Solidarity!

[FarmerBEN]

I am just wondering if anyone in the area here would be interested in establishing a more organized group to advance biking in the area (MORC chapter style). I have been thinking that it might help us get more exposure for the area trails and give us some traction to hopefully add a few more trails in the area, lord knows we have plenty of hills in this area it is about time we use some more of them.

[Buck]

yeah its called RASC.

Check it out they are doing some great work at Steeple Chase and elsewhere.
L8R
Buck

[FarmerBEN]

yeah its called RASC.

Check it out they are doing some great work at Steeple Chase and elsewhere.
L8R
Buck

true true, but the potential I was talking about is Hay Creek, Welch, Frontanec, as well as the Void across the muddy we can Skonnie. A little beyond the radar of Rasc. I know how much people from Roch like to leave Roch.

[Buck]

true true, but the potential I was talking about is Hay Creek, Welch, Frontanec, as well as the Void across the muddy we can Skonnie. A little beyond the radar of Rasc. I know how much people from Roch like to leave Roch.

Sounds like you haven't even contacted them yet and you have written them off! Give 'em a try it takes along time to get the places you are talking about up and running. And I know for a fact that most RASC members are from the rural areas around Roch, and not just Roch.
L8R
Buck

[hockeynut]

Ben,

Could you elaborate on what you are thinking? Is it an organized RASC type group? Is the main goal to get more trails? Outreach to get more people into the sport? Would there be sweet looking jerseys to advertise? :p

Buck is probably right though, I bet that RASC has enough rural members that they would be the best first bet.

On a pretty unrelated note, there are some massive plans for Memorial this year. I won't say anything else, but we'll need all the hands we can get once trailwork gets fired up in April.

Isaac

[gus man]

Rite on man, right on!!!
:banana:

[FarmerBEN]

Ben,

Could you elaborate on what you are thinking? Is it an organized RASC type group? Is the main goal to get more trails? Outreach to get more people into the sport? Would there be sweet looking jerseys to advertise? :p

Isaac

Possibly all of the above I guess. Mainly get all the local rider/advocates working on the same page. Work together with the Y and local bike shop(s) to setup some guided group rides for beginners. (If we could find a few riders willing to guide) I am thinking of a man power group not a financial group, so I am thinking of avoiding dues if possible. I'll get right on the jersey's right after I finish getting Grain belt to make Jerseys (another thread)

Anything Trail related I would be happy to work together with RASC, but I think that stretching that organization any further would really be creating a huge area, rural members south of roch would be wanting to focus of trails in the Chatfield/st.charles/fountain area and the people up here would be wanting to focus on Welch/redwing/frotanec area. between the two is at least an hour from one to the other. Just a thought, I figured I would see what other area riders thought

PS- I am hoping to get out and help work on both steeple and Memorial this year. Buck are there any plans for weekday riding at steeplechase this year or ever? Nothing beats a nice evening ride.

[hockeynut]

Possibly all of the above I guess. Mainly get all the local rider/advocates working on the same page. Work together with the Y and local bike shop(s) to setup some guided group rides for beginners. (If we could find a few riders willing to guide) I am thinking of a man power group not a financial group, so I am thinking of avoiding dues if possible.

I've had a couple of the same thoughts about beginner/youth rides. Memorial actually has a really good system set up with the doubletrack trails that stay mowed up on the top of the bluffs. The more riders that get interested in riding off-road, the more riders that would be interested in building trails....

Isaac

[Burke]

I am just wondering if anyone in the area here would be interested in establishing a more organized group to advance biking in the area (MORC chapter style). I have been thinking that it might help us get more exposure for the area trails and give us some traction to hopefully add a few more trails in the area, lord knows we have plenty of hills in this area it is about time we use some more of them.

Ben/Isaac/Gus,

If you want to start chatting about what sort of organization might make sense, PM, email president@morcmtb.org, or give me a call 612-308-4056.

RASC is an organization with many different interests: MTB, Nordic Skiing, Road biking, Randonneur, Triathletes, Kayaking, and In-Line Skating. They, as you know, are the driving force behind the Steeple Chase efforts. I am not sure if they have the mountain bike organizational capacity to have their efforts split while SC is still being worked.

The area you're talking about getting organized in is pretty much between where MORC and RASC are traditionally based.

You might want to give Jeff Robertson an email at jrob5630@aol.com (from RASC's website) to see if RASC has the ability or interest to look north.

MORC has the capacity and interest to work with you to organize. We've developed a long track record of successes that can help in opening doors with land managers. Get in touch, we'll talk details.

