As some of you may already know. This year the annual MMBA meeting is falling right into our own backyard. The Lansing Center will play host to this years event.

From the main board:

“February 22nd. Mark your calendars folks, the annual meeting/expo is changing its date and its location to the Lansing Center right in downtown Lansing.

Lansing will serve as a more statewide centralized location within nearly an hour of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, Mount Pleasant, and Flint. The new location will hopefully better represent the MMBA as the statewide organization it is and also offers us a chance to bring in legislators or other government officials in a professional setting.

In addition to the location, The Lansing Center is also right off the freeway with plenty of parking, the space is nearly twice as big, has HEAT, and a bar on site. For vendors there is an easy access loading dock and a much nicer setting.

Stay tuned for other changes including an advocacy round table, silent auction items, and contests.”

Thank you to all of the chapter members and the MMBA ED for coming to the meeting. This was probably one of the most successful meetings we have had in a long time.

There were many new faces and lots of fresh ideas being thrown around. Its nice to see the renewed interest in our chapter. Hopefully, we can run with the momentum that has been created and make 2009 a really good cycling season.

Look for the chapter minutes to be posted as soon as they are forwarded to me.

The midstate chapter message board is back online.

The next trail day will be Sunday, August 17th at 10:00 am. By the middle of next week I hope to have the trail back to the river (another 0.5 mi) and during the trail day we can pick up from there.

Here is a look at what has been completed so far…

Bench cut section

There will be several up coming trail days so keep watching both the MidState message board as well as the MMBA message board for dates and times.

Bennett Park has some serious storm damage, which has closed the park until it can be cleaned up. Additional trails have also been put in at the park so get out there and ride when you can to help break them in.

Anderson Park is coming along slowly right now, however efforts there will be stepped up in the next few weeks to get all of the remaining loops finished. What has been cut so far should be a nice fast flowing trail though.

Burchfield will also be receiving some new singletrack in the coming months. We will be extending the addition that we put in a few months ago.

Mid-State Chapter MMBA
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Attendees: Brad Potter, Chris Davis, Andrea Davis, Keri Morrison, Michael Morrison, Gregg Iddings, David Frost, Andy Pittsley, Dennis Hansen, Nick Johnson, Chris Mensing, and Jake Pangle

Trail Updates

Adrian – Race had a good turnout and building continues in the park. Some areas may require re-routes, but nothing major planed at this time.

Anderson Park – Trail weekend was a success with a few truck loads of garbage removed from the park and 1.4 mi of trail completed. Beginning of loop needs to be completed and was left closed to deter riders before finishing work was done. Pull off areas for parking will be improved in the next couple of weeks and the first loop will be opened to riding. Park cleanup will continue and other groups including the MiGeocachers and Clean Forest Initiative may provide a hand.

Bennet Park – The first bridge is completed and 2 more are scheduled for completion. The DR trimmer is needed to help cut back some undergrowth. Trail building is continuing and will continue next year to include the old river bed area.

Burchfield – Jeff Popard is the new TC and all structures have been inspected. Bandit building continues and anyone caught illegal building will be fined. Drop zone is official closed, as well as a section along the river. A reroute will be placed in the field due to erosion. Park would like to see more people using the trails and are excited about events like the Poker Run and perhaps interested in holding a race. They would like to redo the signs and remove all the color designations. The mountain bike trail will be labeled as advanced and riders can chose to ride the bypasses around the obstacles. A sign maker and Boy Scout troop can make wood signs for a donation.

Ella Sharp – Chris and Jake met with park and they are O.K. with adding signs; which will be a big improvement for this trail. Reroutes are needed in some eroded areas. Cascade Cycling Club previously maintained the trail, but now would like help. Monday night group ride is moving to Tuesdays for June.

Sleepy Hollow – Nothing being done this year.

Other happenings

Poker Run – Volunteers will be needed for this event and picnic. Contact Chris if you would like to help out.

Possible CPS race for 2009 – A group will be formed to begin working on this immediately. Possible trails include Burchfield, Adrian, and Bennet Park.

Potential Freeride committee – Not much interest at this time. Will try to post in the freeride forum to see if there is any interest.

Chapter still has pint glasses, sweat shirts, and t-shirts available.

Election of Chapter Officers

President – Chris Davis
Vice President – Chris Mensing
Secretary – Brad Potter
Treasurer – Jake Pangle
CPS Rep – David Frost
State Board Rep – Chris Mensing
Trail School – Jake Pangle and Brad Potter

Final Thoughts – Dennis warned against using wood signs. He thinks they are vandalized easily and do not hold up well to the weather.

Meeting adjourned