
The most exciting part of the plan is that chapters are kicking butt at the local level and developing documentation that will inform the plan - this is becoming a collective effort and I can't be any more excited about it! Chapters have developed long-term maintenance plans, landowner easements, and much more.
If your chapter has found success with a particular strategy, program, contact, trail building technique or document - please let me know. In the end, this will be OUR collective document and will be the most effective advocacy effort in association history. I'm grateful for your input and look forward to hearing from you.
Three New Chapters Online This Year
Angus McCuster has the "RASTA" riders ready to utilize all of VMBA's progress. Having already set up long range maintenance plans, mapping, land manager documentation, state relationships, and connections with both local businesses and the town, this group prepped for big success.
Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center in Grafton is gorgeous. Bill Salmon has put in 5.5 miles of sweet singletrack and has plans for much more. Located right off Int. 91, access is super easy, not to mention a dip in the pond and lunch after the ride would be a great way to spend an afternoon. Keep an eye out for some very cool events at this location and a quickly expanding trail network.
RTP Funding & VMBA Research Project
Placement of trail counters for 2014 season has not been determined and permissions are currently being secured for this fall's pilot study. All data will be shared with chapters once analyzed.
VMBA collected a bunch of data at the festival. A description of that data and charts can be found in a PDF on the "Chapter Documents" link at vmba.org
Upcoming Event
Check out the Wicked Witch of the East Enduro August 24th! It's one of the toughest and most fun courses you'll ever ride. Equal prizes for women and men. The race starts and finishes at the the Mad River Music Fest, so plan a full day of it.
Transportation Bill Amendment is Dead for One More Year...
VMBA was on the phone to Washington and spoke with representation from Senator Leahy and Sanders. The senators published a joint statement in support of alternative transportation, which supports RTP funding. Thank you those who made calls to Washington. VMBA believes our calls prompted the statement out of their offices - well done!
We're not out of the woods just yet... The amendment may resurface again next year. VMBA will keep a close eye on the issue. If and when another "call to arms" is needed, VMBA will put the word out. It is critical 100% of the riding community is dedicated to being a part of advocating for our riding opportunities in Vermont!
VT50 Needs Volunteers
20th Anniversary of the Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra-Run
Sunday September 29, 2013
Ascutney Mountain Resort
Brownsville VT
The Race is SOLD OUT but they need VOLUNTEERS - Volunteers will receive a FREE Commemorative T-shirt and FREE BBQ on Sunday!
Sign up today to help out
Volunteers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dFNDajFuemRxSHBmVHNiN3BhUklzWUE6MQ
Any questions about Volunteering please contact: Molly Housman vt50volunteer@gmail.com
Come Help Celebrate 20 Years of Riding and Running in the Hills of Southern Vermont!
For Race Updates Follow VT50:
Website http://www.vermont50.com/
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Vermont50
Blog http://vermont50.blogspot.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermont-50-Mountain-Bike-or-Ultra-Run/124605703185
Sign up for our Newsletter: http://vermont50.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=820090d9b6e0d776f93e128e8&id=86149aa98d
Additional Items...
Does your chapter have an event in August-October? VMBA is eager to promote the event through all media channels and help with give-a-ways. Let us help!
VMBA is in the process of completing the next version of the MOU with the state, which identifies VMBA as the corridor manager - this is important to chapters as it is directly tied to access on state land and securing continued support of the trail clinic.
Don't forget about Vermont Peanut Butter Company's willingness to feed your trail day volunteers. If you have a special project you need extra hands for let us know - we'll help you get them out there!
VMBA remains committed to the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council. Our inclusion in this working group provides chapters an opportunity to effectively work with Act 250 on both chapter and landowners' behalf. More updates will be shared as VMBA's work with this group develops.