CeMeNEMBA

Dear Friend of CeMeNEMBA ~
 
Wow, it’s been an exciting first year for the Central Maine chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association!  As a fellow trails enthusiast, I’m sure you’ll agree that our group is making a difference for local folks who enjoy mountain biking at any level.  In our first year, we’re already living up to our mission to “build it, bike it” for trail lovers like yourself here in Central Maine!  Here’s a look back at some of our accomplishments in 2009:
 
Built (and biked!) 7 miles of trails at the Bond Brook Recreation Area in Augusta
Hosted Central Maine’s first annual Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day
Represented mountain bikers in meetings in various group discussions including with the Department of Conservation to ensure mountain bikers’ interests are included in plans for the new Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and other trail projects in Central Maine
 
As we look forward to the New Year, in addition to our ongoing work at Bond Brook, our efforts will also focus on the Waterville area with a new sub-committee forming in January.  The 150 acre Pine Ridge Recreation Area, located between the Waterville Airport on Kennedy Memorial Drive and the golf course on West River Road has tons of potential for miles of single track to be added to the existing trail network. 
 
We’re a dedicated group that’s gaining momentum ~ and we need your help to continue our efforts in 2010.  If you enjoy mountain biking (or just love trails and the outdoors in general!), please remember CeMeNEMBA during this giving season. 
 
You can help support our local trail efforts in a number of ways:
 
Renew your CeMeNEMBA membership or if you’re not already a member, please join us
Make a tax-deductible year-end contribution
Help us fill our wish list by donating items such as a GPS system, hand tools, or even an enclosed trailer if you happen to have a spare in the yard!
 
Please click on the Please Donate! link above to support your local trails today.  Together, we can “build it, bike it” even more!  Thank you in advance for your support.  We look forward to seeing you out on the trails in 2010! 
 
Brian Alexander, President
Brian Beneski, Vice President
Jodi Harvey, Secretary
Ellen Wells, Treasurer

Dierdre Fleming, Maine Outdoor Journal reporter, asks our very own president (of CeMeNEMBA) 5 questions about mountain biking and trails. Check out Brian Alexander’s responses here…

http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=299698&ac=Outdoors

Cheers

Brian

 

 

UPDATE: CeMeNEMBA mt bike trails at Bond Brook;
I finally had a chance to ride the new “Works” trail tonight; IT ROCKS!!! This is the first time I’ve been at Bond Brook for a couple of weeks. I rode all the loops tonight; the trails are drying nicely and everything is in good shape. Thanks for not riding during the very wet weather. The next new trail will be off the black diamond trail…… stay tuned.

 

 

 

YAY  for drying weather!!!!!!!

Trails + Rain = Ugh!!!

With all the rain that we have been having (today esp.) the soils are now saturated with water. This is a situation where a substantial amount of damage to the trails at Bond Brook can occur. Even one cyclist riding on a wet trail can start a chain reaction that can result in a lot of trail damage, especially with the trails being relatively new and not “hardened” in yet. As this being the wettest couple of months that I can remember I urge CAUTION in riding right now. It would be great to give the trails 2 FULL DAYS of drying before getting back on them. These are great trails and a lot of work has gone into them so please be respectful of them and ride when it’s dry. This weather can’t last forever, can it????

Cheers
Brian

This map was updated July 22, 2009.

The Bond Brook parcel is a somewhat hidden gem of land owned by the city of Augusta Maine. It is located within city limits  between Bond Brook and the Augusta airport.  With the blessings of the City Council, CeMeNEMBA is at the forefront of creating a network of trails unmatched in Central Maine.

Hard work by many volunteers has already created some very nice singletrack. With responsible planning, attention to preserving the natural features of the area, building and rerouting trails away from areas susceptible to erosion, CeMeNEMBA will continue to expand the network of trails to eventually become a destination for mountain bikers from all over the state of Maine and beyond.

Get out and enjoy when you can as weather and trail conditions permit.

Thanks to all!! 

Build it – Bike it!!

Work Day Report, 4/18/09;
We had a GREAT turnout today! Around 2 miles of trail at Bond Brook was raked, shaped and RIDDEN, we need to tweak it in places but it’s ridable as long as we don’t get any torrential rains. There is no signage yet but we will be working on that soon. Thanks goes out to all our volunteers we had today. GOOD WORK!!!
Thanks to College Carry-out (mt Vernon ave) for the après work pizza.
Cheers
Brian A~
President
CeMeNEMBA
“build it – bike it”