Do you want a job? Come on, you know you do.

A pretty good chunk of you reading this blog are MMBA members. Yeah, I’m on to you. Some of you even need something to do, and are begging for volunteer opportunities. Well isn’t this your lucky day? I have something for you to do!

Bent Rim Bugle

I am currently looking for people for the following:

• Writers to create or help with articles when needed––this is really not a demanding position, but I don’t have time to do it with all of my other writing projects;
• Editors to catch errors and smooth out articles;
• Graphic artists who can put the BRB together in PDF format––our last graphic artist used Adobe Illustrator; no, as far as I know, we (the MMBA) cannot supply the software;
• Facilitator to coordinate the efforts of the above people and to put out calls for articles and other promotional information from chapter representatives.

Volunteers must be able to commit. My goal is to create a team of many people to lessen the burden. To get this done right, it is a process of several weeks, so it feels like you’ve just published a BRB when you start getting ready for the next one, which is why I want to assemble a team. Ideally, people would work on every other issue.

After I get a list of volunteers, we’ll discuss how to go about getting this publication going, again.

Interested? Send an email to me at communications@mmba.org and I’ll add you to my special Excel spreadsheet.

November 14 was a great day. I met with some of my fellow MMBAers to copywrite the new MMBA membership brochure that will be available at the 2010 Annual Meeting and Expo. This was my first copywriting job, and it was a great educational and social experience.

I met my friends Nick and Marty, my fellow blogger, Andrea, and the Novi Tree Farm trail coordinator, Dave at the Tree Farm for a fun ride. My bike was still broken, so Marty lended me a super sweet 29er. I’ll post that up, tomorrow.

The Tree Farm was a fun, swooping trail with lots of winding singletrack. The trail wasn’t so tight that I had to nearly trackstand to make it around corners, but it was tight enough to challenge one’s cornering skills. In short, it was fun and mentally stimulating.

There was one corner that I was warned about. I know that some of my riding companions did not ride this corner because it was kind of tricky. Going downhill, the trail sharply turned to the right. In the middle of the turn was a root that crossed the trail creating a small drop-off. This was going to require a little strategy.

I approached the turn and knew that this had to be the notorious trail section. It was tricky because riding down the root at a 90-degree angle also meant riding slightly away from the turn. I met the root at the 90-degree angle, anyway, dropped very slowly, did a slight trackstand while turning the front wheel in the direction I wanted to go, as well as looking where I wanted to go. Once I was set up, I let go of the brakes and rear tire slid off of the root and got in line with the front tire. It wasn’t that hard for me, but it did make me a little nervous, which gives this trail bonus points!

We went over a wide, wooden bridge that had a bit of a whoop-de-woo in it. Okay, I lie. It wasn’t a “bit” of a whoop-de-woo; it was one heck of a whoop-de-woo. It was sweet!

Dave led us to “The Crater,” where we played a bit on our bikes and took advantage of this little photo-op. This is Dave riding the initial drop of the crater:

Nick riding the crater.

Marty taking the plunge into the crater.

After playing on the crater for a little while, we rode some more winding singletrack.

Dave leading the way through the Tree Farm.

Nick – waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind Dave.

Andrea and Marty riding in style.

We came across the pump track towards the end of the trail and decided to play a little bit. This was the first time that Andrea had ever ridden a pump track. We had to document this little act so she could prove to her husband that she really did do it!

Marty is riding toward the camera and Andrea is taking the back line.

Di having a great time riding a borrowed bike around the pump track.

I had to try the pump track. There really was no choice. I had never made it around a pump track without pedaling, before. It is hard work. It is very challenging and can leave you huffing and puffing if you’re not a seasoned “pumper.”

I pedaled the first couple of times that I rode around the track. I just couldn’t get the bike to go on certain sections. After a few tries, I did make it all the way around without pedaling. In fact, I believe I made it around twice.

Di having a lot of fun meeting the pump track challenge.

After a fun ride on a beautiful day at the Tree Farm, we headed to the office where we partook in pizza and beer. I wrote the brochure while bouncing ideas off of my very social friends. Hey, bikes + pizza + beer = one hell of a good time. The good news is that we finished the brochure.

It is clear to me than many of you have no idea how the MMBA works. That’s okay. I didn’t know how it worked until I became a board member. The state board works on larger tasks such as:

• Finding recently-introduced legislation that can be harmful to our sport. This can include legislation that allows horses on all trails, legislation that bans us from all public trails, and everything in between.
• Working with IMBA to find and pay for a multi-million dollar insurance policy to cover the court costs for anyone who is part of a lawsuit and to cover any awards that are not in our favor.
• Trying to put on an Annual Meeting & Expo that is much better than the last.
• Providing a mode of communication for the membership.
• Other things as they come up.

