Summary - Spring Member Meeting
We would like to thank all of our wonderful members who attended the annual Spring Meeting at M Crow on May 14th! A fun time was had by all. If you missed it, here’s a summary below…
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
We discussed everything that we were up to in 2024. Check out our 2024 Annual Report if you missed it!
EVENTS COMING UP
Hurricane Creek Half Marathon
Every year for the past 4 years WMBC has volunteered to help with the Hurricane Creek 1/2 marathon with a support booth. We help the runners by handing out cups of water and snacks as they run by. It's a fantastic way for someone to get involved in the community. Rowan will be arriving at the booth at 8:00am. If anyone would like to come help please show up this Saturday, May 24th at that time so we get there before the runners. The last runner should be past us by 10:30ish. I will have fun hats to wear and if you have a bell, bring it. Last year it drizzled so dress appropriately.
Location: Drive up Hurricane Creek and there's a turnoff about 1/2 mile before the campgrounds. Park there. There should be a table with water and cups waiting for us. Thank you, we appreciate the help of our great members!
Friends of WMBC Gravel Rides
Friday, May 30th kick off at Terminal Gravity - 6pm for dinner and Napster Disaster plays from 7-9pm
Saturday, May 31st - Cycling at 8:30am - meet at Joseph City Parking Lot. Main ride Springs/Summit/Canal route (click the link to view on Ride with GPS) - great views and good challenging ride but plenty of time to rest, read, and relax in the afternoon too.
Mikes Commentary About the Ride —
Mike’s Commentary About the Ride —
"Views, views, views...West (Wallowas) and views East (Seven Devils). This 40ish mile ride, starting from Joseph City parking lot, takes us East along the road to Imnaha. We'll stay on pavement for about 8 miles. At the parking lot, we can discuss a slightly longer gravel option. For Mico and other riders wanting a bigger day, they'll start in Enterprise and stay on gravel for a good portion of the first 10 miles. There are also a number of mileage add ons once on top of the Summit Divide Rd. We'll ride up over Sheep Hill and down to the 39 road leading to Halfway and jump off for a dirt road climb to the top of Summit Divide road. The wildflowers on May 8th were terrific. Likely new flower species will greet us. Once on top, the climb is gentle, rolling until we hit the approximate half way point of Salt Creek Summit at 6,100 feet. Riders then have a choice. Drop down the paved 39 Rd for 10 miles back to the junction with the Imnaha Hwy, or take the native dirt Canal Rd back toward Joseph. Once we exit the mountains, the ride cruises slightly downhill through stellar gravel. Unless you are hating the dirt, you'll want to do the Canal Rd.
A note on bikes, tires and riding surface. The bulk of this ride is on native dirt, vs 1/4 minus gravel. I rode my gravel bike with 42c tires and loved it, especially running the route clockwise. Definitely more pick your line vs point and ride. The edges are your best friend, but not your only friend:) If you want to bomb the downhills, consider a hardtail if you have one. I have ridden this with my hardtail and enjoy the greater flexibility, but I'll again be riding my gravel bike for our trip. Whatever you ride, you won't regret this one!"
We will have several regroups and bring food and water.Saturday, May 31st Evening - Mike Mercer’s House at 6:00pm for a bonfire. Address: 62425 Matterhorn Road - Joseph Oregon just up the road toward Hurricane Creek on the left side past the grange hall. Bring a beverage, camp chair and shared treat to eat.
Sunday, June 1st - Cycling at 8:00am - meet at Enterprise Court House. Lostine Loop (30ish miles - click the link to view on Ride with GPS)
Gravel Ronde-Vous
Saturday/Sunday, July 5-6 - SAVE THE DATE!
WMBC is hosting the Gravel Ronde-Vous again this year. Last year was a blast - check out our previous Instagram post from last year.
This is a two day gravel ride and campout. Feel free to come for one day or two. Camp out, or drive in each day, whatever floats your boat.
More info will be available as the date comes closer, but please email us or reach out on social media if you have any questions
EXCITING NEWS FOR 2025
Program partnership with Building Healthy Families (BHF)
Through conversations with Ron Pickens at BHF, we have decided to partner, with BHF taking the lead, on Bikes for Kids and local pump track efforts. Working together will increase our effectiveness on achieving program outcomes and will cost less. With Bikes for Kids in particular, we’ll work WITH kids on fixing up bikes and not simply working on bikes FOR kids. Keep your ears open for more details on helping with this program.
WMBC Restructuring
A key component of what we wanted to share with members at the meeting was a restructuring of our club, to put our 501c3 on hold and operate more as an informal entity rather than formal club with bylaws and such. Three key factors drove this consideration.
By partnering with BHF we no longer have to carry insurance for Bikes for Kids and our pump track fundraising and planning efforts can be handled through BHF. We originally organized the club as a 501c3 so we could accept grants and donations to build a pump track.
Of our approximately $3,500/yr budget. $2,300 was devoted to program insurance. We felt it more prudent to allocate funds to “wheels on the ground” stuff.
Programmatically, WMBC will do just as much, or more than we have in the past. We’ll still need volunteer and financial support - just less focus on the latter.
Thank you again to all of our wonderful members, please reach out to us by email at wallowamountainsbicycleclub@gmail.com or on social media if you have any questions at all.
