Join MountainTrue as we team up with The Flying Bike to take out a fleet of electric bikes! We’ll start in the River Arts District and make our way downtown, where Chris Joyell, Healthy Communities Director, will share his extensive knowledge about Asheville’s urban core, including stories of how redlining has shaped our city, the infamous Pit of Despair and plans for the I-26 Connector. We will frequently stop to hear from Chris about the history of development in these areas and what the future might look like in these places.
Following the bike tour, attendees are invited to join Chris for a casual member hangout at the nearby RAD Brewing (13 Mystery Street). Those who could not make the bike tour are invited to join us for an adult beverage at noon. (The Rad Brewing Co. will have beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages for sale).
The bike rental includes a helmet, and the bikes have a basket with a waterproof cover to store your belongings while riding. We encourage folks to bring water and snacks, wear close-toed shoes, and dress appropriately for the weather (sunscreen, raincoat, sunglasses/hat, etc.).
We do recommend that folks have prior experience riding a bike, the transition from a normal bike to an electric one is easy, but they do require some knowledge of how to ride. If you’re not in professional biker shape, don’t worry! Electric bikes are much easier to ride than normal bikes. Uphills are a breeze!
The rain date for this event will be October 12th. Please reserve both dates on your calendar to ensure that you can accommodate any changes in our plans.
Huge thanks to our friends at The Flying Bike for helping make this tour possible.
Have you been wanting to connect with your fellow MountainTrue members? Join Healthy Communities Director, Chris Joyell, and other members of MountainTrue for a casual hangout at The River Arts District Brewing Company on October 5th.
This casual hangout is happening directly after MountainTrue’s e-bike tour which has a rain date of Oct. 12th. If Oct. 5th is rainy, this hangout will be pushed back to October 12th. Please check the MountainTrue events page for any cancellation notices or email amy@mountaintrue.org
We hope to see you there. The more the merrier so bring some friends!
Hear from MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper, Andy Hill, and High Country Watershed Outreach Coordinator, Hannah Woodburn, about dam removal projects in the High Country and the state of dam removal in the Southeast. We hope you enjoy learning about this conservation topic and its connection to improving water quality and habitat for sensitive and rare aquatic species.
Free for Members of the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum; $8 General Admission.
Purchase tickets here.
About the speakers:
Andy Hill, High Country Regional Director of MountainTrue and Watauga Riverkeeper
Andy has a passion for clean, cold, fishable, drinkable, and swimmable water. As a long-time fly fisherman, educator, and guide, he is intimately familiar with our watershed from the headwaters to the tailwater and is passionate about protecting the places we love.
Andy’s love for the Southern Appalachians brought him to Appalachian State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Experiential Education and his Master’s in College Outdoor Program Administration. Following his passion for outdoor recreation, Andy has led community service trips both locally and around the globe for several adventure travel programs. Also a NOLS graduate, he thrives on using the outdoors as a source of learning and connecting people with our shared wild places.
Andy is active in the community as the founder of Fish Goat Guide Service based in Valle Crucis, and the proud founder of the Fly Fishing Program at Lees-McRae College. He is also an adjunct instructor at Appalachian State University, teaching courses in Natural Resource Management, Paddlesports, and Leadership and Group Dynamics, and serves on the board of the High Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Andy lives on a tributary of the Watauga with his wife, Bettie, and their young children. They can often be found splashing around our watershed.
Hannah Woodburn,High Country Watershed Outreach Coordinator
Hannah serves as both a staff scientist and community organizer at MountainTrue. In this role, she is responsible for managing all of the active water quality programs, volunteer coordination, and educational outreach in the High Country. She graduated from Appalachian State University in December 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science. After serving as an AmeriCorps member with MountainTrue, Hannah became full-time in July 2022. She is currently working to complete her Master’s Degree requirements at App State in General Biology, with a primary focus on the health of freshwater systems in the Southern Blue Ridge. Hannah is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the streams, lakes, and rivers that make the High Country so special.
