The Avalon Mountain Bike Association hosted its second annual Community Builder Night on January 28, 2024. This event was to gather those who support the Avalon Peninsula’s trail networks through volunteer efforts, trail usage or who are interested in becoming more involved.
AMBA presented a recap summary of 2023 activities and some exciting updates for 2024. Additionally, AMBA also showed a free viewing of “The Engine Inside.” This feature-length documentary from Anthill Films, presented by Shimano, Pon.Bike and PeopleForBikes uncovers the overlooked potential of the bicycle, our noblest invention, in all its forms.
2023 Events recap
The following events were highlighted for 2023:
Continued to coordinate weekly volunteer trail building sessions in White Hills Trail Network
AMBA + Landwash Boulders Cove beer launch at The Wharf & group ride
International Women’s Mountain Bike Day group ride – 23 participants (ages 8+) - held in Pippy Park
Women’s group rides – 12 participants (ages 25+) – White Hills & Pippy Park
GRIT709 Mountain Bike Skills Course – 24 (ages 12+) – held in Pippy Park
2025 Canada Games in Pippy Park
AMBA shared how we are the course development lead for the 2025 Canada Games mountain biking events in Pippy Park, collaborating with various stakeholders, designing approved routes, evaluating costs, and considering a skills park for post-Games legacy.
Skills Park
AMBA is working with the Pippy Park Commission as a possible location of a specially designed mountain biking facility that offers riders of all ages a controlled environment for skill development. This skills park would potentially integrate with Canada Games infrastructure, with a funding model in development.
Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
AMBA's proposal for a mountain bike trail center in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, initiated in 2014 and further developed in 2023. It includes a 3-phase trail network concept, with Phase 1 approved for evaluation in 2023. Led by experienced trail builder Chris Jerrett, we're hopeful for construction in 2025 pending approvals and funding.
White Hills Trail Network Update
AMBA's ongoing efforts for the White Hills Trail Network include engagement with Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC), addressing maintenance concerns, and pursuing formalized access through discussions with Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. We have plans submitted to complete the Boulders Cove exit pending final approval and are scheduled to commence in Spring 2024 after our Subnet refurbishment.
2023-2025 Strategic Plan
Highlights from AMBAs 2023-2025 Strategic Plan were presented. The 7 pillars of the plan are to:
Increase Regional Growth through Collaboration
Foster Inclusion & Skills Development
Be Recognized as Trail Building Stewards
Engage the Community to Grow Mountain Biking
Develop Formalized Mountain Bike Infrastructure
Increase Financial Resiliency and Sustainability
Support Tourism Readiness
Full plan available at www.ambanl.ca/about/strategicplan
What’s in store for 2024?
For 2024, AMBA will continue to work on, and also introduce some new initiatives, including:
Annual General Meeting
Events
More group rides
Fiv’r Series
Skills Development
MTB x Nutrition
Other sustainable trail development efforts on the Avalon
Thank you to the community for showing up!
AMBA also want to acknowledge support for the event and to those who donated:
Thank you for your continued support.
Feedback
We are always open to the suggestions from our local mountain biking community. If you have ideas or thoughts around how to help grow our community or are interested in helping us achieve the initiatives laid out here, please contact us at info@ambanl.ca.