News

VVCC Sponsor, Trail Sports is sponsoring a Women's Mountain Bike Camp on February 24th and 25th. This camp will be led byTrek Bicycle Women’s Advocates and certified Professional Mountain Bike Instructor (PMBIA) Kate Nolan along with other certified coaches and advocates Charlotte Batty, and Michelle Thiry.

The clinic will take place a Trail Sports Bike Shop in West Sedona with trail rides originating from the shop.

For more details and to register, please click here.  

On Wednesday, January 24th, the VVCC sponsored a women's mountain bike ride in the Village of Oak Creek.  The ride was organized and led by VVCC director Pam Milavec, who is hoping to encourage and improve cycling opportunities for women in the Verde Valley.  We had 8 women show up, all of whom were pleasantly surprised to see so many other talented, local women shredding the red!  The ride was enjoyed by all as we challenged ourselves and supported each other, some of us trying new obstacles while others coached and showed us how to conquer whatever the Sedona trails throw our way.  And Bonnie stole the show with her fearless jumping skills!  The next ride will be at 1 pm, Wednesday, Jan. 31st, meeting at the Shelby Dr. trailhead to ride Caroll Canyon trails.

The first 250 new and renewing VVCC members since December 1, 2017 will be receiving both sides of the above 23% off REI coupon (don't try to use the above picture as it won't work.) This coupon is good for one purchase at any REI store in the USA as well as online at www.rei.com and expires at 11:59 pm PT on December 31, 2018.

You will receive your coupon via email shortly after joining or renewing. Those who have  joined or renewed between December 1 and today will be receiving your coupon via email in the next couple of days.  You'll have to print out the coupon - the side with the single-use coupon code on it - to obtain the discount at a REI store. You just need to know the single-use coupon code if ordering via phone or online.

This is just our way of saying thank you for supporting the VVCC.

Thank you REI for your generosity.

The VVCC was recently recognized for its transparency with a Silver Seal on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile!

GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. More than 8 million visitors per year and a network of 200+ partners use GuideStar data to grow support for nonprofits.

In order to get the Silver Seal, the VVCC shared important information with the public using its profile on www.guidestar.org. Now our community members and potential donors can find in-depth financial information about the VVCC.

Check out our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile and tell us what you think: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0717767

Did you know there is great mountain biking in Rimrock, AZ?

Beaver Creek Trails Coalition President, Stan Mish, as well as local resident John Garth sure do know it and led several VVCC Board Members, Members, and guests on a 10+ mile ride from the Forest Glen Trail Head yesterday.

VVCC Vice President, Dan Blaettler; Treasurer, Kevin Adams and Events Committee Chair Pam Milavec joined Members Mike & Jaime Coyne, Charles Bailey and Mike Berlly for the ride. Also riding was Gary Miller who visits Sedona a couple times a year from Rifle, CO.

BCTC President Stan Mish (right) ponders a point while local rider John Garth (center) and VVCC Member Mike Coyne (left) look on

From left to right VVCC Members Mike Berlly, Charles Bailey, Jaime Coyne and Mike Coyne listen as the ride details are announced

Gary Miller (left) listens to the ride details while Pam Milavec (far center) and Dan Blaettler (far right) get ready to ride

Sedona as seen from the ride

Dan, Pam and Jaime enjoying the ride

At the end of the ride, everyone was marveling at the hidden trail gem in Rimrock and echoing Stan's "What a great time and a what great bunch of folks!" comment. Thank you Stan and John for showing us this little known gem.

Below is a Google Earth mapping of our ride.

For more information on the Beaver Creek Trails Coalition click here.

Heather Paris

We recently caught up with Heather Parris, VVCC Members, Chain Reaction Founder and Executive Director, at Jerona’s Café in Cottonwood.

Hi Heather. Thanks for being here.

Thanks for having me.

What’s new with Chain Reaction?

I’m in the process of filing for Chain Reaction’s IRS 501(c)3 designation which I’m very excited about. Several generous donors contributed enough funds for me to do this which is going to open up huge doors for Chain Reaction’s continued fundraising.  

We partnered with the VVCC which has been a huge, huge blessing.  I have received a lot of help with the Chain Reaction’s governance documents and financial help allowing us to get the bikes we get donated to us fixed before finding a new home for the bike. 

Just today, we donated a bicycle to a gentleman through the Verde Valley Sanctuary that was a real blessing to him and me. Every time we donate a bike to someone in need, I feel like it’s more of a blessing to me than the recipient, especially this time of year with the holidays and all. I’m going to be picking up a bike this afternoon from a contributor to go with the one I got last Saturday.  People are calling and finding out about Chain Reaction.  They’re getting our number from the bike shops or word of mouth. It’s just been wonderful.

How’s fundraising been going?

Slowly, but I am encouraged every time we get a donation.  On my birthday in November, I put out a Facebook blast asking for donations and received several, including a $100 donation in the first 10 minutes.

How many bikes have you given to needy homes to date?

