Quick 6 Enduro, Roswell Bike Week - A BUSY April

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April is shaping up to be the busiest month of MTB fun for local cyclists.

We are excited to work with Bike Roswell to introduce Roswell Bike Week - a week long celebration of all things biking in Roswell.

Full schedule of events: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/events/?view=calendar&month=April-2015

The Roswell Bike Week action starts on Saturday April 18 with the Big Creek Quick 6 Enduro sponsored by Fresh Bike Service. Sign up here: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/big-creek-quick-six-enduro .

RAMBO is adding new "Fresh lines" to amp up the excitement. You will see new rock gardens, jumps and fast berms. Not only will we be hosting 150 Enduro Racers and their friends, we will be providing volunteers for the Dirty Spokes Peach Jam Half Marathon on the Forsyth Greenway. 

Note that we plan a trail building party at Big Creek Saturday (4/11) to get the trails and Fresh lines ready for competition. If you want to see the new lines, you need to help build them...

The weekend continues with concurrent bike demos on Sunday April 19. Cycleworks is sponsoring a Trek Bikes factory demo at Big Creek and NorthStar Bikes is sponsoring a Pivot Bikes factory demo at Charleston Park. Both demos run from 10 to 3.

Monday April 20 RAMBO will conduct a Kids Bike Skills Clinic at Big Creek Park starting at 5:00 PM. The skills clinic is a great way to have your kid learn about safe bike handling and will give them the confidence to ride their bike almost anywhere.

On Tuesday, our friends at Bike Roswell take the lead in an easy paced road ride on the Big Creek Greenway. This is a great way to meet new bike friends from all around and have an easy ride on the Roswell / Alpharetta Greenway.

Wednesday April 22 is a Spring Night Ride at Big Creek. Its the last chance to get your lights fired up for a great warm weather night ride. If you haven’t ridden at night yet, this is your time to test your night riding skills.

Thursday April 23 it’s Bike Roswell’s turn to take you on a road ride starting at Riverside Park. Be ready to ride at 6:00 PM. Break out your skinny wheels for a ride around historic Roswell.

Friday April 24 Bike Roswell and RAMBO team up for the 2015 Bike and  Beverage tour.  It’s a leisurely ride around Historic Roswell taking in the sights and some of historic Roswell’s famous pubs and eateries. Everyone’s welcome on this 3 mile ride… Meet at Lucky’s Burger & Brew at 6:00 PM.

Saturday, it’s time for more dirt with the RAMBO Pump Track race at Big Creek Park, sponsored by Roswell Cycles.  This race is a timed event and it is especially fun for the young kids. The race is run from 10 to Noon with a fun picnic after.

Not to be outdone, the big day is Sunday April 26. The Roswell Cycling Festival kicks off at 7:30 AM with the Roswell Mayor’s Ride followed by the Roswell Criterium. The Crit is the most action packed road race you will ever see. It’s a great event for the whole family as you take in the action and some kraft beverages at the local Roswell restaurants.

If the month of April doesn’t get you into the cycle scene, nothing will. But remember, we can’t do this without volunteers like you.  If you are interested in helping with any of these events please contact us at: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/contact/ .

RAMBO - We build the trails you ride… Join Us!

RAMBO's 2015 Plans: New year. More fun.

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Fellow riders,
The new RAMBO BOD conducted its kickoff meeting for 2015. As you know, we had a great 2014 and we think 2015 will blow your cycling socks off...

But first, we can’t do this without active members and volunteers like you. We need you to join RAMBO (membership dues directly benefit the trails you ride) and volunteer every once in a while during our trail building events. Here’s a link to sign up: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/join-us

Besides riding on existing trails, what’s in it for you? Your participation will help us bring even more trails and fun events to the riding public. Oh, and forgot to mention volunteers will have chances to win cool prizes at our trail building parties and earn discounts on entry fees to biking events like the Summer TT and the Enduro.

