Owasippe CLOSED June 8, 2009

Owasippe CLOSED June 8, 2009

Bryan Myers has had communications from the rangers at Owassippe- Al and Larry
.
From Bryan: The trails are closed as of sundown tonight for the scout camp.
There has also been illegal trail pirating during the recent closure. This type of defiant behavior will definitely close the door to Owasippe for all! Under the new conditions, we are on a one year probation out there. This is private property. Trail use is a privilege.

After the scout camps are done for the season, there will be a new sign posted at the trail head with a new sign-in procedure so that all riders are accounted for. Please remember that Al and Larry want us out there. They are on our side because bikers are excellent security camera's. Do not confront them in the same manner that someone did whoe drove a large red Dodge truck (license plate "BYU...") in March. The trails will be closed for good and Matt's hard work to re-open will be poisoned forever.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ANYBODY THAT NEEDS TO KNOW! THANK YOU!!!

There will be a happy trail work day in Aug as soon as we get the green light. Crews will be setting up the new trail signs, courtesy of the West Michigan Coast Riders Bike Club. Please sign up in advance. Many of you are already on the list.

Epic North Country Trail Ride with wMMBA and PM Lodge

Here are all the details for the 2009 ride:

When: Oct 9th-11th 2009 Where: Marilla Trail Head (Beers Rd) to Baldwin via the NCT (one dirt/paved road bypass near High Bridge approx 8 miles long). Total distance is about 78 miles with a bail out option at the halfway point.

Plan: Meet at the Pere Marquette Lodge in Baldwin on Friday evening. Everyone attends a debreifing meeting Friday at 9pm, PM Lodge
Saturday we rise early for continental breakfast. PM Lodge shuttles us to the Marilla Trail Head and then waits for us at the Freesoil Rd Trailhead (approx half way) with a catered lunch of P&J, snacks, fruit etc. After the trailside lunch the big ride will finish the southern portion of the trip to Bowman Lake Trail Head, then the 8 mile paved road to PM Lodge where a keg of Founders Ale and a gourmet dinner await us. (While this may start as a group ride, riders are encouraged to ride at the pace that they desire and therefore eliminate the sensitivity to large groups of cyclists on the NCT). We will have a sweeper rider to see that everyone gets through the ride. Riders must carry their own tools and water to get them to the 1/2 way point or the full length. The trail is very well marked but maps will be provided. Some of the dirt road sections can become tricky to follow.

Options: Riders may choose to start or finish at Freesoil Rd if desired, eliminating half of the miles. Tip: the section from Beers Road to Freesoil Road is the best section with greater variety of terrain but it is also the hilliest portion. If you prefer flatter terrain and a shorter distance, ride Freesoil South or skip the early shuttle and ride from PM Lodge north to lunch at Freesoil, then return via the shuttle. It would also be possible for someone to go for a hike from the Freesoil Trailhead while others are riding. Perfect for that non-riding spouse.
We have room for 34 people. The room scenarios are all a bit different.

7 double rooms with two double beds in each room equals 28 people. 3 single rooms with one double bed equals 6 people. The Lodge is within walking distance to the Pere Marquette River, and sleeps a maximum of 34 people in 10 rooms. All rooms have air conditioning and whirlpool tubs with a shower. A double room features two double beds and a kitchenette, which feature a small refrigerator, a two-burner stovetop, and sink and dishes. A single room features a double bed with a whirlpool tub next to it. Cable TV and wireless Internet is available in all rooms and in the large central living room area. Room #15 is handicap accessible. The attached dining room is a great place to gather and enjoy the dinner provided. A grill and campfire area is located behind the lodge as well. We will all convene in the main lodge or at a bonfire each night.

Please check this closely. My hopes are that everyone will choose the four to a double room or 2 to a single room so that we can accommodate all 34 of us that wish to go. In other words, if everyone were to book two in a double and one in a single we would only have a group of 17 people. I think we have enough interest to use all 34 spots. We encourage friends to bunk together, 2 couples to share a room. There is a chance a few cabins could open up for us as well, providing additional beds if the interest is there.

