August 2024

Aug 6

Written By Charles Picard

Rhode Island Chapter

New England Mountain Bike Association

August 2024 Meeting Agenda

RINEMBA Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Tavern on the Hill, 809 Nooseneck Hill Rd, West Greenwich, RI 02817

Roll Call

Mark, Dennis, Tabitha, Shannon, Wayne, Chris H, Charles, Gordan, Peter G

Welcome to any newcomers.

Gordon

Comments/requests/concerns/questions/complaints from newcomers?
Administration

Membership numbers – 278 @ Jul-2024 (up 13 from last month)
Lapsed members in July - 5
Financial summary – July 2024

Opening balance: $5,123.51

Income: $1,797.32

Expenses: ($1,364.23)

Closing balance: $5,556.6

A few pending outflows, Woody Hill proceeds not reflected yet

Next meeting – September 3, Location? Time?

Move to the 10th. Trek EP?

DEM - contact information transparency

Transfer of points of contact from Mark Savage to Dennis Wilson, Mark is stepping aside and Dennis will be acting as interim Chapter President

DEM – Trail maintenance

Explore establishing a trail maintenance MOU.

Mark talked to DEM, trail maintenance pushed back, Echo lake is seen as the priority

DEM – Echo Lake

New property DEM has purchased.
Originally planned to develop into a camp site – cost prohibitive.
Interested in developing a professionally built trail network.
Location is not far from Sprague Farm (~ 5 miles)
Need to follow up with DEM to arrange a site visit – Call scheduled Thursday

DEM – Wildlife Management Areas 101 – August 21

https://dem.ri.gov/events/wildlife-management-areas-101

Rhody Rovers

DEM is looking into changing special use permit process in the background
Big River – July 21 – 150 rider race

They documented pre-ride conditions

Need to schedule post ride review

Dennis visited, Rhody Rhoders did quite a bit of work, mostly fine aside from some spots that were just bad design and in need of a reroute.

Arcadia - August 24 – 75 rider fun ride. They will be clearing trails for the event and are willing to help us with any deadfalls blocking trails.
Chris D’Ovidio has been flagging deadfall, but Rovers have already removed 75+ down trees

Joint trail build RINEMBA/Rhody Rovers

Revisit after their next enduro event – hunting free gap in the spring. Collaborate with NEYC and AMC.

Jason McNee is DEM contact to coordinate

RINEMBA 2024 Fun ride planning

Debrief from Woody Hill fun ride – July 14, 2024

Super hot - water stop issues. Not enough room at that location, area did not get cleared and was too far in. Need to get the key to the gate so we can set up at the dam next year. DEM land.
Tables - Dennis procured some more NEMBA tables
A little short on food. Some unexpected volunteers, all looking to eat.

Need to help Keene’s Woodfire at next event

Dennis and team pulled it together with Paul being sick.

Start planning for Big River fun ride – September 15 (175 people total)

Keene’s onboard with this event too
We provide some volunteer help, check wristbands
Need to discuss proceeds, Keene would like ½ to go towards Sprague Farm project.
Need more help with arrow’s down
Ready for registration page
Vote for registration funds, ½ Tour de Rhody, ½ for Sprague Farm project.
Goods sold at events - funds go to general fund
Port-a-potty reserved
Need to plan water stop

Lincoln Woods

need to explore and brainstorm options for a matching donation to RI Food Bank
Registration proceeds go to Sprague, but donations to food bank matched by Charles and possibly Chris H, up to a certain amount $1500-$2500?

Peter G presenting Big River Cleanup video at Water Resources Board meeting 8/21

Maybe the conservation board is interested in a table at the BR fun ride

Beginner Clinic (September 8) need to reschedule in October

Repeat of May clinic held at Ryan Park, but located in Sprague Farm, Gloster
Start planning and promoting the event

NEMBA Corporate

BOD Meeting - next meeting is Oct 26 in-person with zoom option.
Trail ownership database – Dennis to review and validate

Tabs along bottom of page, need to review for accuracy

Singletracks – looking for content and chapter updates, Tabitha to take this on
RealTruck.com has $5000 grants available – resubmit Signature Grant

Nicole planning to resubmit, re-opens early 2025

News from corporate(Wayne)

People are looking to support VT residents impacted by recent storms, head up there and spend some money!
Restructuring committee continues to meet. Recently presented framework which was approved, bylaws need to be updated to reflect the changes,
Financial mid-year review

Arcadia Bridge Build

Left over wood from old bridge available for re-purposing. At Alan’s property.