Who are the MMBA?

• YOU. It starts with you. If you don’t put something into it, it’s probably not going to work.
• Your chapter. This is the rallying point for people who like to learn about local issues and to develop relationships with local land managers.
• Your chapter board. Those of you who are willing to volunteer to lead your group in your local advocacy efforts.
• Your state board. Those of us who are willing to volunteer to handle larger, daunting issues such as insurance and state issues, such as bills within the House and Senate.
• Your trail coordinators. These are some of the organizations greatest artists. These people put a LOT of time and effort into YOUR trails. They post trail days and some of them even provide food and beer. They do this to get YOU involved, yet many of you never show up.

I am from an area where there is a strong cycling community, but not really an MMBA presence – the Keweenaw. I chose to get involved in an organization at the state level to fight for YOUR trails. My trails really are not threatened by the issues that are championed by the MMBA [not yet]. I’m doing this because I care about the sport and I care about what happens in my state, not just my little area. I’ve also learned that the MMBA is full of extraordinary people who are proud to show off their efforts when someone happens to be “in town.” It’s an awesome network of mountain bikers for those who choose to take advantage of it.

I could spend all of my time writing articles so I can contribute to my personal income, which isn’t that great; but I choose to spend a fair chunk of my time getting involved with making certain decisions that will never be a part of the job for a chapter volunteer (unless they are the chapter president). Over the last year, I’ve worked very hard to inform you guys of legislation that is important to mountain bikers, and to get you guys to contact your representatives. I have recently taken quite a bit of time to inform everyone of recent changes within the organization. I have also tried very hard to get myself out there to meet the membership. I would’ve like to have done more, but money and illness have held me back.

I use my God-given talents for this organization, and while I don’t consider myself a master trail builder, I have still managed to help clear trails for a race in Copper Harbor, show up to a National Trails Day event at Luton Park over by Grand Rapids, and help with other little tasks on the trails. On top of all of that, I am personally liable for anything against the MMBA. I am not unique in the MMBA leadership.

I also happen to think freeriding is immensely cool. I know freeriders who continually build awesome jumps, pump tracks, and stunts. They have rallied freeriders AND cross country riders together to build these things. The new pump track at Michigan Tech is a great example. I even try some of the easier stunts when I ride at Tech and I plan to move onto harder stunts as my confidence builds. I love the challenge.

When you say, “Screw the MMBA. The MMBA sucks. The MMBA never does anything. The MMBA doesn’t care about freeriders…”

When you say these things, you are actually saying, “Screw Di. Di sucks. Di doesn’t do anything for mountain bikers. Di doesn’t care about freeriders. Nate, Nick, Chris, Di, Marty, Martin, Heather, and all of the Chapter Reps, Trail Coordinators, and other volunteers all suck, don’t do anything for mountain bikers, and don’t care about freeriders.”

Thanks, guys. I am glad that putting my heart into this organization is completely worthless to you.

***

What is really sad is that some of you probably don’t even have current MMBA memberships to help pay for that shiny, new insurance policy that allows us to continue building and maintaining trails. Most land owners also require that we have this policy in order to continue mountain biking on their property.

Topics Covered in this Article
• Nominations Are Being Accepted until December 12
• New Electronic Voting
• New Two-Year Terms for State Board At-Large Members
• Annual Meeting and Introduction of the State Board
• Update Your Information with the MMBA

Nominations Are Being Accepted until December 12

Nominations for the State Board At-Large Members are now being accepted. You can request to be placed on the ballot by submitting a “Bio” with the following information to the nomination committee at simse@ntcna.nissan-usa.com.

• Applicant’s history and accomplishments with the MMBA.
• What the applicant would like the MMBA to achieve in the following year and how the applicant will help the MMBA to achieve that goal.
• Other MMBA members who are familiar with the applicant’s work, preferably a chapter officer or trail coordinator.

Any active and respected candidates will then be placed on the ballot and the bios will be placed on the MMBA website. Any questions should be directed to simse@ntcna.nissan-usa.com.

New Electronic Voting

The process for elections has also changed. Members will be able to vote online from December 15 until December 20. Members may vote for candidates using one of three methods:

• The MMBA will send each member an email with a unique link to the voting ballot. This will allow each member to vote only once. Each link will be associated with an email address, so member email addresses must be updated in the system (see the last section of this article, Update Your Information with the MMBA).
• MMBA members who cannot vote online have the option of voting by proxy. Members may fax their ballots to (248)488-3908. When faxing, please send an e-mail to simse@ntcna.nissan-usa.com to indicate that a fax has been sent. Members may also vote by proxy by sending their ballots to Emil Sims, 15563 Merion Ct., Northville, MI 48168.

