Dear members and friends of Cape Fear SORBA,

Recently at the Blue Clay Bike Park there have been several unapproved obstacles popping up on and around the trail. These have been the cause of much concern and debate amongst certain club members and we, the Cape Fear SORBA board, felt that it was time to clarify our stance on not only this situation but the rules that this park must run by.

As many of you may know this park began as something of an unapproved park that graduated to the status of county Park over time. During that time several wooden obstacles of differing shapes and sizes had been built there. Sadly, in the not to distant past, there was an accident involving one of those obstacles that has been the center of a lawsuit that the county has had to deal with. Since that time the county has declared that there will be no unapproved obstacles of any kind built at Blue Clay. This was done both out of a concern for safety as well as for liability reasons. Cape Fear SORBA has since developed a solid working relationship with New Hanover County on the maintenance of the park.

Currently no obstacles can be built out there without first being approved by New Hanover County. Because of this the county has asked us to remove any unapproved trail features as soon as they are discovered. We do this not only to maintain safety but also to retain our access to this park and honor the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that we agreed to with the county. The MOU is a legal responsibility that the club must uphold. If people continue to build so called “rogue” obstacles on the trail it is very possible for everyone to lose access to this park ENTIRELY. None of us want this to happen.

That is not to say it is impossible to add technical trail features at Blue Clay. The club has recently proposed, had approved, and built a BMX style jump as a part of the Pump Track. The key here is that obstacles must be proposed and built to IMBA/SORBA guidelines and approved by the County. However, it CAN be done if we follow the proper guidelines.

So please, if you see anyone doing any building of any structure or obstacle that seems suspicious please email info@capefearsorba.com as soon as possible to notify us of the issue. We do not want the actions of a few causing the loss of a park to everyone else.

However, for those of you that wish to see obstacles on the trail, there is hope. Part of the plans for the advanced loops at the Brunswick Nature Park calls for wooden structures, log piles, and other trail features that we could not build at Blue Clay. We are going to begin building the next section of trail starting on Saturday, December 3^rd. If you wish to see that section built fast then come out and help us make it a reality. The more hands we have, the quicker the trail will be built. We also encourage you to come out to the Trail Building School with the IMBA Trail Care Crew being held on Nov 12^th to learn how to build long lasting sustainable trail.

Thank you Cape Fear SORBA and remember: Speak, Build, Respect, Ride.

Greg Brinson, President Cape Fear SORBA

Austin Fenwick, Vice-President Cape Fear SORBA

Jay Pearce, Secretary Cape Fear SORBA

Bryan Weinkle, Treasurer Cape Fear SORBA

Hey everyone, just a quick reminder that this weekend we have a Halloween group ride at Blue Clay! This is Armando Sanchez’s senior project so you BETTER show up for the ride! Come in costume and have a chance to win a gift certificate to Two Wheeler Dealer! Candy will be there as well for all to enjoy (no hording the candy!). We have moved the ride to 5pm so we have plenty of light. Its going to be slightly chilly so make sure you dress warm enough! Of course helmets are a requirement! Hope to see you there!

Come out for the Halloween Ride!

Hey everyone! Hope you are looking forward to a beautiful fall weekend! We have the short event update coming to you but first a couple of small things.

First of all back a couple of months ago we were awarded the IMBA HucknRoll Grant! You may have seen it in the regional trail news that IMBA sends out on occasion. Well I am happy to announce that we have received the funds! The exact time we will use the money has yet to be decided but it will go towards a kid friendly workday at some point in the future. Lets teach them how this workday thing goes young!

In addition, with the time change looming the ladies of Cape Fear SORBA will be changing up their schedule for the ladies only ride. The ride will now take place at 9:30am on the first and third Sundays of each month. It will start AFTER the Brunswick Brawl on Nov 6^th.  For questions or more info you can email the ride leaders SueMay (dirtsnaks@yahoo.com) or Natalia (natis1974@aol.com).

Weekend Events

Speaking of SueMay and Natalia, they will be holding down the fort at Two Wheeler Dealer this Saturday as our membership drive continues! They will be hanging around from 10am-2pm. Come signup or renew your membership, buy some raffle tickets, or pick up some information about the upcoming events! Of course you can also ask all sorts of questions about the ladies rides to!

On Sunday it will be another wonderful trailgating day! Kirsten will be maintaining the table, with help from friends throughout the day. Stop by and grab a Clif Bar (only a few left!) and ask about all the fun stuff we got going on!

Future Events

Don’t forget that coming up with have two very big events for the club. First on November 6^th is the Brunswick Brawl Short Track Race. Details on that race can be found here: Brunswick Brawl Page

In addition we have the IMBA Trail Care Crew Visit to the Brunswick Nature Park coming up November 11^th to the 13^th. A few different events in association with their visit are scheduled. You can check out the full schedule of events here: Trail Care Crew Visit Page

Thanks very much everyone. If you have any questions about any upcoming events please feel free to email info@capefearsorba.com.

Austin Fenwick

VP Cape Fear SORBA