Glocester Land Trust Meeting

Glocester Land Trust approved a motion to move forward on a partnership with RINEMBA to build a professionally designed mountain bike trail in Sprague Farm
We need to contact professional trail builders and create a first steps action plan:
$12K needed to develop master plan - about $3k short at the moment - need to reach out to lapsed members (Charles). Ask Woody Hill attendees to add on RI Chapter to their membership..(Dennis/Tabitha)

Pinnacle Trail Builders is the likely contractor

Feel like we’re close enough to start talking to Pinnacle

Mike Leblanc as a backup (of Mike’s Trail fame)

Develop MOU with 15. Glocester Land Trust

Cumberland Town pump track

Construction complete
NEMBA contribution $1000 approved, $300 remaining for concrete base.
Bike stand with Charles

Regularly Scheduled Group Rides

Woody Hill – Mondays – Ad hoc start time and location. Billy on board for winter

Chris Palmer from Mystic interested. Remy’s hasn’t been doing Wednesday rides.

Arcadia –Tuesdays - Ad hoc start time and location
Woody Hill – 5:30 pm Wednesdays (Remy’s)
Big River – 6 pm Thursdays
Group sizes 10 or more need to split into groups less than 10
Possible Lincoln Woods Wednesday ride

Shuford doing a Monday ride, not really a NEMBA ride but we’re advertising it

Ride area reps

Updates from the riding areas
Paul K is relocating in 2025

Need a Westerly resident to fill the void

Insurance - all good until the spring
DEM – Snow grooming

Onsite storage at Glocester Land Trust - Park for next winter
Trek’s snow dog – Trek will store until Oct-2024 and sign over to GLT, donation
Blackstone chapter willing to help train GLT on use
Explore snow grooming MOU modeled on winter night riding with specific days and locations? - Park for next Fall.

New Business from the board?

Appendix A – Finances

Opening balance:

$5,123.51

Income:

Stripe – T-Shirts

Chapter donations

Beyond the payment – event income

Chapter rebates

$29.32

$195.00

$245.00

$1,328.00

Expenses:

Zoom

NE Youth Cycling – Donation

Squarespace

Beyond the payment – registration fee

($17.11)

($1,330.00)

($4.87)

(12.25)

Closing balance:

$5,556.60

Appendix B – Event Dates

Send DEM route 1-2 weeks ahead of event date.

Big River: Sep 15, 2024, rain date Sep 29, 2024,

Lincoln Woods: Nov 10, 2024, rain date Nov 17, 2024

Deer Hunting

SEASON

DATES

Archery (includes Crossbow)

September 7 - 8 (Youth only, Zone 1)

September 28 - 29 (Youth only, Zone 2)

September 15 - January 31, 2025 (Zone 1)

October 1 - January 31, 2025 (Zone 2)

Archery: Patience and Prudence Islands (Zone 3)

October 26 - 27 (Youth only)

November 1 - January 31, 2025

Archery: Block Island (Zone 4)

October 17, 18, 21 - 25, 28 - 31

Muzzleloader

October 26 - 27 (Youth only Zones 1, 2)

November 2 - December 1 (Zones 1, 2)

December 26 - January 2, 2025 (Zones 1, 2 Private land only, antlerless deer only)

Shotgun

December 7 - 22 (Zone 1)

December 7 - 15 (Zone 2)
December 26 - January 2, 2025 (Zones 1, 2 - Private land only, antlerless deer only)

Archery, Muzzleloader & Shotgun:
Block Island (Zone 4)

November 1, 4 - 8, 12 - 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, December 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 - 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, January 2, 3, 6 - 10, 13 - 17, 21 - 24, 27 - 31, 2025, February 3 - 7, 10 - 14, 2025

Special Season for Disabled Hunters: Patience and Prudence Islands (Zone 3)

October 22 - 25

Turkey Hunting