New officers for the Florida Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts (FORCE) group were installed for the 2015-16 year on July 27. FORCE is a nonprofit organization that encourages better biking and promotes volunteerism to create and maintain mountain biking trails in Palm Beach County.
Doug Turner, Erich Landstrom and Michael Feaganes are the new directors. Other officers are President Gerry Kinnard, Secretary Patricia Infante and Treasurer Tim Winzell. Each look forward to working on a variety of projects to support off-road riding in Palm Beach County.
Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation has more than 14 miles of single-track, off-road bicycle trails.
Volunteers, who directly influence the nature and quality of the trails, are the backbone of the organization. For more information, including maps, membership, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.forcemtb.org.
FORCE members enjoy deals and discounts at local bike shops and businesses. Members will be able to present their membership card and ask for 10 percent off their purchase at the following stores: The Bicyclery in West Palm Beach, Wheels of Wellington in Wellington and Natural Blends Café in Greenacres. Members must be current with their dues.
Plans are ongoing for a “poker ride” this fall. Participants accumulate playing cards along the way in an attempt to get the best poker hand and win prizes. Cyclists on the Panther Mountain Bike Poker Ride should expect a ride considered intermediate to advanced for both cardiovascular activity and technical ability. Following the presentation of the prizes, there will be additional giveaways, music, food and refreshments.
Volunteer Coordinator Gerry Kinnard recently announced that volunteers have expanded the trail at West Delray Regional Park. For the past two months, cycling enthusiasts of all ages, working under the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, volunteers have been cutting new single-track lines.
“All the tough work is done. Now we just need some tires on the trail to help wear it in,” Kinnard said. “This trail alternates between tight and twisty wooded sections where you will fight for every pedal stroke, to wide open flow sections with a few drops and berms.”
Kinnard said this new addition would not be possible without the generosity of Aldrich Tool Rental and FORCE. The volunteers were able to move several truckloads of shell rock provided by Palm Beach County to make sandy sections rideable, build features and bridge sections prone to flooding. The culmination of construction brings the total off-road trails in the park to 4.5 miles.
The next FORCE leadership meeting is scheduled for early September.
ABOVE: Lily Landstrom, 10, of Lake Worth, rides the new trail sections at West Delray Regional Park.
