There are very few riding destinations in our area and fewer freeride destinations.
CAMBr West feels the solution is to build free public trails and parks through partnerships with local land managers.  

Our Organization relies on volunteers like you to accomplish these goals. So please don’t be shy, your contributions make a difference.

Click here to join CAMBr West

Who is CAMBr West?

We are a group of riders who don't think in terms of limits.  We think big and we act big.  Whether it's railing the gnarly singletrack of Oswego or getting ready for big air in the new Plainfield Bike Park, you can count on CAMBr west to be there.

What is this bike park I keep hearing about?

CAMBr West has partnered up with the Plainfield Park District on a joint project: The Plainfield Bike Park.
In January of 2007, Challenge Park in Joliet, IL got rid of all two wheeled sports.  Three Plainfield residents, Kevin Marley, Russell Rogers, and Mark Baudler approached the Plainfield Park District (PPD) with a proposal for the bike park.  The PPD has been 100% supportive and excited from day one.

Thanks to Kevin Marley's great grant writing expertise, CAMBr West was awarded the Bikes Belong, Kona / IMBA, and REI grants.  It has been amazing to see the support of the industry in this style of riding.  CAMBr West also raised money at the Plainfield Fest thanks to a bike raffle supported by Trek.

The bike park has two goals: 1) To cater to all levels of riders 2) To build and maintain a safe environment for riders to grow in their sport.  The bike park will consist of four sections.  First is the jump line.  There will be a large start hill that leads to several table-top dirt jumps ranging from small, 2 foot jumps all the way up to large, 7 foot jumps – it's all about progression.  The second section is the rhythm section complete with flowing berms, table-top jumps, and rollers.  The third section is the pump track.  Pump tracks are a great way to get your heart rate up while practicing the fundamentals of cycling.  There will be several berms, rollers, and options.  The fourth section is a skills section with lines for beginners all the way up to experts.  Look for logs, rocks, skinnies, spines, and picnic tables.

We hope to be breaking ground in the late spring of 2008 with the grand opening in the summer of 2008 and the first event in the fall of 2008.  Check back for 2008 workdays.

The bike park will be located at Van Horn East Park in Plainfield.  Van Horn East is located on Frontage Road between Caton Farm Road and Rt. 30.  The spot is ideal.  The park will easily be seen from I-55 and is less than one mile from the I-55 and Rt. 30 interchange.


What are the details on the trails in Oswego?

It's true, there is amazing singletrack in Oswego, IL.  In November of 2005, Mark Baudler, Russell Rogers and John Mohler approached the Oswegoland Park District about the Saw Wee Kee trails.  The trails were first developed about 20 years ago by equestrians on an old strip mine.  Since 2005, CAMBr has helped to clean up and make the trails accessible to all.  So many equestrians, hikers, joggers, cyclists, and naturalists have thanked us for our efforts.  

The fact that Saw Wee Kee is an old strip mine gives this 8+ mile trail system a unique feel for Illinois.  Most of the terrain is very rocky and dry.  There are also many quick, steep climbs and drops.  Watch out for the great drop on Anaconda!  There might only be just over 8 miles of singletrack, but it sure feels like 20 miles after a good ride here

Saw Wee Kee is located just off Rt 71 and Orchard Road.  Turn on Budlong road off of Orchard, just north of Rt. 71.  This street leads you along the Fox River and into Saw Wee Kee Park.  The main trail head is at the second gravel parking lot and is on the left side of the road.

CAMBr West 2008 Activities include but are not limited to:

• Ground breaking at the bike park
• Grand Opening at the bike park
• First annual competition event at the bike park
• Many work days at the bike park and Saw Wee Kee
• Ramp demo at the Plainfield Fest
• 2nd annual Saw Wee Kee Campout
• 3rd annual CAMBr West Picnic
• Special members only events

CAMBr West Chapter Operating Procedures - Table of Contents   

CAMBr West Chapter Operating Procedures - Mission Statement
   
CAMBr West Chapter Operating Procedures - Membership   
1.01 – CAMBr West Members   
1.02 - Rights of Members   
1.03 - Classes of Members (individual, corporate, etc)   
1.04 - Voting Rights of Members   
1.05 - Meeting of West Chapter Members   
1.06 - Termination of Membership   
1.07 – Relationship with Parent CAMBr   

CAMBr West Chapter Operating Procedures - Organizational Structure   
2.0 – CAMBr West Organizational Structure   
2.01 - Dissolution of a CAMBr West Riding Destination   
2.02 – Riding Destinations   

