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Contents:
NEMBA News 2006
Kranked Video Premier
Wicked Ride of the East
CT NEMBA Builds New Singletrack at Millers Pond State Park
SE MA NEMBA Muck Trucking Around Borderland State Forest
NEMBAfest Phase II
REI Presents $10,000 Grant to NEMBA
NEMBA Participates in Mass. Gubernatorial Debate & Environmental Fair
NEMBA Awards Trail Grant to Vietnam Land Management Committee
Redbones Block Party Benefit Raises $7,000
Allspeed Bicycle, Giant and NEMBA donate Bike to Maine's Bradbury Mountain SP
Ted
Wojcik Bicycles Makes Special Offer to NEMBA Members
Topeak-Kenda
Mountain Bike Adventure Series
Jamis
Bicycles / NEMBA NH Trail Care Series
NEMBA
/ IMBA Trail Building School
Merlin
/ NEMBA Trail Care Round-up
Congratulations
to NEMBA-supporting Top 100 Bicycle Dealers
When mountain bikers aren't riding what do they like to do? For more than a few, it's to get together, watch a mountain bike flick and share a cold brew. So when the opportunity came our way to present the premier of the latest Kranked video, we were all over it.
Using the same old silent movie house in Watertown that's now a part of Phillips Congregational Church, we asked the good folks at Belmont Wheelworks if they'd help subsidize the event and Harpoon Brewery if they'd be willing to share some of their exceptional IPA. They graciously accommodated.
Over 100 people came down to check it out, and the film lived up to its billing as a Radical Films production. While the "plot" line is thin - top caliber riders looking for their ultimate dream ride - the action and cinematography offer some of the most charged footage yet seen. One is hard pressed not to want to go riding after seeing this flick.
Wicked Ride of the East
 Over 260 riders made their way to Harold Parker State Forest to experience the wonderful trails, many of which were created and maintained by North Shore NEMBA. Over $2000 was raised for future trail projects at the park and other area parks, including a new initiative to help the Department of Conservation & Recreation create a better mapping and signage system.
"I can't believe how well these trails flow, and the use of rock faces and spines really add extraordinary challenge," said one rider who had never been to the park before. Form, function and art all come together perfectly to create the ultimate mountain bike experience.
 Over the last few years, North Shore NEMBA has developed a dedicated and knowledgeable crew of volunteers to steward the property and work with DCR staff to create new trail opportunities. Anyone who enjoys HP owes thanks to the efforts of Joe DiZazzo, Kirk Goldsworthy, Frank Lane, Fred White, Sandy Bray, Steve Shorette, Dave Smith (the owner of The Bicycle Shop of Topsfield) and Dan Streeter, just to mention a few.
Members of Eastern Mountain Sports Downhill Team, led by Alexis Wruble, Kate Walton, Karen Eagan and Dave Hass, put on an extremely well-received woman's riding skills clinic. The team split up into three groups based upon ability, and hit the trails to practice basic and advanced riding techniques. Even after about three hours of riding, all the women returned to base with huge smiles on their faces and a sense of accomplishment. Hopefully we'll see the EMS team at future Adventure events-they did a great job.
Also in attendance to support the event were Ted Wojcik Custom Bicycles, Cycle Loft, and Ski Market. Ted Wojcik is the premier sponsor of NEMBA's 2006 Access Raffle, and ticket sales were especially brisk after riders tested his Solution bike, an incredible dual suspension steed that gobbles up bumps and offers an unparalleled ride on east coast singletrack. If you haven't had a chance to check out his bikes, visit www.tedwojcikbicycles.com.
There are many people to thank for putting on the Wicked Ride, and I apologize for missing some, but among the key organizers are Sandy Bray, Dan Streeter, Ron Corporon, Robin Wilson, Frank Lane, Lee Hollenbeck, Steve Shorette, and Dave Smith.
If you missed the event, make sure you don't make the same mistake next year. And if you ride HP regularly, please get involved with some of North Shore NEMBA's many trail care events for 2007.
CT NEMBA Builds New Singletrack at Millers Pond State Park
Fantastic technical singletrack trail work continued at Millers Pond State Park Durham Connecticut, on November 4th. CT NEMBA's Alex Sokolow and Bikerag.com's Jon Peterson have added approximately another ½ mile of trail to the New Trail.
 The new trail in Millers Pond State Park has been a few years in the making and it is one the first projects to make use of the new process put in place by the CT Department of Environmental Protection for getting new authorized trails on State property in CT. Two years ago Alex Sokolow submitted the approval paper work into the CT DEP and after review the DEP gave it's blessing for the go-ahead.
