Gwinnett Area Trail Riders: G.A.T.R. | A Chapter of S.O.R.B.A » Meetings

GA State Parks Proposed $2 Trail User Fees for Mountain Biking.

claycombs — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:52:39 +0000

Please plan to attend a meeting and submit written comments to director.gsphs@dnr.stat.ga.us with a CC to comments at comments@sorba.org.

Public Meetings Set to Discuss New Bike Trail Fees in State Parks

ATLANTA, December 20, 2011 — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled two public meetings to discuss proposed mountain bike trail fees at three state parks. DNR officials are considering charging a $2 fee at Fort Yargo, Hard Labor Creek and Unicoi state parks to help offset operational and maintenance costs. The meetings are scheduled for:

• January 9, 7 p.m. at Ft. Yargo State Park in Winder. Camp Will-A-Way’s gymnasium.

• January 11, 7 p.m. at Unicoi State Park in Helen. Logo Meeting Room at the lodge.

During the past few years, Georgia’s State Parks have been challenged with finding ways to rely less on state funding while keeping parks open for public use. To meet this challenge, officials are looking at user fees and annual passes to cover activities such as horseback riding, disc golf, miniature golf and mountain biking. Revenue from equestrian and mountain bike trails could be especially useful since high-impact trails require more maintenance.

Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth already charges a $3 bike trail fee, which is not expected to change. The new proposal includes a $2 bike trail fee for Fort Yargo, Hard Labor Creek and Unicoi state parks, as well as a $25 annual pass good for all state park bike trails. To learn more about biking in Georgia’s state parks, visit http://www.gastateparks.org/outdoors#biking.

For directions to the public meetings, go to http://www.georgiastateparks.org.

Written comments may be submitted to Director.GSPHS@dnr.state.ga.us before January 20, 2012.

IMBA-SORBA Examining Proposed Fee Change for Mountain Biking at Georgia State Parks

Tue, 12/20/2011 – 11:49am — Robin Allen

Robin Allen
IMBA-SORBA Communication Director
robin@sorba.org
4048194655

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks Division has proposed $2 per-user fees for mountain biking at Unicoi, Fort Yargo and Hard Labor Creek State Parks, while maintaining the $3 fee at Fort Mountain State Park (in effect since 1997). The proposed new fees would go into effect in March, 2012.

IMBA-SORBA is gathering information from the State Parks Division on the proposed fee so that we can better understand how the fees will be disbursed, and whether the fees will directly benefit mountain biking trails. The Board of Directors is gathering input from our members, as well. Our goal is to work with the State Parks Division and ensure that if any fees are implemented they will be beneficial to mountain bikers.

Please read the following statement from the Georgia State Parks Division that describes the fee proposal. IMBA-SORBA will keep the mountain biking community informed as we move through this process.

Your voice will be heard. Contact IMBA-SORBA with your comments by sending a message to comments@sorba.org.

During the Georgia State Parks Division’s review of fees and charges
for 2012, we determined that we should consider implementing a $2 per
person recreational facility use fee for our mountain bike trails
sometime during 2012, possibly as early as March when the new trail at
Hard Labor Creek State Park opens.

Under our current concept, the $2 fee would be charged for use of the
mountain bike trails at Unicoi, Fort Yargo and Hard Labor Creek state
parks, with the $3 fee at Fort Mountain State Park (charged since 1997)
remaining in place. In addition to the daily per person fee, our
concept includes a $25 annual pass good on all the mountain bike
trails.

We are considering this fee in order to generate additional revenues to
support our state park system and make our parks more self-supporting as state funds are reduced.
Other recreational facility fees already being
charged include horse trails, disc golf, mini golf and swimming pools,
among others. Generating revenues from users of the horse trails and
mountain bike trails would be especially helpful, since these particular
facilities require a great deal of maintenance.

Each of the three parks with new mountain bike trail fees proposed will
be holding a public meeting after the first of the year to discuss our
plans further and seek input from recreation users. Please contact one
of the three state parks where you ride most so you can be notified and
attend.

Sincerely,

Becky Kelley
Director
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Division

SORBA Forum Topics:

http://www.sorba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=38274

http://www.sorba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=38381

http://www.sorba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=38383

News articles:

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2011/dec/23/ga-proposes-new-fees-to-ride-bikes-at-state-parks/?c=11064

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/60992/

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-proposes-new-fees-1270924.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2011/12/mountain-bike-trail-fee-considered-for.html

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/16379548/bike-trail-fees-proposed-for-georgia-state-parks

Google News Search

Next Chapter Meeting at Apalachee Cycles, Monday 4/11

Cheryl — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:15:27 +0000

We have some important issues to discuss. So come on out to Apalachee Cycles on Monday, April 11th at 7 p.m.

Also, starting on Tuesday, April 12th Apalachee Cycles will sponsor a weekly group ride at Harbins Park. Ready to Ride at 6:30 p.m.

Apalachee Cycle

2493 2nd Ave. Dacula, GA 30019

http://apalacheecycle.com

770-963-6260 (any questions, just call Bruce)

Next Chapter Meeting – Tuesday, Feb 15th at Olde Town

Cheryl — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:04:35 +0000

The next chapter meeting has been changed to Tuesday, February 15th (from the normal Monday). We will meet at 7 p.m. in Lawrenceville at the Olde Town Tarvern.

Please come out and learn about the new Team IMBA race team and other issues with the Chapter.

