As most on the east coast are aware, Hurricane Isabel roared through North Carolina and Virginia
with a vengeance. While damage to the local mtb trails is severe, it obviously pales in importance
to the loss of lives, homes, and livelihood from the storm. There's still 10% of the folks in my
area without power. Thankfully, I'm not one of them. It has, however spurred me to finally get
involved with the local club and its highly organized trail maintenance effort. Despite the oxymoron
in the name -- Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association -- this is a well-run and dedicated group
of folks. I'm glad I finally got out there and did more than just pay dues.
Check 'em out at: evma.orgevma.orgOpen ↗
I joined a the crew of twelve last Saturday to begin clearing the 5.5 mile loop at one of the local
parks. The place was absolutely trashed. The amount of destruction to the decades-old trees was
almost beyond belief. With two crews and three chainsaws in near constant use we managed to clear
about 1.5 miles in about 4 hours. I was physically thrashed when it was over. At one point we spent
an hour cutting and hauling sections of a 4 foot diameter oak out of the way -- and this was on a
section that we rerouted to avoid an area that was completely impassable without bulldozers. Know
one knows how many times we'll have to go through that drill just to open up the whole loop. Once
that's done, there's three more trail complexes that have just as much damage. Man there's a lot of
lumber down out there. When we finished up, I spend the rest of the afternoon on the couch snoozing
(and keeping one eye on Heras' awesome mountain TT win).
It will likely be next weekend at the earliest before we get even one of the local trails back in
ridable condition. The state and local municipalities will eventually join the effort I'm sure, but
right now their efforts are directed (and rightly so) at clearing all the roads and clearing downed
trees at schools, homes, and businesses. Bottom line, it just sucks, and there's no one to blame but
good old Mother Nature. I'd love to take Mikey
V. on a little tour and show him what REAL habitat destruction looks like! No doubt there are a
few squirrels and bunny rabbits who were frightened away by the sounds of falling lumber and
loss of their leafy homes. Sort makes the swift but silent passage of me and my Trek pale in
comparison. DUH!
If there are any mountain bikers in the tidewater area who haven't heard of the EVMA, check out the
link above. Now is the time to join and pitch in. The more hands we have hauling wood and clearing
limbs the sooner we can start to ride. For now I'm stuck with running, spin classes, or road riding
(no -- anything but that!!!)
Its not all bad though -- Had a buddy from the left coast call up and finally commit to the Moab
trip we've been talking about for two years. Three weeks and counting. Say what you want about the
red rock of Southern Utah -- I've got family in town to stay with for free and it beats the hell out
of 6 miles of continuous log jumps.
Regards from the hurricane ravaged central Atlantic,
Tom