Vulture's Knob Mountain Bike Trail
Donation protected
Vulture's Knob Mountain Bike Trail is one of the oldest privately owned, public access trails in the cycling community. Beginning in the early 90's, this 126 acre parcel has consistently offered up technical single track challenges that have encouraged cyclists to push their abilities, physically and emotionally. Though considered a "local" trail for many reading this, last year alone saw visiting riders from 20 states and 4 countries. Family focused, the Knob has seen two generations create memories in this special place.
A small, core group of local enthusiasts have managed to keep the trail open during it's life; funding the effort through racing, private rider contributions, and personal donations. In late 2016, the property changed ownership and has presented new opportunities.
Friends of Vulture's Knob is a newly formed board, made up of mountain bike enthusiasts, that will be managing the trail system. A three year agreement has been approved, continuing to lease the land the trail resides on, ensuring public access. The immediate goals are to establish non-profit status, facilitating public grant eligibility, division of responsibilities, to allow for continued trail improvement, and increasing public awareness and communication. Having accepted the responsibility for managing the trail system and it's related expenses, we are now turning to the cycling community for support.
In an effort to be transparent, the Friends of Vulture's Knob want to share with you the costs involved with operating the trail system. All figures are annual costs.
- Property Lease - $3500.00
- Rider Insurance - $3.60 per rider, $7200.00
- Porta Potty - $600.00
- Electric - $350.00
- Maintenance consumables - $1000.00
- Legal fees - $250.00
Annual costs - $12,900
Last year, there was a total of $1995.00 donated by 2182 individuals, averaging just .91cents. We need to do better to keep this resource.
The boys of 331 Racing have generously covered the 2017 lease cost and given the Friends of Vulture's Knob $1k in start up money, but that falls short of the expected costs to maintain access this season.
We are seeking $8000.00 to cover 2017. A successful campaign will allow public access to continue, provide for maintenance and trail improvement, and assist the Friends of Vulture's Knob with the time necessary to attain non-profit status so that more permanent grant funding may be secured. All funds will be withdrawn by Rhodes Walter and passed onto the Friends of Vulture's Knob at the time the entity obtains legal entity status. Our campaign will run until July 1, 2017.
At the time this trail was born, cyclists struggled to find legal places to ride. Mountain bike trails did not legally exist in government owned parks and property, there was no access for cyclists to enjoy time in the woods. Vulture's Knob opened its arms and welcomed this fringe group of cyclists in. Now, this special trail finds it's self struggling to stay open as it is surrounded by tax funded options. What these new trails cannot provide, however, is the rich, unique history that Vulture's Knob owns, the ability to challenge rider ability with funky, fun features, and a venue where family and friends are free to pitch a tent, share a fire, drink a beverage, and create their own epic tales of their riding experiences.
Please consider jumping in and supporting Vulture's Knob during this time of transition, your future grandkids will thank you.
The Friends of Vulture's Knob
Aaron Holmes - President
Ryan Falk - Membership
Mark Miller - Web/Social
Mike, Teresa Ladrach, Joe Campbell - Trail Maintenance
Mark Jones - Race Coordinator
Rody Walter
Vultures Knob Website...Come see us!
A small, core group of local enthusiasts have managed to keep the trail open during it's life; funding the effort through racing, private rider contributions, and personal donations. In late 2016, the property changed ownership and has presented new opportunities.
Friends of Vulture's Knob is a newly formed board, made up of mountain bike enthusiasts, that will be managing the trail system. A three year agreement has been approved, continuing to lease the land the trail resides on, ensuring public access. The immediate goals are to establish non-profit status, facilitating public grant eligibility, division of responsibilities, to allow for continued trail improvement, and increasing public awareness and communication. Having accepted the responsibility for managing the trail system and it's related expenses, we are now turning to the cycling community for support.
In an effort to be transparent, the Friends of Vulture's Knob want to share with you the costs involved with operating the trail system. All figures are annual costs.
- Property Lease - $3500.00
- Rider Insurance - $3.60 per rider, $7200.00
- Porta Potty - $600.00
- Electric - $350.00
- Maintenance consumables - $1000.00
- Legal fees - $250.00
Annual costs - $12,900
Last year, there was a total of $1995.00 donated by 2182 individuals, averaging just .91cents. We need to do better to keep this resource.
The boys of 331 Racing have generously covered the 2017 lease cost and given the Friends of Vulture's Knob $1k in start up money, but that falls short of the expected costs to maintain access this season.
We are seeking $8000.00 to cover 2017. A successful campaign will allow public access to continue, provide for maintenance and trail improvement, and assist the Friends of Vulture's Knob with the time necessary to attain non-profit status so that more permanent grant funding may be secured. All funds will be withdrawn by Rhodes Walter and passed onto the Friends of Vulture's Knob at the time the entity obtains legal entity status. Our campaign will run until July 1, 2017.
At the time this trail was born, cyclists struggled to find legal places to ride. Mountain bike trails did not legally exist in government owned parks and property, there was no access for cyclists to enjoy time in the woods. Vulture's Knob opened its arms and welcomed this fringe group of cyclists in. Now, this special trail finds it's self struggling to stay open as it is surrounded by tax funded options. What these new trails cannot provide, however, is the rich, unique history that Vulture's Knob owns, the ability to challenge rider ability with funky, fun features, and a venue where family and friends are free to pitch a tent, share a fire, drink a beverage, and create their own epic tales of their riding experiences.
Please consider jumping in and supporting Vulture's Knob during this time of transition, your future grandkids will thank you.
The Friends of Vulture's Knob
Aaron Holmes - President
Ryan Falk - Membership
Mark Miller - Web/Social
Mike, Teresa Ladrach, Joe Campbell - Trail Maintenance
Mark Jones - Race Coordinator
Rody Walter
Vultures Knob Website...Come see us!
Organizer
Rhodes Walter
Organizer
Wooster, OH
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