When's last day riding at Ag Centre?

August 1 they are buldozing it. We just had a bigass Sorba goodby last official ride day this past Sunday. We even had an organized ride doing it backwards. 100 or so riders.

Sorry about the bad news for sure.

A few pics of Sundays event there.

Across the street we had free food and drinks. You didn't have to be a sorba member either.

You do realize Scuba that those that are whining will not show up at the meeting (I won't be there either, but since I work 40 miles away, it's impossible for me to get to.). Sure, SORBA has known for MONTHS that the Ag Center was going away. Oh my gosh, that's MONTHS! Anyone who has ever dealth with governments or any kind of organization knows that it can take a year to get something done. Trails do not get built overnight. It's taken 5 years at Blanket's Creek for SORBA to get as far as they have, and the trails are wonderful! All of the trails have not suddenly disappeared overnight--Chicopee, Blanket's Creek, Gainesville College, Frady Branch, Bear Creek, Yellow River, etc. are all still there.

Also, Bravo to SORBA and the City of Gainesville for working together to find an equitable solution. Good job to the city for saving their Taxpayers nearly $1 million. In this day of government waste, it is nice to see a city government looking out for its citizens even if some mountain bikers are displaced for a few months. I'm eager to see what SORBA-Gainesville cooks up for us trail users even if it is a year away.

No, I do not go out and do trail work. I contribute to the cycling community in a few different ways, namely volunteering at racing and running southeasterncycling.com. Because of back problems, it's hard to "swing the ole Pulaski." Heck, I don't even do any yard work!

Oh yes, and don't forget that all of those wonderful SORBA folks also have full time jobs, families, and other responsibilities. How DARE they take time out to do anything other than work on trails!

I hear that!

Thanks for the kind input Trish and thanks for keeping the website up. It's a great source for all biking in the SE.

Yea, even a few of my good friends and racing buddies never have and likely never will do trail work. One on one, I give them some grief and try to gode (sp) them into giving something somehow.

As for what the Gainesville SORBA chapter will do with the funds the city is offering to them, I don't know. Nor will I attend the meeting either. For me, it'll be because I won't be there to help see the project through, to help build the trails. Yea, I checked by choice on the SORBA forum topic for the trails I'd like to see, but when it comes to actually making the decisions, I do believe in those who do the work should get to decide what the trail will look like, when it comes to this volunteer work! With in means of course, meaning an intelligently built trail. For that, I know from experience the Gainesville folks can and will build some additional great trails for the mtn bike community to use.

I'm an hour away from Chicopee, but just 5 minutes from Blankets Creek. It gets me in the gut ever time I pass Charlie working on Blankets while I'm riding! I tell myself I did alot during the 3 years I was active locally. So, don't fret it too too much. When I get my Saturdays back (don't know when though) I do look forward to giving a day or two a month to Woodstock, Gainesville, Ellijay, RAMBO, Atlanta or even Macon, as I did years ago. It felt so good to help others less fortunate... very few volunteers locally!

Thanks again for doing what you do... and for the positive words!

See ya at the races... I'll be the volunteer on the sideline these days.

sc

"Thanks for the kind input Trish and thanks for keeping the website up. It's a great source for all biking in the SE."

I've actually had people tell me that racers should do more....and that I do *nothing*. Umm...ok. Just head over to www.southeasterncycling.com. (Yes, Shameless plug). Being involved with road, mountain, and cyclocross racing, I tend to do a little volunteer work for each. For those with other obligations other than riding, it's often hard to balance the work, riding, family, racing, wife/husband/SO, keeping up the house, etc. Trailwork may all by the wayside, but maybe they can find time to volunteer once a year.

I agree with you Scuba, I'm sure that whatever the Gainesville SORBA chapter comes up with that it will be a lot of fun.

"I tell myself I did alot during the 3 years I was active locally. So, don't fret it too too much."

And you did a lot! Scuba's name was all over everything SORBA this and Blanket's Creek back. Sometimes in life, you have to take a step back and get involved in other things again. This winter for me it will be getting back into showing horses after a 5 year absence! I can't wait. I've been riding horses on a regular basis this year. I should still be able to race and show horses, but it will be a difficult balance.

See ya at the races...I'll be the chick in Super Sport just trying to breath and not pass out from the heat!

For the record...

T66 - I'm a current SORBA member. Are you? I'm also a past chapter president and a former board of directors member for 2 years. As for being a good SORBA member, in past years I placed 3rd in Paydirt Points in 2002 w/ ~50hours and 6th in 2003 w/ 32hrs. Those are just the hours counted toward the racing series program. Hundreds of hours given to other work parties, membership drives, festivals and more all to help SORBA.

Yea, a little overboard with SORBA in years past, thus taking it easy for a few years.

That said, I really really respect those who are still invovled. Thus the reason for jumping your post! Yea, it's a forum, thus you can complain and I can complain about your complaining and so on and so on.

Hopefully you'll make the meeting or at least one of your friends will to pass along your ideas and desires. And hopefully they'll be able to give a preposed time line for the future of trails in the Gainesville area. And if it doesn't move fast enough for you, step up, offer to help versus dropping public jabs at them.

SC