News

On Monday, April 15th,  the Board of Supervisors approved a new provision to the Yavapai County Road Ordinance allowing a triangle sign showing a bicycle and a rectangle sign saying, "Share The Road" to be used in tandem on county roads to warn motorists of bicyclists. Bob Richards with help from Kevin Dix have worked with Supervisor Davis and staff of Yavapai County to get a bicycle sign ordinance for almost two years. Further work needs to be done to determine the best locations for the signs and to determine a priority list of the roads. Steve Monez of Bike Prescott also attended the meeting on April 15th and will be working to determine the best locations on the west side of Mingus Mountain. By June 28th there will be white stakes placed around the valley on roads such as Page Springs, Cornville, Beaverhead Flat and others to come. If you would like to give input please contact the board of directors at board@vvcc.us                                                                                                         

 AGENDA FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Wednesday, June the 12th , 2013 5:30 p.m.

AT the residence of Rick and Carla Riedel

80 Adobe Trail Sedona, AZ 86351

Here is May's BOD agenda. Location will be:

AT the residence of Doug Copp

230 Arroyo Pinon Dr. Sedona, Az, 86336

All other RR Trails Planning public meeting dates - here they are with tentative topics:

May 16 – trail ideas and concepts onto maps

June 13 – Strategies to get there

July 25 – Strategies to get there

August 29 – Agreements and recommendations

Sept 26 – Agreements and recommendations

Hope everyone had fun on the trails, on cool bikes, w/friends, good times! Thanks again to all who came out to play and hang! Especially thanks to some of our favorite LBSs Absolute Bikes, Over The Edge Sedona, and Sedona Bike & Bean, and to all the rad vendors who showed up and graciously let us demo some sweet bikes! ....as well as to @M&M Property Management, @Sedona Real, Red Rock Mountain Bike Patrol, RedRock88 Coaching, Sedona Hot Yoga @Massage Matters. 

And most importantly, thanks to all of you who came out to check out the trails and to simply have a good time! We sure did!

To stay updated on current events/happenings/advocacy here in the Verde Valley, check for updates on our websitewww.vvcc.us. Now....go ride!

The VVCC is excited to release a digital trail map of the Verde Valley and the trails through out. The map is available currently within the App Store through a App called Avenza PDF Maps. The App its self is free and the map priced along side comparable paper maps @ $11.99. The map uses the GPS in your iOS or Android device to show your location on the map. Once the map is purchased there is no need for 3G, 4G or any Service period. All the map needs is good sky view. I have tested the map deep in the West Fork of Oak Creek far far away from cell service and works like a charm. You can add waypoints with notes and photos, share your location and much more. This will be a great tool for non motorized trail users to navigate and truly know where they are on the map.

The proceeds from sales of this map goes right back to the land we love. Funds benefit the VVCC trail care fund which assists in trail development, construction and maintenance.

A big thanks to Aaron Seifert of GISeifert for his help in building this map!!!!

HOW DO I GET IT?

iOS

Click the logo above to get info on the App or search the App store on your iPhone\iPad for Avenza PDF Maps. Once the app is loaded go to the in App map store and search maps around me by list to find the VVCC Trail Map. Purchase and download which will take a few minutes and your done.

Android

Currently Android is in it's Beta version and does not have the Map Store built in.......Soon.

http://www.pdf-maps.com/android/beta This link will lead you to the Beta Version to install on your Android device.

http://www.pdf-maps.com/get-maps This link will allow you to purchase the map.

Check it out, right around the corner. Let's Celebrate some singletrack!!! Click the image for more info.

May 17th-19th

Bike MS is the premier bike ride in Arizona and is part of the country’s largest national cycling series supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Hosted in the Verde Valley in central Arizona approximately two hours north of Phoenix, Bike MS is the largest two-day, fully catered cycling event in the state and is an annual fundraising event to support the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This event offers several route options that give you the chance to challenge yourself while riding through the beautiful Red Rock Mountains or enjoy a fun ride with your family and friends through the Verde Valley. Cyclists collect pledges from thousands of volunteers both in Arizona and nationwide, who consistently raise more than $500,000 annually. While you’re out riding with us, SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles continually travel the route between rest stops, medical support is provided, as well as expert bike maintenance and repair from supporting bicycle shops.

EVENT WEEKEND TIMELINE (**subject to change**)

Friday, May 17th

12:00pm Participant Camping Open

5:00pm-8:00pm Expo Open to all

Thinking about coming early? No problem! You can park your RV, pitch your tent, or sleep in the large circus sized tent provided by the National MS Society on Friday to get a jump start on Saturday morning. There is a secured area where you can lock your bike for security on Friday & Saturday night. If you are camping out Friday night, please bring a bike lock. 

