I’ve been reflecting on everything we witnessed, celebrated, endured, and leaned into during 2024. Like any good ride/run/hike, there are highs (peaks), lows (valleys), and valuable lessons within. Most importantly, there is a whole community of people who share in this journey—which, it’s not to late to still hop on and support!
Here’s what stood out to me for this year:
What Went Well (The Peaks):
- F U N: We leveled up the F-U-N this year, adding big bubbles to marquee events, expanding rides for kids and families, and improving the execution of what inclusive events could look like—welcoming people of all ages and abilities (we know there is always room for growth here). What are other ways we can continue involving new faces?
- The Great Stokesville Campout: Almost joined us for group rides, stargazing, big burritos, scavenger hunts, and fireside s’mores. It was a celebration of bikes, trails, and community. It was a wild and broad turnout unlike ever before and made possible thanks to volunteer pixie dust (you know, like scrambling eggs, leading rides, and flipping burgers…just to name a few.)
- Bike For Neighbors: Your donations and support helped us surpass the over 100 refurbished bikes to community members—and more importantly, they provided an immediate solution for mobility and integration. Do you have a bike you’d like to donate and rehome?
- Bike-Walk Summit: Our guest speaker from NW Arkansas shared tangible tools and best practices with attendees, imagining what’s possible when communities commit to dirt trails and paved greenways for connectivity.
- JOYRIDE: For its inaugural year, this Women and Girls MTB Day reached its 130 max capacity and provided all-day bike clinics, group rides, shuttles, and activities that create pathways to riding to life. Would you come to a National Forest version?
In 2025, we want to invite you to join as a critical monthly supporter. Your gift for better trails, and more connected communities makes a real difference.
Monthly support (no matter how small) is critical will you join as a sustaining supporter, a Trail Blazer.
What Could Have Gone Better (The Valleys):
- Expanding Partnerships: We focused heavily on expanding our reach within the community this year, and in 2025, we hope to build deeper connections through developing critical partnerships, sponsors, and engaging businesses next year. Who else is passionate about advancing trails, increasing access to public lands, and improving our communities through walking and biking?
- Capturing Stories: We started collecting testimonials and sharing stories on places like YouTube and social channels, but there’s much more to share. Could 2025 be the year for a podcast?? Do we want more email communication?
- Sustaining Volunteer Groups: Our staff took hands-on roles in the community, which was rewarding yet challenging to maintain on top of day-to-day operations. Balancing direct impact with behind-the-scenes work is tough. Could we develop volunteer groups for specific programs, like teaching kids to ride?
- Casual Socials: People want them! This year, we introduced a couple of coffee meetups and hikes, but the turnout was inconsistent, so we shifted our energy to broader community events. In 2025, we’re planning quarterly socials—how would you like that to look?
Onward!!! Your year-end gift ensures we’ll hit new peaks in 2025.
In 2025, I’m excited to expand our reach—hosting events in new areas, creating new programs that proved enthusiastic and successful, and continuing to support this sweet, sweet place I feel so fortunate to call home. I’m bringing what I learned from you right into the new year.
Thanks for riding/walking/BEING with us through every peak, valley, and learning moment. Here’s to an even better year ahead!
Amanda Presgraves,
Director of Community Enchantment
