Luton Park Update...Spring 2010

Many of you may not know but a parking lot was created in late December on Keis St. just west of the Luton Barn. The barn has been fenced off and parking for all user groups can take place at this new lot. It is a temporary lot in agreement with the Kent Co Road Commission. A larger and permanent lot will still be built at the Ten Mile entrance when funding becomes available. On some summer evenings the lot may not prove to be large enough for all the cyclists. Please don't park on the shoulder of the roadway, the sheriff can ticket you for this. Simply revert to old habits and park at the D&W Plaza instead.
When the soil conditions dry out a bit more and riding starts taking place out there please ride east from the parking lot toward the barn and join the trail at this point. This will be signed and potentially mowed in and visible soon but I am sure riders will beat the county to the punch on this one. Help "ride in" the connector by using the same path/course each time.
The county is going to add a causeway or raised tread in the two wetland areas of the Blue Loop. They had hoped to complete it this winter if we had little to no snow for a period. That never happened and if they drive back in there now we will really have a mess. They are considering waiting til August so please be patient. We will be involved in top dressing it, shaping and compacting it when the dirt is in place. There is about 500 feet on the east end and 500 feet on the west end that need this work. The wooden board walk ideas have fizzled due to the amount of hiking traffic the Blue Loop gets.
They also were approached by the scouts again. The scouts would like to do some volunteer construction out there and have agreed to place some post markers like the ones used at Siedman and Pickerel. 8x8's with arrows and loop colors on the top of the post. Our plastic arrows on trees would be removed. Not sure when this will take place.Thats it for now. Please resist the temptation to ride for a few more weeks. Go to Yankee or Fort Custer, I hear they are ready to go!
ThanksRick

Please avoid trails during the thaw

Grand Rapids Bicycle Film Festival

THE 3RD ANNUAL GRAND RAPIDS BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL
(On Facebook too. http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=272973362592&ref=mf or just search Grand Rapids Bicycle Film Festival)
February 13, 2010
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy Street, SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
We're at it again. This time with the support of: The Western Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Bike Association, The Rapid Wheelmen, Grand Rapids BMX. We are running both a matinee and an evening show this year. Feel free to attend one or both shows. Rumor is the Snowcross is happening that day too. Come on over to the West Side for the snow cross, then stay for the Bicycle Film Fest!
MATINEE SHOW: Doors open at 2:30. Movies from 3-5pm. Pre-sale tickets are $5. Day of tickets are $7. The matinee is a BMX themed event in the Koning Micro Theatre.
EVENING SHOW: Doors open at 6:30. Movies from 7-10pm. Pre-sale tickets are $13. Day of tickets are $15. The evening show has movies running in both the main theater (Wege Auditorium) and the Koning Micro Theatre. We have a collection of cycling shorts, documentaries, great cinematography, and a couple local production efforts included.

PRE-SALE TICKETS: Pre-sale tickets can be purchased in person at Wealthy Theatre or on line at: http://www.grcmc.org/index.php?page=events&event_id=2137
DAY OF TICKETS: Day of tickets are available on site before the show.

MOVIE LINE UP: Cycling shorts from around the world.
FatBike (Cycling in Anchorage Alaska - http://alaskabikeblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/fat-bike.html)
Into the Thunder Dragon (Mountain Unicycling in the Himalayas - http://www.krisholm.com/khu/about/films)
Stompin’ Stu (The Story of Legendary BMX racer Stu Thomsen - http://www.stompinstu.com/)
Joe Kid on a Sting Ray (The History of BMX - http://www.joekidonastingray.com/)
Plus we have two local submissions. We're giving a nod to the local efforts on this one.

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF:CASH BAR!!!! Founders IPA on tap.Pizza by the slice from Brickroad Pizza
200 - 300 of your cycling friends.
Profits go to the benefit of Grand Rapids BMX, Michigan Youth Cycling, The Midwest Mountain Bike Summit, and future GR Bicycle Film Festivals.

