GROC Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists

So whats your time worth? According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, “Research Brief: Volunteering in America Research Highlights” (2010) NY, the average value of a volunteer hour is between $25 to $28 an hour, and the national average is $20.85. (http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time)

Doing the math GROC and its volunteers have have committed over $61,611.75 in 2010 to the Monroe County and surrounding parks.

With all of the cuts to programs and the need for volunteers in all areas, we are glad to see that our parks are getting support from the local community members. GROC's efforts combined with other like organizations are responsible for providing the much needed labor to maintain and manage these great public lands.

Thank you for all your efforts !!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Brown (aka jb)
President GROC

We had over 25.5 volunteers at the Oct 9th Bay Park West work day (we count even the sleepy ones in back packs). There was a great deal of benching trail and clearing done and trails are really coming together. We also had a nice treat for our volunteers donated by Forge Racing (aka Homewood crew) and Little Venice Pizzeria who donated pizza for all of our volunteer crew. Please vote for Little Venice for best of Rochester at the City Newspaper web site.

In the last 2 weekends we have had over 360 volunteer hrs put in in three Saturdays. GROC trail crew teams are also putting in time all week in order to get this park opened by months end. We are so thankful for all of the effort being put oin by local volunteers.

We will be having another Saturday work party on the 23rd. If you are not already signed up please register at Groc Trail Crew.

Thanks to all

We had 28 volunteers put in over 100 hours at the work day on October 2nd. We had 4 projects planned and managed to nearly complete them all.

Bridge Project
The bridge project was designed to go over a  culvert and ended up being  24 ft long and 4 ft wide. The project leaders on the bridge team designed and then bult a bridge that is not just functional, it is beautiful. The bridge follows the contour and is made from white oak rough cut lumber.  Anyone who hikes, rides, or runs over that bridge will take notice. Nice job by Frank Steiner, Zack Potter, Russ Wait, Frank DeLuca, Jimmy Wilke  and Peter Landre.

Board  Walk Projects
We had several board walk projects that bring you over large wet areas, this  project encompasses over 80 ft of board walk. This group was lead by Rick Williams and his GROC Trail Crew trainees.

New Trail Builds
We had 2 new trails that had been flagged and approved by the county. Adam Reitz and John Underhill lead 2 groups of volunteers who raked, cut and cleared these new trails. The Marc Gillespie  crew from Homewood lane risked life and limb to hand cut and clear logs as they were attacked by swarming hornets, but still they kept going.

We will be scheduling more work days to complete the trail system, as the goal is to have this new shared-use trail system open by the end of the month. The county will be putting in kiosks at the three main trail heads on Homewood Ln, Orchard Park Blvd., and Bay Front St.  Once the core trails are established, a marking system and maps will be created.

To Volunteer - Register

More Photos

Thanks to these volunteers!

Well Done, Everyone!
Jonathan Brown
President GROC

People for Bikes
We would urge all bikers to sign a pledge in support of biking through www.peopleforbikes.org/signpledge

Background:
Bikes Belong is the bike industry’s advocacy and education organization. It has launched this effort to unite one million voices to improve bicycling in the USA. It

Who has signed it, so far?
Lance Armstrong, Gary Fisher and bike-friendly Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Ryback.

What is the pledge?

I am for bikes. I'm for long rides and short rides. I'm for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride.

What will your signing do?

Your voice will help build a national movement with clout and influence. Our unified message – that bicycling is important and should be supported – will resonate with leaders, the media and the public. We’ll work to ensure that new, cost-effective investments are made in bicycling facilities such as bikes lanes, trails, bike-share programs, and more that will benefit us now and well into the future.

GROC has joined efforts with other bicycling groups through RCA (Rochester Cycling Alliance) to promote bicycling of all types and for all purposes.

Mark Rosenzweig
GROC Advocacy Chair