Olde Town Tavern
835 Lawrenceville/Suwanee Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

More info on Olde Town Tavern

http://www.ottavern.com/drive.asp

Christmas Party/Chapter Meeting

Cheryl — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:11:09 +0000

Come on out to Olde Town Tarvern on Monday, December 13th @ 7 p.m. for the chapter meeting and little holiday celebration. We hope to have swag to hand out, as well.

Let us know you are coming, so we can give the restaurant a heads up by updating your status on Facebook for the invite:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=107290472677898

Olde Town Tavern
835 Lawrenceville/Suwanee Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

More info on Olde Town Tavern
http://www.ottavern.com/drive.asp

Chapter Meeting @ Johnny’s Pizza – Monday, May 10th @ 7 p.m.

Cheryl — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:55:21 +0000

** Moved place and time due to weather **

Lawrenceville
3375 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
678.985.8288

Near Five Forks Trickum…

March Chapter Meeting & Bike Demo

Cheryl — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:20:57 +0000

Dear fellow mountain bikers, the upcoming GATR Chapter Meeting in March has been moved to Tuesday, March 16th @ Bikeways of Tucker.

In the spirit of keeping things fresh this year, in partnership with Bikeways of Tucker we’ve decided to do something a little different with our March chapter meeting and couple it with demo bikes from the Fuji demo trailer.

Beginning in the early afternoon, you will be able to stop by the shop, take a bike of your choice out for a test ride along with one of our local ride leaders. Then it’s back to the shop at 7 pm for food and beer. We will then start the official chapter meeting and roll off any special announcements that need to be made before finally enjoying the last of the food and beer while hanging out with your fellow cyclists.

Here’s the outline agenda for the evening:

10:00am : (all day) – Fuji demo fleet – road, mountain and cruiser
7:00pm : Meeting begins with food and beverage
7:30pm : Chapter announcements and discussion
8:30pm : Hang out, talk about riding bikes and drink a cold one!

Please bring your own beverage of choice to the meeting, we will provide pizza for a small donation. Might be an idea to bring a chair if sitting down is your thing.

The bike demo fleet is as follows:

Jamis

SixFiftyB2 – 16″

SE Racing

Stouer 29er Singlspeed – 19″

FUJI

D-6 Pro / XS (50CM)
D6 – PRO M(54CM) M/L NATURAL
D6 – PRO M(54CM) M/L NATURAL
D6 – PRO M/L(56CM) M/L NATURAL
D6 – PRO L(58CM) M/L NATURAL
Aloha 1.0 / (52CM)
Aloha 1.0 / (54CM)
SST 1.0 / 60CM
SST 3.0 50CM
SST 3.0 54CM
SST 3.0 56CM
SST 3.0 58CM

KESTREL BIKES:

AIRFOIL PRO SL 50CM/650 M/L
AIRFOIL PRO SL 56CM M/L
AIRFOIL PRO SL 56CM M/L
AIRFOIL PRO SL SE 52CM
AIRFOIL PRO SL SE 54CM
TALON SL TRI 48CM M/L BLUE/WHI
TALON SL TRI 52CM M/L BLUE/WHI
TALON SL TRI 55CM M/L BLUE/WHI
TALON SL TRI 55CM M/L BLUE/WHI
TALON SL TRI 57CM M/L BLUE/WHI
RT-900 / 53CM
RT-900 / 57CM
RT-900 / 59CM
TALON SL ROAD 52CM M/L BLUE/WH
TALON SL ROAD 55CM M/L BLUE/WH
TALON SL ROAD 55CM M/L BLUE/WH
TALON SL ROAD 57CM M/L BLUE/WH
TALON SL ROAD 57CM M/L BLUE/WH

Kick start the fun for 2010!

James Carrington — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:00:37 +0000

A new board of directors, and a cool new location!

GATR Chapter Meeting – January 2010

Where:

Digger’s Freestyle Grill, 909 Parkside Walk Ln, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 – Tel: 678-377-8660

When:

Mon, January 11, 7:00pm

Agenda:

Meet the board
Ride calendar
Update with what’s going on at various trails systems.
Race Team Intro and signup
Social stuff update
Web site/Printed material update
IMBA world summit
Open group discussion

Free Swag!

We will also be giving away some swag so make sure you’re there to have a chance of grabbing some freebies!

New fun location!

Diggers bar and grill is a fun place to meet, with great food and beer to choose from, check it out here… http://www.diggersfreestylegrill.com/

Further Information:

Please check back on this web page for up-to-date information, you can also check on the forum for any discussions about this topic.

2010 Promises To Be Fun

Cheryl — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:38:44 +0000

The monthly meeting was held a Bikeways of Tucker on Monday December 14, 2009 @ 7p.m.

The board positions and responsibilities were discussed, as well as our chapter goals for 2010. Included in the goals are:

The GATR Mountain Bike Festival
A schedule of 12 monthly day trips (Dauset, Pinhoti, Bull, Blankets, Big Creek, plus more!)
2 camping trips, spring and fall
Lot’s more group rides
Night rides
Cookouts
Chapter meetings with extra’s!
Beginners skills clinics and rides
Local trail enhancements and work parties at all our trails
Bike shop sponsored events, rides and trips
Increased local shop and sponsor support
More focus on beginners and inclusion in the club
Exploring the formation of local high school bike teams
Attendance at the IMBA world summit in May
A lot of riding
A lot of fun!
And most of all-MORE FUN!

Danny Preston polled the members for volunteers for different group. If you would like to volunteer, click here.

The upcoming IMBA World Summit (May 5-8) in Augusta, was also mentioned. There will be more about this later.

The Gwinnett Mountain Bike festival is set for October 16, 2010.