GORC News Archive - Timeline
01/27/08 - The Sixth Annual Bike Swap Recap
GORC had a large showing at this year's bike swap. Thanks goes out to all those who could show up and help out. Some great stuff was sold at blowout prices and we had close to 20 GORC renewal/sign-ups. The 10 year anniversary t-shirt also sold quite well.
01/14/08 - Interactive Trail Locations Map & Forecast Posted
I discovered a sweet new Google Maps tool and ran with it. GORC now has an (in progress) overall and comprehensive map of the region's bike trails and parks.
Some features include:
- Icons related to the map highlight
- Clickable icons to display descriptions, links to the GORC or other applicable downloadable maps, and links to get directions to the site
- 4 modes of viewing, +map, +satellite, +terrain, +or traffic
- Ability to view the map in Google Earth
- Ability to move around map, zoom in, etc.
Look for it to expand in the coming weeks as new items are added. A new forecast mini-application has been added to the home page. This is for the benefit of all trail users and hopefully will aid you in your decision-making whether to ride the dirt or not.
Check it out on the Trails section.
01/11/08 - The Sixth Annual Bike Swap Meet
Jan 27, 10-4pm
The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation’s sixth Bicycle Swap Meet and Classic Bike Show is gearing up and we need you to sell your bicycles and anything bicycle related.
GORC will be hosting a big booth at the Swap Meet and all GORC members are welcome to come and sell your parts and make some cash or trade them for other stuff that you need.
When: January 27th 10am-4pm
Where: Gateway Center, One Gateway Drive in Collinsville, IL 62234
What to bring: Stuff you want to sell, an envelope with your name to hold money and $7.00 admission
More info: http://stlbiking.com/bike_swap_2008.htm and on the GORC Board.
12/15/07 - Spring '08 Workdays & Events, A Bright, Strong Future.
We're planning a very active and productive Spring workday schedule. Parks include Greensfelder, SIUE, Rockwoods Range (our first one there!) and many others that I can't remember at the moment. Tentative events include an Ozark Trail outing and attending the St. Louis Bike Swap. Stay tuned to the message board for more details.
As the club continues to grow we are continually facing new challenges concerning trail (project) management, event planning, communication and workday management/participation. We hope to see you at the monthly meetings and especially at our many workday outings.
2007 was an awesome year of trail design, workdays and events. Let's hope for even better next year.
See you in 2008!
12/14/07 - GORC Appreciation Party Dec. 8th Wrap-Up
Well, it was cold and rainy. But the teeters were built and two rock drops were installed at Klondike. The weather kept many people away but the die-hards made it out. Between the multiple crockpots of awesome chili, sweet treats and singletrack birthday cake - with a mini-teeter installed on top, no less - everyone ate very well. We even got to see the free-range goat that roams the park, appropriately named Klondike.
11/25/07 - Greensfelder Workday Moves Trail Progress Forward
GORC turned out in force for the last Greensfelder workday of 2007. Upwards of 50 people showed up including high school volunteers and an equestrian club. Some previously built sections were fine-tuned and polished while almost a quarter to half-mile of new trail was built. One large rock had to go via sweat and sledgehammer. Finally, schwag was provided courtesy of REI
Here are some new workday photos.
09/29/07 - Take a Kid MTB'ing Day
Gateway Off Road Cyclists ( GORC ) with St Charles County Parks invites children (8-14) and parents to celebrate International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA ) sponsored “National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day”. Free bicycle/helmet safety inspection, instructions on riding techniques, a skills practice area, and guided trail rides tailored to different age groups and skill levels. Participants should bring a bike and an approved helmet. Limited Number of Demo Bikes/ Helmets from local bike shops will be available.
When: Saturday, October 13, 2007 ( 10am – 2pm )
Where: Broemmelsiek Park in St Charles County
So come out and bring a kid with you for some good, clean fun in the dirt. Bring plenty of water and an adventurous spirit.
Schedule of Events
10am – 11am - Registration
10am – 11:30am - Helmet Fit / Bike Safety Inspection
10am – Noon - Skills Building Area available
11am – 1pm - Trail Etiquette and Guided Trail Rides
1pm – 2pm - Drinks, Snacks - Prize Drawings
Advanced Registration is recommended, but not required. For More Information or to register: Call St Charles County Parks at 636-949-7535 (first 100 registered receive goody bags)
Directions To Broemmelsiek Park located on the GORC message board here...
