MMMBA has transitioned into the IMBA chapter program. How do you renew your membership or join? Sign up for your IMBA membership at http://www.imba.com/join and select Mid-Michigan Mountain Biking Association. When registering for your account, be sure to use the same email address that you used with the MMBA, if applicable.
A special thank you to everyone who joined us at the Eastgate Park Pump Track Grand Opening on Wednesday. Many riders showed up and enjoyed the hard work of the volunteers who worked so had to make this happen.
Links
Moronacity: Eastgate Park Pump Track Grand Opening – A Photo Essay
Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner: Eastgate Park Pump Track Grand Opening was a great success
The State News: Bicycle pump track unites community
Do not give yourself or other mountain bikers a bad name by riding on trails during the spring thaw. The recent warm weather may be melting the snow, but the sub-surface layers of soil are still partially frozen. Trails are critically sensitive to erosion damage at this time.
Currently, water from the melting snow is unable to sink into the soil, so trail surfaces are muddy. Tire ruts help channel this water and contribute to erosion and muddy spots that can become long-term trail damage.
Please ride on pavement or gravel roads for a few more weeks while the trails properly thaw and dry out. A good rule of thumb is that when the earthworms begin to emerge, the ground is suitably thawed for trail activities. Help us keep trails open to mountain biking by riding in an environmentally sound manner.
If you want to ride and are unsure of the trail conditions, call the park where you would like to ride or check the MMBA bulletin board.
We are looking for a new chapter logo and you happen to be the right person for the job!
Feel free to submit your designs in the “Mid-State Logo” thread of the forum, where other details about what we’re looking for can also be found. Chapter members will vote to determine what the new logo will be.
The MMBA is also looking for 20th anniversary designs as well as new t-shirt designs. Winners will receive prizes for the statewide contests. Check out MMBA.org for more information.
Mid Michigan mountain bikers can now “friend” the Mid State Chapter on Facebook. We’re even tweeting on Twitter!
Click here to visit our Facebook page. You can read our tweets on the sidebar to the right, or you can visit our Twitter page (MMBA_Midstate).
Don’t forget that you can always reach us on the Mid-State Forum, as well.
New chapter officers were elected at the February 20 meeting at Old Chicago in Okemos. This year’s board is already looking at possible trail projects, including new trails, and other new things to help out the Mid-State Chapter.
Chapter Board
The following are the new board members:
State Board
The Mid-State Chapter has two members on the State Board. The Mid-State Chapter Representative was elected by chapter members. The State Board At-Large Member was elected by the statewide membership to serve a two-year term.
The stunt in Bobs Supremacy is trashed.
If I have enough interest, I will get some lumber to work on rebuilding the stunt. Please reply here, or at my email. If I can round up 3-4 people I’ll go on a lumber run.
email is jeff.popard(at)kramerairtool (dot)com.
Setting it up for Sunday April 26 at 11:00. We will meet at McNamara Landing. Let me know if anyone is interested.
We will need cordless drills, hammers, and a cordless sawzall or circular saw.
Also, If anyone has waders, we can fix the bridges at swamp thing!
Let me know, and thanks!
We are looking for trail building volunteers to help us complete the Red Loop at Anderson Park on April 11th and 25th. No experience or tools necessary…just a desire to give back and work on trails. I will post up times as the days approach.
I will be out at the park this weekend to remove the sticks and leaves from the green loop and section of red loop that has already been completed. After this is done the trail should be ready to ride. Anyone is welcome to do this type of work at anytime.
The blue loop will be completed when the IMBA Trail Crew visits May 21-24. See http://www.mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=89179 for details.
Finally, we are looking for someone to help with the construction of kiosks. Post up, PM, or contact a MidState board member if you can help.
Thank you!
The Mid-State chapter will be holding their spring meeting March 21 at 1:30 at Buffalo Barbecue Wings in Jackson.
Directions:
The biggest topic that we will be covering is the scheduling of spring trail dates and overall trail maintenance issues.
Please post up or email me [midstate (at) mmba (dot) org] if you can attend. We need a head count to know how many tables to reserve.
We will also be holding a group ride after the meeting. If things dry out, we will be riding at Ella Sharp Park. Otherwise we will likely ride the rail-trail.