January 3rd Chapter Meeting Recap

The meeting on January 3^rd was a huge success. Twenty six people showed up for the meeting and the Biomechanics Clinic put on by Health Motion. Because of the turnout we will try and put on more information chapter meetings like this in the future. For those of you that were not able to attend here is a brief summary of what we talked about at the chapter meeting.

Election Results – New western MMBA officers were elected in November.

• Martin Hall – Chapter President
• Kevin Allen – Vice President
• Dave Staublin – Treasurer
• Jason Schwab – Secretary

2010 Recap – Some of the notable events from 2010 included

• Urban Bike Park @Plaster Creek Opened up! Thanks to all who helped with this project
• Yankee Springs time trial in April
• Nate Phelps and City of Grand Rapids recognized @ IMBA world summit because of our commitment to Mountain Biking
• State Games of Michigan in June
• 2 successful “Missery Loves Company” group rides organized by martin Hall
• 2 Nationally published articles in Ourdoor Magazine and Bike Magazine about the awesome mountain biking in Grand Rapids!!!
• Grant Money from Macatawa Cycling Club (MCC) for work on Bass River & Saugatuck trails.
• Chapter voted to become a subchapter of IMBA
• 15% increase in chapter members!
• Volunteer hours way up from last year!

2011 Agenda – Here are some of the projects were working on in 2011. Come to a chapter meeting to find out more about these project.

• Formation of the Western MMBA Advisory Board
• IMBA Chapter Program conversion
• Work on the “Grand Loop”, which is a 40 mile loop in Grand Rapids. This will be the first time anywhere in the US that biking has been formally recognized as part of a city’s formal recreation plan.
• Dedication to build 50 miles of new trail in the next 5 years! Lets get to work!
• Continue working to get approval to develop Stanaback park in Kentwood. The Kentwood city council decided to table this idea for a while. We’ll continue to fight to get a park down there.

The Chapter meeting was followed by a Biomechanics presentation by Health Motion.

RIDE THE DIVIDE, AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY FILM, ON MIDWEST MID-WINTER TOUR

Ride The Divide, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, will continue its Midwest mid-winter tour when it descends on Grand Rapids on Thursday, January 27, at the Wealthy Theatre. The film chronicles the story of several mountain bikers who attempt the 2,711-mile race named the Tour Divide along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The movie was named the Best Adventure Film at the 2010 Vail Film Festival.

This film has become an instant cycling classic, and made its television premiere in September on the Documentary Channel. But the Adventure Cycling Association said the film should be seen on the big screen: “The cinematography is stunning!” Added UpaDowna, “Ride The Divide is one of the most inspiring real cycling movies … in a long time.” Epic Riding summed the movie up as follows: “In a word? Fantastic. In more words? Moving, funny, inspiring.”

Ride The Divide embraces the inspiring stories of three of the racers who experience the immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada, to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border. There’s Mike, a 40-year-old family man who uses this challenge to chart a new course in life; Matthew, a leader in extreme endurance racing who’s competing for his fifth time; and Mary, the first female rider to race this route. As they set out, they will attempt to accomplish what very few have been able to. Over the course of a few weeks, they’ll attempt to climb over 200,000 vertical feet along the backbone of the Rocky Mountains.

They’ll experience mental breakdowns, treacherous snow, hellacious blisters, and total fatigue. Above all, they’ll race with no support – at times in total isolation. The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout Ride the Divide prompt us to reflect on our inner desires to live life to the fullest.

Ride The Divide made its debut at the Vail Film Festival and was named the best adventure film at the event. Outside Magazine proclaimed that “(t)he toughest bike race in the world is not in France,” after reviewing the film.

Ride The Divide will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Wealthy Theatre located at 1130 Wealthy St. SW in Grand Rapids. Tickets are $15 at the door, and $10 in advance at http://www.grcmc.org/tickets/Ride_the_Divide. The event, sponsored by Village Bike Shop of Grand Rapids, is a benefit for the Michigan Mountain Biking Association.
The 10-day, 10-city tour will continue Friday night in Madison, WI.

Media contact: Garry Harrington 603-209-5010 gharrington3165@hotmail.com