Addison County Bike Club (ACBC)

Board Meeting Notes & Action Items

Date: August 17, 2026
Time: 6:00–7:52 PM
Location: Google Meet

Attendees

Tim Steele, George Lawrence, Andrew Hirsch, Kaitlin Hayes, Wes Butler, Sarah Schumacher, Erik Dahl, Robert Wheland

1. Branding & Logo

ACBC needs to finalize its branding so the website, letterhead, signage, apparel, and other materials can be updated consistently.
The tractor/pedal tractor concept is currently the preferred direction.
Seth will revise the logo to include “Addison County Bike Club.”
Once the logo is finalized, the board will vote by email.
The goal is to present a finished logo rather than multiple unfinished concepts.

Action: Seth — Revise logo with “Addison County Bike Club.”
Action: Tim/Board — Review and vote by email once finalized.

2. Upcoming Events

Family Ride Series

September 12 — Rochester

Ride will be held in partnership with Ridgeline.
Planned time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Ridgeline will provide grills.
ACBC needs to determine food responsibilities.
Shuttle/rack logistics need to be worked out.
Consider a Lincoln ride later in the season if trail conditions allow.
Consider a trail opening/season-ending event in October.

Trail Opening in Lincoln

October 17 is the tentative date for opening the upper trail, depending on conditions.
Consider a trail work day the week before.
Need strong social media outreach to recruit trail workers.
Explore adding the lower loop to Trailforks.

Best Day Ever / Timberlands Event

The August 27 event is no longer happening.
A new date at Holly Hall is being explored for September.
Newsletter communication should include the new date once confirmed.

Fall / End-of-Year Event

Andrew is exploring a movie night at the Marquis in October or November.
December was also discussed.
The event could potentially serve as a member meeting.
Board discussed whether to combine a meeting and movie or hold two separate events.

3. Trail Maintenance & Equipment

Maintenance Priorities

Review and address conditions at:

Leister Hollow
Moosalamoo campground loop
New Leaf
Lincoln Sports boardwalk/field section
Battell Woods

Battell Woods

Add a trail work day:
Wednesday, September 9 | 5:30–7:00 PM
Need high-powered trimmers for trail work.

Equipment

Greenworks weedwhacker needs to be evaluated/repaired.
Check whether replacement batteries are needed.
One Snowdog will move to Lincoln.
Erik can provide storage for the Lincoln Snowdog.
The second Snowdog may remain in Middlebury, potentially near Eric Berg’s house.
Snowdog still needs additional repairs despite the engine being fixed.
George will follow up.
Rubbermaid shed will be moved to Silver Maple by Chas.

Other

Rikert offers VMBA members a half-price day of riding for trail work.
Willard’s Woods has groomable double-track terrain worth exploring.

4. Trailforks

Sarah will contact VMBA about access to Trailforks Pro.
If necessary, establish accounts and training for trail bosses so they can update trail information directly.
Goal is to add the lower loop and keep trail information current.

Action: Sarah — Contact VMBA regarding Trailforks Pro.
Action: Trail Team — Determine process for updating Trailforks.

5. Membership & Outreach

Membership

Current 2026 membership: 226
Continue the membership push during peak riding season.
Communications should focus on:
- What ACBC has accomplished
- Current projects
- Upcoming projects
- Ways members can volunteer and get involved

Donor Outreach

Sarah continues sending personalized thank-you notes to donors.
The $500 matching donation was received.

Member Welcome Packet

Develop a new member welcome packet that includes:

Updated ACBC logo
Stickers
2027 welcome letter
2026 accomplishments
Upcoming projects
Ways to get involved

6. Member Survey

Only 20 responses have been received so far.
Responses generally support ACBC’s current activities, but there isn’t enough data for definitive conclusions.
Increase promotion of the survey during August.
Share through Front Porch Forum and other Addison County channels.
Include information about ACBC’s trail networks and a membership invitation.
Results should eventually be summarized and shared back with members.

Action: Robert — Promote survey through FPF and Addison County.
Action: Robert — Prepare survey summary for next board meeting.

7. Communications

August Priorities

Celebrate the upcoming 200-member milestone.
Encourage the next 26 members.
Share wins from:
- Family Rides
- Pride Ride
- Trail work
Gather trail boss photos and feedback.
Create a Family Ride summer recap/reel.
Follow up with Lincoln regarding potential fall trail celebrations.

Next Newsletter

Potential topics:

Timberlands/DRB meeting information
September Family Ride
Lincoln Sports trail update
Fall events outlook

8. Committee & Board Structure

A major priority is building a stronger committee structure so work can continue between board meetings.

Discussion / Priorities

Launch committees and establish clear responsibilities.
Recruit additional committee members.
Recruit future board members.
Review board meeting structure and cadence.
Review board terms and turnover.
Begin planning the 2027 board structure.
Consider skipping the January board meeting during the winter lull.

Priority: Build a stronger volunteer/committee structure before the 2027 season.

9. Treasurer’s Report

Current account balance: $12,915.21

P&L is up to date.
Project funds are being tracked by designated project.

Potential Expenses

Branded pop-up tent — approximately $1,000
Event table
Banners
Branded tablecloth
Promotional materials
Logo — approximately $500
Event food/drinks/fees
Weedwhacker repairs/replacement batteries

Open item: Develop a process for event coordinators to request event funds.

10. Town & College Relations

George and Andrew attended the July 30 Middlebury coordination meeting.
Topics included:
- Battell Woods
- Chipman Hill
- Means Woods
- TAM
- Trail signage
- Potential trail development
Town is considering a flashing crosswalk between Means Woods and Battell Woods.
A future meeting is needed regarding Chipman Hill signage and how to address the needs of different trail user groups.
Jeremy Parker may be interested in developing additional bike trails on his Middlebury property.
College/Snow Bowl trail opportunities were discussed, but there are significant limitations around ski trails and lift access.

11. Development Committee

Committee action plan needs follow-up.
Need to confirm committee members and responsibilities.
Identify communications needs for the coming month.

12. Trail Bosses

Trail Bosses: Andrew, Seth, Erik, Luke, Ashar

Current needs:

Trail status updates
Signage
Materials
Tools
Work days
Better documentation/photos of trail work

13. Pride Ride

August 14

Approximately six riders participated.
Strong community-building experience.
Chris Hunt, who leads Pride Rides out of Barre, participated.
Several local riders had not previously ridden New Leaf.
Holy Halvah welcomed the group afterward.
Consider holding two Pride Rides in 2027.
College students may be an opportunity for additional participation.

Ladies’ Rides

No capacity to organize Ladies’ Rides this year.
Revisit for 2027.

14. Fundraising Idea — Hogback Gravel Event

Wes proposed a gravel race/enduro to raise money for Hogback.

Potential requirements:

Town/highway permissions
Permits
Online registration
Race expertise
Course/stage design
Strava integration

Potential timing: Spring 2027

Action: Wes — Talk with Todd about race resources and expertise.

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