Mike Dunston
St Charles County Trail Steward
10/13/07 - Mesa's Burnin' at the Bluff IV Rocks
Mesa Cycles' own Burnin' at the Bluff 12 hour race continues to grow. Upwards of 180 people competed in the fast and fun race that circles around Council Bluff Lake. Awesome awards and tons of schwag were handed out and the after party went into the wee hours.
Four GORC single speed teams took home 1st, 2nd, 4th and 8th place out of 10 teams in the class and rocked out some wicked fast lap times.
Many thanks goes out out to Steph and Bryan, Josh and Tammy, Mari, Lisa and everyone else that made the event run smoothly and efficiently. Thanks to Rick for supplying his very own microbrew to the thirsty GORC campers.
To see all of the race results head over Mesa Cycles. Be sure to click the bottom tabs to see individual lap times.
08/24/07 - GORC Back From Winter Park
Twenty-three GORCsters landed in Winter Park for a week long trip of epic mountain biking. The weather cooperated the whole week and everyone had a great time. Look for a write-up in the future.
04/16/07 - Greensfelder Workday April 21 - Sat.
The proposed Greensfelder DeClue lengthening/reroute project continues this Saturday! This project is huge and we need YOUR help to make this sweet singletrack. The more people that can come out and build trail, the sooner the new trail extension will open. Even if you have never built trail before we can use your assistance. One of our trail crew leaders will show you the ropes and make it fun at the same time.
Meet at the Tower Parking Lot ( the first lot on your right coming up Allenton Road from Hwy 44). Lunch and tools will be provided and we will ride afterwards provided the trails are not too muddy.
See you Saturday!
04/02/07 - 2007 Midwest Mountain Bike Festival
http://www.pambamtb.org/festival/
2007 Midwest Mountain Bike Festival!
May 4th-6th...Cinco de Mayo weekend!!
This year's event is hosted by PAMBA and will be centered at Farmdale Reservoir, boasting some of Illinois' finest singletrack, as well as a downhill course and MTX/dirt jump area!
Activities Include:
- SIX area trail systems!
- Advocacy & Trailwork classes
- Group rides & guided rides
- Music, Games, Food & Drink
- Demo bikes
- Night Ride Poker Run!
- Movies under the stars
- Much more fun and general debauchery
2006
Midwest Mountain Bike Festival Website (Archived)
03/22/07 - Gary Fisher In Town March 31st
-- Taken From the Trek Store Press Release --
Not to toot our own horn too loudly but...
This is also the same day as the first Greensfelder workday (there's only 2 scheduled for this Spring) and WE could definitely use the help. This will be a LENGTHY ADDITION to the DeClue trail that will be flowy and technical. Without your help, it won't get done this year. You heard it right. Without you, we have No Chance - it's that long of an addition.
Now back to the press release...
We have exciting news for all of you! On March 31st from 6pm-9pm we are hosting Customer Appreciation Night 2007 in the shop. You do NOT want to miss this!
We will have:
- Manufacturers, Reps, and Specials from Trek, Lemond, Gary Fisher, Pearl Izumi, Serotta, Yeti, and Shimano.
- Various prominent cycling groups and organizations.
- A raffle benefitting the wonderful guys and gals with GORC (Gateway Off-Road Cyclists).
- Local St. Louis musician strumming his guitar and setting the mood.
- Plenty of hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
- Introduction of the new Midwest Cycling Community.
- THE godfather of mountain biking - Gary Fisher. He will be giving autographs and spreading mountain bike karma.
Also, the Trek Ride the Best Demo will be held in Castlewood State Park on Saturday, March 31st (the day of the Customer Appreciation Night) and Sunday, April 1st from 10am-3pm both days. Gary Fisher will be hanging out at the demo on Saturday. The Demo will include both mountain AND road bikes, so bring whatever shoes you have.
Jessica Meyer
Trek Bicycle Store of St. Louis
Event Coordinator
13922 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis MO, 63011
(636) 394-2453
03/21/07 - GORC Media Kit
We have a new Media Kit section up and running to highlight our publicity and to allow the press to grab our files for use in their articles (with permission, of course).
03/13/07 - Chubb Workday Huge Success - Trail completed in one day...
A huge thanks to the 40+ volunteers that came out to West Tyson County Park on a sunny, balmy Saturday afternoon.
