Trail Work, Rides, and Mountain Bike Activism opportunities in Virginia's Blue Ridge.
Looking for a fun way to help support area bike trails? Sign up to pour beer at GO Fest! Oct. 14 - 16 in Downtown Roanoke. Many shifts and jobs are available. Click the link and enter the Code BROC to register and help raise funds to support BROC. https://roanokeparksandrecreation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=65941
Save the Date! Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is happening October 1.
IMBA Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day (TKMBD) is an annual event that seeks to introduce the joy of mountain biking to the next generation. It was created in 2004 in honor of Jack Doub, and is recognized by the U.S. Congress,
Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is officially celebrated every year on the first Saturday in October. TKMBD events can be hosted by almost anyone. Participating groups include
IMBA chapters and affiliated mountain bike clubs, community organizations, scouting groups, youth programs, schools, and others. Or, gather your family, friends, and coworkers to host your own, local ride. Every mountain biker is invited to participate!
Hit the trails with the young riders in your life and share
photos from your day with #TKMBD
Save the date and watch for more to come.
Enchanted Forest is a popular trail at the Cove that still has some mud spots that need fixin' and we need folks to help! Spread the word and sign up in the link in the event to let us know you are able to help.
We just need a few BROC volunteers to come out on Tuesday to help knock this out.
Click the link below for more details and to sign up. Be sure to tell them BROC sent you.
Thanks!
Working on Arrowhead reroute this Sunday morning July 24th. Meet at Bennet Springs parking lot by 8 am or get yourself to the work site when you want. If you don't know where we are at, just go up Arrowhead and look to your left near the top. You will see orange ribbons. We will not actually connect the trials until we are done, so you will not see a trail junction yet.
We have all the tools and equipment we need on-site. We don't plan to stay much past noon if it is as warm as they are predicting. Please check the calendar here to make sure the workday has not been canceled before heading out. Greenways Google Calendar
Wear sturdy shoes. Bring water, gloves, glasses, and snacks if you like. Tools are provided. No experience is needed.
Roanoke Parks and Recreation staff is hosting workdays in 2022 to do maintenance at Carvins Cove. The next workday is Tuesday, July 12 from 11 AM-3 PM. They are hoping to continue armoring mud on Enchanted Forest trail. Please meet at the Bennett Springs Trailhead at 4300 Carvins Cove Road, Salem, VA 24153 unless directed otherwise by the crew leader. Sign up by clicking below!
A community meeting will be held to review and discuss preliminary greenway alignments for the area between the Western Virginia Water Authority Water Pollution Control Plant and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Date: June 30, 2022
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Open House-Style where you can come and go
Location: Explore Park Visitor Center, 56 Roanoke River Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24014
Roanoke County and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff are collaborating on this project. Representatives from both agencies will be present to answer questions.
Here is a link for more information:
https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/ERRGGap
Hope you can make it out!
Morning Side Park is located at 917 Morgan Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24013
Come out to Morningside Park and join the BROC Board in a few laps of the loop trail where BROC has just installed three new wooden features that are unique to the area.
While we are there, we will be heading over to the jump line for a couple of runs. You will be able to see where a second, more advanced line, will soon be added.
We will probably end up at Starr Hill for a cold refreshment. (The park closes at 8:00 pm.)
This is a great opportunity for BROC members to experience firsthand the results of our ongoing collaboration with Roanoke Outside Foundation and the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation.
If you drive, park between the ball field and old tennis courts. The trailhead is at the edge of the tree line.
Ride with The Roanoke Valley Riveters this Wednesday. Leaving the Bennett Springs parking lot at Carvins Cove at 6pm.
Don’t forget the bike! In addition to Music, Paddling, River of Lights, Disc Golf, Camping, Tug of War, Farm Strong Challenge, Food Trucks, and Trail Running, there will be a group ride for all Ramble Weekend ticket holders. ($20.00 day $40.00 weekend). The group ride will be from 10:00 am-12:00 pm on Saturday, June 4th at Waid Park. All the information and pre-registration can be found here: https://www.playfranklincounty.com/197/Ramble-Weekend
If you would like to help with trail maintenance at Carvins Cove:
On Thursday, June 2, we will be working on Arrowhead (Bennett Springs half of trail only) meeting at 8am in the Barn at the Bennett Springs Trailhead. We are working on rolling water diverters, drainages, and tread repair.
Please check the calendar here to make sure the workday has not been canceled before heading out. Greenways Google Calendar
Wear sturdy shoes. Bring water, gloves, glasses, snacks if you like. Tools are provided. No experience needed.
