October 2021 Newsletter
Greetings NEWTS,
It’s been a long road, but things are finally shaping up with our brand new trail system, on city property, next to Big Creek Reservoir east of Big Creek Park.
Trail Construction Update
During the month of May, NEWTS volunteers built nearly one mile of new trail to kick things off. We constructed the first climbing trail, starting from Big Creek Road, that takes you to:
Learning Curves - A beginner-friendly, bike-only, descent-only flow trail designed to familiarize riders new to these types of trails. Learning Curves includes gentle rollers and berms - nothing technical, nothing tricky! Trail rating = Green.
The NEWTS have been quite fortunate to receive some generous funding in 2021. First we received $10K from the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) to begin construction. Then we were awarded an $80K Competitive & Recovery Grant from Travel Oregon to jump-start trail construction. We contracted with Port Orford’s Ptarmigan Ptrails (responsible for Whiskey Run) to build two additional trails in July and August.
Level Up is our new multi-use climbing trail, which can be ridden in either direction. It winds through the reservoir watershed’s beautiful forest at an easy grade and makes climbing to the top of the trails fun. It’s also a pretty fun descent for newer riders. Trail rating = Green.
Dude-Sweet is a bike-only, descent-only flow trail for more advanced riders. It rides very fast and open, featuring larger rollers, amazing berms, mandatory drops and a variety of jumps. Trail rating = Blue.
We want to remind everyone that in accordance with our indemnity requirements and land-use agreement with the City of Newport, these trails are not yet open to the public. The exceptions to this closure are paid NEWTS members, who are covered by our insurance policy and are allowed to ride the trails for testing purposes. The new trails are on track to be opened to the public by November.
Fundraising Event
To help raise funds for our operating costs (for which we can’t use the grant dollars) we’re having a NEWTS Members Reveal Party and Fundraiser at Big Creek Park on Saturday, October 16th, 1-4pm
We’ll be leading guided rides for paid NEWTS members on the new trails, including a kids shuttle bus so they don’t have to ride on Big Creek road.
If you’re not a member you can purchase a membership on our website, or in person the day of the event. Cash, checks and cards will be accepted at the member booth.
We will have beverages and snacks (donations appreciated) and NEWTS t-shirts for sale. Please encourage others who may be interested in attending to get their memberships and come check out what we’ve been up to!
While this is an outside event please wear a face covering while in Big Creek Park and parking lot.
2022 Memberships
We are accepting new memberships for 2022. Get your membership between now and the end of the year and it will cover you for the rest of this year and all of 2022. Your memberships help us with our annual expenses (insurance, website, etc.) and makes it possible for us to keep building more trails in the Newport area.
Trail Work Days
The rains are back and the ground is wet again. Weekend trail work days will be starting up again. Please keep your eye on the NEWTS Facebook group and our website newportnewts.org for details and join us in creating more trail magic in the woods!
We appreciate all of the support we’ve received from our members and volunteers to get us this far along in the project.
Special thanks go out to:
Rogue Brewing - Newport, OR
Elliott and Daniela Crowder & Bike Newport
Ken and Stephanie Brown, Newport
Matt and Jenny Newell, Toledo
Cheers,
Wil Black
President, Newport Trail Stewards