The ballot must contain the following items:

• Names of up to four (4) candidates
• Your name, printed
• Your name, signed.

New Two-Year Terms for State Board At-Large Members

Four (4) candidates will be appointed as the State Board At-Large Members for 2010. The two candidates with the most votes will be elected for two-year terms. The two candidates with the lowest number of votes will be elected for one-year terms. Starting with the December 2010 election, only two candidates will be elected to fill the expired terms, and all At-Large positions will be for alternating two-year terms.

Annual Meeting and Introduction of the State Board

The earlier election allows the new board directors to take their seat at the January meeting, elect a new executive committee, and to familiarize themselves with the process and current policies. The new voting method will also allow more members to vote for the state board members.

These new changes have been implemented for a couple of important reasons. With the new election process in place, the new MMBA State Board will be introduced at the annual meeting. This meeting will also be an opportunity for the membership to discuss important issues with the board at a scheduled annual meeting with the membership.

Update Your Information with the MMBA

It is important to update your information with the MMBA to ensure that you will receive important communications such as your voting link, the monthly e-newsletter, and the e-BRB that will be unveiled in 2010. Follow these steps to view the information you have on file with us and to make any corrections:

• Go to http://membership.mmba.org/member.php – clicking on this link will open a new window so you can continue to follow these instructions.
• Type in your username and password (should be the same as your forum login) and click “Login.” If you have problems logging in, send an email to membership@mmba.org.
• In the right-hand column, under the heading of “Useful Links,” click on “Change Password/Edit Profile.”
• Verify that the information provided is correct. The email address must be correct in order for you to receive important communications from the MMBA. If any changes are made, click the “Save Profile” button at the bottom of the page.

While you are logged into your account, you can see when your membership is up for renewal, renew that membership, and view previous newsletters.

…I’ve heard it from so many people: “Why would you go down there to mountain bike?” Well, because there is a lot of mountain biking down there. Sure, it’s not like the stuff we have in the Keweenaw or the rest of the Upper Peninsula, but they still have some great trails with their own special characteristics. Many of the trails are just incredibly freakin’ fun!

Today, my guide, John Rose of Knobby Tire Tours, showed me around the Stony Creek Metropark trails. John is also co-director of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association’s Mountain Bike Patrol. It didn’t take long for me to notice that it was an excellent trail system for some serious stress relief. The layout of the trail – windy, yet flowy – was perfect for getting in the zone. Even though it was cold and rainy, I found myself in that happy place.

The trails also included a little technical riding. There were some wide bridges that wound through the trees. There were some fun, rooty drop-offs, sections of small baby-heads, and steep climbs around turns. There were also plenty of opportunities for speed. This trail has a little of the “whee factor” going on. Overall, I would rate this trail intermediate in difficulty.

The reason why John and I went to Stony Creek was to participate in the Michigan Mountain Biking Association Metro North Chapter’s third annual Massive Fallout Ride. After our ride, we drove to Addison Oaks to chat with the riders and have a snack. Afterward, we headed to an MMBA board meeting and brought the day to a close.

Over the last week, I have noticed quite a difference in my climbing ability. Compared to last year, I have a few things going against me:
• I haven’t been riding much.
• I am 20 pounds heavier.
• I’ve been severely lacking in motivation.
• I’ve had a lot of personal issues to work through.

Recent changes in my life have given me new hope. I am now a full-time freelance writer with another job prospect on the horizon. While I am still building the foundation of my career, I am envisioning the life I have always wanted: the opportunity to travel and simply be free. I have no problem lugging my laptop around and doing a little work here and there. It is something I enjoy.

I like the idea of regularly blogging, again. I enjoy the benefits of documenting my cycling life and being able to look at it down the road. It is really interesting to go back and see what I’ve done over the past years. It’s actually quite amazing. Everyone should do it. It is an odd form of self-validation. It is quite surprising to feel like you’ve done absolutely nothing only to be reminded that you’ve done quite a bit.

I love that I can travel downstate and can be more involved with the Michigan Mountain Biking Association activities. As a state board member, I want to be involved. I want to put myself out there and experience what Michigan has to offer, which is quite a bit. There are some wonderful people who are involved with this organization, and I really enjoy meeting them. This is what I will be doing over the next month, and I am looking forward to using it as a personal growth experience.

The tide has turned. I feel like I can ride more. I am looking forward to becoming a lighter, faster Di. My life has significantly changed over the last month, but I feel this is for the better. Like my muscles, which are torn down during a workout and built back up and stronger than ever, I feel like I have been torn down, and now I am gaining greater strength. I will be strong.

