FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DURAND, Michigan – July 17, 2010 – All are invited to the Michigan Mountain Biking Association Midstate Chapter meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at La Señorita, 2706 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing, Michigan 48912, across from the Eastwood Towne Center. This meeting is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about the MMBA and would like to learn more about trail advocacy.

The meeting is an opportunity for area mountain bikers to discuss current and prospective mountain biking projects as well as to socialize and meet new people who are passionate about the activity. Chapter and state board members will be present to answer questions.

The MMBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on the efforts of local volunteers to build and maintain trails. Each MMBA-maintained trail has a volunteer trail coordinator who designs trails that meet the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s guidelines to minimize erosion and prolong the life of the trail. Trail coordinators also ensure that trails adhere to land management requirements that must be met in order to continue using the land for mountain biking.

In addition to creating new trails, trail coordinators organize volunteer trail work days to maintain existing trails. They cut back overgrowth and clear fallen trees and debris from the trail. Damaged trail is either repaired or rerouted. Bridges and technical features may be added, and ride-around sections of trail are created for less experienced riders so that they do not have to dismount the bike when approaching difficult trail features.

Midstate Chapter members are currently working on several trail projects. Burchfield Park in Holt is currently undergoing trail creation and reconstruction. Volunteers are working on this veteran trail system to reroute old trails and to add mileage to the existing trails. Anderson Park in Lansing is a rapidly growing system with new trail being added every week. It features plenty of elevation changes and obstacles that are enjoyed by area cyclists. Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg is currently under consideration for a trail redesign.

The MMBA works to maintain access to current mountain biking trails and to build new trails in areas without many riding opportunities. All trails are built with the permission of land managers. The trails are often marked as being maintained by the MMBA so riders know who to contact with trail suggestions. The goal is to prevent “bandit trails” that are not properly built or do not meet land manager requirements.

The organization consists of a strong network of mountain bikers from all over the state, from Detroit, Traverse City, Houghton, and everywhere in between. Volunteers consist of lawyers, engineers, artists, and even the unemployed who are using their talent and job experience to further the advocacy efforts of mountain bikers statewide. Some MMBA volunteers even use their volunteer experience to build their resumes.

Visit midstate.mmba.org for more news and updates.

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The Mid-State Chapter is part of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA) and builds and maintains trails in Mid-Michigan. The MMBA is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit corporation.

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

Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of a bicycle pump track in Eastgate Park, 4023 S. Meridian Road, Okemos on Wednesday, June 30 at 6:00pm. A bicycle pump track is a continuous loop that you can ride by “pumping” over rollers and berms. “This is the first track of its kind in Meridian Township and unique to all of our other park amenities,” stated LuAnn Maisner, Director of Parks and Recreation. “Even though the pump track will undoubtedly attract the teen and tween population, I foresee this activity involving entire families.”

This pump track was funded and constructed by volunteers from the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA) who live in our community. The grand opening is an opportunity to learn first hand how to ride and maneuver the track. Bring your bicycles to experience it first hand. “Denny’s Central Park Bicycles” and “Bikeworks” will provide a small number of trial bikes and helmets for use and the Meridian Township Police Department will be on site to register bikes and discuss bicycle safety.

Mark your calendars and join us as we celebrate and thank our local volunteers for their efforts in creating a park feature that the entire community can enjoy! Hot dogs and lemonade will be served following the ribbon cutting. Visit the Parks and Recreation website or call 853-4600 for more information.

Click here to view the Bicycle Pump Track Grand Opening Flier.

Figuring out who gets what and how.

Good thing we brought this bike rack!

Perfectly done hot dogs and a hamburger.

View more photos at Moronacity.com and at our Mid-State Chapter Facebook page!

This year’s Poker Run will be held at Bennett Park in Charlotte on May 22. We have lots of great prizes. In fact, the first 20 participants will receive awesome SWAG!

The Mid-State Chapter will provide food and beverage for this family-friendly event. All are welcome to attend.

Tell your friends and family about this great ride! Click here to print Poker Run fliers to distribute to your local bike shops and any other useful places.

Click here for details on the Poker Run.

We look forward to seeing you!

The Adrian Hare Racer is an event that Mid-State Chapter volunteers help with, every year. We need to find volunteers to help with this great race!

The Island Lake Bike Demo is an MMBA event organized by the Potawatomi Chapter. All participating chapters are selling food for the event and the profits will be equally divided among the participating chapters. This is a great opportunity to raise money for the Mid-State Chapter; however, we must have five volunteers in order to be considered a participating chapter.

If you are interested in helping with either of these events, please leave a message in the comments section of this post, or visit our forum. Carpooling opportunities will most likely arise.

Click on the images to learn more about our sponsors. Links will open in a new window.

          

     

We already have many sponsors for the upcoming Poker Run, which will be held on May 22, 2010. Details will be posted later this week.

Click on the images to learn more about our sponsors. Links will open in a new window.

   

   

Just use the code Strider2-MMBA at checkout when making a purchase.

Visit stridersports.com for more information!