Eighteen enthusiastic volunteers were on hand for this brisk November morning event to lend their efforts to the project. Things were started off very nicely with hot coffee and donuts supplied by RAD Sports Outfitters LLC (http://radsportoutfitters.com/). That was followed up by an extremely professional safety talk by Alex.
Then the Crew was shuttled from the parking lot to a spot little closer to the work location. Some of the interesting items that were included as trail features on this section of the New Trail included: Log bridge over a stream; Some small drops; Couple of technical rollers. All technical features have beginner line options.
After the workday was completed CT NEMBA supplied Pizza for lunch, and there was some really cool Swag items handed out that were donated by North Haven Bike (http://www.northhavenbike.com/) and Bikerag.com, the most coveted item was a Long Sleeved DH Jersey from North Haven Bike. Following festivities most of the trail crew opted for an afternoon ride at Millers Pond including parts of the New Trail.
Thanks to all who came out to support and all of our sponsors for the assistance. --Bob Caporaso
SE MA NEMBA Muck Trucking Around Borderland State Forest
At a recent workday at Borderland NEMBA volunteers were able to do a major bridge rebuild without "enjoying" the endless death march that is normally required to lug timber to a worksite. We let our newly purchased Muck Truck do the heavy lifting. This left the volunteers much more energized. And probably resulted in a much better built bridge.
SEMASS NEMBA in conjunction with The Friends of Borderland State park recently purchased the Muck Truck. The motorized wheelbarrow can carry up to 500 pounds of materials to almost any worksite that can be walked to. It has a 5.5 horsepower Honda engine, all wheel drive, and 4 forward and one reverse gears.
The Muck Truck will be stored at Borderland. And it will be used at other nearby state forests and parks, and, of course, at NEMBA's "Vietnam" property. Like most powered equipment, it's easy to get carried away. IE: It's easy to try and get it to do too much at once. But the Muck Truck can never run away from you, it will just walk you and your work materials, safely and efficiently to your worksite.
Over the years SEMASS NEMBA has been involved in a number of trail construction and trail rehabilitation projects. We intend to continue this tradition. The Muck Truck will make these jobs a bit easier. But it's no substitute for volunteerism. If you've enjoyed Borderlands trails recently, you've seen the results of this labor. If you've been a part of it - Thank you. If not, plan to join us next year. We'll be improving the trail experience for everyone at Borderland. Why not join us?
Learn more about Borderland State Forest or SE MA NEMBA.go to l and to learn more about SEMASS NEMBA browse to http://www.semassnemba.org/ .
NEMBAfest Phase II
 If you missed the NEMBAfest, you missed a heck of a good time. With a total attendance of nearly 400 people, the largest event of the Topeak-Kenda Mountain Bike Adventure Series was a great way to celebrate the end of summer.
Cancelling the June festival was extremely difficult and caused hardship for volunteers and vendors alike —some of whom came from the west coast and midwest— but it was the right thing to do. First and foremost, NEMBA is an organization dedicated to responsible mountain biking and sustainable trails, and the flooding conditions would have had a lasting impact on the very trails we love. Thus we were grateful and relieved to have perfect weather for our September 12th event.
The trails were in superb condition and the courses laid out by NEMBA's trail riding guru, Bill Boles, offered great options for all levels of riders. The main loop snaked its way through 18-miles of some of Wompatuck's best singletrack, and the short family loop provided a safe but fun introduction to mountain biking for young riders and those just getting into the sport. With plenty of ride leaders on hand, waves of cyclists ventured off to explore the park, and the epic rides led people out on three hours excursions.
And then there was the racing. This year the festival partnered with the championship finals of the Root 66 series, and there was a short track mountain bike race which offered the perfect opportunity for recreational riders to try their hand at racing. Kevin Chichlowski and the Bikebarn crew have race promotion down pat, and the Root 66 folks were a great addition.
The expo area was filled with vendors demo'ing product and bikes, and Paul Peaslee organized some classic mountain bike shenanigans, the mountain bike Olympics. There were log pulls, Huffy tosses, wheelie contests, bunnyhop contests and even a slow race for the kids. It was as much fun to watch as it was to test one's skills.
Over 30 volunteers made this event a success, and we give them our collective thanks. The great folks at Bikebarn did a fantastic job with the Trail 66 race, the Friends of Wompatuck cooked up some great food, and the DCR staff at Wompatuck offered beyond the call of duty support. Special thanks also goes out to Paul Peaslee and Bill Boles for all their hard work. Lastly, a shout out of thanks to the event sponsors, Topeak and Kenda Tires & Tubes, for making the event possible.