Scott

[gus man]

I think we need to take a cue from Burke. I will be PM'ing Burke shortly. I think the ideal way to do something of this nature is to organize South East Minn. Chapter of M.O.R.C. This would include R.W. Winnona, Steeplechase, Kellog, Kruger and whatever else we could add in the future. RASC is a big group but I don't know that they are ready for that whole area in terms of just trail maintnence and awearness issue's.

Rock on dudes, Gus:banana:

[FarmerBEN]

When I hear chapter I think more locally. I had assumed that if a chapter system is setup within MORC current affiliates would just switch over to chapters if they desired. So I assumed Roch would have a chapter and Winona would too (assuming they still have an active organization).

For the present my only goal for a RW area group would be to-
A) develop more local interest in the sport
&
B) identify opportunities im the area to create new trails.

I don't know if RW has enough bikers to build and maintain many trails, but we would have enough people to start brain storming and work together with MORC, IMBA, RASC and whoever else it will take to get things accomplished.

[Wolfchimp]

I think the best thing to do is to try and develop it through the local bike shops, granted some are better than others. (You can ask Gus'opinion of his local shop) By sparking interest through the local shops, you begin to build a framework of information and involve more riders from the start. Thats just my .02 though.

[FarmerBEN]

I think the best thing to do is to try and develop it through the local bike shops, granted some are better than others. (You can ask Gus'opinion of his local shop) By sparking interest through the local shops, you begin to build a framework of information and involve more riders from the start. Thats just my .02 though.

I'm not sure but I think we are probably on the same page. Maybe try to work with the Y, they have quite a few youth programs. We need to think tobacco company get 'em hooked young.

[gus man]

I just spoke with the Y. I had presented them with a sponsorship option for my race in the park. They backed out after yanking my chain. Pretty sad when you think about it. Especially since we bust our ass's on trails they like to run on.

[FarmerBEN]

I just spoke with the Y. I had presented them with a sponsorship option for my race in the park. They backed out after yanking my chain. Pretty sad when you think about it. Especially since we bust our ass's on trails they like to run on.

what was their main grievence? are we talking the muddy river r n' r Race or an additional race?

[Captain Lance Murdoch]

I don't think sponsorship is the way to approach a place like the Y. They don't have much cash for stuff like that. I think it is better to think of them as a way to access their members to bring them into the club. As long as they are cool with it, post announcements about the club at the Y. Once the club is established then going to them with a sponsorship proposal could be offset by offering them someone to lead beginner rides or teach beginner classes. This would most likely have to involve the local shop, since it is in their interest to provide someone to teach a beginner skills class. It is important to keep the goal in mind - a strong club that builds and maintains trails.
I am a big supporter of setting something up with MORC. It is a well organized group that has a lot to offer. With this affiliation we would stand a much better chance of getting trails at a place like Frontenac or any of the multitude of potentially great spots in this neck of the woods. Maybe we just need to set up an initial meeting to see how many people would be interested in setting up a club. We just need to post announcements at the Y and at The Route (local shop) and send out e-mails. Pick a place and a time and bring beer. We could also have a screening of bike videos so it is not all work. My wife works at the Y, so I don't think it would be a problem to post an announcement. I will find out for sure tonight. I spoke with the local shop and they are cool with having an informational meeting there.

[FarmerBEN]

Jason-
Welcome to the site, I like the way you think (especially the beer). I think that getting more people into the sport would be a good goal for the first year. I think, as we have already stated, youth and beginner rides would be a great start. I know there is the regular group rides but I think for a beginner pulling up and seeing a bunch hardcores in the spandex discussing the this derailler vs that derailler can be pretty intimidating for a beginner. Keep in touch and once the weather is better we'll all have to get together and figure out a plan of attack

[hockeynut]

I'm not a beer drinker (blasphemy) but would be down with seeing what we could get going....

I'd propose the initial meetings either be informally at the trailhead after/before a ride (if waiting until May is fine) or Fiesta Mexicana (or equivalent) as I like eating. At least in the beginning I don't know that we'll need hours to hash things out.

Unrelated I do know that the weekly trailwork is one month away this week. Just a heads up.

Isaac

[Burke]

I am a big supporter of setting something up with MORC. It is a well organized group that has a lot to offer. With this affiliation we would stand a much better chance of getting trails at a place like Frontenac or any of the multitude of potentially great spots in this neck of the woods. Maybe we just need to set up an initial meeting to see how many people would be interested in setting up a club.
Sounds like a good start. I'm happy to help out in this process in any way you'd like.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Chris Gustafson, I just sent you an email related to this topic...

Scott