Here's some photos of you working out there...
Over .4 miles of trail was built - flowy, technical trail, at that. We finished it in one day and are already receiving compliments on it. It links up the Flint Quarry trailhead to the Chubb trailhead, so now you don't have to ride pavement anymore!
03/13/07 - Chubb Map / New Trail
An updated trail map of Chubb has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 2 page document outlining the entire trail system, including the NEW CONNECTOR TRAIL. Look for it on the updated map. Another fine job by Ron.
And another fine trail addition by the GORC crew! Ride it now.
03/11/07 - All Trail Maps Updated
All of our maps have been updated, if needed, and are now posted to the trails section. Look for an expanded trails area in the future and stay tuned.
03/09/07 - Updated Castlewood Map / New Trail
An updated trail map of Castlewood has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 3 page document outlining the entire trail system, including the NEW TRAIL called the Rollercoaster. Look for it on the updated map. Another fine job by Ron.
And another fine trail addition by the GORC crew!
03/03/07 - SIU Map Updated
Ron has updated the SIU trail map to now inclue Trail No. 4. Check it here...
02/06/07 - Greensfelder DeClue Tree Cleared
Tom, Matt, Glenn and Mari hiked into the DeClue to clear a large tree that had fallen from the ice storm. The rest of the day was spent walking the hillsides seeking out the perfect lines to extend DeClue. Details to follow.
01/03/07 - New Year, Better Trails
GORC had a great 2006 trail building year and we're hoping to build and maintain even more trail in '07. However, we need volunteers (that means you) because we can't increase our workload without additional trail volunteer support. Come check us out at either one of our workdays or monthly meetings and seriously consider becoming a member of the best MTB club in the midwest.
See you on the trail!
11/19/06 - GORC Volunteer Party Success
GORC held its volunteer appreciation party at Greensfelder a few weekends ago. Over 40 people attended the event. Schlafly kegs, chili, hotdogs, hamburgers, candy and cake was served throughout the day. A large group ride was launched around noon and made a figure eight loop out of the DeClue and Dogwood trails. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the party lasted until dusk. Hope to see you at the next one!
11/11/06 - South Trace Content Added
Trail information regarding South Trace Creek has been added to the Trails page. Maps can be found on the Ozark Trail website. They have some great high-resolution topographical maps.
10/18/06 - Midwest SS World Championships
CANCELLED! THIS EVENT IS VAPORIZED!!! QUERY THE BOARD FOR MORE INFO...
The Bonktober weekend is (CANCELLED) approaching (Oct. 28) so dust off your singlespeeds because it's time for the midwest single speed championships. At the Berryman. Ready, set, grind. Check back for more info.
10/17/06 - Quail Ridge Trail Map Added
A new trail map of Quail Ridge has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format outlining the entire trail. Still, and continues to be . . . another fine job by Ron.
09/15/06 - Silver Lake Trail Map Added
A new trail map of Silver Lake has been posted on the brand new Silver Lake trail page. It's in Adobe PDF format and Ron continues to create terrific maps. This trail is in Illinois, too. Check it out.
09/12/06 - Council Bluff Map Added To Trails Page
A new trail map of Council Bluff has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 2 page document outlining the entire trail. Another fine job by Ron.
09/12/06 - Burnin' at the Bluff #3 - A 12 Hour Race
Well kids, it's that time of year again. Time to get your butts down to Council Bluff for the Mesa Cycles 12 hours of Burnin at the Bluff. Details can be found on the downloadable .pdf on www.mesacycles.com. Print one off and bring it up to the shop or just come up and fill one out here. See you down there, furry animal costume optional.
08/21/06 - 24 Hours of Landahl
Granny Gear is hosting a 24 hour race at Landahl Park in KC the weekend of September 16. Featuring 4 man teams, co-ed, solo and throwing in a rigid ss class, it'll be a blast. There's talk around town of a couple of teams forming to represent St. Louis. If you're interested, give us a shout over on the message board.
For more info check out the message board.
08/31/06 - GORC Clears Council Bluff Trail
Council Bluffs is ready for action. There are two trees left on the loop and 5-6 left on the long connector. It's one of the best trails around and great weekend camping. Huge thanks to: Bryan, Mike Donais, Ron, Greg, Kent, John McR, Kirby and everyone that came down to help.
