News

With two volunteer workdays cancelled due to the government shutdown, volunteers from all over the United States made the effort to attend the 1st 2019 Western Gateway Volunteer workday. 

Many of the volunteers at today's workday

Specialized is in town with a dealer event and over 20 Specialized dealers and employees from all over the United States decided to give a little back. Justin Ingles from REI raffled off several prizes and the volunteers appreciated the Famous Pizza and Lagunitas beer at the après.

With such a large contingent of volunteers, over 1 mile of new trail was constructed and much of Ledge-n-Airy received trail corridor lopping and trimming.

Photo courtesy of Bret Edstrom

On January 23, 2019, two four-person youth crews from the American Conservation Experience (ACE) began eight weeks of construction efforts on the Western Gateway. The ACE effort is funded by a National Forest Foundation (NFF) matching award grant awarded to the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund and mountain biker contributions from all over the Verde Valley, State of Arizona and United States that helped the VVCC raise the required NFF grant match. The ACE crews are working on the Girdner re-route along with several new miles of trail added to the system should be completed in time for the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival that begins on March 1, 2019.

The VVCC is celebrating 15 years of bicycle advocacy to the Verde Valley by reprinting this Red Rock News article from November 11, 2009. Thank you Daniel Paduchowski for the treasure trove of history!

VVCC Member, Evan Puglia, recently caught up with 5 Minutes With via email. 5 Minutes With is too old and slow to catch up to Evan.

How long have you lived in the Verde Valley?

Approaching 3 years here in Sedona.

Where did you move here from?

I was living in Vail, Colorado for 11 years.

What have you been doing since you got here?

Exploring Sedona and different areas of the Southwest. Coming from Colorado, being able to ride 365 days a year was quite enticing. The past two years I've been working for Hermosa Tours running MTB day tours out of Sedona and multi-day trips along the Arizona Trail (AZT). Exploring different segments of the AZT has been an incredible experience for me. Its diverse nature has increased my understanding of Arizona's ecosystems and how they coexist with one another. My other job is working at Over the Edge Bike Shop in West Sedona. I am forever grateful to this shop for welcoming me into their riding community. My experience here in Sedona would not be the same without them. Finally, I had an amazing summer where I spent most of my time in Northern Italy mountain biking and bikepacking through the Italian Alps with my partner Amaryth.

Favorite Trail Network?

Impossible question. I will give you my top 3. So far it's been tough to top Squamish BC, Finale Ligure, Italy, and Sedona, AZ.  

Favorite Trail Snack?

Epic bars, bag of mixed nuts. We loved seeing how many croissants we could fit into our frame bags in Europe.   

What's new in your life?

The newest adventure in my life is the launch of the Sedona Mountain Bike Academy (SMBA). This is a brand new Sedona business, which is a collection of fun loving local certified mountain bike coaches. 

Who's SMBA's customer base and offering?

We're offering effective, unique, and affordable coaching options to both youth and adult mountain bikers. Our Youth Program is called S.H.R.E.D. - Sedona’s Home of Riding Education and Development - which currently has rides and clinics for youngsters ages 7-17. For adults, we have private lessons, group lessons, women's specific offerings, and clinics.

That sounds great, who are your instructors and their qualifications?

This is the part that I am most excited about! We have 4 certified coaches on staff right here in Sedona. Our qualifications include years of experience teaching mountain biking in the industry; Level 1 and 2 teaching certifications from PMBIA, Terra Method, ICP (IMBA) as well as safety certifications such as CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder.   

Any special VVCC member offerings?

Absolutely.  All VVCC members are offered one initial 2 hour group lesson for $50 per person (2 or more riders) which is 60% off our regular pricing. All private lessons, youth lessons or consecutive group lessons will be 30% off until March 5th (subject to availability). Long term coaching plans and discounts are available to all VVCC members.  

When's your next clinics?

Youth Clinics: Monday, February 18, President's Day SHRED Mini Clinic, $35 each (Ages 7-17)

Saturday, March 2, Sedona MTB Festival Mini Clinics, early bird $25 each (Ages 7-17) 

Adult Clinics: March 16-17, Women's Clinic, Intermediate to Advanced

Anything else you are excited about this spring?

Yes of course! We are super excited about volunteering for several youth cycling programs. More specifically we will be volunteering for the Verde Valley Bikes4Kids at West Sedona's MTB Club and also the Sedona High School NICA Team. Come out for a ride and watch these kids grow!

How can VVCC members find out more?