Each person gets lodging Fri and Sat night Oct 9th and 10th 2009, continental breakfast, the shuttle, route map, trailside lunch, a very nice dinner (request vegetarian with Frank when making reservations if desired) and Founders beer for the recovery party Saturday night. New this year, we will have a covered truck or trailer to haul the bikes and 2 busses if need be. We will also have a PM Staff member wait with a bus for the absolute last rider at the half way point. These two items are responsible for the slightly higher fee this year.

We cannot split these amenities up. It is all or nothing. No camping option, no shuttle elimination etc.

Cost is $145 per person for the weekend

Excluding 6% sales tax.
Pere Marquette Lodge supports the MMBA and therefore has already discounted these rates by 15% for MMBA members. Please sign up for a MMBA membership if you are not a member. A MMBA membership is tax deductible.
All reservations need to be made with Frank or Josh at the Pere Marquette Lodge (231-745-3972) by July 1^st 2009. First come first served. Please mention Western MMBA event.

Cancellation Policy
* All cancellations must be in writing to PM Lodge
* Reservations canceled within 14 days of reservation date will be charged in full
* Reservations canceled within 30 days of reservation date will result in lost deposit

Here are all the details of the 2009 Western Chapter NCT Epic Ride

Luton Park Trail Day this Saturday June 6th

Join us for a trail day June 6th at Luton Park in Rockford. In celebration of National Trail Day, Merrell has joined us as the event sponsor! Come on out and get some Merrell goodies and have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate! Meet at the Keis Ave barn and we will walk in from there.


I can't think of a better way to celebrate National Trail Day than cutting in a brand new section of trail with tools donated by Merrell. Yep, new tools and new trail, here is your chance to help create another 1.5-2 miles similar to the Red Loop terrain!

9:00 am -1:00 pm lunch and tools provided. Bring your own water, boots, gloves, rain jackets?, bug spray.
We could use additional rakes and loppers. If you have one to bring along please do. If you have a chain saw we could use those too.
We meet rain or shine

2 day rate now available!

2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit

The 2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit that will take place on May 29-31, 2009 at the Cannonsburg Ski Area near Grand Rapids, MI. The three-day Summit will provide educational and networking opportunities to over three hundred mountain bicyclists, trail builders and advocates from across the Midwest.

More information:

http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=89694

http://www.midwestmtbsummit.com

Cannonburg Game Area Trail Day follow up

4-18-2009

Cannonsburg State Game Area

Today a team of Volunteers embarked on the first Organized Trail Day of 2009 at the Game Area. The focus today was reclaiming the overgrown main trail head parking lot on 4 mile road. Trimming, Tilling and Tamping reclaimed approximately 30 feet of width to the back half of the parking area. The idea is to promote parking in three rows vs two in order to allow more vehicle parking in the parking lot relieving the parking out on 4 Mile Road a long time complaint of the local residence. So try parking as far to the left and right as possible and in the center next time your out for a ride. A special Thanks goes out to Johnny Carinos Italian Restaurant at Knapps Corner for donating a great lunch. Thanks Mike!

5-16-2009

Cannonsburg State Game Area

Today a team of 13 eager Trail Crew Volunteers completed the second planned Trail Day of the season at the Game Area. I must say we knocked one out of the park at the game area today! The Crew completed the long awaited trail reroutes flagged and approve last year. These sections are in the 3rd section of trail before the parking lot at 3 mile road. Work included reroutes around two severely eroded fall line trail and sand pits. Reclaiming of the old ruts and trail was also completed making the old trail almost disappear. Great work team, awesome job! Thanks you.

Thanks to BC Pizza Belmont for a great discount on Pizza and Salad. And a Hugh THANK YOU goes out to Nader Atallah at Home Run Deli and Liquor on Post Dr. (just West of the Exit off 131N.) Amazing Sandwiches, Greek Pasta Salads, Wings, Meatballs, Jerky and Sweets (all kinds of stuff) plus a Great Deal on Founders 6 packs - $7.99!!! Check them out before or after a ride.