Everybody worked hard and was damn tired by the end of the work.
Get ready for the 12 hour Burnin' at the Bluff coming in October sponsored by Mesa Cycles.
08/12/06 - Chubb Trail Map Added To Trails Page
A new trail map of the Chubb Trail has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 2 page document outlining the entire trail. Another fine job by Ron.
08/12/06 - IMBA Summit @ Whistler Gallery Posted
Kirby, JohnnyD and Roy travelled to BC in June to attend the huge IMBA summit. Many compliments were tossed about concerning how GORC is a great asset to the MTB community. Here's a few photos from their trip.
07/6/06 - GORC Receives REI Grant
GORC was awarded a grant from REI this past week. The club will be receiving $3448, most of which will be allocated for signage and kiosks at SIUE. Many thanks go out to the hard working volunteers at GORC who made this possible.
05/24/06 - Greensfelder DeClue Reroute Finished
The long DeClue reroute is at last complete and rides awesome. If you like technical rocks, "alternate" lines and a lengthy swoopy downhill then check it out!
05/24/06 - Festival Gallery Posted
Check out the new MMBF photo gallery. Email me if you have online galleries you would like GORC to link to.
05/11/06 - Castlewood Trail Map Added
A new trail map of Castlewood has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 3 page document outlining all available trails. Another fine job by Ron.
05/11/06 - Kirbyland Century Approaches
May 21, Sunday, 100 road miles, you know, a century
It's fun, it's not fast and it ends with food and beer. Hit up Scott Whitaker (Kirby) for the details over on the message board.
Tunnel vision. That's all you need to know.
04/12/06 - Festival is Best One Ever
The kids at GORC worked overtime this year to make sure that the 2006 MMBF was the best it could be. And it made the grade, according to all the emails and compliments.
Look for a gallery page and brief write up in the coming weeks as we compile the snapshots.
If you have digital photos you'd like to send in, email me
05/11/06 - Berryman Trail Map & Information Added To Trails Section
A new trail map of Berryman has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format. Many thanks (again!) to Ron for compiling the data and creating the final document.
03/16/06 - Lost Valley Trail Map Added
A new trail map of Lost Valley has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 2 page document outlining all available trails. Another fine job by Ron.
03/10/06 - Klondike Trail Map Added
A new trail map of Klondike Park has been posted. It's in Adobe PDF format and is a 3 page document outlining all available Klondike trails.. Many thanks (again!) to Ron for compiling the data and creating the final document.
GORC Membership Online System & New Renewal Policy
Beginning January 1, 2006 ALL GORC members owe their annual dues of $10 UNLESS you are a new member and have joined between October 1 and December 31.
Please note that "everyone" in the system is listed as a non-member for the time being. Beginning Jan 1, 2006 this will be updated. Please email us or post on the Forum under Q/A -> Membership.
This policy is being put in place to relieve everyone of "remembering" when they need to pay up and to keep the GORC higher ups from having to keep track of renewals. Life will be much simpler.
We need you to check your existing profile and update it accordingly so we can accurately keep track of your volunteer hours and to ensure you receive our mailings.
03/18/06 - South Trace Visited
A few chose to explore the often neglected South Trace portion of the Ozark Trail. It's really a section of the overall "Trace Creek" OT trail but us MTBers like to split it up into North Trace and South Trace. It's a modest gallery but it's a start.
03/07/06 - Some Berryman Photos
Only a few from a great ride this past Saturday before the rain settled in.
Visit the new permanent Berryman Gallery
03/06/06 - GORC Arkansas Trip Approaches!
Several GORC members are going south to explore the Syllamo trail system the weekend of March 18th. We'll be staying at a very nearby motel so contact us if you would like to go and need more info. Mountains, rocks and roots, you'll love it.
More info on the trail on the tourist website
02/25/06 - Updated Mesa Bicycles Discounts
As a card carrying GORC member Mesa Bicycles will discount 15% on all merchandise and 5% on all bikes and frames. Click here for more info.
02/23/06 - Updated Matson Hill Map Posted
Yes folks, another quality map by Ron and Sam. Check it out in the Trails Section.
02/16/06 - Trail Maps Section Updated & SIUE Map Posted
A new trail map of the current SIUE trail system has been posted. Many thanks to Ron for compiling the data and creating the final document.
The Trails web page address has changed so updated your bookmarks accordingly. The main Trails page now features the Rules of the Trail.
