2011 was another busy and exciting year for the Walden Mountain Bike Club. Our membership numbers remained similar to the previous couple of years. The club executive welcomed Roger Girard (Vice President), Shannon Katary (board member), Rusty Hopper (board member/club liaison), Erik Labrosse (board member), Marc Larochelle (member at large) and Joe Hurban (member at large) to the executive team.

• WMBC was awarded an $8,600.00 Trillium grant which helped us to enhance our trail making and maintenance abilities.

• Four new trails were added to the trail system The trails received positive feedback from the riders at large.

• The IMBA Youth Group was introduced this year as a test for a youth program for younger riders ages 8-12 yrs.

• The WMBC “Wolfpak Racing” Team had a brilliant sophomore racing season that saw team members participate in more than a dozen racing events over the summer. WMBC had at least one team member on the podium at every Ontario Cup event this year.

• WMBC hosted the Sudbury Fitness Challenge Mountain Bike Tour event again on August 21, 2011 in Naughton. Nearly 90 racers put on a great show for the spectators—a great time was had by all.

• Lopes Mechanical generously constructed a trail map sign that was erected in the stadium area at the Naughton trails. King Sports also donated a professionally done detailed trail map of our venue. This was a major step forward for WMBC---Thank you so much for your support.

• WMBC and WCCFC negotiated a trail sharing agreement in October 2011 and both clubs are negotiating a land lease agreement for the Naughton trail area with the City of Greater Sudbury.

A Look Ahead!!!!!

2012 is shaping up to be a historic and epic year for the Walden Mountain Bike Club and the City of Greater Sudbury!

• The membership fees and club insurance will be restructured this year to make the fees more affordable and to make the group ride rules more flexible. “Guests” and those interested in checking out the club rides will be allowed to participate in the group rides.

• The group ride schedule will been re-vamped for 2012. WE ARE HOPING TO ENLIST SOME MEMBERS TO HELP ORGANIZE AND LEAD THE GROUP RIDES AROUND THE CITY. A calendar for the rides will be set up in the spring.

• Our annual AGM will be held on March 29, 2012 @ 7:00 PM (place TBA). The executive is hoping to get feedback from the cycling community in terms of future plans, activates and general direction of the club. We all have an interest in making our club the best that it can be and to raise the profile of Mountain Biking in our city—so please share your ideas.

• WMBC will host a Membership Day on June 9th 2012 at the Naughton Trails. Those interested in checking out WMBC are invited to drop by. There will be music, prizes and a fund raising BBQ. There will also be a guided group ride—weather/trail conditions permitting. We will also accept registration forms from new members.

• WMBC will once again offer the IMBA Youth Group sessions in 2012. This is a MTB skills group for younger riders aged 8-12. The dates and fees will be on our www.waldenmbc.ca website.

• The Walden Mountain Bike Club now has a Facebook Page—so check us out and join the site as a friend. It’s a great way to meet and touch base with other riders!!! We are very excited about this!!!!

• CALLING ALL RACERS AND VOLUNTEERS!!!!!! WMBC, the City of Greater Sudbury will partner with Chico Racing and Pulse Racing to bring the Ontario Cup and Canada Cup Series MTB events to Sudbury!!! The Ontario Cup event will be held at the Naughton Ski/Bike Trails on July 8, 2012. This will bring the top riders from all over Canada to our city. The Ontario Cup will serve as a tune up for the National Championships which will run the following weekend in Quebec. The Canada Cup events will run in 2013 and 2014—dates to be announced. This is a major step forward for cycling in Sudbury and for WMBC. WE ARE STOKED!!!!! We will need many volunteers to put on this event-so stay tuned for updates in the spring. For more information and online registration go to: www.chicoracing.com

• The Wolfpak Racing Team is already training hard for the 2012 racing season. Anyone interested in racing is welcome to join us! Contact Rob St. Marseille (705) 690-3977.

• The Sudbury Fitness Challenge Mountain Bike Tour will go on July 29, 2012 at the Naughton Trails—we hope to have another great SFC event this year!

• WMBC will be adding 2 trails to the Naughton system this year—The WMBC TRAIL CREW CAN ALWAYS USE SOME HELP—STUDENTS WILL GET VOLUNTEER HOURS!!! The club will also work with the Walden Cross Country Fitness club in planting several thousand new trees on the venue—again we can use your help.

A Final Thought

The Walden Mountain Bike Club and the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club work together to provide the residents of our city with a fun and high quality venue for the community to enjoy the outdoors all year round. Both clubs also work very hard to provide racing and recreational programs to raise the profile of sport and fitness in Sudbury. Thousands of volunteer hours are spent making every effort to ensure that the ski and bike trails are kept as safe as possible and in good condition for your enjoyment. The costs associated with this are absorbed by both clubs. The continued support of both clubs by the cycling and skiing community is greatly appreciated and will ensure the great work continues. We hope to see you on the trails.