With your help here’s what we plan to do in 2015:

  • Open 6 miles of trail at Charleston Park on Lake Lanier where you can ride, swim and boat all in one place
  • Double the length of the infamous Troll Trail 
  • Build additional new trail on Pine Hill
  • Add beginner / intermediate lines to the upgraded Dirt Jumps 
  • Build great new downhill lines in the Free Ride area
  • Add a new Pump Track to Haw Creek Park
  • Conduct skills clinics for everyone from young kids to advanced downhillers
  • Enduro 2.0! With even more radical lines. Mark your calendars for April 18.
  • Race the summer Time Trial series with new Free Ride & Pump Track races added
  • Sponsor more fun events like group rides and camp outs at other trails in the Southeast

These are just a few things that we have planned for 2015 - THAT’S what’s in it for you. 
We build the trails you ride… Join Us!
http://www.rambo-mtb.org/

RAMBO Night Rides at Big Creek: Everything You Need to Know

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RAMBO Night Rides at Big Creek continue through March 19th, 2015, and they are a great way to experience the trails in a new way. They are also perfect for mid-week, after work/school rides to stay active in the off season. If you've never attended a night ride, we encourage you to follow the steps below to register with the City of Roswell and come out for a fun time. Rides are led by a RAMBO Board Member on a pre-determined route, and all skill levels are welcome.

How to take part:

Rides begin at 7 p.m. sharp and ALL riders must both sign in and sign out with the designated RAMBO coordinator. Helmets, lights and cell phones are mandatory.

Riders MUST register by noon the day of the ride or you will not be permitted to ride. All registration must be done via the City of Roswell website at the following link:

NIGHT RIDE REGISTRATION

Registration Instructions:

  1. Click the link above.
  2. Create an account. 
  3. When you enter the site, go to the "Activity Type" box and pick "mountain bike"

That will take you directly to the list of Night Rides.  You can either choose a specific ride by date, or choose a ride bundle of "any 4", "any 10", or "all" at the bottom of the ride selection page. 

For a list of night rides at Big Creek see the RAMBO Rides web page at: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/rides/

For additional Night Ride info at Big Creek also see the RAMBO Night Ride Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BigCreekNightRide/

RAMBO 2014 Accomplishments 2015 BOD Upcoming Elections

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RAMBO Members and Supporters

RAMBO has had a very productive year in 2014 delivering on numerous exciting goals for our community. 

2014 Accomplishments:

1.    Conducted 22 trail building days across all 5 parks resulting in several thousand volunteers hours of trail building

2.    Built new Dirt Jumps and a new Pump Track at Big Creek Park

3.    Added 1.3 miles of single track trail, jumps and berms at Central Park

4.    Added 0.75 miles of single track trail and a huge Pump Track at Haw Creek Park

5.    Added a parking lot, bridge, kiosk and signage to Charleston Park thanks to a $60,000 RTP Grant and $2000 Reality Bikes Donation

6.    Created new more user friendly RAMBO Website

7.    New safety system and correlating signage at Big Creek Park  $3000 investment donated by Roswell Parks and Rec

8.    Promoted and executed the first ever ENDURO race in Georgia with lead Sponsor FRESH Bikes

9.    Held our 10th annual Fall Family Festival which was attended by more kids that ever before.

10. Worked with the City of Roswell on your behalf to find a new location for the Holcomb Bridge Fire Station

11. Promoted and Conducted our Big Creek Summer Time Trial Series with Sponsors Alpha Bikes and Care More Chiropractic

What a great year!!!  Thanks to everyone that made all of this possible.  Check out our outstanding partners that helped make all of this happen: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/partners/

Time for a New 2015 BOD:

So now it is time to build a new team for 2015:

It’s time to elect a new Board of Directors for RAMBO 2015. We are looking into our community for energetic team members that want to help drive our parks and trails to be the best they can be.