The GORC site in general has been shifted in sections so be sure to update your bookmarks if you discover any broken links.
02/16/06 - GORC SITE INTERNAL REORGANIZATION & MINOR COSMETIC UPGRADES
As the GORC website continues to grow it was high time that the internal page structure be fine tuned. Instead of a pile of pages lumped in one directory they are now categorized in subfolders.
What this means for you is that:
1. Your bookmarks are broken except for the home page.
2. You must re-establish any internal GORC webpage bookmarks by surfing to the page once again and bookmarking it.
Let me know if you find broken links by emailing me or posting to the message board.
Also, a few cosmetic upgrades have been implemented as I'm sure you'll soon discover. An image randomizer has been placed on the masthead to rotate 7 different photos GORC has taken over the years. There's no limit to the amount that can be randomized but I need your best photos ever.
02/02/06 - Updated Festival Trails Map
Bryan put together this map of all the trails you can ride when you come to the Midwest Mountain Bike Festival April 7-9
Overall St. Charles County Park View - High Res Map (128KB)
01/25/06 - Updated Greensfelder Map Posted
Thanks to the hard work Ron put into this project! He has created a new Greensfelder Park map pertinent to mountain bikers. Visit the maps section for more information and to download to hi-res versions.
01/17/06 - Midwest Mountain Bike Festival Website Up and Running
The 2006 Midwest Mountain Bike Festival website is now up! Formerly called the "Midwest Advocacy Summit" or just "Summit" this new name reflects the event's evolving theme. It will be held at Klondike Park the weekend of April 7 - 9.
Online registration will be available in the coming weeks.
12/18/05 - SIU-E Before/After Photos Posted
A GORC member took these before and after photos to show how we turn ordinary forest into sweet singletrack. Nice photos!
12/04/05 - SIU-E Photos Posted
The 12/3 SIUE day attracted 46 volunteers who committed themselves to digging in the dirt. Despite the cold temps and dampness the workday went better than anticipated.
11/27/05 - Chubb Maintenance Workday
The Chubb trail received some much needed grooming on the North side this past weekend. Honeysuckle was removed from the scenic lookout (which can now once again be considered scenic), trail was debermed and water channel diversions were implemented.
11/13/05 - Greensfelder Dogwood Loop Complete
Thanks to everyone who came out to the last Greensfelder workday this season! We wrapped up a lengthly, but well deserved reroute of the Dogwood Trail. We've extended the original trail by traversing the hillsides multiple times as opposed to shooting straight down (like it used to).
By the end of Spring it should be packed down nicely. Now, get out there and ride this huge new addition to Greensfelder County Park.
11/08/05 - SS Worlds Gallery
I never said I was fast but here you go - a gallery of all the pics from the SS Worlds back in August. There aren't many because we were too busy partying.
10/30/05 - IMBA Trail Workday at Shawnee Natl. Forest, Southern IL.
Many thanks to the GORC volunteers who made it down to the IMBA sponsored trail workday at Shawnee. If you haven't visited there yet or think Illnois is flat and isn't worth your time, take another look. Technical trail on par with Chubb awaits your kneecaps. Here's a few photos of the trails being constructed.
10/30/05 - Greensfelder Workday Results
We had a great turnout at the workday. High school and college students helped build a great new section of the Dogwood trail. Fifty-nine people worked hard to nearly complete the reroute (which is so long compared to the rerouted section of trail that it feels more like a whole new loop at Greensfelder!) and we're thankful.
Hope to see you at the next GF workday in two weeks!
10/27/05 - GORC OTA MegaEvent Success!
The GORC folk built some great trail this past weekend to further complete the Middlefork section of the Ozark Trail. This trail section is nearly complete!
09/27/05 - Local Shops Getting on Board with GORC - New Member Discounts
We're currently lining up several area bike shops that will offer GORC members discounts on their products or services.
Stay tuned for more specific information. We have Wild Trak, Momentum, Mesa, and Granada on tap right now.
09/27/05 - REI / Ozark Trail Association Mega Trail Event a Good Time for All
Over 150 volunteers added some serious man hours to the already sweet Middlefork section of the Ozark Trail. A few GORC members made a strong showing and represented.
A GORC specific OTA trailbuilding event will be held the weekend of October 22nd. Build trail, ride and have a party. Stay tuned.
