{"id":4715,"date":"2023-09-22T08:18:22","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T13:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/?p=4715"},"modified":"2023-09-22T08:19:53","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T13:19:53","slug":"summer-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/uncategorized\/summer-2023","title":{"rendered":"The Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA) Summer 2023 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Summer is winding down\u2026<\/strong><\/p>

Summer officially ended on 9\/20\/23 and you can see a notable difference in the volume of people in our area after the Labor Day weekend.\u00a0 There are still several weeks of riding as we head into fall and the cooler temps and vibrant leaf colors that are not far away.\u00a0 It was a very busy summer beyond just rides with SABA, read more below about what has been happening and things heading our way in the weeks ahead.\u00a0 Be sure to check out our website https:\/\/www.sabacycling.com and the SABA Group page on Facebook for up-to-date info on rides, meetings, and events. Come join the ride!<\/span><\/p>

Rod Fortney, President\u00a0<\/p>

SABA\u2019s Busy Summer
<\/strong>
CycleNC Mtns Ride 2024, we\u2019re still waiting on an announcement.<\/strong> The feedback from CycleNC is that they like our proposed route, the facilities and willingness of the Town of Murphy to support the event.\u00a0 They have voiced concern that \u201cMurphy is so far away…\u201d We countered with \u201cWe\u2019re two hours from major cycling cities of Atlanta, Asheville, Chattanooga and Knoxville and will make the event known there.\u201d\u00a0 Stay tuned for updates\u2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Advocacy in action\u2026<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

This summer provided opportunity for SABA members to voice opinions on issues impacting cyclists at the local and federal levels.\u00a0<\/p>

Cherokee County Animal Control<\/strong> or lack thereof is something that many of us have faced in the area. Cherokee County Commissioner Jan Griggs proposed a defined animal control ordinance for the Cherokee County that would include creating two animal control officers.\u00a0 Several SABA members attended county commission meetings to express the need and support for such an ordinance. Unfortunately, the proposed ordinance did not receive support from three of the five commissioners to move forward.\u00a0 However, all is not lost as Cherokee County has an existing animal control ordinance that states that the county will enforce the NC General Statute regarding Animal Control.\u00a0 Here is the link to the NC General Statute https:\/\/www.ncleg.gov\/Laws\/GeneralStatuteSections\/Chapter67<\/a>. All the items in the proposed county ordinance exist in the State level law.\u00a0 If you have an animal encounter in Cherokee County, it is suggested that you call the Sheriff\u2019s non-emergency number 828-837-2589 to report the issue.
Note<\/strong>, Clay County NC does have an animal control ordinance in effect as well, you should report issues in Clay County in a similar manner Sheriff non-emergency number is 828-389-6354.<\/p>

USFS User Fees at Jackrabbit Trail System<\/strong> was another opportunity for SAB members to provide input regarding a proposed daily user fee at the Jackrabbit trails.\u00a0 The USFS has proposed that only mountain bikers be charged a daily usage fee of $5 or $30 annually with funds going to support USFS efforts at Jackrabbit.\u00a0 As SABA, CCCRA and the community raised the money to build the trails and SABA continues to maintain the Jackrabbit trails the proposal to only apply the fee to mountain bikers did not seem practical or fair. Several SABA members met with Congressman Chuck Adams to request his support that any day use fees be applied to ALL trail users not just mountain bikers.\u00a0 Congressman Adams wrote a letter to the USFS as did the Clay County Commission.\u00a0 All SABA members were asked to provide input during the USFS Public Input period that ended 8\/22\/2023.\u00a0 The USFS is still compiling the input which will be forwarded up the chain for review and decision. Based on the process it will be at least one year before a decision is made on the usage fee.\u00a0 We\u2019ll update you on this topic as information is received.\u00a0<\/p>

Other happenings\u2026<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

NC Year of The Trail (YoTT) & Youth Helmet Giveaway Event.<\/strong> SABA hosted an event at the Jackrabbit Trail System on 8\/12\/2023 to celebrate NC\u2019s Year of The Trail which is to encourage people to get outside and do something.\u00a0 Many thanks to SABA members that volunteered that day to explain trail etiquette, rules of the road, fit some of our future riders\/members with bike helmets and cook burgers and hot dogs for the those that attended.\u00a0 Additional support was provided by Leave No Trace, Mountain High Hikers, Hayesville Middle & High School Cross-country teams and the great crew from Clay County EMS and Sheriff\u2019s Dept.\u00a0 The parking lot was packed, lots of people of all ages having lots of fun!!!<\/p>

Trail Crews Kept BUSY!!!..<\/strong>With the crazy weather that the area has experienced so far this year the Trail Crews have been busier than I have ever remembered them being. The Jackrabbit trails have taken a beating with too many trees to count blown down. The SABA Sawyers are out there clearing the trails so that everyone can ride, hike or whatever. The crews have been busy at the Piney Knob trails well due to storms.\u00a0 If you enjoy the trails, come lend a hand by helping to pull the branches and trees that the crew cut up. They have all earned a big thank you!!!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

Weekly Group Road Bike Rides are happening\u2026<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

Rides will be determined by weather, if it\u2019s raining an hour before the posted start then there is not a ride.\u00a0\u00a0 All riders are required to wear a helmet<\/strong>. Lights front and rear are recommended. All riders are required to read & sign the SABA Liability Waiver annually <\/strong>(https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/membership-waiver<\/a>)
Scheduled rides are:<\/p>