Currently we have the following positions: (Named slots represent current nominations for which additional nominations may occur)

President – Brad Wender

VP - John Beisner

Roswell Alpha Trail Director – Jim Cullen

Communications Director - OPEN

Membership Director - OPEN

Marketing Director – OPEN

Webmaster - OPEN

Treasurer – RC Connell

Roswell Alpha Events Coordinator - OPEN

Bike Patrol Coordinator – Michael Petters

Free Ride Coordinator - Ryan Kramer

Night Ride Coordinator – Ross Monckton

Forsyth County Director - Joe Baker

Forsyth County Trail Director - Chris Frohsin

Forsyth County Events Coordinator – OPEN

 The nominations and elections take place during the December Chapter Meeting (Monday 12/15 7:00 PM at the Harp Irish Pub in Roswell).

Election Details: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/blog/2014/11/11/rambo-2015-bod-nominations-and-elections-we-need-your-input 

Meeting Details: http://www.rambo-mtb.org/events/2014/12/18/rambo-chapter-meeting

December Chapter Meeting Agenda

·         Communications discussion

         Community building activities - Open

o   Bikes For Kids update

o   Mapping of Greenway and Mt Adams

o   RAMBO Cares program

·         Night Ride update

·         Forsyth County update

·         BOD 2015 Nominations

·         BOD 2015 Elections

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions,   http://www.rambo-mtb.org/contact/ 

Thank You

Your 2014 RAMBO BOD

Bikes for Kids Brings Happiness to Hundreds

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Members of RAMBO continued its annual tradition of joining the team of volunteers to help clean, repair, and prepare lightly used bikes and scooters, so they can be given to area kids and families in need this holiday season. 

Since 2007, hundreds of bicycles, tricycles and scooters are donated by friends and neighbors across Alpharetta and surrounding communities to be refurbished for the North Fulton Community Charities’ Santa Shop, providing beneficial holiday gifts for underprivileged families.

Bikes for Kids, founded by the Mullenbach Family in Johns Creek, is now managed by Bike Alpharetta, Inc., a non-profit advocacy organization that promotes safe and fun cycling in north Fulton County. Their goal is to provide 200-300 quality, gently-used bicycles and tricycles to three charities – North Fulton Community Charities, The Drake House and Home Stretch.

This year's Santa Shop workday on December 6th was another great time for all involved. What better way to spend a (rainy) Saturday, than to give hundreds more kids an opportunity to experience the great times we have on a bike. Special thanks to all the volunteers, bike shops, and sponsors who supported this worthwhile cause.

Learn more about the great work Bike Alpharetta does in our local communities.

RAMBO December Happenings

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Tis that season again. Lucky you live in the Southeast and you can still get out and ride your bike most of the winter...

Here's what's happening in December:

Let's get out and RIDE!

RAMBO 2015 BOD Nominations and Elections

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RAMBO Members, it's time to nominate and choose a new RAMBO BOD for 2015. You can nominate yourself or someone you know that is committed to bringing Roswell, Alpharetta and Forsyth County the best mountain biking parks possible. The nominee just needs to be an active RAMBO dues paying member. We explain the process and timing below, along with the duties of each position.

This is your chance to make sure we have the best and most committed BOD team to lead the organization through the 2015 calendar year. Send your nominations to John Beisner, VP RAMBO at mail@RAMBO-MTB.org.  We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to our next two chapter meetings (November 17 and December 15) as we prepare for an exciting 2015 with RAMBO.

For more information see our website at www.RAMBO-MTB.org.

RAMBO 2015 Board of Directors Nominations and Voting:

Nominations will open for the 2015 RAMBO Board of Directors on Nov 17th at our Monthly Chapter Meeting. Nominations will close during the RAMBO Chapter Meeting on December 15th 2014 at 7 pm at the Harp Irish Pub in Roswell, Ga.  New board members for 2015 will be elected at the December Chapter meeting.  You must be a RAMBO member to vote and to hold a BOD Position.
Please nominate yourself or someone else for one of the BOD Positions described below by notifying John Beisner, RAMBO Vice President at  mail@rambo-mtb.org.
Newly elected BOD members will assume their positions on January 1, 2015 an hold office for one calendar year.

