BLACKSBURG – Back Country Ski and Sports in Blacksburg is hosting a new event billed as a gear swap, fundraiser and gathering of local cycling organizations
The first ever Gear and Gearheads Gathering is set for Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“We will be hosting a gear swap where anyone can buy, sell or trade gently used cycling, camping, hiking or paddling equipment,” said Andrew Hoskins of Back Country Ski and Sports. “Got a closet full of spare tires that are collecting dust? An old tent that hasn’t been set up since the first Bush was in office? You can bring it by and Back Country will sell the item for you minus a commission fee.”
Half of the commission proceeds will be donated to the Poverty Creek Trails Coalition (PCTC). Funds raised by the event will be used to help in the ongoing effort of the volunteer organization to maintain and improve trails in the area. Anyone who wants to stay at the event and sell the item may do so without a fee for a cash transaction or trade between two patrons.
Beer will also be on the event’s menu, as Devil’s Backbone has donated beer to help in the fund-raising efforts. Beer tickets can be purchased on-site at the event for those 21 and over. There will also be a raffle running from Mar. 11 until the event for a prize package put together by Devil’s Backbone, East Coasters and BC Ski. Raffle tickets are $5 each, with all proceeds from beer and raffle ticket sales going to the PCTC. Raffle tickets can be purchased in store at East Coasters or BC Ski Blacksburg locations.
“In addition to the swap we will have many of our local cycling clubs on site to share information on how to join in on group rides in the region, trail maintenance opportunities, various club events and ways to join the conversation on important regional issues,” said Hoskins.
In 2018, PCTC logged 409.5 volunteer hours in the Poverty Creek trail system. Last year, PCTC completed a relocation of Joe Pye trail, moving it away from the creek drainage and increasing the length of this trail from 1.2 to 1.7 miles. Many similar new projects are already approved by the US Forestry Service for 2019 and preliminary work has already begun.
“Money raised from this event will help tremendously in purchasing tools, equipment and materials for future projects,” said Hoskins. For more information to help the local trail system, follow on Facebook and Instagram @PovertyCreekTrailsCoalition.
Partners in the Gear and Gearheads Gathering include Devil’s Backbone, East Coasters, NRVBA, PCTC, Blue Ridge Gravity ,VT MTB, Ride Solutions and Roam NRV.