CAMBr Chapter Operating Procedures - Governance   
3.01 - Governing Body   
3.02 - Responsibilities of the CAMBr West Board   
3.03 – Requirements for President Position   

CAMBr West Chapter Operating Procedures - Voting   
4.01 - Election of Voting Board members   
4.02 - Resignation and Removal   
4.04 - Board Voting Procedures   

CAMBr West Chapter Operating Procedures – West Board Member Responsibilities   
5.01 - Responsibilities of the West President   
5.02 - Responsibilities of the Trail Coordinator (Lead only)   
5.03 - Responsibilities of the Treasurer   
5.04 - Responsibilities of the Secretary
   
CAMBr Chapter Operating Procedures - Miscellaneous   
6.01 - Amendments to the Chapter Operating Procedures   

CAMBr West: securing a lifetime of bicycling recreation

Enhancing the quality of life within our community by building, creating, educating, facilitating, and promoting bicycling recreation in partnership with local land managers. 

1.01 – CAMBr West Members
Individuals may join CAMBr West by paying the necessary dues to the West chapter. Upon membership their names will be entered into the membership roster for a period of one year. Upon completion of that year, members will be asked to renew their membership. If after 90 days they have not renewed their membership, their name will be removed from the membership roster. Individuals may rejoin at any time thereafter.  Membership is managed under the CAMBr general umbrella.

1.02 - Rights of Members
Active individual CAMBr West members may vote in Chapter elections and may request additional responsibilities depending on their desired level of involvement.  Corporate members are entitled to one cast vote in general West elections.  CAMBr West members will receive priority registration for certain events, as well as discounted CAMBr West merchandise.

1.03 - Classes of Members (individual, corporate, etc)
•   Student Membership - $10 – Must be under 21 years old and enrolled full time in an academic or vocational training program.
•   Individual Membership - $25 - Supporting member, $50 - Big Wheel member, $100 – Fat Tire member.

•   Bike Shop Membership - $100 - Supporting Bike Shop, $200 - Big Wheel Bike Shop.
•   Supporting Bike Shops are entitled to a text ad on the sponsors page.
•   Big Wheel Bike Shops are entitled to a graphical ad on the sponsors page.

•   Supporting Group -  $variable – This class of membership is for groups or clubs who wish to financially support the goals of CAMBr.
•   Supporting Group members are entitled to a graphical ad on the sponsors page.

•   Corporate membership - $variable – This class of membership is for businesses who wish to financially support the goals of CAMBr.
•   Corporate members are entitled to a graphical ad on the sponsors page.


1.04 - Voting Rights of Members
•   Paid members will have 1 vote that can be cast in CAMBr West elections.
•   Bike Shop members will have 1 vote that can be cast in CAMBr West elections.
•   Supporting Group members will have 1 vote that can be cast in their CAMBr West elections.
•   Corporate members will have 1 vote that can be cast in CAMBr West elections.

1.05 - Meeting of West Chapter Members
•   A general West membership meeting will be held yearly.

1.06 - Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated if an individual or corporation acts against the stated mission of the organization. A vote of the CAMBr West Board will determine if an individual’s membership is revoked.

1.07 – Relationship with Parent CAMBr
•   CAMBr West is a chapter of the general club CAMBr
•   CAMBr West shall not perform any actions that conflict with the CAMBr general mission statement unless a majority of votes is reached among CAMBr West Board voting members
•   CAMBr West can separate from parent CAMBr only if a majority of votes is reached among CAMBr West Board voting members

2.0 – CAMBr West Organizational Structure
CAMBr West is an individual chapter with several riding destinations.  All riding destinations must have trail coordinators.  The CAMBr West President is responsible for all riding destinations.

2.01 - Dissolution of a CAMBr West Riding Destination
In the event that a riding destination decides to leave the organization they may keep the monies they have raised for that riding destination.

2.02 – Riding Destinations
•   A riding destination can be created by petition to the CAMBr West board
•   Riding destinations cannot be formed under the CAMBr West name without a vote from West board members

3.01 - Governing Body
CAMBr West will be governed by a Board elected by the membership.
The list of voting West Board Members include the following:
 
•   Chapter President
•   Treasurer
•   Secretary 
•   Trail Coordinators (lead trail coordinator only)
•   Bike Park Lead Coordinator
•   SWK Lead Coordinator
•   The Garden Lead Coordinator

*In the event that more riding destinations are added and more lead trail coordinators are added, the president will make the decision in the event of a tie vote.