We enjoyed a pig roast served by a local caterer. Thursday night was social hour(s) spent imbibing beer provided by Founders Brewing Company, in Grand Rapids, a sponsor of the Summit and supporter of many activities of the Western Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association.

Friday brought classroom presentations regarding mountain biking advocacy. The presentation I attended was about the economics of cycling. The speaker raised many interesting points about the benefits of cycling within a community, the effects it has on increasing the local population and acquiring new talent for employers, and the desirability of trails near homes.

I also attended a presentation regarding grant acquisitions. One of the points most stressed upon by the speaker was to choose a foundation that provided grants closer to the value of the project for which you are applying. The gateway trail presentation was given by Ryan Shutz of the International Mountain Biking Association. He presented the new idea of trails produced in small areas in urban settings. Small parks may have pump tracks or tight, twisty trails combined with other playground equipment or family recreational opportunities. These parks allows people a simple introduction to mountain biking in a safe environment close to home. Another excellent example is a super-tight, twisty section of singletrack located under Interstate 5, the I-5 Colonnade, in Seattle, Washington.

Collins Bishop of the IMBA Trail Care Crew.

I spent my afternoon repeating the IMBA Trail School presentation that I participated in, last summer (Please Apply, Again!). They provide a lot of great information, and I knew I wouldn’t retain a lot of it after one trail school experience. The second presentation filled in the holes created by forgetfulness. It was well worth the second sitting. It was enjoyable, and I was able to use the information by discussing the different concepts with other people. It was an excellent reinforcement opportunity.

I really wanted to ride, Saturday night, but didn’t really have the gumption after a full day of sitting in conference rooms. I headed to dinner with some MMBA friends, Nick, Marty, Brad, Jon, and Mike. Believe me when I say they are all characters and our dinnertime conversation was most likely less than acceptable by most standards.

Top: Marty Shue learning to use the inclinometer as Kelly Bishop looks on. Bottom: The trail school participants practicing their trail layout skills at the Cannonsburg State Game Area.

Saturday brought the opportunity to use some Friday’s lessons in the outdoor setting at the Cannonsburg Ski Area. I attended only one session: the IMBA school trail layout. After that, I rode the Cannonsburg Ski Area mountain bike trail with Nick, Marty, Brad, and Mike. It was a great trail. It started with a lot of [painful] climbing. After that, it was mostly fast and flowy. I certainly did not expect a trail like that in western Lower Michigan. I was impressed.

Nick, Marty, and I then joined a group ride at the Luton mountain bike trails not far from Cannonsburg. Luton is a gateway trail in itself. The Western Chapter has been working with the local government to allow access to that land. It is a relationship that is developing slowly, but some excellent mountain biking now exists, there. I personally feel that Luton trumped Cannonsburg Ski Area. Both are nice, but Luton was much faster, quite flowy, and offered plenty of opportunities to practice tighter turns with lots of speed.

Top: Marty Shue showing how it’s done at the Cannonsburg Ski Area. Bottom: A little fun on the group ride at Luton.

After a full day of playing in the woods, I headed to Founder’s tasting room to meet up with my friends, Sam and Aaron, of Copper Harbor. We watched the Red Wings win their game. Unfortunately, the Founder’s experience was not for me. Apparently, it is an immensely popular place where conversation is not easily heard. It is packed and loud. To Founder’s credit, the food was excellent, although the hoppy beer isn’t quite my style. After the game, I returned to my campsite and went to sleep.

Sunday, I woke up, packed, and headed to my parents’ house. There was a 40-mile ride scheduled, that day, but I didn’t have it in me. I was tired of living out of an over-packed vehicle. The excitement of the weekend didn’t end there, though. We were surprised to learn that a little fawn had taken residence in the tall grass alongside my parents’ yard.

It turned out to be an excellent weekend. I am looking forward to next year’s Midwest Mountain Bike Summit.

As some of you may remember, I accepted a nomination to run for one of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association’s At-Large State Board Member positions. At the end of Sunday’s expo, the new At-Large Board Members were announced:
• Martin Hall
• Heather Kubiak
• Marty Shue
• Diane Ursu

I consider it an honor that so many of the voting members consider me to be one of the right people for the job. Thank you so much for voting for me.

While sitting at my very first state-level board meeting, I felt a little overwhelmed. As we discussed insurance, I found myself wondering what I had gotten myself into. I really am not very useful where financials are concerned. As the meeting moved on, I found us discussing topics where I could be of use. These were the types of things I was brought into this position for.

