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WORCA ready for 2009

New insurance, but same emphasis on trails and community

The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) has broken 1,100 members for the past two seasons, and is easily the biggest mountain bike club in the world. Web searches for other clubs making this claim have a quarter as many members, and none of them do as much when it comes to serving the growing mountain bike community in the corridor.

Upcoming events for the club include the first Toonie Ride on April 30, the opening of registration for WORCA's youth Dirt Camps (May 1, though date is subject to change), the annual WORCA Bike Swap (May 2), a beginner bike maintenance clinic (May 12), and the Trail Sweep Day (May 16).

The directors have been hard at work over the winter months planning this season's programming, and as always there are a few changes to report.

This year WORCA opted out of Cycling B.C. for insurance, instead choosing to go with Vancouver-based AllSport Insurance for coverage. While coverage levels remain the same, the club will pay $8 to $10 less per member for insurance, which will help the club rebuild its trail maintenance funding for the season. Last year WORCA spent more than $70,000 on trail maintenance and trail building projects, the most in the club's history by a long margin.

The drawback is that WORCA members won't be able to participate in Cycling B.C. events without purchasing race day insurance.

"We have a lot of high performance athletes doing Cycling B.C. events, but it came down to the fact that we're a club that's focused on the community and most of our riders are out to have fun," said WORCA president Todd Hellinga.

WORCA has kept membership costs frozen for more than four years, despite regular increases in insurance rates. In recent years WORCA would subsidize insurance for youth members and family memberships. This year memberships will continue to be $40 for adults, $25 for youth 17 and under, and $90 for families (with two adults and two youth).

Membership allows riders to participate in 22 Thursday night Toonie races, at least four other weekend events, the Phat Wednesday Downhill Series, Wild Willies Rides and WORCA camps and clinics through the season.

More funding for trails will be welcome with the municipality reducing Community Enrichment Program grants this year. In addition to keeping more money from memberships and money raised at Toonie Races, WORCA is looking at other grant opportunities to pad its trail budget.

As well, trail director Jerome David plans to continue to host volunteer trail days and evenings through the season, which contributed almost 600 hours of volunteer labour last season, worth more than $10,000. The first trail sweep is scheduled for May 16, with groups walking the trails to prune back vegetation, remove downed trees and do some other minor maintenance.

In terms of projects, WORCA's mandate is to continue to upgrade and repair trails.

"There are no major projects this year, but we're looking at just getting a lot of little things done," said Hellinga. "There are some water drainage issues on Upper Danimal, some work that needs to be done on ReBob, but every trail will be improved in some way."

This is also the 20 th anniversary for WORCA, and the association is celebrating with a logo design contest and events throughout the season leading up to a family ride and celebration in August. More information will be posted on the website at www.worca.com.

Important Dates:

First Toonie - Thursday, April 30

The first race is hosted by WORCA and the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. Sign-on is at 5:30 p.m. at Lost Lake Ticket Booth, with the ride getting underway at 6:30 p.m. The après is at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.

Because of the long lines for the first few races members are encouraged to register online in advance to save time and headache. If you're registering in person come early so the ride can start on time.

Registration for Dirt Camps - Friday, May 1

The date may be pushed back, but WORCA is hoping to start registering youth for its Dirt Camps over the summer months. WORCA is trying to serve local families first and will not open up the camps to other youth until at least a month after camps go on sale. There will also be a lower rate for locals, and all riders must be WORCA members.

Bike Swap - Saturday, May 2

This annual event takes place at the Creekside base. You can sell any bike or bike gear for $2 per item through the swap, and WORCA charges a 15 per cent commission on items $999 and under, and 10 per cent on items over $1,000. WORCA volunteers are on hand to answer questions from the public, process credit cards and cash, and work hard to sell your gear. All proceeds go towards WORCA's youth programs. Bike drop-off is from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and the swap runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unsold items must be picked up by 4 p.m. or become the property of WORCA.

New this year, you can also donate your old running shoes at the swap to One World Running, which sends those shoes to developing countries. For more info contact runworld@live.com.

Shirt Design Contest - May 4 Deadline

There's less than a week left for people to submit their one colour designs for WORCA's 20 th anniversary shirt, which will be available over the season. The prize is a WORCA membership, the shirt and $75. Designs should be sent to pr@worca.com.

Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic - May 12

James at The Fix in Function Junction is hosting a basic bike maintenance clinic at his shop at 6:30 p.m. There are a limited number of spots, so e-mail info@worca.com to get on the list.

Trail Sweep - May 16

More details to follow, but this is WORCA's annual trail sweep day where crews walk popular trails and prune trees and bushes, clean deadfall, and let WORCA know about fallen trees and other damage requiring more work. WORCA is also putting a function on its website for people to report issues with local trails.