RAMBO BOD Position Descriptions:

  1. President:  The President shall be responsible for carrying out the directives of the Chapter Board of Directors.  Duties include strategic planning, ensuring RAMBO goals are consistent with the members’ desires, ensuring that important action items are accomplished, researching and pursuing funding, attending SORBA meetings, and supporting all board members and club activities.
  2.  Forsyth County Director: The Forsyth County Director shall be responsible for coordinating activities between Forsyth Country Park and Recreation Dept. and the RAMBO BOD. The Director shall perform strategic planning; ensuring RAMBO goals are consistent with the members’ desires, ensuring that important action items are accomplished, researching and pursuing funding, and supporting all board members and club activities.
  3. Vice President: The Vice President will be responsible for strategic planning, execution of RAMBO objectives, and assisting the president in administrative tasks and shall represent RAMBO in the absence of the President.  Additionally the VP shall be responsible for establishing monthly meetings and their location.
  4. Trail Director – Roswell- Alpharetta:  The Trail Director shall coordinate trail activities in Roswell and Alpharetta, including pursuing access to new lands for trail building, planning maintenance of existing trails, obtaining and directing volunteers at work parties, keeping a log of volunteer hours, developing relationships with local officials, and promoting proper trail etiquette. The Trail Director must be IMBA\SORBA Trail School certified.
  5. Trail Director – Forsyth County:  The Trail Director shall coordinate trail activities in Forsyth County, including pursuing access to new lands for trail building, planning maintenance of existing trails, obtaining and directing volunteers at work parties, keeping a log of volunteer hours, developing relationships with local officials, and promoting proper trail etiquette. The Trail Director must be IMBA\SORBA Trail School certified.
  6. Treasurer:  The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining RAMBO’s financial dealings per instruction from the SORBA Executive Board of Directors. The Treasure will produced documentation of all of RAMBO’s monthly transactions to SORBA each month.  The Chapter Treasurer will work closely with the SORBA Treasurer to maintain all accounts as necessary to follow the federal rules for 501-3 (c) status organizations.
  7. Communications Director:  The Communications Director shall manage and direct RAMBO communications.  Specific duties include writing; assisting, or reviewing important club documents including board minutes, grant proposals, outreach materials, club messages, maintaining the by-laws, RAMBO archives, and providing information to members and others from these resources.
  8. Membership Director:  The Membership Director shall create and manage a marketing plan to increase and sustain active members.  Duties include developing outreach materials and distribution mechanisms, arranging technical sessions/speakers/activities at monthly meetings, and seeing that “fun” (referring to strategic plan) activities occur throughout the year.  This position works closely with the Communications Director and Event Coordinator.
  9. Marketing Director:  The Marketing Director coordinates and executes marketing plans collaborated with the Membership and Communications Directors.  Duties include solicitations to prospective vendors, organizational donators and SORBA/RAMBO members; as well as, organize volunteer and donation campaign at RAMBO events.
  10. Webmaster: The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining the RAMBO website; domain: www.rambo-mtb.org by posting minutes and other correspondence pertaining to RAMBO activities, as well as changes of wording and graphic deemed necessary by the BOD.
  11. Event Coordinator – Roswell - Alpharetta:  The Event Coordinator shall lead all chapter events and outings in Roswell and Alpharetta. Responsibilities include planning, leading and executing events with the assistance of the BOD and Volunteers.
  12. Event Coordinator – Forsyth County:  The Event Coordinator shall lead all chapter events and outings in Forsyth County.  Responsibilities include planning, leading and executing events with the assistance of the BOD and Volunteers.
  13. Free Ride Coordinator: The Free Ride Coordinator will lead all items related to downhill and free riding in RAMBO’s area of responsibility.  In the case of trail changes the Free Ride Coordinator will consult with the Trail Director before significant changes are to be made to any trail or run. In the order of event planning the Free Ride Coordinator will enlist the assistance of the Events Coordinator when he feels appropriate.
  14. Night Ride Coordinator: RAMBO’s Night Ride Coordinator will lead all aspects of the Big Creek winter night riding program.
  15. Bike Patrol Coordinator: The bike patrol coordinator will lead RAMBO’s bike patrol programs for each RAMBO trail system. The coordinator will train or organize the training of new patrollers, collect patrol reports and give monthly reports to the RAMBO Board of Directors.

