LAMBA is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to creating and maintaining opportunities for singletrack mountain bike trails in the Linn County area of Iowa. LAMBA is a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

Linn Area MTB Assoc.

Squaw Creek County Park Trail Update Great News for the Red Cedar Singletrack Project at Squaw

Creek!

Fall 2014 The dirt.

More inside!

You can still purchase LAMBA water bottles for $5 each! All

of the money goes to local singletrack projects like the Squaw Creek and Beverly

Park trails. Get them at Northtowne Cycling and Fitness and local cycling

events!

Buy a Bottle

Pg. 2

LAMBA Bott l e s!

Our efforts are paying off! We invested a large amount of money (nearly $20,000) to hire IMBA Trail Solutions to create concept plans for two county parks. That was in 2012, and now, two years later, we have been recommended for funding for a State Recreational Trails Program Grant to complete the Red Cedar Trail at Squaw Creek County Park. The recommendation was for the full $55,000 we requested. In the infrastructure and trail planning world, that is a nominal amount, but in the world of singletrack, we have made history in Iowa. The Red Cedar

Trail will be the first singletrack project in the state to be awarded RTP funding.

2

Squaw Creek County Park Trail Update, Cont.

This project would not be possible without the support of Linn County Conservation. Be sure to thank the officials on the conservation board and the staff for their support.

LAMBA also received a grant from Marion Hotel/Motel for $9500 towards the Red Cedar Project. This money comes from hotel stays in Marion and it is the second time LAMBA has received this award.

Check our Facebook page and website for updates!

Sac and Fox Singletrack

At this time, we have permission to flag the route and plan to begin that work yet this fall. We met with John Myers, executive director of Indian Creek Nature Center, and shared our ideas with him. He and his staff took some time to review our plans and offer their input. This will be one of the first linear singletrack systems in the state, allowing for a point-to-point singletrack route of about six miles. Some parts of the route will be shared with the main Sac and Fox trail (bridges and other major infrastructure). The route will effectively create a singletrack option for connecting Marion to Cedar Rapids.

Fall Mountain Biking Fall is a great time to mountain bike, but presents its own set of hazards!

1. Watch for nuts, sticks, and leaves on the trail

2. It’s getting dark sooner

3. Ride within your ability

4. Wear a helmet

5. Stay on the trail

Beverly Park remains our flagship trail system; receiving much attention from the community, trail users, and our hard working volunteers. LAMBA is continuously improving upon the sustainability and flow of the trails at Beverly, and conservation efforts are paying off with reduction in invasive species and successful growth of planted trees.

Beverly Park, 37th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids

3

Help Wanted! A volunteer board and executive committee take care of LAMBA operations. We are always seeking new members for these leadership roles. The executive committee is a non-voting advisory group, and is always invited to participate in board meetings and events. The work for this group includes being part of conversations pertaining to LAMBA’s organization, fundraising, and trail opportunities. Many of these conversations take place via email, with a board meeting once a month. We encourage our executive committee members to get involved with one of our committees and our volunteer opportunities! Each board position is a voting position and we expect attendance at a majority of our monthly board meetings. Each board member should take a leadership role in one of our committees, coordinating the activities for that group. You will also be asked to participate in continued conversations about LAMBA’s organization, fundraising, and trail opportunities. Additionally, we expect our board members to be involved with our volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in either role please complete the brief survey: http://tinyurl.com/LAMBAboard

Take A Kid Mt. Biking The 2014 IMBA Take a Kid Mt. Biking Day is

Saturday, October 4, 9-11 am. The event will

take place at the Meadowlark Shelter and on the

new green trail at Squaw Creek Park. Training

wheels are not recommended.

This is a free event.

cont.

All youth riders must have their

parent or guardian present for

the entire event. 1.

2.

3.

*Remember-Squaw Creek trails are closed as of October 1, only the new

green trail is open for this event!

Riders need to provide their own

bike and helmet. You must wear

a helmet to participate.

There are grills and picnic space

on site (Moms and Dads, feel free

to bring lunch)!

Volunteer Opportunities and LAMBA Needs All LAMBA operations are conducted by volunteers and we are a 501c3 organization. If you want more information on any of the opportunities listed, please email LAMBA07@gmail.com or private message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LinnAreaMTB. We need help with these things;

• Take a Kid Mt. Biking Day, Oct. 4 (Squaw Creek) • Beverly Park Trail Run, Nov. 9 (Beverly Park) • Trail counter install • Trail raking at Beverly and Squaw • 2015 Porta Potty “sponsor” at Beverly Park • New brush cutter/mower for Squaw Creek

*Remember-Squaw Creek mountain bike trails are closed as of October 1! Please

respect this closure.

Go ride Beverly Park!

October 4: Take a Kid Mountain Biking, Squaw Creek Park October 13: LCTA Meeting October 20: Board Meeting October 25: Dirty Du, Des Moines November 8: Night Shift, Decorah November 9: Beverly Park Trail Run, Beverly Park November 10: LCTA Meeting November 15: Cranksgiving, Cedar Falls November 17: Board Meeting

Mark your Calendar!