🍂 Falling Into October

Hello SAMBA Community,

Fall is finally here, and there's no better time to be on a bike. Cooler mornings, crunchy leaves, and a whole lot happening on and off the trail — from our first overnight trip to Tsali to fresh work at Croft. Here's what's rolling this month. 🚵

🛠️ September Recap

Big thanks to everyone who came out for the September Trail Work Day at Croft on Saturday, Sept 19. Crews met at the gun range, and Bruce Humphries had a few different projects lined up depending on who showed up — and you showed up. 🙌

Thanks also to everyone who kept the Wednesday Night Rides rolling all month long. Every ride, every shovel, every hour adds up.

🌲 Trail Work Day — Saturday, October 17

Our next trail work day is Saturday, October 17. Watch Spond for the meeting spot and start time.

What to bring:

• 🧤 Gloves

• 🪓 Tools (if you have them)

• 💧 Water

• 🤝 A friend

Can only spare an hour? Come anyway — even one hour makes a real difference. Staying hydrated out there? Use our referral link and get a free LMNT sample pack with your first order — ridewithsamba.org/lmnt 🧂

📅 Upcoming Events

• 🏕️ Out of Town Ride: Tsali, NC — Friday, Oct 2 to Sunday, Oct 4. We're meeting Friday at Indian Creek Campground (1367 Bunches Creek Road, Cherokee, NC) — the campground is already booked! Saturday is a full day on Tsali, Sunday we hit Fire Mountain, and Saturday night dinner is provided. 🍽️ Please RSVP on the Spond event so we can plan. Campground info: indiancreekcampground.com

• 🌱 Beginner Ride — October 3rd, 9 AM. New to mountain biking, or know someone who is? This is the perfect no-pressure way to get started. Watch Spond for the date.

• 🗓️ Board Meeting — Thursday, Oct 15.

• 🏁 StumpJump 2027 — Saturday, May 16, 2027. Mark your calendar! Big news: we're planning a two-day event with a short track race alongside the classic StumpJump. More details to come.

🌉 Trail Updates

Our volunteers have been busy this month:

• 🌿 Fern Gully — Route reclaim work is underway to bring this trail back to its best.

• 🌳 Gecko & Centerline — Downed trees have been cleared. Roll on through!

• 🪚 Outlaw — Zoom in on the photo below and you'll spot Dave hard at work clearing the trail. Thanks, Dave!

Please also give a warm welcome to Daniel Bailey, the new Croft Ranger! 👋

None of this happens without volunteers. A few hours with a saw or a rake keeps these trails rideable for everyone — small efforts, big impact.

🌙 Wednesday Night Rides

Wednesday Night Rides roll every week at 584 Groce Rd. All skill levels welcome! Check Spond and Facebook for details each week.

Heading out on your own any other day? Post it in Spond — you might pick up a riding buddy or two.

💬 Stay Connected on Spond

Spond is our official member chat — ride invites, trail work updates, and quick announcements all land there first (including the Tsali RSVP!).

👉 Join here: spond.com/invite/RUEJP

🗳️ Board Nominations Are Open

SAMBA is run entirely by volunteers, and we're looking for folks to step up for the board. Nominations are open for President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, plus at-large roles. If you care about local trails and want to help shape what comes next, reach out to any board member or email board@ridewithsamba.org.

🚵 Time to Drop In

Every rider remembers their first drop-in: standing at the top, heart pounding, wondering if you're ready. Then you commit and roll in. SAMBA is standing at that same spot right now, and it needs you to roll in with us.

This club is run 100% by volunteers. Board seats are opening up, and the trails, rides, and races we all love only happen when people step up. The good news? Just like at the trailhead, there's a line for every rider. Pick yours. 👇

🟢 Green Line — Easy Roll-In

Low commitment, big impact.

• 📱 Post your rides on Spond and invite others to join

• 📣 Share SAMBA rides, beginner events, and trail days on social media

• 🤝 Bring a friend to a Wednesday Night Ride

• ⏱️ Log your volunteer hours on the website (a lot of great work has gone unlogged, and those hours show our partners and land managers what this community gives back)

🟦 Blue Line — Getting Rowdy

A few hours here and there.

• 🌲 Show up for a Trail Work Day. The next one is Oct 17, and even one hour counts

• 🏁 Join the StumpJump 2027 race-day crew. With a two-day event planned, we'll need more dedicated volunteers than ever

• 🏅 Know a Scout? Connect us for an Eagle Scout project

◆ Black Diamond — Send It

Own a piece of the club.

• ✉️ Take over the monthly email. Like writing? This newsletter needs a new home

• ⭐ At-Large Board Member. Bring your ideas, skills, and energy to the table

◆◆ Double Black — Lead the Pack

Join the core board and shape what SAMBA becomes.

• 🧭 President. Lead the board and set the direction for the club

• 🤝 Vice President. Partner with the President and drive projects forward

• 💰 Treasurer. Keep the club's finances in order

• 📝 Secretary. Keep the club's official record and make sure every decision is documented and shared

You don't need to be a trail-building expert or a pro racer to ride any of these lines. If you love riding here, you're qualified. 💪

That's what our motto is all about: Work. Ride. Repeat. 🔁 Put in a little work, enjoy the trails it builds, and come back for more. Every line above is part of that loop, and the loop only keeps turning when more of us jump in.

👉 Ready to drop in? Email board@ridewithsamba.org or message any board member on Spond. Want to scope the line first? Ask to sit in on our next board meeting on Thursday, October 15.

🎟️ Membership

Thank you to every member who keeps SAMBA rolling! If it's time to renew (or join for the first time), head to ridewithsamba.org/join.

Your membership supports:

• 🛠️ Trail building and maintenance

• 🚵 Weekly group rides

• 🎉 Club events

• 💬 Spond member access

• 🏁 StumpJump

• 📣 Trail advocacy

• 🏷️ Partner discounts

And a big welcome and thank-you to our newest sponsors, AFL and Polydeck! 🙏

🍁 Fall Riding Tip

Leaf season is here, and those pretty leaves love to hide roots, rocks, and wet spots. Keep your speed in check on familiar trails, brake before corners, not in them, and check your tire pressure — a few PSI lower can add grip on slick fall trails. Days are getting shorter too, so toss a light in your pack for Wednesday evenings. 🔦

📆 Never Miss a Ride

Add all SAMBA events to your calendar at ridewithsamba.org/events.php — just click the + icon to subscribe. It's free!

📸 Share Your Shots

Have a great trail photo? Send it to board@ridewithsamba.org — we'd love to feature it! (Tsali pics especially welcome. 😉)

Whether you're camping at Tsali, swinging a tool on the 17th, or just rolling out on a Wednesday night, thanks for being part of this crew. Work. Ride. Repeat.

Ride safe, shred hard, and we'll see you on the trails!

— The SAMBA Board

🚵 SAMBA | Spartanburg Area Mountain Bike Association | ridewithsamba.org