REI Presents $10,000 Grant to NEMBA
Philip Keyes made his way down to REI's brand new retail store in Hingham, MA to receive the $10,000 grant that NEMBA will use at Wompatuck State Park. For 2006, REI is awarding 100 grants to public parks across America.
NEMBA will be working with Park Staff to improve Wompatuck by installing a viewing dock on scenic Holly Pond.
REI, Inc. awarded the grant as one of three awarded to benefit state parks in Massachusetts, with the others being Cochituate State Park and Harold Parker State Forest.
NEMBA hopes to leverage some of the grant funds by using the Department of Conservation & Recreation's Fix It First Program. This program could double the funding amount available for projects to improve Wompatuck State Park.
"There is no doubt that REI is dedicated to conservation and human-powered recreation," says NEMBA's executive director, Philip Keyes. "They played a significant role in helping NEMBA buy Vietnam, and they help support our National Trail Day trail care events. We're grateful for their dedication to cycling and the stewardship of public trail systems."
On the heels of its most successful year ever, REI has dedicated $1 million to 100 parks across the country by partnering with nonprofit organizations such as NEMBA. "REI had an amazing 2005," says REI President and CEO Sally Jewell. "As a co-op we share our success with our members, employees and the communities in which we do business. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our success than by dedicating an additional $1 million to support our community parks in every community with which REI has a presence across the country."
Grant recipients were selected after REI employees identified community parks that were of particular interest to their customers, offered outdoor recreation opportunities, and were in close proximity to an REI store. NEMBA's grant will be used for maintaining, preserving and caring for Wompatuck State Park, an outdoor resource that provides all types of muscle-powered recreation.
NEMBA Participates in Mass. Gubernatorial Debate & Environmental Fair
NEMBA and MassBike were among the groups partnering with the Sierra Club, AMC, the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts to put on debate for the candidates for governor.
While all the main candidates were invited, those who participated were Patrick Duval, Christy Mihos, Chris Grabrielle and Grace Ross.
NEMBA also participated in the Environmental Fair that took place before and after the event.
NEMBA Awards Trail Grant to Vietnam Land Management Committee
Got tools?
NEMBA is proud to announce the awarding of a $500 NEMBA Trail Grant to the Vietnam Land Management Committee to purchase tools and to establish a locked tool cache on the NEMBA land parcel commonly known as "Vietnam".
The tool cache will eliminate the necessity of transporting tools to the work area. This will make the VLMC's Tuesday night trail care sessions much easier as time won't be wasted transporting tools to and from the worksite.
Redbones Block Party Benefit Raises $7,000
Hundreds cycled - and came other ways - to Redbones on a hot, sultry June night to celebrate cycling one month after the party had been derailed by torrential rain. Redbones 10th Annual Bike Party and Benefit was the best ever, raising over $7,000 through entry and raffle ticket sales.
State Representative and Somerville Alderman at Large Denise Provost came to the party with Citations for Redbones owners Robert Gregory and Caryn Whitney. They were congratulated for their contributions to the City and 'Promoting cycling, being good corporate citizens of the City of Somerville and pioneering the renaissance of Davis Square.'
Allspeed Bicycle, Giant and NEMBA donate Bike to Maine's Bradbury Mountain SP
Mick Rogers, the park manager of Bradbury Mountain State Park in Maine, was presented with a new Giant mountain bike by Gary Buch of Allspeed Bicycle. The donation of the bike is in appreciation of Mick's hard work in making and maintaining great mountain bike trails at the park. Mick and his staff have helped make Bradbury Park a park that can be enjoyed by many. The generous donation was made possible by Allspeed's Gary
Ted Wojcik
Bicycles Makes Special Offer to NEMBA Members
Ted Wojcik Bicycles has re-tooled its bicycle business and wants
to help NEMBA in the process. They have generously offered to
donate $100 to the organization for every custom bike frame
he sells to a NEMBA member through out 2006. He's also making
a limited number of frames available to NEMBA members at a huge
discount: $750 for hardtails, 29ers and singlespeeds, $950 for
road frames, and $1,300 for his new dual suspension bike, The
Solution. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, act fast.
He only has a limited number available, and they'll be custom
made, first come / first served.
Ted Wojcik Bicycle will also be the premier sponsor of NEMBA's
Annual Raffle, offering an XTR-level Solution bike as our grand
prize. Now, that's commitment! For details on Ted's bikes or
to contact him for questions, call him at 603-329-8057 or visit
his website, www.TedWojcikBicycles.com.
