APRIL 2022 SPORT ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHT
on the Fort McMurray Cycling Association
Who – The Fort McMurray Cycling Association (FMCA) is officially establishing itself in May 2022. However, they have been operating informally in previous years. The FMCA is adopting the previous Fort McMurray Cycling Club and can also be recognized as the Wood Buffalo Cycling Community on Facebook.
The FMCA is currently open to all adults (18+), with hopes to expand to organizing youth rides in the future as their organization expands. The best way to get in contact with the FMCA is through their Facebook Page: @woodbuffalocyclingcommunity or their Facebook Group.
What –The FMCA’s Mission is: Being able to establish an inclusive riding collective of people through group activity.
They are passionate about being outdoors and active. They host weekly rides for members such as Pedals n Pints and Sip n Rip (females only), as well as a monthly Single Track Sunday ride. The FMCA also organizes monthly trail maintenance day to keep their trails in peak condition. This trail maintenance is open for anyone to come by and help.
When – The FMCA hosts multiple rides: Pedal n Pints Wednesdays (open to all), Sip n Rip Thursdays (females only), and Monthly Single Track Sunday (on their self made trail). They will also be organization 2 BBQ Group Rides throughout the season! Since they are committed to the upkeep of the trails in Fort McMurray, the FMCA also hosts monthly trail maintenance days where members are encouraged to help them keep the trails they ride on in safe and fun shape!
The season starts in May and will go until the first snowfall - usually in October. They will then continue with "fat-tire" riding into the winter (weather dependent).
Stay informed on the rides by following them on their Facebook Page!
Where – When you become a member, you get full access to all the organized rides (as well as insurance, allowing you to be safe and covered so you can take those risks)! To sign up for a membership, you will need to register with the ABA (Alberta Bicycle Association) where you can sign up as a FMCA member. Stay tuned for when the registration will be open for the 2022 season!
The rides take place in two locations:
Doug Barnes Cabin: Pedal n Pints and Sip n Rip
Birchwood Ross Hennigar Ballpark Parking Lot: Single Track Sunday, Trail Maintenance Days
Why – The FMCA wants to bring attention to the beautiful trails that we have here in Fort McMurray that are under-utilized. Cycling within this community has so much potential and creating a club in the region will showcase just how much Fort McMurray has to offer. This organization also hopes to bring more awareness and opportunities to experience riding the amazing nature-filled trails. They are also passionate about being active however possible and have found cycling to be one of their favourite physical activities.
Why should people join? So you can also experience the beautiful trails and possibly find your new passion! So the FMCA can continue to create more opportunities to the cycling community and expand into offering youth rides! Members will also have access to a member-only Facebook page that provides information on trail conditions, club events, and more!
