Friday, June 12, 2009
Cannonsburg Game Area Trail Day Update
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dirt Rag Summit review
Midwest MTB Summit Recap
Posted: June 9th, 2009 by Andy BrunoWe promote and cover mountain bike advocacy a lot here at Dirt Rag, arguably more than any other magazine. We do it because we believe it is critical for continued access to trails, and to help promote and grow the sport we love. We also do it to give some much-deserved recognition to the good work of all the local clubs and volunteers out there building and maintaining trails for all of us. These local clubs do some amazing work with minimal resources, all in the name of building better trails.
Recently the Dirt Rag World Tour had a chance to get together with several Midwest local trails advocacy groups for the 9th Annual Midwest Mountain Bike Summit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This was a meeting of people on the front line of trail access, from groups like the Michigan Mountain Bike Association (MMBA), Wisconsin Off Road Bicycle Association (WORBA), Friends of Off-Road Cycling (FORC) Quad Cities, Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (GORC) St. Louis, Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr), and Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Association (WORBA) to name a few.
These are the kind of people who make it happen in your neck of the woods. They’re out there swinging Pulaskis and McLeods building and maintaining trails. They’re also the ones working with local land managers to gain access to areas so that new trails can be built.
The three day summit/festival was a great way to share information, meet new friends, and learn new trail-building techniques. IMBA was there in force with a 2-day trail school with hands-on technical trail building demonstrations, along with Club-Care and Gateway Trails presentations. Plus there were other workshops and seminars focusing on all aspects of mountain bike advocacy with nationally and regionally known presenters. Stihl and Ditch Witch brought some toys for hands-on trail building at the Cannonsburg Ski Area. There were also races and organized rides from the ski area. Last, but certainly not least, the summit concluded with a 40-mile epic ride. And Founders Brewing provided some much needed refreshments after three days of learning, digging and riding. Advocacy never tasted so good.
A special thanks goes out to Nate Phelps and his crew from the Michigan Mountain Bike Association for hosting this event. Word is, the Midwest Mountain Bike Summit will once again be held in Grand Rapids in 2010. Keep an eye open for details at: www.midwestmtbsummit.com.
National Trail Day- Recap
June 6th was National Trail Day and the Western Chapter along with Merrell celebrated by cutting in 1.25 miles of new trail at Luton Park. A record 43 people attended! Merrell supplied water bottles for particpants and held a raffle for a couple of gift certificates, congrats Jeff Corey and Russ Greenwood! Look for another trail day later this summer so we can finish the loop and open it for riding. Currently it is a dead end so we left it closed for now.
Monday, 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.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Epic North Country Trail Ride with wMMBA and PM Lodge
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 1st 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
Monday, June 1, 2009
Luton Park Trail Day this Saturday June 6th
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
Thursday, May 21, 2009
2 day rate now available!
2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit
Monday, May 18, 2009
Cannonburg Game Area Trail Day follow up
Monday, May 11, 2009
Cannonburg Game Area Trail Day
Thanks in advance!
Chris
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