Topeak-Kenda
Mountain Bike Adventure Series
NEMBA is pleased to announce a new season of the MTB Adventure
Series with a new co-title sponsor, Kenda USA. Both Topeak and
Kenda will be making it possible for us to put on a seven-point
recreational charity ride series, and we look forward to working
to put on some really great riding events to support some good
causes. Mark your calendars!
May 28 Holyoke-Skinner State Forest, Amherst MA
June 11 NEMBAfest! Wompatuck State Park
June 25 Lynn Woods Reservation, Lynn MA
July 16 Mt. Greylock Go-Around, Lanesboro MA
Aug. 20 Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal, ME
Sept. 10 Big River Management Area, Rhode Island
Oct. 29 Harold Parker State Forest, Wicked Ride of the
East
Jamis Bicycles
/ NEMBA NH Trail Care Series
We welcome Jamis Bicycles
as the 2006 title sponsor of NEMBA's New Hampshire trail care
series. The Northvale, New Jersey company will be donating it's
flagship cross-country dual suspension bicycle, the Dakar XC
Pro, to a lucky NEMBA volunteer who participates in any of the
series events.
"We now have four very active NEMBA chapters in New Hampshire,"
says executive director, Philip Keyes, "and with Jamis'
support, we hope to increase mountain bikers dedication to building
new trails and improving trail opportunities in the Granite
State." Every NEMBA member who volunteers at any of the
Jamis Bicycles-sponsored events will be entered into the drawing
to win the Dakar XC Pro at the end of the season.
Jamis' Dakar XC Pro features a Kinesium alloy frame with carbon
seatstays, Shimano XTR components and disk brakes, and a 100mm
Fox FX front shock. In short, it's a lean, mean, riding machine
that's equally comfortable for trail riding as it is for racing.
Jamis Bicycles is a family-owned bicycle manufacturer whose
president, Carine Joannou, is one of the smartest and most energetic
woman in the bicycle industry. NEMBA thanks them for their support.
Check out Jamis at www.jamisbikes.com
NEMBA / IMBA
Trail Building School
Have you wondered what makes for an excellent trail? Why it's
so fun to ride and why it stays in such good condition? Perhaps
you've been to some of NEMBA's trail care events, and you'd
like to hone your skills to take on larger, more complicated
projects. Come take part in a one-day trail design and maintenance
clinic. You have two to choose from!
The one-day clinics will take place on May 20 and 21st. On Saturday,
the school will be held at Harold Parker State Forest in North
Andover, MA, and on Sunday, the school will be held on NEMBA’s
property, Vietnam, in Milford, MA.
The clinic is a must for any volunteer interested in learning
the science of trail design, trail construction and maintenance.
Instruction will be led by NEMBA trail experts as well as the
IMBA/Suburu Trail Care Crew.
Space is limited and early pre-registration highly recommended.
Registration materials will be available soon at www.nemba.org.
Merlin / NEMBA
Trail Care Round-up 
By all accounts, the
2005 Merlin / NEMBA Trail Care Series was a remarkable success.
With the forty-two trail care events and about 450 participants
(we're still databasing the volunteers), mountain bikers put
in over 2250 hours of labor back into the trails, the equivalent
of roughly $22,500 of donated labor to 19 different parks and
open spaces.
We are grateful to Merlin's sponsorship of the series, and in
mid-February SE MA NEMBA will be hosting a party/ride for all
the volunteers and we'll be drawing the winning ticket for the
lucky person who will receive a Merlin frame.
Merlin has graciously renewed its commitment to the series for
2006, and will be donating one of their new frames, the Merlin
MR 3/2.5, a gorgeous titanium frame with oversized tubing and
disk-specific dropouts.
Congratulations to NEMBA-supporting Top 100 Bicycle
Dealers
February 3, 2006:
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News announced the Top 100 Bicycle
Dealers in the country at the Bicycle Leadership Conference
in Tempe, AZ. Garnering top honors with a special award
for Advocacy was Landry's Bicycles.
In 2005, Landry's made a concerted effort to boost cycling advocacy
by selling NEMBA and MassBike memberships in their four stores,
a program that will continue in 2006. Belmont
Wheelworks won top honors at the Best Pro Shop in the nation.
Among the NEMBA supporters in the Top 100 are Cycle
Loft (Burlington MA), Goodale's
Bike Shop (Nashua NH), and Pedal
Power (Middleton CT).
Kudos to all the shops,
and thank you for supporting NEMBA.
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