RAMBO Fall Festival on National Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day

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Just as the crisp cool Fall temperatures hit Atlanta this year there were plenty of kids ready to get out and play at the park.. on their bikes! RAMBO had another great turnout at Big Creek Mountain Bike Trail for their 11th Annual Fall Family Festival in Roswell, Georgia. There was plenty of open riding for all, including demos, and awesome participation from our sponsors Alpha Bikes,  Cycleworks, Fresh Bike Service, Reality Bikes, and REI.

This years festivities began with a Time Trial (TT) for the little ones on our beginner trail Sleepy Hollow including beginner riding and safety skills training. By lunchtime RAMBO had fired up the grill and was serving everyone some traditional southern cooking made by our gourmet RAMBO Chefs. The afternoon gave all the kids a lot of fun with the scavenger hunts and games as well as the Awards Ceremony for those who participated in the morning TT's. All in all, another great weekend of family fun at Big Creek Mountain Bike Trails.

Forsyth County Parks & Rec and Vermeer Southeast: Advanced Trailbuilding Class

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Forsyth County Parks and Recreation’s Trail Management Institute along with corporate sponsor Vermeer SE offered a 2 day Advance Trail Building class on Sept 27th & 28th at Haw Creek Park.

The class was led by IMBA Trail Specialist Stephen Mullins.

Class participant were hands on for over 14hrs with several pieces of mechanized equipment ranging from mini skid steers like the Ditch Witch Sk500 to Vermeer’s S800TX, S650TX. Several attachments were brought in to demo like the 4 and 6 way blades, tillers and tree grapplers.  There was also Yanmar’s mini excavator ViO17.

This two-day training was designed to enhance the knowledge of a trail crew volunteer, trail coordinator or land manager who was interested in mechanized and advance trail building techniques. Topics included: machine overview, preventive maintenance schedule and field repairs demo, basic concepts of mechanized trail work, “Working in Pairs”,  Building Technical Trail Features: bridges, jumps, climbing turn, switch berms and flow trails.

Projects completed by the participants:  400ft of new flow trail, 150 feet of new pump track installed.  

Vermeer SE’s assistance with the equipment and technical support staff on site was invaluable to making the class a success.

Forsyth County and Vermeer are currently in discussions to develop 4 more dates for classes in 2015, so stay tuned.

For more info please contact Matt Pate at Forsyth County Parks and Recreation 770-781-2217 or email mepate@forsythco.com

Big Creek Dirt Jumps Rebuild

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The dirt jumps in the Big Creek Freeride Area have been around nearly ten years, and it was time to rebuild them with two goals in mind:

  1. Provide progressive options for people to safely learn how to jump small jumps, while gaining confidence and skills to jump the bigger ones. 
  2. Expand the types of bikes that can enjoy the jumps including hardtail DJs and bigger slopestyle/DH bikes
Joe Whitfield was our lead builder and Bobcat operator for the new jumps. Not only can he dig, but the dude knows how to ride. Photo by: Ross Monckton

Joe Whitfield was our lead builder and Bobcat operator for the new jumps. Not only can he dig, but the dude knows how to ride. Photo by: Ross Monckton

We want to thank the volunteers who donated more than 150 hours of their time to complete Phase 1 of the project. We also want to thank those who donate to our trails, as the Bobcat rentals cost us $1,500 well-spent dollars.

Our volunteers brought in a large Bobcat over a period of three weekends to demolish the old jumps, prepare the area, and then build the new ones. And the feedback from our members is awesome, as you can see in the photos.

As a Phase 2, we plan to expand the new beginner line this Fall to provide even more fun for our beginners and younger riders. Stay tuned for the upcoming work party to finish the project.