Visit our website at www.sedonamtbacademy.com or call us direct with any questions: 1(888) 288-0603

Verde Valley Bikes for Kids is drawing national attention for its work getting kids on bikes. Just recently, Trek President John Burke awarded the program a $2,000 grant as a "thank you for doing GREAT work in your Community!"

Trek is the VVCC latest Gold Level Sponsor.

Thank you John and Trek!

The first 2019 VVCC Mountain Bike Friday FUNdraiser Ride on January 4th attracted 20 riders with three from Colorado

If you think that mountain biking and beer go together, the VVCC Mountain Bike Rides MeetUp Friday FUNdraiser ride is for you.

Each Friday, 10-25 mountain bikers meet at the Verde Valley Bicycle Company at 743 N. Main Street in Cottonwood for a ride on the trails at Dead Horse State Park. The ride starts at 11:15 AM (wheels rolling) and is a no-drop one that covers a little over 11 miles taking just about 2 hours to complete. The park usually waives the entry fee - plenty of regulars have annual passes or are Patrollers - and the trails offer a challenging experience.

Après ride, beer from Lagunitas Brewery and socializing opportunities abound. A donation box is available, but the après' emphasis is on FUN, not "raising".  Since the first ride on October 19th, $456.00 has been raised for Western Gateway trail construction.

Hope to see you there!

Q. With the new year approaching, what do you see as the VVCC's biggest:

Strengths?

A. Our leadership position throughout the Verde Valley. The many years of hard work has resulted in our club being the "go-to" organization for anything and everything involved with bicycling in our geographic area. From roadway safety initiatives to our "Bikes for Kids" program, we represent the best of our bicycling community. 

Q. Weaknesses?

A. As with many organizations whose programs are run entirely by volunteers, our ability to recruit and keep our people excited about what they do, can be difficult at times. 

Q. Opportunities?

A. There are many new and exciting adventures for us to initiate in the future. A city-wide bicycle pathway, improved bike lanes, new mountain bike trails, etc. The possibilities are wide and far-reaching. There will never be a shortage of opportunities.

Q. Threats?

A. As I alluded to previously, involved volunteers will be the key to our success in the future. Recruiting new people for leadership roles, as well as simply getting new volunteers to serve on committees, is our main goal. The threat to our continued success and future growth, will be our ability to attract more volunteers. I already see some of our volunteers getting "worn-out". 

Q. Where do you see the VVCC by the end of 2019?

A. I see 2019 as one of the most exciting years since our inception 15 years ago. We will continue to gain new members, albeit at a slower pace than 2018. Our wide variety of advocacy groups and programs, will experience continued growth and interest.

Q. What do you like most about the VVCC?

A. That's simple...our wonderful members and volunteers. 

Q. What do you like least about the VVCC?

A. The continuing efforts needed to encourage our membership to step-up in their volunteering. 

Q. If you had the power to change one thing associated with the VVCC, what would it be?

A. I have a pet peeve that I can't shake. There are MANY bicyclists in the Verde Valley, that for a number of reasons, shun our group. While they certainly enjoy the fruits of our club's labors, they not only refuse to get involved in the only bicycle advocacy group in the area, but they actually go out of they way to demean our group and our members. In Marty's perfect world, we would obtain 100% membership from all bicyclists. 

Q. What's stopping you from changing it?

A. I've tried and in a few cases, I've succeeded. However, quoting Mr. Gump, "stupid is as stupid does". I have a problem with ignorance.

Q. Anything you'd like to add?

A. I'd like to ask all members to chose a committee or program and get involved!

VVCC Friday Rides Back When

  

VVCC Friday Rides December 28, 2018

Thank you To the following donors for their generosity!

Mark Evans                Rich Leever           Wally Tibbits              Virginia Baird

Marlene Macek        Anonymous          Jim & Janet Oliver    Kristen Highfield

Bob Hudson              Paul Majane         Hubble Family Trust  Kate Hansen

Alan McNulty            Bob Windham      Daniel Erway               Joseph Green

Cheryl Harter            Nancy Lorig       Charity Silvera     Dennis & Patti Wyman

Rebecca & John Ellis    Paul Hallinan       Anne Hess                 Bill Jackson      

If you intended to donate but the holidays got in the way...

Donations received through April 15, 2019 reduce your 2018 or 2019 - your choice - Arizona State Income Tax Liability Dollar-for-Dollar Up to $800 ($400 for single/individual filers)

The Mountain Bike Association of Arizona "MBAA" today announced the the VVCC was selected to receive a grant in the amount of $2,500 for the Western Gateway.

Thank you MBAA!