While I am the board member that lives the furthest away, and by a considerable distance, I am finding that distance is no barrier for board communication. We discuss issues by email and forum and most of our meetings are by teleconference. It seems as though board chatter never ceases.

Of course, I still firmly believe that the organization is only as good as its volunteers. That means that the people at the local level – those not in board positions – are the most important people there are. Those are the people who need to show up to trail days and volunteer for different programs. The more people get involved, the stronger and more productive this organization will be.

I hope you get involved.

The Keweenaw exhibit that was the source of so much excitement during the expo. Look at all those hot guys swarming around our table.

We had a lot of fun meeting various people, placing faces and names with MMBA forum names (sorry, but I really can’t remember everyone, so you’ll just have to reintroduce yourselves), and chatting with the adventure racing guy next to us. I also spent some time gawking at the 2009 Gary Fisher Superfly Singlespeed frame that was sitting on the table next to me.

What was really crazy about this experience is how Amanda and I got totally pumped about mountain biking. We spent a lot of time telling people about our trails, and hearing from some of our visitors about how they visit the Keweenaw every year and they absolutely love the biking up there. So do we. With about three months to go, we have to wait to ride the trails that we love so much.

One of the sources of my frustration is with people who frequent the MMBA message boards. There are several people who are hateful and do their best to irritate others. There are others who can’t focus on one’s main point and rip the point apart into unimportant arguments. Others can’t stand that you may actually be onto something and have something to offer beyond what they know. Some insist that more time spent is better experience. Unfortunately, some of these people are board members of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association. That is my frustration.

This isn’t just another Internet forum. It is also a tool of communication between the organization’s members and non-members – people on the outside looking in. As a state-wide organization, it is an important tool that brings the members closer. For example, most of the members live in the Greater Detroit Area. Very few members live in the Upper Peninsula, like I do. This forum bridges our geographical gap to allow us to communicate and fight for the same issues. What I don’t like is how some people use this forum to belittle others of lower populated areas and act like these remote areas have absolutely nothing positive and cutting-edge to contribute. I am beginning to feel like some of the others who have told me about this already-existing viewpoint left the organization because they felt, in a word, alienated.

I could follow these people and leave the organization. I could take my support and give all of it to the local level. That isn’t what is happening, though.

I was recently persuaded to run for one of the MMBA At-Large Board Member positions. I reluctantly submitted my application for election. I have no experience on this scale, but many people are behind me for whatever reason. Some think it is great because there will be an Upper Peninsula representative on the board. Some simply want a new way of thinking within the board. Others know that I ask a lot of questions and I am an advocate of accountability. I can promise that I will bring integrity to the position.

Even if I live up to all of these expectations, there isn’t much I can do if I work with people who would rather fight against me than take my ideas into consideration, and consideration is all I want. To me “that won’t work” or “what do you know, you’ve only been riding for there years” is completely unacceptable and ignorant on their part as well as disrespectful towards me and others like me. That attitude towards me won’t allow me to represent the membership with a more open mind and take different ideas into consideration. I won’t have much of an effect. I’m not saying that the board is worthless and rude, but I do know that there are some people who have been in volunteer positions with the MMBA for several years, and they are overworked and need a break. Perhaps that is why they don’t always come across as warm and fuzzy. That is why I am asking potential MMBA members to join, and all members to consider running for one of these state board positions.

I want the state board to have a fresh perspective, rather than one that is most likely the product of overworked volunteers. Electing new board members from all over the state is something I would like to see. I won’t be heart-broken if there actually is a choice for voters this year and I don’t get the position, but I will be disappointed if none of us have a choice.

MMBA At-Large Board Member – Information provided by current At-Large Board Member, Ed Hug
• The board of directors is the main policy body for the state-wide organization.
• The board sets the direction for MMBA
   o decide what is the best direction of the organization
   o decide where to allocate resources
   o oversee the work of the executive director, treasurer, and other director positions
• Duties include
   o monthly board meetings and committee meetings as needed
   o the board usually meets via teleconference the second week of the month
   o three in-person meetings scheduled in 2009 (one being the annual meeting, two others
      hosted by chapters)
• Time commitment
   o starts at ~three hours per month and depends on your interest, committee
      participation, etc.

If you are interested in actively participating in a positive change for the MMBA send an email to simse AT ntcna.nissan-usa.com with the following information:
• Applicant’s history/accomplishments with the MMBA
• What the applicant would like the MMBA to achieve in the following year and how the
   applicant will help the MMBA to achieve that goal
• Other MMBA members who are familiar with the applicant’s work, preferably a chapter
   officer or trail coordinator

Voting will take place in February. I will have more information on that in January.