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Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Gary Sjoquist Who is Sjoquist? Director of Advocacy, Quality Bicycle Products Director of Government Relations, Bikes Belong Treasurer, BikesPAC Co-Founder of Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Mountain bike racer and trails advocate past 15 years MORC ’ s Evolution

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Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

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  1. Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Gary Sjoquist

  2. Who is Sjoquist? • Director of Advocacy, Quality Bicycle Products • Director of Government Relations, Bikes Belong • Treasurer, BikesPAC • Co-Founder of Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists • Mountain bike racer and trails advocate past 15 years

  3. MORC’s Evolution • Started in early 90s with mtb “problems” • Focus in mid-90s working with city, county, and state agencies • Turning points for MORC’s growth: • 1999 – MORC re-established • 2001 – MORC partnership with 24 Hours of Afton • 2002 – MORC partnership with Erik’s Spring Cup • 2003/4 – MORC’s work at Lebanon Hills begins to pay benefits • 2005 – MORC leverages federal funding for high profile project in Northern Minnesota

  4. Highlights of 2005 • New president Scott Thayer provides spark • Philip Keyes provided inspiration and guidance • MORC able to land a seat on MRTUA (Rec. Trails Program committee) • MORC broke through with Three Rivers Park District project for new single track trail • Congressman Oberstar provides funding for Cayuna Range project in SAFETEA-LU • MORC partnership with IMBA to secure part-time Director position

  5. Things MORC Has Learned 1. A signature trail can be heavily leveraged 2. Agency contacts are invaluable 3. Recreation Trails Program opportunity 4. Events have anchored growth 5. Like trails, non-profit organizations require maintenance

  6. 1. The Value of a Signature Trail • Lebanon Hills the gift that keeps giving: • Trail Building Schools provided education • Master planning process gave opportunity • What do mtb’ers want at Lebanon? • Lebanon became a model: • Partnership with MORC’s voluntary workers • Proper design and maintenance techniques • Heavily used, yet maintenance costs decreased • Always busy, not crowded, technically challenging but also really fun to ride • “Best practices” for other land managers

  7. 2. Contacts With Agency Folks Invaluable • Early pattern of working with city, county, and state organizations • Success with trail building and conflict resolution meant establishing trust • MORC the answer to keeping mtb trails open during decreasing budgets • Agency folks good PR tools • Nearly lost this trust, but rebuilt and enhanced it

  8. 3. Benefit of Rec. Trails Program • MRTUA is MN Rec. Trail Program • Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Assn. • 4 motorized/5 non-motorized user groups • MORC gained seat at decision table • Process took 5 years • MORC’s reputation pivotal to gaining MRTUA seat • MORC in position to “steer” mtb development in Minnesota

  9. 4. Events Have Anchored Growth • 24 Hours of Afton/Erik’s Spring Cup perfect revenue generators • Weekend timeframe limits commitment • Annual take substantial and consistent • MORC visibility to large captive user group • Great partners provide different audiences • Use of events for revenue require caution • Burnout often a result • Limited liability a key • Balance investment with return

  10. 5. Beyond MTB, MORC is a Non-Profit • Non-profit management a key component for sustainability and growth: • Strategic planning • Financial management • Board development • Diversity of funding • You need people as interested in helping build non-profit as interested in building trails • Attend a Non Profit Management course if possible

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