Chapter Meeting Minutes - December 7, 2009

Western Michigan Mountain Biking Association
Meeting Minutes
December 7, 2009

Location: Mangiamo’s Restaurant – Grand Rapids, Mi

Board Members Present: Rick Plite, Dave Staublin, Jason Schwab

Members Present: Chris Curtis, Scott Thenikl, Jenn Bechtel, Jason Bechtel, Sean Evans, Chris Johnson, Silteldon Lambert, Karl Siebert, Doug Klynstra, Joshua Duggan, Dennis Murphy, Steve Kunnath, Sue Kunnath, Heather Kubiak, Carol Griffin, Ron Johnston, Brendon Bayley

Start Time: 6:45pm

0.0 Meeting Called to Order
1.0 Previous meeting review with Updates
1.1 Film Festival – Feb 13th
1.2 State Games – June 25th – 27th
1.3 Dennis Murphy is now CPS Coordinator
1.4 Motion to approve the minutes by Rick Plite, seconded by Dave Staublin
2.0 Announce new board members
2.1 Vice President – Martin Hall
2.2 Treasurer – Dave Staublin
2.3 Secretary – Jason Schwab
3.0 Turkey Burner @ Yankee Springs
3.1 Becoming an annual event & good turnout
4.0 Holiday Ride
4.1 December 13th, 2009, 1pm @ Founders. Ride will go to many downtown bars and end at Founders @3pm
5.0 Priority Health Underwear Party
5.1 December 16th, 2009, 7pm @ McFaddens. Bring a pack of men’s underwear to donate to those less fortunate
6.0 Trail Coordinator Updates
6.1 Luton
6.1.1 In October the log pile on the Black Loop was Finished
6.1.2 Reroute on the blue loop because of mud / water issues
6.1.3 DO NOT Park at the barn. Please park @ D&W.
7.0 State Games
7.1 June 26th @ Cannonsburg
7.2 Mountain Biking will consist of probably Cross Country and Downhill events.
7.3 Contact Dave Staublin for more details

8.0 Grand Rapids Biking Coalition
8.1 Grand Rapids was awarded a bronze level status for bicycle friendly community.
9.0 State MMBA News
9.1 Insurance Policy Almost Complete
9.1.1 New insurance will cover design, construction, and maintenance.
9.1.2 No teeter-totters under new insurance
9.1.3 Teeter-totters were removed from Cannonsburg
9.1.4 New insurance now covers alcohol at events.
9.1.5 Cross Country races now covered
9.1.6 New carrier will be RJF insurance, which is the same insurance company Trek uses.
9.2 MMBA is looking to hire a lobbiest
9.3 Call for Reginal Trail Coordinators
9.3.1 Contact Nate Phelps for more information
9.4 Horse Bill
9.4.1 This bill would allow horse use on almost all Mountain Biking Trails
9.4.2 Contact Rick Plite or Nate Phelps for a letter to send in opposing this bill.
9.4.3 This is one of the main reasons that the State MMBA has decided to hire a lobbyist
9.5 State Annual Meeting
9.5.1 January 31st, 2009 @ MSU Pavilion in Lansing, MI
9.5.2 Starts at 10am
9.5.3 Silent Auction, indoor riding
9.5.4 Open to the general Public (free event)
10.0 Closing
10.1 Reinstate mass email reminders for events
10.2 Overview of volunteer hours to date
10.3 Bike Stock 2010 will be sometime in July 2010

Meeting ended: 8:00 p.m.

These minutes to be posted at: Western Mmba on Facebook and western@mmba.org (blogger.com).

Previous months' minutes can be requested from: jason@jasonschwab.com

Holiday Ride, December 13th, 1:00 P.M.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Time for the Western Chapter Michigan Mountain Bike Association's "Holiday Ride". Set your sled (Bike) to be at Founders Brewing Parking lot this Sunday December 13th, 1:00 pm. We'll ride around greater downtown Grand Rapids and visit various public houses of Joy and "Spirits" until around 3:00 pm or whenever we find our way back to Founders. All bikes and rider skills are welcome as we share the sprit of the season. See you Sunday! Martin

Chapter Meeting

Western MMBA Chapter Meeting this Monday December 7th, 2009. Meet at Mangiamo's 6:30 P.M. All are welcome to attend and find out what the westernMMBA is up to these days!

