The BHMBA received its first grants this year, one for $1000 (Kona/IMBA Freeride Grant) and another for $25,883 (RTP Funding). There are clubs in the SE US that have collected over $725,000 over the last five years and many others that have received $100,000's in grant money. The changes in these particular cycling communities are unbelievable. New riding opportunities for XC, DH, Freeride, and just about every other cycling discipline. Most importantly, all the bicyclists are working together to create new opportunities. Upon completion of trails or bike parks, motels, restaurants and bike retailers prosper and local support for cycling snowballs (here are three prime examples www.omba.org and www.bmcc.us and www.worca.com).

The BHMBA received $25,885 grant from the RTP funding (Recreational Trails Program) to develop 5-6 miles of diversified, non-motorized trails in the Buzzard's Roost area west of Rapid City. With assistance from Jeremy Rogers (National Forest Service), and Tim, we spent roughly 100+ hours preparing a detailed application for funding to develop "text book" singletrack in the Prairie Project area. The application was literally completed at the last minute, and we almost had to drive to Pierre to submit the application.

The Buzzard's Roost area is about 6 miles west of RC, and is part of the Prairie Project. This will be the first loop, in a stacked loop system in this 10,000+-acre treasure. There will most likely be 8-10 miles of trail completed in this area (Buzzard's Roost). The trail will be designed for intermediate riders, and will be 24-36 inches wide. Integrated grade reversals will create great "flow", drainage, sustainability, and perhaps a little "air", as one's comfort level increases. As logging in the area progresses, impact and NEPA studies completed, more trails will be added. Trailside TTF"s (technical trail features) will be included in the future development to create a great rider experience for all ages and
abilities whether you are five or 95, XC or Freeride.

Currently, I still need to sign and MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the NFS, as well as complete some paperwork with the GF&P before funding is available and real construction can begin. With RTP funding, matching funds are required, which I mainly included as labor (no BHMBA funding will be used), and tools that are available via the NFS.
We could not ask for a better relationship with the BHNF Mystic District, this is a partnership that will serve as a model across the US.

Funding is available for trail development, such as pin flags and signs. I also submitted the grant to purchase a Bobcat MT 52 mini track loader ($20,000), trailer, attachments, diesel fuel, insurance, tie downs, fire extinguisher, grease gun, etc. Training for the Bobcat MT 52 in the amount of $2000 was also included in the grant via IMBA Trail Solutions, which will result in a professional trailbuilder coming to the BH to train us on our machine on our terrain.

IMPORTANT: I submitted the grant for the PURCHASE of the Bobcat, however, the folks involved in the grant selection, did not approve the purchase of the Bobcat, but they did approve the BHMBA to RENT or LEASE the equipment. I have researched the lease/rent option with the equipment dealer and have come up with another option. We have a member who is willing purchase the Bobcat MT and lease it to the BHMBA. The machine will be used exclusively by the BHMBA, and will not result in any profit to the owner, as well as no interest costs. Once the payments to the owner come to the full purchase price, the machine can be bought by the BHMBA for a minimal fee. No personal use, no interest charged, and sold to the BHMBA for no profit. A legal document/contract would be prepared. We will have a meeting to get other suggestions and vote on this topic.

The BHMBA received $1000 via the Kona/Freeride grant (see www.imba.com to read more about the grant) for costs involved in the dirt jump area in Rapid City. Tim and I applied for the grant in November 2005, and the grant was awarded in late July 2006. Only 7 grants were awarded nationwide. Kona and IMBA raise over $7000 every year at Interbike
by hosting a bowling (that's right-bowling) tournament in Las Vegas to raise money for freeride type projects. We will most likely attempt such a fundraiser this late fall or winter to raise funds for local cycling projects.

Thank you so much for the help this spring in cleaning up the proposed DJ area. We are still working with Wysse and Associates regarding planning, drainage, emergency vehicle access, etc. Tim, Jeremy Rogers, and myself had the opportunity to check out several DJ areas during the IMBA summit, as well as talk to professional park builders from the US and Canada. We realize the existing plans need to be "tweaked" to make the jumps more sustainable, create an area that provides a positive user experience for all ages and abilities, and provide safe progression as cyclist's skills increase. We have found a person locally who knows jumps and how to build them. We also know that building great jumps is truly an art, and talked with several pro level jumpers who admit that although they are pro jumpers, they are not capable of building great jumps. If need be, I will be writing for another grant to bring in a professional builder/dirt jumper. We will keep everyone in the loop. If you want to help in any way (time, labor, signs, equipment, etc.), give Tim or myself a shout.