Stay Tuned for Details on the June 20th Trail Day.

Chris

Cannonburg Game Area Trail Day

Saturday MAY 16th 9:00 AM main trail head. We need a good turn out on the one. Please come out for the day, for an hour, what ever time you can donate will be a huge help as we prep our Heritage Trail for the upcoming MidWest Mountain Bike Summit! As always lunch will be provided. Bring gloves and H2O.
Thanks in advance!
Chris

Luton dump recap

Two picture equals a thousand words.

GR Parks event

I Love GR Parks event- http://www.friendsofgrparks.org/

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – May 7, 2009 – Do we want better parks, to become a bicycle friendly community, to build a whitewater course through downtown Grand Rapids or organize more farmers markets? If so, how can citizens, government and business take action to make these visions a reality? Who are the champions who will move pieces of the green agenda forward in Grand Rapids?
At Green Gathering: Actions on Wednesday, May 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., the public is invited to review three park special studies – Joe Taylor, Ball-Perkins and Butterworth Landfill – and three Grand River special studies – 201 Market Street, eastside riverwalk extension from the Blue Bridge to Wealthy St. and a “rapids” run on the Grand River. Future action then will be prioritized based on recommended strategies for Natural Systems, Greening, Parks and Recreation, Connections, the Grand River and Local Food.
The forum takes place at Harrison Park Elementary, 1440 Davis Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. It is the third of three community forums hosted by Green Grand Rapids, an 18-month project launched by the City to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives. For information about the meeting, go to http://www.greengrandrapids.us/ or call 616-456-3031. A final fall 2009 open house meeting will also be held.
“This is a very important part of Green Grand Rapids – where individuals can make a difference. Their actions have a direct impact on making our city even better,” says Suzanne Schulz, planning director for the City of Grand Rapids. “The special studies show how many green objectives and strategies can be achieved with concept plans developed with public participation. The next step is challenging. We must set priorities because financial resources are limited. People who are passionate about the Green Grand Rapids vision need to step forward, like the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and organizers of the Bicycle Summit have done. We need strong, committed community leadership to be actively involved in making Grand Rapids a more desirable place to live, work and play.”
About Green Grand Rapids
Green Grand Rapids is an 18-month project designed to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives. Financial supporters of Green Grand Rapids include Grand Rapids’ Downtown Development Authority, Wege Foundation, Frey Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Dyer-Ives Foundation. For information, go to http://www.greengrandrapids.us/ or call 616-456-3031.

Luton Park Update

May 9th will be our next trail day at Luton Park, we plan to remove all of the items in the dump pile on the yellow loop. Padnos has already agreed to provide a dumpster for scrap metal and we plan to have a dumpster for trash as well. The problem will be that we need plenty of "runners" to go back and forth the 1/2 mile from dump to barn. If you have a pick up truck, quad, skid loader, trailer, etc. let me know so we can coordinate the haulers for the day. Then we need plenty of people to pick up the scrap and trash. Most of these items are tires and 5 gallon metal buckets. Please bring leather gloves and heavy work boots for protection! Do you have little ones that would like to help? This is the perfect chance, tons of tin cans and unbroken glass bottles to pick up too. Again bring gloves. We could also use flat blade shovels, leaf blowers, rakes, plastic trash cans. Spread the word on this one, lets make Luton Park a better place for all to see.

Update: Forest Hills Foods deli department has donated box lunches for the event, thanks Jeff!
Padnos Iron and Metal has so graciously donated a scrap metal dumpster and Allied Waste will provide the trash dumpster, thank you Doug, Lee and Jan!

We had a total of 20 people on April 26th and the rain held off until we got the Yellow Loop completely fine tuned. Due to the heavy rain last night, the very first section has a 20 foot area underwater, this is easy to avoid by simply riding the old original hiking trail near by. A total of 80 man hours were put into the trail work today! The new bench cuts will not only improve the flow of the ride but also lessen the erosion that storm water causes by running down the trail. Good work everyone! A special thank you to the Bissell cycling team for providing the lunch today.