TREK Makes Major Financial Commitment in
Support of CAMBA's Singletrack Trail Initiative
In a surprise announcement at the awards ceremony at the recently held Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, TREK employees John Riley and Harry Spehar took to the stage and revealed TREK Bicycle's contribution of $8,100 to CAMBA's singletrack trail development initiative. The donation was made on a matching basis to the Save the Trails check-off donations on CFTF entry forms, which over the past seasons have generated thousands of dollars in support of CAMBA, IMBA and other mountain bike advocacy efforts. Festival director Gary Crandall helped coordinate the matching grant.
In addition, Riley announced that TREK would commit to a similar matching program of up to $10,000 for each of the next two years. Spehar commented that this type of support is in keeping with TREK's "One World, Two Wheels" commitment that leverages grass roots bicycling programs.
A nearly-speechless CAMBA executive director Ron Bergin accepted a ceremonial "big check" on behalf of the organization. In his remarks to the audience Bergin profusely thanked Riley, Spehar and TREK for this unprecedented vote of confidence in CAMBA's trail development efforts. "We are building something today that will eventually have the same significance for biking as the Birkie Trail does for skiing," Bergin noted.
While TREK's contribution relieves some of the pressure on CAMBA's fund raising needs, CAMBA's trail construction agenda is still sizeable and will require support beyond TREK's generous commitment. A recent fund raising mailing was sent to over 2,200 individuals to help raise funds to pay for this year's construction. Members, businesses, friends of CAMBA and mountain bikers everywhere are encouraged to make a meaningful contribution to CAMBA as we continue to develop what we believe will be one of the finest systems of singletrack trails in the country.
Thanks to everyone for their generosity - especially TREK!
CAMBA Annual Meeting and Work Day Reminder
Don't forget, CAMBA's Annual Meeting will be held this Friday evening, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sawmill Saloon in Seeley. Join us for board of directors' elections, updates on the year's activities and discussions about things to come.
We will also work on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. on the last section of the Makwa Trail to make the connection to Gravel Pit Road. If all goes well, we should be able to tie off this final segment and complete our construction goal for this year. Meet on Gravel Pit Road where it intersects the Birkie Trail. Take Highway 77 from Hayward east about 8 miles. Look for a dirt road on the left. Follow the yellow arrows to the work site. CAMBA will provide lunch. Bring work gloves and water. See you there!
Minnesota Conservation Crew Assists Rock Lake Construction Efforts
Two four-person crews from the Minnesota Conservation Corps have joined the Rock Lake singletrack trail construction effort. Much to project coordinator John Leighton's delight, the crew has given the project a much needed infusion of labor. The crews worked the weeks of September 20 and October 6 removing the bike trail from the final segment of ski trail near N29 and beginning work on a segment of almost two miles that will eliminate a woods road that had been part of the new bike trail and put the trail entirely on singletrack. Due to a considerable amount of rocky terrain that will result in an incrementally more difficult trail, this woods road may remain as an alternative to the single track for this segment.
The Minnesota Conservation Corps is non-profit organization designed to provide work and educational experiences for 18 to 25-year-old young adults. It is modeled after the former state funded program of the same name that was eliminated several years ago.
Reports from the field have been very positive. The crew was hard working, built great trail and was very capable of working independently. Budget permitting, CAMBA is looking at using the crew again next season.
To view past editions of Enews from CAMBA Country, go to: www.cambatrails.org/enews/.
To join CAMBA, please click: www.cambatrails.org/membership.html.