Saturday, May 18th, Cottonwood, AZ

Day-of Packet Pickup/check-in will begin at 5:30am. The ride starts at 7:00 a.m. on both days. Plan on arriving early! To save time at check-in, please plan on attending one of the packet pick-ups before the ride.

5:00am Showers available at Verde Valley Fairgrounds

5:30–7:00am Packet pick-up

5:30–7:30am Breakfast served at Verde Valley Fairgrounds

6:00–7:00am Team photos

6:30am Kick-off program

7:00am First wave of riders start

9:00am Lunch service begins on-route

11:00am Lunch Starts at Verde Valley Fairgrounds 

4:00–10:00pm Festival, Beer Garden

12:00–8:00pm VIP Tent opens at Verde Valley Fairgrounds

1:00-8:00pm Expo Open to all 

5:00–7:00pm Team photos

5:00pm Course closes

5:00–7:30pm Dinner served at Verde Valley Fairgrounds 

6:30pm Program & Celebration Festival at Verde Valley Fairgrounds 

10:00pm Showers close

After the ride on Day 1, hang out with other cyclists and celebrate each other's accomplishments in moving toward a world free of MS. The evening includes a catered dinner, live music, dancing, program, New Belgium beer and more!

Sunday, May 19th, Cottonwood, AZ

5:00am–4:00pm Showers available

5:30–7:30am Breakfast

7:00am First wave of riders depart

10:00am Lunch starts at Verde Valley Fairgrounds 

3:00 pm Course closes

WHAT TO BRING (required)

Bib number, bike number

Photo identification

Helmet

WHAT TO BRING (recommended)

Water bottles and hydration packs

Cash or checks

Tire patch kit, spare tubes and tire pump

Sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen

Padded bike shorts and jersey

Cycling gloves and shoes

Medications

Rain poncho

Camera

Cell phones, MP3 players, and other digital devices WILL NOT be allowed on the route due to safety reasons.

ROUTE

Bike MS: Ride the Vortex - Sedona Verde Valley boasts one of the most scenic and beautiful routes in the country. This ride rolls through Arizona's Verde Valley from scenic Sedona to beautiful Cottonwood. Our cyclists are sure to enjoy this unique weekend of fun, fitness, new friendships and the personal satisfaction of completing a challenging 150-mile ride to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis. On Day 1 of the ride, the route will take you through the heart of Sedona and its spectacular scenery. On Day 2, we'll venture through the rolling green hills of the Verde Valley and explore some of the finest wineries and vineyards Arizona has to offer. Click here to download the 2013 route maps (It may take a few moments to load)

HOTELS & CAMPING

Overnight Location: Verde Valley Fairgrounds, 350 S. 12th Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Camping

Camping will be available on site for those who wish to pop-up a tent or rest under a large sleeping tent provided by the National MS Society.

RV Parking/Camping 

Those who wish to bring their RV's are welcome to do so, however there is a fee. RV campers will incur fees of $15 per day for spots with electric hook ups and $7 per day for dry camping. You may also fill up your RV's water reservoir on-site for just $5. There are also designated dumping areas that you may use as well before you leave. Email Ashley Havrilla at ashley.havrilla@nmss.org to reserve your spot, then contact the Verde Valley Fairgrounds at (928) 634-3290 to make payment arrangements.

Hotel Partners 

Below is the list of our current hotel partners for the 2013 Bike MS Arizona ride. All room blocks are held for the nights of May 17 and 18 (Friday & Saturday). You must say that you are with Bike MS to receive the discounted rates.

Best Western Cottonwood:993 S. Main StCottonwood, AZ 86326928-634-5575Rate: King and Double Queen rooms available for $85.99, Deluxe rooms are available for $99.00*Mention late checkout at check in.

Quality Inn:301 Arizona 89ACottonwood, AZ 86326928-634-4207Rate: $89.75 to $95.95 for one person or two.*Request late checkout when you make your reservation.

The View Motel: 818 S Main StCottonwood, AZ 86326928-634-7581Rate: 1 bed, 1 person $62 plus tax. Must make reservations at least 6 weeks in advance.*Request late checkout when you make your reservation

Motel 6 Cottonwood:1089 S State Route 260Cottonwood, AZ 86326928-634-3678No rooms reserved, but if reservation is made online two months prior to event, you will get the online discount through the hotel.*Request late checkout when you make your reservation.

Super 8 Cottonwood:800 S Main StCottonwood, AZ 86326928-639-1888Rate: $60+ tax for one bed, $70+ tax for two beds.*Must mention late checkout at check in 

If you have any questions regarding our hotel partners please contact blaine.king@nmss.org.

PACKET PICKUP

Dates, times and locations are still TBD.

Maps generated from the most recent RTCA meeting are added including a Excel spreadsheet with all the maps generated from the last meeting. This spreadsheet will not open in Google Drive it must be downloaded and opened in Excel.