Chapter Meeting Minutes - 6/14/10
/Jay Wilkes opened the meeting with a comment on the very successful work part at Olde Rope Mill Park on National Trails Day, June 5th. With strong support from REI, including Volunteer T-shirts for all participants, and lunches provided by Canyon Burgers, 170 volunteers participated in the largest work party SORBA Woodstock has ever held. The next work party will be June 26th. John Hicks will be training interested volunteers on bridge building techniques. The first six miles of the Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trails are scheduled to be completed later this year.
Tyler McDaniel was in attendance at the meeting and was recognized for his excellent work in constructing the kiosk at Olde Rope Mill Park. This was his project for his Eagle Scout award.
Jay reported that the bridge over the Little River has been delayed because of the Georgia DOT. The environmental impact studies have expired and will have to be redone. We estimate it may take about one year before this bridge is completed.
Scott Stewart will begin Dirty Thursday work parties at Blankets Creek this coming Thursday, June 17th. The focus will be hand finishing the re-route on Dragon’s Tail. The wet areas on Mosquito Bite are a high priority as well.
The downhill trail on the old fire road section of the Dwelling Loop has been delayed a few weeks due to a change that was required in the plan we submitted to the USACOE. The original plan called for using telephone poles and the COE will not allow them. We must use natural wood from trees that have fallen. We revised the plan and expect approval soon as they have expressed support for the plan.
The trailhead park renovation continues to move forward. Ross Engineering has been contracted by the County and is finalizing their plans for submission to the County. Once submitted to the COE we expect a response in about 90 days. We anticipate work to begin this fall.
We have had discussions with the County about the concept plan for connecting Blankets Creek and Olde Rope Mill Park. The discussions have been productive and positive. This project will take time to develop and execute. We do not have an anticipated timetable at this point in time.
The trail counters at Blankets Creek recorded approximately 7,500 users in May, despite some rain during the month. There were 6,800 loops on Dwelling, the highest number recorded to date.
We have added additional ropes at the Kevorkian Pass on the VMT to help prevent riders from falling off the trail at that point.
Our events coordinator, Melanda Murchison, has announced two upcoming group rides. The first will be a women’s ride at Blankets Creek on June 26th at 8:30 am. The second ride will be a camp and ride event at Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga on July 24th.
Free-Flite will have a demo day at Blankets creek on July 27th and Trek and Gary Fisher will demo at Blankets on July 11th.
Stephanie Bunkley reported that three of her high school club members have qualified to race at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships at Granby Ranch, CO on July 15-18.
The meeting was adjourned.