Underwear Party

‘Tis the Time of Year to join the Priority Health Cycling Teams at McFaddens at 58 Ionia Ave SW in downtown Grand Rapids to collect some needy items and cash (always needed) for our less fortunate brothers of this community. This annual gathering of the local cycling clan ( including roadies, Mountain bikers and cross racers) allows us all to be thankful for what we have and what we can give to others.
This wonderful gathering started several years ago as a small group of cyclists from a local church and has grown to include the greater community. The Mel Trotter Mission, when asked what they could use for these men responded quickly “ we always need underwear and socks 24/7 all year round”. Thus, the underwear and sock theme. When deciding how much to spend or bring remember how much we all spend on cycling stuff year round. These guys need our help and together we can do a great thing while enjoying each others company with a beer or sandwich or both in hand. Bring your family, friends, teammates, favorite mechanic, personal trainer, etc. the more the merrier!
Join us at McFaddens on Ionia Ave SW on Wednesday December 16th at 7 pm till ???? We will have the upper room completely to ourselves complete with bar, pool tables, big screen TV and loungers. Last year was the best year ever as we raised a few thousand dollars and enough underwear and socks to fill 2 minivans!!!

Spread the word.

Turkey Burner Ride=First Snow Ride

Over 40 riders took part in the annual Turkey Burner ride at Yankee Springs/Deep Lake mountain bike trail 11-27-09. As a special treat, group ride leader Martin Hall ordered up a fresh dusting of the white stuff. More photos can be found on the Flickr link, Group Rides. Thanks to all that participated!

Luton Park

Mountain bike riding at Luton Park is a pilot program for the wMMBA and Kent County Parks Department. After many years of submitting plans and ideas to Kent Co, the wMMBA was finally given permission to develop trails on the undeveloped land known as Luton Park.

Luton Park had a two-track trail approximately 1.5 miles long (the Blue Loop) and a small parking area near a barn on Kies Ave that was used by local friends, family and neighbors for many years prior to our arrival. One of the stipulations with the Parks Department was that the wMMBA would encourage and recommend to the riders that use the park that they not park at the barn on Kies Ave due to the fact it is too small for the amount of traffic impact we would place there. It would remain a “foot traffic only” parking area. This would also keep peace somewhat with the neighbors that are not pleased with the new activity at Luton Park.

Future plans do call for a parking lot to be built off Ten Mile Road. The current economic situation and major budget cuts have had a serious impact on the county and a parking lot could be years away.

Mountain bikers and cyclist in general have a poor reputation among many people. As with any pilot program, the actions of a few bad seeds can ruin it for all of us. The wMMBA has assured the county that we are a responsible user group and should be given a fair shot.

In the first season and a half of mountain biking at Luton Park it has been observed that many riders have disappointed the wMMBA, the County and the Luton neighbors. Many complaints have been made to the county via telephone, letter, or email including:

· Ignoring posted “No Parking Signs” on 10 Mile Road
· Ignoring requests to not park at the barn
· Ignoring posted “No Night Riding” signs
· Urinating in public
· Drinking alcohol on park property
· Littering energy wrappers and bike water bottles
· Fast riders being rude to hikers or slower bike riders
· Trespassing on park property before dawn or after dusk
· Illegally parking on a county roadway shoulder

Our actions at Luton Park will have a direct affect on the wMMBA’s progress with gaining access to other parkland in West Michigan currently be discussed including the City of Grand Rapids, City of Wyoming, City of Kentwood, Allegan County, Ottawa County and Newaygo County.

The wMMBA and its volunteers have over 1800 hours of labor and thousands of dollars invested in this multi-use trail system. It is currently recommended that riders park at D&W Plaza just 1-mile away and ride the wide road shoulder to and from the trailhead.
I would highly recommend those cyclists and hikers that are pleased that the county has opened this land to us that they write a letter or email thanking them for this great opportunity. Send letters to: Kent County Parks 1700 Butterworth SW Grand Rapids, MI 49534-7065, The Grand Rapids Press, or emails to: Roger Sabine at Roger.Sabine@kentcountymi.gov
Please spread the word and help us clean up our act. The future of mountain biking is in your hands.

Thanks!

Rick Plite
wMMBA President
Luton Park Trail Coordinator

Election Results for 2010 Board Members

Results of Election for 2010 Board Members are:
Vice President: Martin Hall
Treasurer: Dave Staublin
Secretary: Jason Schwab

Congratulations to our new Board Members and thank you to everyone who voted!