MMBA August 2010 E-Newsletter</head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <img alt="Michigan Mountain Biking Association" src="http://www.moronacity.com/images/mmba_email_header_1.gif" height="82" width="592"><br> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="600"> <tbody> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" valign="top"> <div align="center"><font color="#000066" face="Arial" size="3"><b>E-Newsletter - August 2010</b></font></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="2" height="317" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td rowspan="13" colspan="1" bgcolor="#ccccff" valign="top" width="20%"> <b><font face="Arial" size="-1">In This Issue<br></b> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Advocacy Update<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Don't Miss the Midwest Mountain Bike Summit!<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Northern Chapter Goes High-Tech<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Northern Chapter Ride and Rally<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Rouge Work Days Appreciation Picnic and Tour<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Maybury CPS Race Trail Prep Days <br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> CPS Race at Maybury<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Misery Loves Company<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Michigan Bike Festival and Log Splitter Race<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> Recreation Passport Fee<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> August Schedule of Events<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> MMBA Online Membership<br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> <b>State Board</b> <br /> <font size="-2"><b><i>Executive Board</i></b><br /> Nate Phelps, President<br> Nick Shue, Vice President<br> Chris Mensing, Secretary<br><br> <i><b>At-Large Members</b></i><br> Martin Hall<br> Heather Kubiak<br> Marty Shue<br> Diane Ursu<br><br> <i><b>Chapter Representatives</b></i><br> Brad Hranach, Holly/Flint<br> Nick Shue, Metro North<br> Dave Thompson, Metro South<br> Chris Mensing, Mid-State<br> Troy Gerding, Northeast<br> Glen Ruczynski, Northern<br> Bill Mayer, Potowatomi<br> Cathy Needham, Southwest<br> Nate Phelps, Western<br><br> <hr size="2" width="100%"> John Gonway<br>Advocacy Director<br><br> Bob Eckhardt<br>Treasurer <hr size="2" width="100%"> <br> <b>Contact Us</b><br><br> For more information:<br> <a href="mailto:info@mmba.org">info@mmba.org</a><br><br> Diane Ursu<br> Communications Coordinator<br> <a href="mailto:communications@mmba.org">communications@mmba.org</a><br><br> Executive Director<br><a href="mailto:execdir@mmba.org">execdir@mmba.org</a><br><br> Mike Moss<br> Membership Director<br> <a href="mailto:membership@mmba.org">membership@mmba.org</a><br><br> Dennis Murphy<br> Championship Point Series<br> <a href="mailto:cps@mmba.org">cps@mmba.org</a><br><br> Jon Rose and Shawn Murphy<br> Mountain Bike Patrol<br> <a href="mailto:bikepatrol@mmba.org">bikepatrol@mmba.org</a><br><br> Kevin Karpinski<br> Mountain Kids<br> <a href="mailto:mountainkids@mmba.org">mountainkids@mmba.org</a><br><br> Bent Rim Bugle<br> <a href="mailto:brb@mmba.org">brb@mmba.org</a><br><br> Webmasters<br> <a href="mailto:webmaster@mmba.org">webmaster@mmba.org</a><br><br></font> <br> <div align="center"><font size="3">Join or renew your membership online!</font></div><br> <div align="center"><b><a href="http://membership.mmba.org">membership.mmba.org</a></b></div> </td>  <td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffcc" valign="top" width="80%"><font face="Arial" size="-1"> <b><font color="#000066">Advocacy Update<br></font></b> <font color="#000066"><small>By John Gonway, Advocacy Director</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">MMBA Advocacy members have begun work on identifying new prospective trails to act as Crown Jewels in various regions around the State. The hope is that by identifying new trails or new extensions of trails we can target the best locations and topography and provide the optimum trail-riding experience. Know of a park that meets this criteria? Please let us know so that it can be added to the list of applicants.<br /><br /> Other advocacy news: <ul><li>The separation of trails at Fort Custer is a major hotbed of MMBA advocacy, and a decision is expected soon on a proposal to separate biking and equestrian use;</li> <li>MMBA Advocacy Director John Gonway has now attended the first two meetings of the newly created Snowmobile Trails and Advisory Council and is working to create a Nonmotorized User Workgroup of the Council;</li> <li>the MMBA is in the process of creating a trail development workgroup to interact with the DNRE at regularly scheduled (e.g. quarterly) meetings with DNRE representatives;</li> <li>MMBA Advocacy members continue to attend user group meetings throughout the State of Michigan, including the specially created user groups under the Equestrian Right to Ride Laws.</li></ul> </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><img alt="Midwest Mountain Bike Summit" src="http://www.moronacity.com/images/mwmbs2010logo.jpg" align="right" height="288" hspace="10" width="250"><b>Don't Miss the Midwest Mountain Bike Summit!</font></b><br /><br /> <div align="justify">The 10th Annual Midwest Mountain Bike Summit returns to Grand Rapids, September 10-12, 2010. <br /><br /> Friday, September 10, is dedicated to advocacy. The Clif Bar Advocacy Day offers workshops and seminars including, <em>The Ins and Outs of your IMBA Club Insurance Policy</em>, <em>Developing Urban Trail Systems</em>, <em>Tapping Project Resources From a Local University</em>, and day one of the two-day <em>IMBA Trail School</em>. New this year is a Friday night urban ride complete with fireworks in downtown Grand Rapids, and a few optional stops at Founders and other local watering holes for refreshments.