Saturday, Sept 30th
-Open house @ Noon <---updated!!
-Dirt Jump Jam @ 2:00
Come on out to the official grand opening of the Chilliwack Dirt Jump park. We'll have BBQ hot dogs, give away Swag from local Bike shops, hopefully some celebrity riders, and most importantly dirt jumps to ride!!
Discussion: No responses yet
On Thursday we (the FVMBA) had another meeting with the City of Abbotsford re: Ledgeview and MTB. Present were Andrew gower, Gary Harder (FVMBA President), Michael McAllister (the City's Lawyer), Gary Guthrie (the City Manager), Don Luymes (Manager of Community Planning - also the guy who is doing ALL of the develpment planning for McKee Peak/Ledgeview), Ron Myers - Parks Planner/Manager and Lynne Harris - Councillor. The big topic of discussion was the risk supporting a MTB facility puts on the city and how it can be mitigated. Michael went through his points, and what the city will have to do to keep their insurers happy. Basically, the following:
We also discussed getting the City involved with helping us get a deal with the landowners on Ledgeview - no decision to intervene directly was made, but they are going to help us out a little. Unfortunately, given the delicate situation, there isn’t much they can do (and we aren’t in too big a position to ask as it is all private land).
Finally - given that some of the trails are already on City land - they are going to be “taken over”. What does that mean? Well, for one, hopefully some $$ for maintenance. Signs will appear on the lower sections of SOB and LeBiteme - and Lost Oakleys and Soft Taco will also be signed. These trails will also be inspected and “safetyed”. Don’t worry - they will still be challenging - the biggest thing we will have to provide is “go arounds” at all stunts - and any bridging that sucks will have to be replaced.
So - things are looking up for MTB in Abby - and the City is gonna help out!!! (we even talked about jump/skills parks - so keep your eyes open!)
Discussion: No responses yet
(Update at bottom)
If you’re familiar with Chilliwack dirt jumps, you’ll recall that they were flattened a few months ago, much to the disappointment of all local DJers.
Since then, FVMBA has been working with the city of Chilliwack with the goal of creating a sanctioned set of new DJs. Result: The city has provided machinery, dirt, labour and land for a NEW set of jumps.
Construction started this weekend; more finishing is needed, and more jumps will be built - but it’s a start!
We plan on having a formal opening in a couple weeks, but in the mean time….
Have fun!!
Pictures and discussion here. And here.
Update:
The dj park is done!! Featuring a new pump track and a Small BMX track for the little kids, it even has two tabled little djs for the little guys. There is also a rhythm section taking riders back to the starting area.
Already the kids are coming in droves, and most are local; this speaks volumes for the local scene, you just know these guys are gonna rip it up. We are going to decide which weekend for a opening day celebration jam, but probably 2-3 weeks from now.
City will be bringing more garbage cans, a water stand pipe is coming; hopefully with a shed for the tools.
City parks manager was smiling this week as were all the kids and parents.
Come spring we will be bringing a machine to rework it again.
The only set giving up problems is the big set, we may have to put a dropin or pave a runway. But with the water I am sure one weekend the guys will have at her and figure it out.
Already the area has had a couple of really fun things added, like a quarter pipe out of dirt and a couple of sweet transfer lines between the jumps. More communities need to look at the ease it took to make something which has had such a great buyin by the locals, and is becoming a destination to the kids to go and rip it up.
We’ll try to get more pics up soon.
Discussion: No responses yet
Of all the bike trails on Sumas Mountain, the only one with that is significantly within the park boundaries is KnobGobber. This past Friday, Sept 1st, representatives from FVMBA and FVRD Parks dept. hiked KnobGobbler together. During the hike, the trail was examined with a view toward addressing any environmental or liability issues. As it turns out, there is very little on the trail that requires any modification. FVRD Parks is committed to developing a working relationship with FVMBA and KnobGobbler looks like it may become the first legitimate, sanctioned MTB trail in the central Fraser Valley.
It won’t happen overnight, but significant steps are being taken.
Discussions are also underway with MoTSA regarding the other trails on Sumas. Things look positive there as well
Discussion: No responses yet
Bike Brewery
Cranky's bike Shop
Jack's Cycle