Freeride committee

[kevin marley]

Well I am liking the fact that we have some volunteers willing to get started on a freeride park. Our goal is to build a REAL freeride park for big bikes somewhere in the suburbs.  This little project may work out perfectly and it may turn into a bunch of wasted time, but we are willing to give it a try and see what shakes out.  Post up if you plan on attending or can't make it but want to go.

Some things to consider and start working on...
We will need a large group of local riders to show support.
Some ideas of what features we will be building.
Sustainable designs - I don't want to rebuild this every year.
Ratings on possible locations - Ease of working with land manager, Terrain and feasability for freeride use, Location and # of riders in jurisdiction.

How about March 7th Saturday night we meet at the place that grndskpr mentioned.

[Red Snail Racing]

I think this is a great idea. I'm going to try to make it, not that I see myself as much of a freerider, but because I believe this is an important part of mountain biking and Chicago needs it.

[Seanbikes]

I plan on being there, I've been wanting to get to Two Brothers anyway. 

[I pick bad lines]

The meeting date is bad for me, but count on me for support in anyway that I can.

[gobighitmtb]

+1 for myself

[euroford]

i'll be in colorado that weekend.  but you know you can count me in.

i'll go post this up at cfr as well.

[R.Snyder]

I'll be there.

[grndskpr]

I think i can be there(weather dependent) How ever i am no free rider, so i want lessons LOL
2 Brothers is worth the trip, you can get a tour if you like, but truth be told theres not much to see
R

[Adamanitum]

See you guys there



                    ATJ

[kevin marley]

I think i can be there(weather dependent) How ever i am no free rider, so i want lessons LOL
2 Brothers is worth the trip, you can get a tour if you like, but truth be told theres not much to see
R

At the PBP some of our most valued trailbosses and volunteers weren't experienced dirt jumpers. Some didn't even ride bikes, but the were critical to our success.  It takes all kinds. 

Anyone who is willing to help is invited to this meeting. You do not need to be an experienced freerider / builder.

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN]

                                                    FREERIDE FREERIDE

[steven_er]

I have a weird work schedule so I don't know if I can make it, but count me in for anysupport that i can give.

[888fall]

i can be there. anything to support the freeride revolution.

[kevin marley]

In order to make this meeting as productive as possible let's be organized.  It will be very hard for us all to meet like this, so let's be prepared and have specific goals in mind when we do get together.

Get your designs and ideas for what the park will look like together.   We will need some type of drawing to shop around to the park districts.  If you bring hand drawn designs on paper napkins or whatever, I can create a professional looking conceptual layout in .pdf form to send out.

Also let's think about prioritizing which land managers we think we would have the most success with.  Hopefully we can find out some of this info before the meeting to help this decision: number of local riders, local skatepark (do they allow bikes?), Is proposed area a nature preserve or park district land, who is the land manager we should be talking to.  Here is the short list of land managers we have so far.. (be careful not to tip our hand while finding out this info, if calling to find out info)

1-Greene Valley Forest Preserve off of Rt. 53 in Woodridge.
2-the small wooded area between Berkeley and Elmhurst just off the prairie path.
3-Hidden Lake Forest Preserve on Rt. 53 and Butterfield
4-Wheeler Park in Geneva
5-Raceway Woods in Carpentersville Rt. 31
6-find old Quarries like SWK
7-Little Woods in St. Chuck off Rt. 31


Think about what role you will play on this committee. This process will take at a minimum of two years to accomplish, the wheels of government turn slowly. We will need one person to be the park coordinator, the driving force behind this project who will stick it out until completion. This person will be in charge of handling the land manager relationship and oversee the design of the park.  We will need trailbosses to help with construction and building.  We will need people to run fundraisers, handle media relations, get sponsors.   We will need locals to come to meetings and drum up support.

Unfortunately I have a lot of commitments this year and will not be able to take the lead on this project.  I can help out with proposal writing,  organization, and park building experience.  I will probably not be able to make a lot of meetings with land managers.  Someone will need to step up and fill this role.
 

Here is what I expect to have at the end of our meeting:
1. Material to create conceptual design
2. Short list of possible locations
3. Possible candidates for Park Coordinator and trailboss positions.

See you guys on the 7th.  I am looking forward to meeting everyone and am hoping for the same success we had at the PBP and the Garden.

[steven_er]

Kevin,
being one the riders that did some work at little woods in st chuck 2 yrs ago, do you think they would respond favorably to renewed efforts? I remember showing up to ride one day only to find that we were not "welcome" there any more. Very sad, but if you could get this place going again it was a great ride spot with great possibilities. We had a sweet descending run and there were some great spots for drops as well.

Have you though of Rocky Glen Off Highway Vehichle Park in Rockford? I know its a little far away, but they might be receptive to freeride ( if your other options don't pan out ) It's a privately owned park for ATV's and Moto bikes with jumps and the like. They would probably be okay with jumps and stunts for bikes. Maybe they would be willing to allow trails for bikes.

I live in the Genva/ St Charles area ( along with a few other guys that helped get little woods off the ground ) and I will be happy to help you in anyway possible. I work as a nurse so my schedule is weird but I will try to make upcoming meetings. thanks and good luck!