Chris Norfolk

RVC’s “Wooly 4” Presented by Trailway for 2025

July 30, 2024 By Chris Norfolk

Sunday, September 7, 2025

This long-running favourite event is about having a good time. Race solo, or as a team, at a hammer or chill pace. The Wooly trails have seen epic growth over the last several years, and we’re excited to once again be showcasing a couple of brand new trails in this year’s course! The event will suit a wide range of skill levels. The course will include both hand-built and machine-built trails. Racers complete as many laps as they can in the allotted time, solo (must be 19+) or as relay teams of 2 or 3. Or just do as many laps as you feel like riding, and hang out at the start/finish cheering and socializing. It’s all fun.

As usual, there will be great draw prizes from our amazing community bike shops, Explore Velo and Radical Edge, and refreshments and swag from Trailway Brewing, and food on site.

Race HQ, the start/finish, and parking will be in the Fox’s Den. You won’t find it on Google Maps, as it’s not normally open to camping, but HERE are directions from the 102. Basically you’ll follow the campground road all the way around to the campground loops. You’ll pass a set of gates and then a little garbage trailer and then turn left where it’s signed “Fox’s Den.” Race day, it will be signed from the park entrance on the south side of the highway to the start/finish and parking.

Categories:

Solo Men (must be 19 or older)
Solo Women (must be 19 or older)
Open Team (members may be of any age and gender)
Women’s Team (all members must be women/girls)
Youth Team (all members must be 16 or younger)
Vintage Team (average team member age 50+)

*(Solo racers must be 19 or older as of December 31, 2025)

Event Day Schedule:

9:30-10:30 am Registration and plate pickup
11:00 am Race start
3:00 pm cut-off to begin final lap
3:30 pm awards and draw prizes

Race Registration Fees:

$40 until 6pm on Saturday, August 24 or on site race day for $50
If you are not a Velo NB member, there is an additional fee of $10 for a day license

Trailforks.com

Other important info:

There is no potable water on site. We’ll have some bottled water, but do yourself and the environment a favour and plan ahead
Bathroom facilities are a rustic outhouse and a Port-o-John
There will be space around the start/finish for spectators and team tents
If you prefer to sit somewhere other than on the grass, bring a portable chair
The event runs rain or shine
Parking is in the campground loop near the start/finish. Pull into a site or clearing or pull up on the side of the road where there’s room, don’t block people in or park on any tents
Want to stay at the park? Ask us about unserviced camping at the Fox’s Den loop adjacent to the course

FAQ

Is the course marked for pre-riding?
You can find the course above on Trailforks and here on Strava. “On the ground,” the course is lightly flagged in pink and orange. Meaning, there are flags around turns and intersections. If the flag is on the right, the next turn will be a right turn. The course will be signed and mostly taped Saturday.

Can youth participate?
There’s no minimum age to participate on a team. For youth who wouldn’t be confident completing the course on their own, one option is for a parent to team up and ride with them. Your team will only get credit for relay laps – i.e. if you ride a lap together, the timing system will only register one lap.

Where can I set up my team tent?
There will be room set aside for team tents near the start/finish and feed zone. Ask our volunteer parking attendants to direct you when you arrive.

Is there an e-bike category?
Sorry, e-bikes are not permitted this year.

I have more questions!
No problem. Ask your question in the discussion in the Facebook event, or get us on Facebook messenger, or use the contact us.

RVC receives support for long-term trail access from JDI

July 19, 2024 By Chris Norfolk

It’s been a busy week for club activity in Penniac. We are very excited about the upcoming race here on July 29th as part of our RVC 2024 Enduro Race Series. This will be the first big race at this trail network since construction for Highway 8 cut the area apart in 2014 and ended the long-time ‘Hadley Challenge‘. Events like these aren’t possible without the support of local land owners.

*Classic shots of classic trails during one of Fredericton’s classic events!*

Last year we approached several private landowners in Penniac with the idea that we’d like to formalize rider access to important historical trails. One of these landowners was J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI), who own a property that captures classic trails including ‘the Numbers’, ‘Mom’s N’ Tots’, ‘Rock Bottom’, ‘High Road’, ‘Bull’, and ‘Dozer’. Over the course of several months the conversations progressed and today we’re happy to let members know that RVC has secured a 10-year trail access agreement with JDI covering these trails, and setting the stage for additional future expansion.

The agreement is built around the principle of respecting the land.

For riders, this is as simple as living by the ‘leave-no-trace’ ethic while you are out. For the club, it means we will practice sustainable trail techniques when we perform maintenance and new building. For JDI it was important that the trails support only non-motorized use but we reached an agreement that class 1 e-bikes commonly sold at our awesome local bike shops are good to go!

We understand that JDI is considering the area for inclusion as part of their “Conservation Program“, which would mean that they’ll consider the special character and community value of the area when they plan their future forest management activity.

*The beauty that is ‘the Numbers’ on a crisp fall day.*

With this agreement, the support of the Penniac Rec Center, and the support of other adjacent landowners, RVC will feel more confident than ever in hosting events and investing energy in the area. We hope to improve the signage in Penniac over the next year and it’s possible more improvements will follow.

Thanks to JDI for supporting our cycling community!

Return of the Enduro Race Series for 2024

July 16, 2024 By Chris Norfolk

We’re proud to announce that with the support of the Radical Edge Bike & Ski and Grimross Brewing Co the Enduro Race Series will be on again for 2024! If you need no further information – registration is open!

Sign me up!

A repeat of last year’s fun and casual tone will be the goal. The series will feature 3 races with a podium each night and an overall winner crowned in each category. Registration is open to everyone and will be $50 for the entire series (regardless of how many races you ride). RVC members get offered a discounted rate of $35.