Should be options to carpool back out before end of work day and you can come/go when you want if you can get yourself to site. We might have to stop around 1pm due to weather...we will see.
May is National Bike Month. Celebrate by getting to know our local trails even better with the Carvins Cove History by Mountain Bike Tour happening at the end of the month. There is a registration fee of $20 and the number of reservations available is limited. Roanoke Park and Recreation.
Ride hosted by Roanoke Valley Riveters.
Click here for more details
https://www.facebook.com/events/575125443849630?ref=newsfeed
Some upcoming trail work days:
May 21st - Ladies work day 8 to 12
May 21st - Public work day 1 to 4
For all work days meet at the Gateway parking lot
Ride your bike to work today. Everyone will be sweaty.
Dust off your sequins, spandex, blazers and bell bottoms...the Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Races is back!
This groovy race series is a hump-day tradition, open to beginner and expert riders alike. Don't be shy, join these hip cats the last three Wednesdays in May and take it to the max!
The racing takes place on the Mill Mountain Trail system, and you can sign up for each night individually, or tackle the whole series.
Wednesday, May 18, we will be working on Arrowhead meeting at 9 am in the Bennett Springs Trailhead parking lot.
Please check the calendar here to make sure the workday has not been canceled before heading out. Greenways Google Calendar
Wear sturdy shoes. Bring water, gloves, glasses, and snacks if you like. Tools are provided. No experience is needed. Must be 14 or older due to equipment usage and high trail traffic.
There should be options to carpool back out before the end of the workday and you can come/go when you want if you can get yourself to the site. There will likely be someone working until 4 pm on both days.
International Women's Mountain Biking Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in May. This year, Women's MTB Day is on Saturday, May 7th, 2022. It's a day for riders who identify as women to gather, experience, and share their stoke for mountain biking! Tag your rides with #WomensMTBDay! https://www.imba.com/ride/for-women
Roanoke Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Star City Cycling Club and East Coasters for the return of Roanoke’s FREE mountain biking race series. Riders will compete on a short, spectator-friendly course against youth their own age and skill level. Medals will be awarded to the top three kids in each age group. At the end of the series, overall winners will be named for each group.
The Youth Mountain Biking Race Series is aimed at novice riders from ages 2 to 14. Riders will compete on a short, spectator-friendly course against youth their own age and skill level.
Friday
5:30-8:30pm
May 6: Eureka Park
Pathfinders will be working on Arrowhead (Bennett Springs half of trail only) meeting at 9 am in the Bennett Springs Trailhead parking lot. We are working on water diverters and tread repair.
Please check the calendar here to make sure the workday has not been canceled before heading out. Greenways Google Calendar
Wear sturdy shoes. Bring water, gloves, glasses, and snacks if you like. Tools are provided. No experience is needed.
There should be options to carpool back out before the end of the workday and you can come/go when you want if you can get yourself to the site. There will likely be someone working until 4 pm.
Ride your trail. https://www.un.org/en/observances/bicycle-day
Roanoke Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Star City Cycling Club and East Coasters for the return of Roanoke’s FREE mountain biking race series. Riders will compete on a short, spectator-friendly course against youth their own age and skill level. Medals will be awarded to the top three kids in each age group. At the end of the series, overall winners will be named for each group.
The Youth Mountain Biking Race Series is aimed at novice riders from ages 2 to 14. Riders will compete on a short, spectator-friendly course against youth their own age and skill level.
Fridays
5:30-8:30pm
April 22: Washington Park
April 29: Morningside Park
May 6: Eureka Park
Thanks to all our fellow trail enthusiasts who signed up to learn how to build and maintain trails from assessment to completion using hand tools. we look forward to learning new skills and gaining a better understanding of how the natural dynamics of trails play out. The focus will be on improving the trails for mountain biking, but the skills and techniques you will learn are applicable to all natural surface trails.
When – April 23rd and 24th, from 9 am until 3 pm (lunch will be provided both days) You must attend Saturday to take part Sunday.
Who – Anyone and everyone who would like to see more and better trails at Explore Park.
Where – The Explore Park Visitor Center on Saturday, on the trail Sunday (56 Roanoke River Parkway, Roanoke, VA)
Why – Roanoke County is looking to improve and expand the existing trail network at Explore Park, but they cannot do it without help from the public.
Please bring water and wear long pants, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Tools will be provided. The cost is free, but you must register by April 15th as space is limited.
Roanoke Parks and Recreation staff is hosting workdays in 2022 to do maintenance on Mill Mountain trails and greenway. The next workday is Tuesday, April 19th from 11 AM-3 PM. Please meet at the Discovery Center unless directed otherwise by the crew leader.