I have been asked that several times recently and need to go through my records and count them up. Off the top of my head, I believe it’s been about 30 bikes so far this year. I’m hoping to more than double that in 2018.  I’ve also been able to donate four bikes to the Cottonwood Youth Center and I am hoping to do a bike class with them next summer teaching them how to ride and going over safety considerations.

Wow, that’s wonderful. I hear you’ve been working with a local school. What’s that about?

A VVCC member put me in touch with Frank Marston, one of the teachers at Cottonwood Middle School who has started a bike repair class.  I was able to donate some of my bikes needing repair to Frank, who has his students repair them and then donate them back to Chain Reaction for distribution to people in need. There’s over 2,000 people in the Verde Valley without transportation.

Have any local bike shops been helping you? 

I’ve had tremendous help from the Verde Valley Bicycle Company “VVBC” here in Old Town Cottonwood as well as Absolute Bikes in the Village of Oak Creek.  Both shops have donated bikes, parts, helmets, and their time. The VVBC and Absolute are just wonderful to work with.

Chain Reaction’s primary focus is adults, correct?

That’s correct. Most of the bikes Chain Reaction distributes are to adults. I’ve been in touch with the Yavapai County Adult and Juvenile Probation programs and last week I donated a mountain bike to a fourteen year old in the Juvenile Probation program. His family is living in a RV and this is going to be really instrumental in helping his mom as he’ll be able to ride the bike back and forth to school and get himself to his probation appointments without her having to drive him.

What can the community do to help Chain Reaction?

The community can help me by donating cash to Chain Reaction first and foremost. Also, donating bikes, spreading the word, helping us connect with people who need bikes. I’ve recently attended my second Verde Valley Homeless Alliance meeting and was given 5 minutes to speak about Chain Reaction – what we’re doing, who we’re working with, and who we’re giving bikes to.  I was thrilled when they applauded me after my talk. What we’re doing is coming from my heart.

Any final thoughts?

I’m looking forward to 2018, spreading our wings and getting some fundraisers under our belts. I would love to partner on a fundraiser with Angie Lozano of Angie’s House who was Chain Reaction’s first bike recipient. I would also like to expand throughout the Verde Valley, perhaps into Camp Verde. Just want to keep growing and be a bigger help to people in need.

5 Minutes With is a running series of articles celebrating VVCC members who are making a difference for bicycling in the Verde Valley. If you know of a VVCC member that fits this description, please send their name to VVCC's Treasurer at moretrailboss@gmail.com.

Dennis Errera has been fixing other barbers' haircuts in the VOC for 22 years. If you're lucky, you can meet Maury Wills, the National League's 1962 Most Valuable Player who beat out Hall of Famer Willie Mays by a scant 7 points in the MVP balloting that year or VVCC President Marty Glinsky holding court from the barber chair.

The VOC Barber Shop is located across from Absolute Bikes on SR-179 in the VOC Bell Rock Plaza (25 Bell Rock Plaza, Ste B, Sedona, AZ 86351). VVCC members get a $1 discount for haircuts by simply mentioning the fact that you're a VVCC member.

Call 928-284-0184 to schedule an appointment. The VOC Barber Shop is open Monday-Fridays from 9AM to 6PM.

Thank you Dennis for supporting Verde Valley cycling!

Rick Wesselhoff has been a top real estate agent in the Sedona area for years. What you might not know about Rick is that besides being a mountain biker, trail runner, and wilderness explorer, Rick, along with co-founder John Lupo, were the driving force behind the creation of the Sedona Dog Park!

For all of your real estate needs, Rick and the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage team in Sedona AZ has been the #1 selling Sedona real estate company for the last 20 years. 

Thank you Rick for your generosity and community service.

A huge thank you to Will & Tracy Guerts for giving back to our community through their recent VVCC Silver Level Sponsorship. Trail Sports bike shop provides locals and visitors alike with great bikes, epic tours, friendly service and a whole lot of combined experience! 

Trail Sports is also a unique tour company, as Will & Tracy have lived and biked here for over 30 years and hold permits from the Coconino National Forest Service to safely conduct mountain bike tours on forest service lands.

Find out more about Trail Sports, Will & Tracy by clicking here.

Thank you Will/Tracy and see you on the trails!

The Mountain Bike Association of Arizona "MBAA" Board recently approved a $500 grant to the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition for the Western Gateway Trail System Project. 

The VVCC was one of 12 recipients of $23,000 granted by the MBAA this year. The MBAA promotes, protects and preserves the Arizona trail experience through advocacy, education and responsible recreational and competitive mountain biking.

2017 MBAA Grant Recipients:

– Arizona High School Cycling League

– Arizona Trail Association

– Colorado River Area Trail Alliance (CRATA)

– Tucson Off-Road Cyclists (TORCA)

– NavajoYes

– Navajo Nation

– Arizona Devo

– West Valley Trail Alliance

– Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition

– Rim Country Mountain Bike Association (RCMBA)

– Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB)

– Prescott Mountain Bike Association (PMBA)