Race 1 – July 29th – Penniac – 5:30 check-in(event page is live)
Race 2 – Aug 6th – Woolastook – 5:30 check-in
Race 3 – Aug 24th – Woolastook – 1:00 check-in

New to Enduro?

This format times riders on downhill ‘stages’ which will take place on some of our longest and best descent trails. Riders must climb uphill ‘stages’ within a given time window but uphill riding isn’t timed.

What do you need?

You need a bike in good mechanical condition and a safe helmet (RVC will refuse unsafe gear at check-in). Bring water and snacks. Riders in the youth category (16 & under) need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the race.

Photos from the 2023 Enduro Race Series

We’ll have a pro photog present for the series and racers will be able to buy images direct for the Insta!

Temporary Closure – MVP Flight Deck Trails

July 9, 2024 By Chris Norfolk

Riders,

Today I met with the gentleman who owns the land upon which the Flight Deck / Enduro Zone trails are built. We were joined by representatives of the logging company who is currently working on the property, and is set to begin heavy truck traffic which will last 8-10 weeks.

Ultimately, the landowner has made the decision to close all trail access which intersects the road travelling through this area. Given his own experiences, which included a recent “close-call” with a rider while travelling in his own vehicle, he couldn’t accept the risk of an accident occurring. I understand this decision, and I assured him that club members would respect his choice so that we can continue to enjoy the use of the trails once the heavy traffic has ceased. This individual has been extremely generous with our club.

*Heavy trucks were moving past the Flight Deck bench this morning as we discussed the issues.*

The temporary closure impacts every trail that crosses / enters / exits onto the road. This includes:

#Blazing Destruction (normal finish)
Monkey Business
Pinball

Slash N’ Berm
D-Track
V-Fib

Please understand that RVC looked for alternate solutions. We proposed a single road crossing at the top of Flight Deck and as we posted yesterday, local builder Chris F. had already begun the necessary changes to trails at the bottom of the hill. We also tried to understand whether there were times of the day (or days of the week) where traffic would be reduced – without success. The temporary closure was the only solution that could ensure the safety of everyone involved.

RVC will be informed as soon as the heavy traffic in the area has stopped (that’s expected to be in early September). The club will re-open the trails as soon as we are able.

RVC has just invested in revamping the area, which has been made possible by local small business donations, gold membership holders, and many others. The Flight Deck / Enduro Zone build crew have been working the dirt since May. To everyone who’s been involved and to the riders who use this area to progressively build their skills I’m asking for your patience and cooperation. This is not the news anyone wanted to share, but we are grateful that it’s temporary. Let’s look forward to a fall where we can enjoy the result of all of this effort.

Chris Norfolk
Volunteer President
River Valley Cycling

Help Wanted: Summer Volunteer Trail Work!

June 28, 2024 By Chris Norfolk

We often get contacted from people who are looking for ways to help out. We have some ideas. These are trail jobs that will really improve the fun-factor of everyone’s ride and make a visible difference. The best part is – these are jobs that anyone can do and they can be done on your own time. No need to be a master trail builder or wait for a trail day. Nevertheless, helping out will make you feel great… and it will get noticed!

*See how happy these fine people are! Do trail work and be awesome.*

Brushing

Rain and long days mean that the vegetation has kicked into overdrive. Some of our trails are getting very bushy. Brush can really suck the fun out of a flowy ride. Nobody likes getting whacked in the helmet by branches. Vegetation can mean riders can’t see far ahead of them and they can’t see the obstacles on the ground. Well cleared trails are fast trails. Generally, we want a corridor that is 3 feet on either side of the trail tread and 7-8 feet high (low branches drop down in the winter and become an obstacle for grooming). RVC can lend out loppers for pruning back trees and shrubs. We also have heavy duty line-trimmers for grass and bushy stuff like tall ferns and raspberries.

*Bunkerama is turning into a bit of a jungle.*

We have lots of ground at MVP and Penniac that could use brushing out. Trails under mature forest are not bad but any trails going through sunny areas are sure to need cleaning. It would be amazing to brush out the Mark Bolden Skills Park at MVP.

Raking & Picking Rocks

Loose stones are not pleasant. Over time, riders can dislodge rocks that accumulate in the trail. Anything larger than a golf-ball that is loose should be raked off the trail. On descents they decrease control and get shot up putting dents in your fancy bike’s frame. On climbs they can be frustrating momentum killers. Getting rid of them is easy with a rake (RVC has lots to lend out) and you can cover a lot of ground in an hour.

*Loose baseball-sized rocks aren’t a feature. If it isn’t lodged into the ground it should be raked off to the downhill side of the trail.*

MVP has lots of trails that could use a pass with a rake. Bunkerama, Velocity, D-Track, Slash-N-Berm and V-Fib would be top of the priority list.

Rooting

Over time hand-built trails can go from being smooth flowy delights to root-packed technical nightmares. This happens as riding compresses and removes the organic part of the soil. While roots are to be expected on a mountain bike, some trails need the occasional root pruning to keep the ride quality that the original builder started with. Loppers are the right tool for the job. Their jaws make short work of tough root-wood but they aren’t big enough to remove large structural roots that hold up the trees. Big roots should be left alone or buried with rocks and soil to smooth the ride. Rooting is especially important for tripper-roots that have become fully exposed creating a loop back into the ground. Overzealous rooting can lead to erosion on steep trails and a change of riding style so if you’d like to try this out just give us a message and let us know where you want to work.

*When the roots get too dense riders start going around them widening the trail and accelerating the impact. Better to just prune them and re-establish the trail tread.*

Some trails in Odell Park would really benefit from a root-pruning and RVC does have permission from the City to do this work.