(18+, 14+ with an adult) Join fellow trail enthusiasts—hikers, bikers, and equestrians—to maintain the trails at Carvins Cove. These workdays will be administered by Roanoke Parks and Recreation and will work on armoring the muddy spots on the popular "lower trails" at the Cove--Enchanted Forest, Songbird, Tuckaway and more. Roanoke Parks and Recreation will provide the tools, just show up with sturdy shoes, water, work gloves, and some excitement to create and maintain the trails in our valley.
This coming Saturday September 18th, Roanoke is celebrating National Public Lands Day by starting construction on a new trail on Mill Mountain!
Join fellow trail enthusiasts for the work day hosted by Roanoke Parks and Recreation.
For this workday, we will be meeting at the Riverland Road Trailhead for Mill Mountain (Star Trailhead), Roanoke, VA.
https://goo.gl/maps/2uXRnFbVzodEFAfeA
Lunch will be provided for volunteers from Panera Bread by the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department.
This opportunity is open to those over 18, or under 18 with direct parent/guardian supervision.
We will be working on a new trail (Corridor 6 from the Mill Mountain Trails Plan) which is a short hike from the trailhead. Please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, and clothing that is OK to get dirty. Bug spray is strongly encouraged since there is a lot of brush in the area and ticks/chiggers are common in the woods. Please bring a refillable water bottle as we will have water coolers provided but no containers to drink out of. Tools are provided. The workday starts at 9am and goes until 3pm, but can be come and go according to your schedule. Please sign up in advance so we have an idea on lunch by registering at this link:
https://secure.rec1.com/VA/roanoke-va/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTE1NzgyNjA=
The first 50 people that show up to the workday also get the cool t-shirt pictured above.
Join your friends at BROC this Saturday, September 4th, at 10 AM for a Longdale Furnace Loop Social Mountain Bike Ride.
Map: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7033584/longdale-furnace-north-mountain-loop
This is a short distance ride (11.8 miles) with some technical sections and some climbing. This ride is very scenic and has some sections of the trail most people find extremely fun.
Meet at the lower parking area on the map: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//37.8113944,-79.6659315/@37.814043,-79.6655786,14.86z
Pedals up at 10 AM. If late, you can catch up on the fire road climb or meet in the lot at the top of the climb - if you are lucky enough to find a parking spot. Then you will climb at the end of the ride unless you find a lift back up (not me, I will be eating).
This is a no-drop ride; you will not be left behind. I can only sweep, so people that take off upfront will be on their own until they stop and wait if they want. My pace will be set by the last rider in the group or me.
After the ride, we will head over to Jack Mason's Tavern in Clifton Forge.
PLEASE RSVP through Meet Up to let us know you are coming. [masked]
See you Saturday!
Stuart LeManna
It’s happening—we’ve started construction on a new trail network at Morningside Park. Come join us for a workday at Morningside this Saturday, 7/31, from 9am to 3pm, where we’ll be polishing off Bluebird, the first purpose-built flow trail in Roanoke city limits.
We’ll have tools on-site, and be providing free lunch, cold water and Gatorade for anyone wanting to join.
We’ll also be working on the trail Friday afternoon, so feel free to join us for either (or both) days.
For the sanity of the neighborhood, we ask all volunteers to park at the Morningside basketball courts and pedal/walk across the field to jobsite.
A huge thanks to the City of Roanoke and Renee Powers for all the help and guidance. BROC may be throwing the dirt, but they’re the ones who made the project happen in the first place.
See you Saturday!
This photo shows where we transplanted some ferns on a hillside we had to reshape for our connection to the road at School House junction.
Sunday, June 27, we will continue doing finishing work on Rock-N-Roll. The trail is all roughed in to School House and we just want to make it a little better.
We will leave the Bennett Springs lot at 8 am to carpool in. If you know the gate procedure, you can come and go as you like. We will likely work until 4 pm.
Be sure to check our calendar first to make sure we have not had to cancel
Brian Batteiger,
Pathfinders Crew Leader
Past picture of the big Rock-N-Roll Trail break through day.
Thanks again to John Yates for organizing this and bringing bubbly juice and presenting all the trail building statistics.
Sunday, July 11, we will continue putting some finishing touches on Rock-N-Roll and the areas around it.
We can leave the Bennett Springs lot at 8am to carpool in. If you know the gate procedure, you can come and go as you like. Not sure how long we will work.
Be sure to check our calendar first to make sure we have not had to cancel
Brian Batteiger,
Pathfinders Crew Leader
