New Insurance
Okay, yeah, this is one of the less than fun aspects of playing in the dirt and building bike trails, but its a hugely important one that we just couldn’t live without. Insurance protects ourselves and our assets, and its a very important tool that we use to show land managers that we are a responsible organization. Recently the insurance carrier that was covering all IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) chapters (such as CAMBr and pretty much every trailbuilding orginization in the country and beyond) decided that they were no longer interested in covering organizations like ours. Obviously this caused a bit of a stir and a whole lot of panic that we would be left without coverage for our trail building activities; but the IMBA came through for us and not only found us coverage, and did it in time so we never had a coverage gap, but they found a carrier that custom built an insurance coverage package around our needs that fully encompasses not just hand built singletrack, but technical trail features, freeride stunts, dirt jumps and the use of the advanced tools that we use to implement these trail features such as power tools (brush cutters, chainsaw etc.) and machinery (skid steers, bobcats, Cat 973D’s, etc.).
So despite the fact that there was a little bit of drama going on behind the scenes, all of us trailbuilders will be much better served in the long run by a more flexible policy that can better meet the needs of CAMBr and the rest of the IMBA related clubs. Okay… well of course there is a catch… like I said, the policy is flexible; if your club is larger (like ours), uses power tools and machinery (like ours) and builds advanced features like freeride stunts and dirtjumps (like ours), the price is going to go up. A lot. Like 3 times more.
So here’s the sales pitch. If you like riding bikes on dirt, almost every patch of legitimate off-road bike terrain in the greater Chicago area is made ridable by CAMBr volunteers and this insurance policy. So if you like riding bikes on dirt, whether its a 20” BMX at the Plainfield Bike Park or the Garden, or a 29er at the Palos Forest Preserve, or a regular 26” mountain bike at the Saw Wee Kee Park in Oswego, or any bike at a number of other areas we are your organization and we would be thrilled if you’d join us. Your membership dues help pay for this insurance policy and help put tools in the hands of the CAMBr members that love to build trails.
Yes that was long winded, but thank you for reading and please check out the support page or visit cambr.org for more information on what we do and how to join. Its also worth pointing out that we have a ridiculously good time doing this and that you will too!
The Garden makes Time Out Chicago!
Our first real bit of press, and guess what, its not even this weeks best bit of news… but we’ll hold off on that for now while we sort out the details and let the anticipation build. In the meantime, if you can find the time despite the sun setting a little on the early side for my taste, get out and ride!!
http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/museums-culture/79769/chicagos-only-dirt-jump-park
The Garden on Facebook
Garden riders now have TWO ways of staying connected on Facebook, the Page and the Group. Originally we were only rockin the Group, but then we found out that Pages offer some cooler features like related event invitations, fan photos, and Twitter integration. Check it out and become a fan.
Read more about the difference between Pages and Groups.
Lane Tech Cross Country Track Meet
Please note that Lane Tech will be holding their annual cross country track meets on September 16 and October 8. Runners will be coming through the woods from 4pm to 7pm and the area will be closed to cyclists at that time. We may work as long as we do not interfere and Lane Tech will not disturb any of the jumps.
Plainfield Bike Park Dirt Jam, Oct 4, 2009
It’s time once again to get some air under your tires at the 2nd Annual Dirt Jam at the Plainfield Bike Park. The Plainfield Dirt Jam is a fund-raiser event where riders session the park for prizes and swag giveaways.
Join CAMBr West for a day of riding at the park and see if you can take home the prize for fastest lap in the Pump Track. There will also be prizes including complete bikes for those who bring in the most donations for this years event.
Get a free event T-shirt with online registration.
Online registration is $25 for CAMBr members,and $30 for non-members. Online registration closes September 27th, 2009. Waivers and helmets are required for event participation.
All proceeds from the Plainfield Dirt Jam will go towards insurance, tools, and materials required for CAMBr West to construct and maintain the Plainfield Bike Park.
