Blog
16 | Dec | '14
EMBA Webmaster
Thanks to your support Evergreen has accomplished more this year than ever before. We’ve built new trails, launched a new website and Trail Guide, and expanded our education program--and we have even bigger plans for 2015.
We want to show you to what, where, and how far your contribution goes with the 2014 Annual Report (which all members receive in the mail).
Because right now it’s more important than ever to donate to the 2014 Trail Campaign. With your help we need to raise $79,500 before December 31st to make the plans of 2015 a reality. Please Donate Today.
Download the Report
Donate to Evergreen
12 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
If you're a fan of big, fat, glossy, photographic gorgeousness, then be sure to take advantage of the latest deal for Evergreen members from our parter Freehub Magazine!
Bellingham-based Freehub Magazine covers local, national and international riding, in a beautiful, vivid style that should make any local swell with pride. And they've donated time, money and ad space to help support our events and get the word out about what we do.
The fine folks at Freehub have put together a special offer, so check it out:
"Give and you shall receive" is our mantra this month at Freehub Magazine and we are taking it literally, like literally literally.
This month when you purchase a one-year subscription, you can send a second gift subscription FREE!
So buy one for yourself and send one to a friend. Or buy one for a friend and send the second one to a different friend. Or buy two for yourself so you have a spare copy lying around for that friend that always steals yours off your coffee table.
Take advantage of this special holiday offer today (click here) and give the gift of a year-round, coffee-table quality publication.
And in appreciation of their dedication and hard work, we are still offering all Evergreen members 40% OFF their own ONE-YEAR subscription.
Regularly $34.95 USA | NOW Just $21.95
Click here to get your Evergreen Member subscription at 40% OFF!
10 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
I can't see my friends--but I hear them whooping. "Go for it dude, go!" comes from behind. Before the next turn I steal a look at the sage-covered hillsides below the distant snow-capped mountains. It's a postcard.
The trail winds in front and I chase it down, feeling where it's going before I see it. And when we stop--in a flurry of laughs and high fives--my cheeks are cramping from the smile on my face.
Years ago a friend coaxed me into mountain biking by saying it "takes all the things you love about hiking and skiing and combines them in a way that'll change your life".
He was right. Rides became my exercise, my mental challenge, and my meditation. As a mountain biker, you get this. Each trail offers something that commands your attention while freeing your mind.
But this year I came to work at Evergreen--and something shifted. I noticed it on a ride at Tiger with my buddies; rather than just seeing the features of a trail, I saw the effort and work that went into it.
I'd come to understand that a great trail is a team effort--from the partnerships that Evergreen has created with users and land managers, to the years of work put in by trails crews and volunteers, to people like you who value and support the work we do.
We have much to do in 2015--and we need your financial help by Dec 31. Our Trails Campaign must raise $79,500 to accomplish all we have planned for the coming year.
Please donate today so that we can continue the work that we've started together. Because while we are fortunate to have some of the best trails in the nation, with your support the best is yet to come!
ride hard. be safe. have fun!
Bryan RivardCommunication & Community Manager
P.S. Some of our grants require cash matching so we could lose them without your donation.P.P.S. Does your company match donations to nonprofits? If so, please report your match to your employer or contact our office so that we may further leverage your generous support.
09 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
We had a great showing last Sunday with 26 volunteers and trail builders continuing the push to complete the first technical descending trail on Tiger Mountain. With cool weather and clear skies, volunteers broke into smaller work groups and tackled numerous sections of trail—mostly completing finish work before the builders move on to the next section.
“The effort that volunteers have been putting in has been just amazing,” says Trail Crew Lead Bryan Connolly “this alone would have taken us more than a week to do--they got it done in four hours.”
02 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
If every time you bought something you got an inch of trail along with it, you might not think it was that much. But if every time everyone bought something we all got an inch of trail we’d have something to ride! Evergreen has a partnership with both Fred Meyer Community Rewards and Amazon Smile—and that’s essentially what these programs do. Every time you make a purchase with your Community Rewards card at Fred Meyer or through Amazon Smile—you earn us all a little bit of trail.
So if you happen to be a Fred Meyer or Amazon shopper, please take a minute to sign up for these programs—with all of your help we could turn those little bits of trail into your next favorite ride.
Learn how to benefit Evergreen and Washington MTB Trails with these programs by clicking on one (or both!) below:
Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program
Amazon Smile Program
02 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
Just because it's cold and dark that doesn’t mean we aren’t thinking about trails! In the next two weeks there will be two important meetings regarding recreational use and your input (and presence) is important to ensure that mountain bikers needs are heard and addressed.
Teanaway
On December 4th the Teanaway Citizen Advisory Committee and the Department of Natural Resources invite your input on the management plan they are developing for the 50,000 acres of newly acquired land up the Teanaway Valley. So far the Committee has heard from a narrow group of interests but they need to hear more from the mountain biking community.
01 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
Your MTB Work Wanted for 3rd Annual Winter Stoke Photo & Video Contest!
Evergreen's Winter Stoke Party is back for a third year on Saturday, February 7th - again at Gerks Ski and Sport in Issaquah! And once again we're holding the mountain bike video and photo contest as part of the festivities.!
And what's better than winning the admiration of your fellow riders? Winning admiration AND great prizes!
Prizes to be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place in both photo & video categories including: Sooped-up Duthie Hydration packs from Platypus, a par of Platypus Tokul Hydration packs, laptop bags for the wet PNW, tech layers, and much more!
01 | Dec | '14
Bryan Rivard
Evergreen is excited to work with the Washington Department of Natural Resources to help extend the riding season on Tiger Mountain this year. Unlike the set closure date of past seasons, this season trails have remained open pending weather conditions—great news for anyone who’s enjoyed the last week’s cold snap.
But that also means riders need to take special care because the extended season offers more potential to impact trails. “Tiger Mountain is extremely wet and large sections of the trails have a higher clay content than other trails in our area,” says Evergreen Project Manager Mike Westra “and that can lead to more moisture wicking back up to the surface.”
During freeze-and-thaw periods that can mean moisture affecting the trail from above and below, and has the potential of turning your favorite Tiger ride into a wheel-trapping mud pit. And the worst kind of mud pit is the one that crews and volunteers have to spend valuable time fixing.
“We just ask that people ride cautiously and use good judgment,” explains Westra “some of the new trails on Tiger just happen to be more susceptible to impacts right now.” So if you’re in doubt about Tiger, give those trails a break— instead consider Tokul, Grand Ridge, or any number of winter rides here waiting for you.
30 | Nov | '14
Bryan Rivard
If you're an Amazon Shopper it’s as easy as typing in a URL and you’ll earn a percentage of your purchase Evergreen can put straight into Washington Mountain biking! And it costs you nothing!
Just go to http://smile.amazon.com/ and type in "Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance" to select us as your charity. And spread the word to your friends and family!
Then anytime you (or they) get ready to shop, sign in at http://smile.amazon.com/ (Or use these handy browser add ons to remind you! http://amzn.to/1yqq9sn)
You'll get the exact same price and selection, but Amazon will match a percentage of your purchases as a donation to us. Keep us in mind if you start your holiday shopping early and please spread the word--more participation means more trails!
Thank you for your support and we’ll see you on the trail!