The Jingle Bell ride will be 1:30pm Christmas Eve. The Colder the better, we'll have cider and hot chocolate on hand. Heavy rain or ice is the only reason we won't ride. Decorations for riders and bikes recommended since we will have a short photo session by the Christmas tree preceding the ride (bring your camera). Usually a rather short ride at moderate pace, we'll met in the parking lot at Camp and head to the Christmas tree, everyone is invited!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Gary

Arkansas took a nice jump for this year's IMBA report card. Check it out over at the IMBA site. Syllamo earned an "Epic" status! Congrats to everyone who has worked or is working on this trail! YOU RAWK!

A "flat" score for south Arkansas - most certainly the potential is huge.

The IMBA report, now in its seventh edition, uses input from IMBA's network of reps, online polling from IMBA members and staff evaluations to gauge the riding opportunities and advocacy strength in the United States, Canada and nations with significant IMBA activities. This week, IMBA members will receive the complete report card in the organization's internationally distributed newsletter, Trail News. The 2005 IMBA Report Card also features categories for "Advocacy Groups on the Move," "Most Improved States" and a "Ski Resort Honor Roll."

Gary

The Christmas ride will be 1:30pm Christmas Eve. The Colder the better, we'll have cider and hot chocolate on hand. Heavy rain or ice is the only reason we won't ride. Decorations for riders and bikes recommended. Usually a rather short ride at moderate pace, everyone is invited!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Gary

Hey Everyone...time for some tips about buying your CARP membership online.

Tip 1. When you sign-up online to buy your CARP membership, two forms exist. Both forms must be filled out. Filling one form out and skipping the payment form will allow you to login, but still does not purchase your CARP membership card. You must have your CARP card to ride out at Camp. When you purchase your membership online - we still have to mail your CARP card to you which takes up to 10 days. You will be e-mailed a reciept of purchase however.

Tip 2. Knowing that it takes up to 10 days to recieve your new or renewed CARP card. The online interface allows you to purchase memberships in the future. If you want to purchase two years, once you login, select the membership purchase from the drop-down and fill out. Your second year will be marked "Future" and automatically kicks in when the date rolls around. Several of you are taking advantage of this feature. Your CARP card will also reflect the extended membership date.

Tip 3. One month before your CARP membership expires, if you have suppled a legitimate e-mail in your profile, you will be e-mailed a notice about membership expiration. If you'll renew when you get the notice - you will get your renewal CARP card before your old card expires and never miss a beat riding the trails. If you forget and wait - then your back to stopping by a shop for your card or waiting for snail mail to arrive with your card.

Tip 4. No credit card information is stored anywhere on the website or on the webserver. The transaction is secure and is handled directly at the bank. CARP admin does not see any numbers.

Tip 5. The online system here does address validation and various security checks on your credit card. If you have moved and have not updated your credit card info with your credit card company, or not updated other info about your address, etc your transaction will be rejected, so please make sure your credit card info is up to date before attempting to purchase a CARP membership online.

Tip 6. We're always amused at the folks who skip the payment form and login anyway and think they somehow beat the system. Trust me, you still will not recieve your CARP card or reciept which means you still DO NOT get to ride at Camp. Your login automatically disappears after two days if your "not paid".

Tip 7. As Always...we love our local bike shops and if your in a hurry, you can always stop in and buy your CARP membership and get your CARP card "on the spot". If you purchase your CARP membership at a local bicycle shop, it takes up to 10 days before we can process your information to the website for access, because we have to pick up the forms from the shop and enter the info by hand.

Tip 8. Each CARP member must have a CARP card. If you need to buy several memberships on one credit card - just fill out the members name on the first form and then be sure to fill out the purchase form with the credit card holder's information for each membership. The member will be added with their individual info to the website and the CARP card will be mailed out for that individual.

Tip 9. If your CARP membership expires and you forget to renew for a few months - we generally leave your profile up for 3 to 6 months before deleting. You can still login and renew if your profile exist. If however you wait for 6 months or longer and then decide to renew online, if your profile has been deleted due to inactivity, you'll need to start a new profile.

CARP Trivia....CARP membership currently has members in 24 states! The website has allowed out-of-town folks the opportunity to plan a trip to ride our great trails! RAWK! We have members as far away as California, Alaska, and from exotic mt biking zones like Moab, Utah.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Gary

Attention mountain bikers: The Ouachita challenge MTB ride/race is March 25 & 26, 2006. There is a limit on the number of participants allowed and it will fill up soon so you are encouraged to register now or you will miss out. The website is www.ouachita-challenge.com

Ho, Ho, Ho,
It's that time already, and this year will be bigger and better than ever. The Arkansas bicycle club has gratiously invited us to join them once again to celebrate Christmas with fellow cyclist. Come one, come all, bring the spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, everyone is invited. No charge, but try to bring a dish (potluck) of that good stuff everyone raves about whenever you serve it at partys. We have the Garden Clubs of Little Rock building reserved. It is that fancy looking building at the intersection of Kavanuagh and Lee streets with the great looking garden out front (go figure).

We will be there Saturday December 10 from 7 pm till about 11pm. Beer, wine soda and eats.
Come on out if you can.
Gary