3.02 - Responsibilities of the CAMBr West Board
•   The West Board Members shall manage the business, affairs and property of the chapter.
•   The purpose of the CAMBr West Board Members is to act on issues common to all chapter riding destinations.
•   The CAMBr West Board will meet semi-monthly or as needed.
•   Non-voting board members can be added to fulfill responsibilities common to all riding destinations.
•   CAMBr West voting board positions can be added or removed with a majority board vote

3.03 – Requirements for President Position
   In order to submit your name to run for West President
1.   You must have served CAMBr in a any position for a minimum of one year
   Position can be a voting or non-voting position
   Position can be for any chapter
2.   You must be a West member for a minimum of one year
3.   The current West Board must vote on each presidential candidate

4.01 - Election of Voting Board members
•   Nominations for office will take place between September 1 and September 15 of each voting year.
•   Elections will be held on-line, the last week of September each election year.
•   All elected positions hold a term of 2 years
•   Most number of votes wins
•   Only one position is allowed per person at a time

4.02 - Resignation and Removal
•   A West Board Member may resign by submitting a written notification to the West Board.
•   A West Board Member may be removed by a majority of voting West Board members.

4.04 - Board Voting Procedures
On issues common to all riding destinations, votes can be cast by the chapter president, secretary, treasurer, and lead trail coordinators.   

5.01 - Responsibilities of the West President
•   Board Meetings.
•   Publish Agenda 1 week in advance.
•   Conduct meetings.
•   Edit and approve minutes as received from the Secretary and distribute to the public via the CAMBr board.
•   Manage and monitor achievement of  organization goals
•   Work with trail coordinators to understand riding destination goals.
•   West general membership program
•   Review goals and timeline with Membership Director.
•   Follow up weekly to make sure timeline is followed.
•   Bike shop membership
•   Review goals and timeline with Bike Shop Membership Director.
•   Set timeline for contacting shops with posters and flyers.
•   Help represent CAMBr to the bike dealers as needed.
•   Follow up weekly to make sure timeline is followed.
•   Calendar
•   Coordinate trail work and social dates between chapters and General CAMBr.
•   Get bike shop calendar poster made and distributed to Bike Shop Membership Director and Membership Director by March 1.
•   Follow up with swag callers to solicit items for events.
•   Attend meetings with land managers as needed.
•   Work with West Board to determine yearly awards, get them made and help make presentations
•   Finances
•   Review expenditures with Treasurer.
•   Work with Treasurer to determine yearly budget.
•   Organize annual meeting
•   CAMBr – Primary contact with General CAMBr
•   Coordinate CAMBr activities with the Chapter.
•   Testify at annual land manager budget meetings.
•   Attend land manager board meetings as needed.
•   Provide to the board monthly detailed spreadsheet of all itemized expenses and income for their chapter.  Every item/transaction must be recorded.
•   Provide to the board monthly spreadsheet of all chapter hard goods.
•   Vote on organization wide issues.
•   Discuss organization wide issues with West Board prior to voting
•   President makes final decision on West tie votes

5.02 - Responsibilities of the Trail Coordinator (Lead only)
•   Provide yearly schedule of workdays and special events to the West President by January 15.
•   Determine the vision of the riding destinations and strategies to obtain it.
•   Participate in County / Town / Park District / Etc Trail Committee Meetings.
•   Obtain needed permits.
•   Help represent CAMBr to the bicycle dealers.
•   Organize and conduct riding destination meetings as needed.
•   Run each work day
•   This responsibility can be delegated on a per workday basis
•   Speak at events as needed.
•   Ensure the Trail Conditions on the CAMBr message board are kept up to date
•   This can be delegated, but the responsibility is the Trail Coordinators


5.03 - Responsibilities of the Treasurer
•   Purchase yearly general insurance policy.
•   Vote on organization wide issues.
•   Keep detailed spreadsheet of all itemized expenses and income for the general fund.  Every item/transaction must be recorded.
•   Review previous year expenditures and develop and present proposed budget by 12/15 of each year.
•   Order CAMBr wear as needed.
•   Maintenance of the budget and all balancing
•   All purchases must be approved by the treasurer prior to purchase


5.04 - Responsibilities of the Secretary
•   Schedule and attend West Board Meetings, arrange meeting place and notify other West Board Members.
•   Reserve room for meetings.
•   Take notes for the CAMBr West meetings.
•   After the meeting write up a summary and action list from the board meeting that will be submitted to the West President for approval.
•   After approval the minutes will be disbursed accordingly within a week of the board meeting.
•   Remind board members of the next months meeting time and place via e-mail or board forum.
•   Vote on organization wide issues.

6.01 - Amendments to the Chapter Operating Procedures
These operating procedures may be altered, amended or repealed and new operating procedures may be adopted by a majority of the CAMBr West voting board members, as needed