Western MMBA has a new website!

We're please to announce our new website (WMMBA.ORG). As such this website will no longer be updated so please bookmark the new site and check it regularly for updated news and events pertaining to the Western Chapter!

WMMBA.ORG

National Trails Day 2011

Come join us for our Annual National Trail Day event at the Cannonsburg State Game Area Trail. We'd like to get enough help to do a few (much needed) trail improvements. If you ride this trail a few nights a week, please consider spending a few hours to help give it some TLC!

Here's what we'll be doing:
1. Paint/Stain and resign the Kiosk.
2. Remove the plastic old school mat at the end of Section 4 and replace with permanent natural flagstone armoring. (also elevate the low tread just before that)
3. Make the "Mud Pit" in Section 3 disappear via a cool reroute.

Meet us at 9 am on June 4th at the main parking lot (State Game Area). Bring work gloves, H2O, chair and your bike or hiking shoes for post trail work enjoyment. Tools will be provided along with FREE LUNCH!

This is a Rain or Shine event so come prepared for the conditions.

Thank you and see you on June 4th!!
-Western MMBA

The Cannonsburg Ski Area is closed until further notice

The Ski Area started logging some trees off the property this morning. About 40 trees have been sold on the east part of the property, right where the bike trails are. :( The trees were sold for cash, not ski runs, so this area should remain great for the bike trails going forward. They think it will take from a week to ten days to remove them so the trails are [b][u]temporarily closed[/u][/b]. We will ask the mountain biking community to lend a hand to return the trails to a good riding condition as fast as possible once they are done. With the Fun Promotions race coming up on June 11th and the State Games race on June 25, we will have our hands full. Hopefully clean up will only require removing small limbs, branches and leaves from the trail surface but I am sure some areas will need some soil repairs.

Trifecta Tour - 50 in 5 Benefit Ride

Click here view full sized poster
50 new trail miles in 5 years - benefit ride
Presented by: The Western Michigan Mountain Bike Association

We all dream of riding new local single track. Well… the dreams becoming a reality as the WMMBA initiates its plan for 50 new mountain bike trail miles in the next 5 years. We need everyone’s help to reach this goal and to kick off the campaign we are having the Trifecta Tour benefit ride. Bring your friends and family, Sund...ay May 22 for a day of riding three of Western Michigan’s best mountain bike trails. Proceeds from the event will benefit the 50 new trail miles in 5 years initiative.

Registration
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=13222

Pre Registration Cost
• April 10 – May 8
• www.bikereg.com
• Adult: $25 (MMBA Members: $20)

Day of Registration Cost
• Adults $30 (MMBA Members $25)

Children 16 and under $5 (must be accompanied on the ride by an adult)

The Trifecta Tour will offer three individual routes to choose from which will challenge riders of all skill levels.
1.) Trifecta = 41 miles approx. ( Ski Hill Area start - State Game trail, Luton trail, Cannonsburg trail )
2.) Double Dirt = 30 Miles approx. ( Ski Hill Area start - State Game trail, Luton trail )
3.) Single Track = 12 Miles approx.( Ski Hill Area start - State Game trail. (A group ride leader will provide a pre ride lesson on trail riding and bike safety )

We will have three local bike shops sponsoring aid station support at each of the three trail heads. They will be providing hydration, fruits and mechanical assistance for riders.

Cannonsburg Ski Area will be open from 11:30 – 3:00 selling post ride food, drinks and adult beverages. Bring your lawn chairs for post ride relaxation, refueling and hanging out with your friends and family.

The event will take place rain or shine. In the case of wet conditions, there will be alternate routes presented to protect our trails.
Contact; Scott TenCate @ 616-292-2395 with any event questions

Mayor's Bike Ride & Oxford Street Trail Ribbon Cutting

click image to view full sized poster

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

January Chapter Meeting / Free Cycling Biomechanics Clinic

WHAT: Chapter Meeting and Free Cycling Biomechanics, Riding Pain Free Clinic by Health Motion Physical Therapists.

WHEN: Monday, January 3rd

WHERE: Health Motion Physical Therapy Building
428 Bridge St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

*** Please be aware that this month's meeting is NOT at the usual location (Rocky's Grill)

This special presentation on the biomechanics of cycling will address how the body functions optimally, common cycling injuries and how pain limits a riders endurance, strength and enjoyment when riding.

Our presenter is Tara Jansen, a licensed physical therapist, member of the MMBA and this years 1st place finisher in the Expert Women's Championship Point Series. In addition to covering the biomechanics of cycling, Tara will discuss handling common injuries, tips on avoiding injuries, proper warm up and stretching and answer your questions about any injuries, pain or limitations that are affecting your riding.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about handling injuries and riding pain free. You don't want to miss this Chapter meeting!

The Western MMBA is committed to bring MMBA members informational sessions and clinics in conjunction with out chapter meetings in the future. If you have ideas for future meetings please do let us know!

Hope to see you there!

Hair of the Dog Ride - Jan 1st, noon @ Founders

What: No drop, everybody sticks together urban singletrack, side road, alley, parking ramp, traffic circle fun ride around Grand Rapids. No rider left behind, traffic rules are in play, helmets, mountain or cross bikes, blinkys, locks, proper dress for the weather & a good attitude are required. We will have a ride leader who needs to remain the ride leader. Anybody that passes the ride leader will be shot………….or, have to drink a shot, we haven’t decided yet. No kiddin, ya pass, ya lose because there are tons of twists and turns that would be hard to figure out.


Where: Founders Parking Lot ~ they’re closed at noon but, everyone knows where they are and they do open at 4pm. Find a place to park and meet at Founders.


When: 01 January 2011 ~ Wheels up at noon please – ride will finish @ The Hop Cat around 2pm or so, depending on weather & what the group wants to do.


Bring: Mountain or Cross bike, lock, cash for the inevitable watering hole stop, on the bike snacks, yourself, your friends and your sense of adventure.


We’ll have a few mobile phones along just in case. First scheduled stop: The Web bar @ 644 Richmond ~ finish at the Hop Cat which opens at: 11:30a.

Chapter Meeting - Monday November 1st @7:00pm

Mark your calendars for the next Chapter meeting!

WHEN: Monday, November 1st @ 7:00pm
WHERE: Rocky's Bar & Grill 633 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI

Last months chapter meeting was the largest yet with about 40 people attending. Come out and find out what the Western Michigan Mountain Biking Association is up to and what project are in the works! Tell us what project YOU are most interested in us working on in 2011!

We will be going over the following agenda items before opening up the floor for general ideas.

1.) Midwest Mountain Bike Summit summary
2.) Sponsor / Partnership Update
3.) "Adopt a Trail" expansion pilot project
4.) What have we been doing to accomplish our Imperative Goals?
a.) Improve participation in chapter activities by members and community.
b.) Be the natural surface trails advocacy group in West Michigan
c.) Communicate with community to support chapter initiatives.

After that any trail coordinators will give updates on their trails and we'll open up the floor for general ideas / thoughts. Your ideas are volunteerism are what makes West Michigan one of the best mountain bike spots around!

***Please note that the time is 7:00pm as opposed to last months later time.

Hope to see you there!