<br /><br /> Saturday, will have a festival atmosphere, with food, a beer garden, and music provided by local bands. The Founders Brewing Company's Festival Day will showcase the Grand Rapids Bike Park, which features a dual lane pump track, a developing skills area, a jump line, and 2.5 miles of singletrack with a jump competition, <em>Pump Track Fury</em>, and a short track competition. Attendees may participate in hands-on demonstrations on topics such as pump track design and the construction of technical trail features. If the Bike Park is not your thing, shuttles to other area trails will be provided. On Saturday night, attendees may enjoy the cyclocross race under the lights.<br /><br /> The Summit concludes Sunday, September 12, with an organized epic ride. The ride covers three different trail systems, almost every kind of surface you can ride a bike on, and over 40 miles of riding. The epic ride is a great way to experience some of West Michigan's finest singletrack.<br /><br /> The Summit is only $20 to attend, $15 if you are an MMBA member, and $5 for children 15 and under accompanied by an adult. If you sign up for the full three days, we'll throw in a reception dinner on Thursday night for free! Can't make it on Friday? A two-day attendance is $10 and includes clinics, classes, and events on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to register for the Summit, check out <a href="http://www.midwestmtbsummit.com">midwestmtbsummit.com</a>. </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffcc" valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Northern Chapter Goes High-Tech</font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Diane Ursu</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">The Northern Chapter has unleashed a brand new website. They have a lot of exciting events coming up in the next couple of months, such as the Michigan Bike Festival and the High Country Pathway camping weekend, so be sure to check <a href="http://northern.mmba.org">northern.mmba.org</a> for updates!</div> </font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Northern Chapter Ride and Rally</font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Glen Ruczynski </small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">The Northern Chapter is cooking up a lot of cool stuff in their region. They will be building a lot of awesome new singletrack over the next year and will hold many sweet events. Things are really hopping in this little chapter! Members and non-members alike are invited to hear about and see what they have brewing "up north."<br /><br /> On Wednesday, August 11, everyone is welcome to meet in the back of the parking lot at the <a href="http://kaliseum.com/">Kalesium</a> in Kalkaska at 6:00 p.m. for a no-drop ride that leaves no later than 6:15 p.m. After the ride, all will roll on up to the conference room at the Kaliseum at 7:45 for some post-ride grub and to cover what's been happening behind the scenes, current projects, the Logsplitter, and what's coming in the future. If it rains, there will be no ride, but everyone will still meet at 7:30 in the Kalesium conference room.<br /><br /> The Northern Chapter needs volunteers to make it happen. Find out how you can help, and learn how rewarding it is to roll down fresh, new ribbons of single track that you helped build. Bottom line, it's a very cool time to be a mountain biker in Northern Michigan. <br /><br /> Sound off in the <a href="http://www.mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=98768">Northern Chapter Ride and Rally thread</a>, send a private message to "Nelg" on the MMBA forums, or email <a href="mailto:northern@mmba.org">northern@mmba.org</a> if you plan to attend. </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffcc" valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Rouge Work Days Appreciation Picnic and Tour</font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Claudia Bean</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">There will be a BBQ and tour of the Rouge Park trail on August 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is a celebration of the new trail.<br /><br /> In 2009, we started a partnership with the <a href="http://diggingdetroit.wordpress.com/">Student Conservation Association (SCA)</a> which is hosted by The Greening of Detroit. The SCA teaches student conservation leaders to train student crews for summer work. <br /><br /> The SCA did some amazing work on the Rouge Park trail, last year, making major improvements, resolving some drainage problems, and cutting a few needed reroutes. This year, they are cutting brand new trail on the east side of the river that was flagged by the MMBA in the spring. This completion of this project will give us approximately a 3-mile loop between Joy and Tireman, with more trail development in the works. It's been a great partnership. </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Maybury CPS Race Trail Prep Days </font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Claudia Bean</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">The Maybury CPS race trail prep days will be August 14–20. We need help preparing the trail for the race, so please contact Trail Coordinator Mike Flack (Sherpaboy on the MMBA forums) for information on how you can help.</div> </font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffcc" valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>CPS Race at Maybury</font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Claudia Bean</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">Join us at the Fifth Annual Maybury State Park Metro-South Chapter Benefit Race–number seven of this year's Championship Points Series–on August 21, 2010 in Northville.