WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE - Spokes Magazine

COLUMNS
...a look at women’s cycling issues in the
mid-Atlantic
We Can Do It!
Congratulations to all of us mountain biking women
who have conquered the trails, raced the races, and
own bikes that match our counterpart mountain biking
men! We deserve a big pat on the back!
These days there is no doubt that women are a part
of the mountain biking scene. Not only are there
numerous organized women’s rides and clinics; such
as the Maryland “Girlie Rides” and the “Ride Like a
Girl Rides,” but women riders can be seen taking over
the parking lots at trail heads on most weekends and
turning out in large numbers at the local XC and off
road adventure races. We also grace the covers of the
most popular cycling magazines, decked out in the
most fashionable mountain bike apparel, while riding
some of the hottest XC bikes on the market. Way to
go Girls!
However, while we have made our mark on the sport
as legitimate riders we are slightly behind in giving a
helping hand when it comes to building and maintaining
the trails that we have come to love. The Mid
Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) maintain and
build hundreds of miles of trails in Maryland, DC,
and Virginia. MORE is the local nonprofit mountain
biking club that organizes hundreds of rides throughout
the year as well as advocates for new trails while
building on and maintaining the current single track
we ride.
MORE schedules annual fall and spring trail work
days at every park it maintains, which adds up to
30 July 2009
SPOKESWOMEN by ANNE MADER
more than 3000 volunteer hours a year. However, only
about 10-15% of those hours are put in by women. So,
while there are many women out there who are definitely
giving back (some give a tremendous amount),
there are still some who need to get a shovel and get
out there. Anyone who rides the trails should take
a little time each year to give back, and we are not
the exception. Trail work can be a great way to meet
other riders. It can also be a great family event- bring
the kids and teach them that trails don’t just appear.
Hours and
hours of volunteer
service go
into every trail
you ride.
So, while we
are in the heart
of the summer;
ride, ride,
ride! But when
it starts to get
cooler, check
out MORE’s
fall and spring
trail work calendar
on their
website at www.
more-mtb.org
and give back
to the trails you
ride this summer.
Let’s show
those guys what
we can do!
Speaking of
giving back,
have you ridden
the trails at
Fountainhead
Park lately? If
you have, you
may be aware
that the trails
are in dire
shape and in
need of some
TLC! MORE
has been maintaining Fountainhead for over ten
years.
This amazing trail system is a mountain biking gem
in Fairfax County however, due to an increase in
ridership and the way the trails are built these trails
are becoming increasingly unsustainable. As a result,
MORE and the Northern Virginia Regional Park
Authority hired IMBA Trail Solutions to create a trail
plan that will help rehabilitate the trails and build a
sustainable trail system.
The rehabilitated trail system will provide a more
diverse trail for beginners to advanced riders. The
plan suggests a stacked loop system with skills areas
and an increase in mileage from seven miles to 12-
15 miles. A stacked looped system is very unique and
provides an opportunity to create levels of difficulty
the further one gets into the trail. As a result, the
trails can have increasingly more difficult trail sections
because riders will have trail options depending
of their skill level. This also increases educational
opportunities along the trail- so those of us who need
to learn certain skills will have the opportunity to
learn these skills before moving on to the next trail
section.
Trail features and armoring will also create a trail system
with unique features that enhance sustainability
while providing an amazing riding experience for all
mountain bikers. MORE and the park are very excited
to get this project underway. A website has been specifically
set up for this project at www.fountianhead
project.org.
The Fountainhead Project is a huge undertaking for
a small nonprofit like MORE. Not only does MORE
want to create a more sustainable trail system the
club also wants to maintain the challenging legacy
of the Fountainhead trails. As a result, the price tag
for this project
is larger than
many other
trail building
projects.
Fundraising has
been underway
for the
Fountainhead
Project for a
couple of years
and it will take
a few large
fundraising
efforts to complete
the entire
project.
However,
thanks to the
generous contributions
of
trail users and
funding from
Trek Bicycles,
REI, and Team
IMBA/SRAM;
the first
phase of the
Fountainhead
Project will be
underway this
fall!
MORE hopes
to use the first
phase of the
project to showcase
what can
be done at Fountainhead to create sustainable, fun,
and challenging trails.
However, the Fountainhead Project will only be successful
if volunteers step up the plate. This is where
WE can make a difference! It just so happens, that
Rosie the Riveter is helping to get the word out about
the Fountainhead Project. So it is only appropriate to
use this opportunity to call women riders into action!
MORE will need all of the volunteers it can get to
help out with this project.
Volunteers will be needed to haul, shovel, lope, and
cut new trail. A little muscle power is important, (not
a problem for us women mountain bikers) while trail
building knowledge is not necessary. By volunteering
you will be adding to the legacy of mountain biking
while giving back to the trails you love. You will also
gain an appreciation of what it takes to build and
maintain the trails you and thousands of others ride.
Keep an eye out on the Fountainhead Project website
for trail work dates, or sign up for updates on the site.
If you can’t make the Fountainhead trail work days
check out the MORE trail work calendar for other
options. We can do it!