Finger Lakes Mountain Bike Club, 54 A Hoffman Street, Elmira, New York 14905  U.S.A.  607-733-6798

The term "power in unity" has been used and heard
throughout the world and can be seen throughout our
website. Never has it been more true than when dealing with
advocacy for trail access. Government officials and land
owners want to see numbers before granting permission to
create new trails. Large numbers! Are there enough people
interested to make the project a reality? Are their enough able
bodies to keep the trail in good condition? Will the trails get
good use? etc....  "The powers that be" might be looking for
(or expecting) a monetary return or just the peace of mind that
the trails are going to be well kept, safe and free of garbage
and trash. Mountain Biking is a right, but not necessarily
anywhere we chose to ride. With that said.....asking cyclists to
pay a yearly membership fee to join in on club rides and
activities  just doesn't sit well with me. True, there is the yearly
cost of doing business such as insurance, website and
newsletter expenses, and general office supplies for cards,
brochures, letterhead and envelopes, mailing and event
expenses. The Finger Lakes Mountain Bike Club chooses, at
this time, not to pass this cost on to it's members, but to
operate off of grants and donations. We feel that not everyone
will have the extra money to join another club or organization
and that yearly membership dues may detere individuals from
joining the Finger Lakes Mountain Bike Club.  These
individuals may have a great  talent in riding or valuable trail
stewardship skills that would be greatly missed or overlooked
if not a member of an organized bike club. There is"power in
unity" and in the advocacy game bigger is better! Don't let the
lack of money keep you from joining the Finger Lakes
Mountain Bike Club.  We have organized this club for all who
want to participate and we hope to hear from all of you. Great
accomplishments can be made as our numbers grow.
Power in Unity
Tom Trifoso,
Founder, FLMBC