<br /><br /> The course will be on most of the mountain bike trails with some additional tough climbs at the beginning and end. There will be fast, open passing zones and speed areas. Elite and Expert racers will do two laps, and everyone else, including singlespeeders, will do one lap. Course length is yet to be determined.<br /><br /> The HellaBellas and Team Tree Farm present the special kid's race with a special course and kids-only prizes. This is a fun, noncompetitive event for the younger kids. The course is usually about 100 yards with limited mountain biking. It is simply a fun event for the kiddies, even as young as two or three years old.<br /><br /> The main park entrance is on the south side of 8 Mile Road, just west of Beck Road. The event will be held in the Maple & Oak shelters. Parking will be mostly on the left, but the large parking lot on the right will also lead you to the race venue via a short, paved path. <a href="http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=469">Click here for more information about Maybury State Park</a>. <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10177">Click here to register</a>. You know you want to. </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Misery Loves Company</font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Martin Hall</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">The "Terrific 25+" will be held on Saturday August 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. It will be the last race for 2010 and will start at the Blarney Stone Bar & Grill at 606 South Whitmore Rd., Hastings, Michigan. Food and drinks are available at the Blarney Stone.<br /><br /> The course is comprised of gravel, sand and dirt roads, and hills. If you like Barry-Roubaix riding, then you’ll flip over this as it covers some of the best and worst that Barry County has to offer. The route will be announced the day of the race. Don’t worry, you’ll love it!<br /><br /> Non-racing, fun riders may start after the last racer begins. Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy an afternoon of old-school racing, good bar food, and friends!<br /><br /> Awards consist of bragging rights, your name in lights on the website and ??? Classes are Men <35, 35-49, 50+, Women <35, >35, and Single Speeds.<br /><br /> Day of event registration only. The race is free for MMBA members. If you are not a member, we will sell you a membership so you can race. Membership will be verified. In addition, volunteers and donations will be accepted.<br /><br /> For additional Information Contact Martin Hall at mehall@landolakes.com. </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffcc" valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Michigan Bike Festival and Log Splitter Race</font></b><br> <font color="#000066"><small>By Diane Ursu</small></font><br><br> <div align="justify">The Michigan Bike Festival will take place at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling on September 3–5. Registration is Friday, September 3, 2010. Visit <a href="http://www.michiganbikefestival.com/">michiganbikefestival.com</a> for more information.</div> </font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>Recreation Passport Fee</font></b><br><br /> <div align="justify">Beginning October 1, the $10 Recreation Passport replaces the state park sticker to get you into all state parks, recreation areas and boat launches. To get your Recreation Passport, just check "YES" on your license plate renewal form. Your $10 also helps preserve forest campgrounds and trails, historic and cultural sites in state parks, and parks in your own community.<br /><br /> Get your Recreation Passport and tell your friends and family to do the same. It's only $10…a good deal for you means a GREAT deal to future generations.<br /><br /> Where can $10 take you? <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport">Visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport</a> for more information. </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffcc" valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>August Schedule of Events</font></b><br><br /> <div align="justify">11 - Northern Chapter Ride and Rally<br /> 14 - Holdridge Lakes Trail Day<br /> 14-20 - Maybury Time Trial Preparation Days<br /> 21 - Maybury Time Trial Metro-South Chapter Benefit Race<br /> 21 - Fort Custer Trail Day </div> </font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top">  <font face="Arial" size="-1"> <font color="#000066"><b>MMBA Online Membership</font></b><br><br /> <div align="justify">Keep track of your MMBA membership by visiting <a href="http://membership.mmba.org">membership.mmba.org</a>. By logging in, you can <ul><li>view information about your past and present membership cycles;</li> <li>renew your membership;</li> <li>edit your information including your address and chapter affiliation;</li> <li>view previous electronic communications;</li> <li>and control your mailing preferences.</li></ul> </div> </font></td></tr></tbody></table> <br> <div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font size="2" face="arial">You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of the MMBA. <br><a href="http://membership.mmba.org/member.php">Login here to change your mail settings</font></a>. <br> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="300"><font size="2" face="arial"> Michigan Mountain Biking Association<br> 5119 Highland Rd, PMB 268<br> Waterford, MI 48327<br></font> </td><td align="center" valign="top" width="300"> <div align="center"><font size="2" face="arial"><a href="http://www.mmba.org"><b>www.mmba.org</b></a></font><br><br> <font size="-2" face="arial">Designed by Diane Ursu, <a href="http://www.moronacity.com">Moronacity.com</a></font></div><br> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br> </div> </body> </html>