Spring 2025 Newsletter
- kootenayfreewheele
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Welcome to the Kootenay Freewheelers newsletter! We are publishing a quarterly newsletter to update you on what we have been up to, and what is coming up to mark on your calendars.
What have we been up to?
Monday Night Fat Bike Rides
Group fat bike rides are now done for the season. Thanks everyone for joining and we hope to see you again next winter!
Jersey Orders
The jerseys have now been ordered, and will be arriving in Kimberley in mid-May. Keep an eye on our social media for information about pick up times.
If you would still like to purchase a jersey, we did order some extra ones in select sizes and colours! They will be available to purchase on our website in May.
Ride Leader Orientation
The Board has done a lot of work over the winter to better prepare our group ride leaders. By formalizing the guidelines and safety plans, providing orientation sessions (on-trail and mechanical), and supplying tools and first aid kits, we are aiming to increase the comfort and confidence of our valued ride leaders. Thank you to the 21 people who have completed or will complete the orientation and we look forward to having you lead our rides this year!
Upcoming Events
Pre-season Bonus Ride
April 23, 6:30pm @ Bootleg Gap Golf Course
We can't wait until May to get on our bikes! For those keen to get a head start on the season, we'll meet at the Bootleg Gap Golf Course parking lot at 6:30 for a ride to the Wycliffe Butte. Après at the Bootleg Grill.
Wednesday Night Ride Season Opener Social
April 30, 6:30pm @ Kimberley Nordic Club Lodge
This is a social evening to get to know the ride leaders and the other people you will be riding with for the season. There will be a short talk by our main ride leaders on what to expect for the season and for you to ask any questions you might have. The club will be supplying the BBQ and there will be drinks available for purchase. Please register on our website by April 16th so we know how many to expect.
Community Bike Swap
Centennial Hall
May 2nd: Gear drop off 4-7pm
May 3rd: Bike Swap 9-11am & Gear/Cheque pick-up 11:30am-12:30pm
We will be accepting bikes, bike clothing, bike racks, packs, and some bike parts. We will be going back to issuing cheques for gear sold instead of e-transfers and we could use some more volunteers! Check our website for all the details.
Family Trail Work Day
May 4th, 10:00am, Kimberley Nordic Club
Get the season off to a good start by cleaning up the trails! Useful tools to bring include wire/leaf rakes, garden buckets, work gloves, clippers, and water. The club will provide some lunch.
Monday Ladies Ride Season Opener Social
May 12, 6:30pm @ Biscuit
This is a social evening to get to know the ride leaders and the other ladies you will be riding with for the season. There will be a short talk by our main ride leader Rose on what to expect for the season and for you to ask any questions you might have. The club will provide some appetizers and there will be drinks available for purchase. Please RSVP to rosebeaky@gmail.com by May 8th.
Round the Mountain Festival
June 21, Kimberley Nordic Club
Along with the Kimberley Trails Society and the Kootenay Orienteering Club, the Kootenay Freewheelers host this annual event where participants choose from five race challenges. Everyone is welcome to join the festival which includes kids' activities, music, food vendors, and a beer garden. Registration is open on the RTM website. This event is also one of the major fundraisers for the Freewheelers, and we encourage our members to volunteer. The Freewheelers are looking for a team lead and volunteers for the recycling positions. For more information please contact Renny: armsrn956@gmail.com or 250-908-6651.
Summer Riding
Adult Rides
We plan to commence our regular Wednesday night rides on May 7th at 6:30pm, meeting in the Kimberley Platzl. The Monday women's rides will begin on May 19th, also at 6:30pm. The Monday rides start from various trailheads around Kimberley; check our Facebook page on Sundays for the location.
To attend these rides you need to purchase a 2025 Freewheelers membership ($25), or if you are just visiting town, are new to the rides and just checking them out, you can purchase a $5 drop in. You are required to have one of these options to attend a ride with us.
Youth Programs
The popular youth programs will be running in May-June, Tuesday evenings mostly at Kimberley Nordic Centre and Thursdays at Bootleg Mountain. Registration for these programs took place in March.
New this year: Membership Cards
New this season, we have partnered with Kimberley Nordic Club and have purchased a card printer. Everyone who is a Freewheelers member will be getting a membership card. These cards are to be worn in a visible location when attending a ride or event that requires a membership. The plan will be to reuse the cards each year, and give out new stickers each year for returning members.
KTS Trail Passes
Trail passes play a crucial role in funding the maintenance and improvement of our trails, covering essential costs like grooming, signage, repairs, and new trail development. By purchasing a pass, you’re helping to ensure these trails remain safe, well-maintained, and accessible for everyone.
How to get involved
The Kootenay Freewheelers is a volunteer-based organization and we are always looking for more help. If you are interested in joining the board in some capacity, becoming a ride leader, helping out with events, assisting with grant writing and more, then we have a spot for you!
Reach out on social media, through our website or email us at kootenayfreewheelers@gmail.com
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