Co-Authors Welcome…

If anyone would like to be added to the list of authors to our NE Chapter site…say the word!  We can also add links to your blog, website, favorite mountain bike site, riding gear sites, etc.  We have plenty of space to upload more content and keep our site fresh.

…Also don’t hesitate to comment on any of our posts.  We encourage your input.  FYI…we changed the settings to allow comments anonymously, but we prefer you to identify yourselves.

Skills Course Brainstorm…

There will be a meeting tonight (8/27) at Midland City Forest to discuss the Skills Course/Pump Track concept.  We will meet in the main parking lot at 7:30pm and walk back to the clearing just beyond the second toboggan tower.  All interested are welcome to help us define the “big picture” and how to divide and conquer to get it built.  For tonight…bikes are optional, bug spray recommended and focused brains required.

We will probably be forced to end the meeting after about an hour, as daylight ends it’s session.

Chapter Meeting Summary…

We held a Northeast Chapter meeting last night and here are the highlights:

• Discussion of “Pain Haven” race at Pine Haven.  More info posted soon.
• Discussion of added features at Midland City Forest (skills course, pump track, new trail features)
• Discussion of skills course construction project as Eagle Scout program.
• Discussion of endurance race at MCF, just after Thanksgiving 2008, as fundraiser.
• Nomination and approval of Thad Hallberg as secretary of the NE Chapter.
• Discussion of frequency of chapter meetings…Jim motions to keep this stuff “fun”…I’ll second that!
• Nomination of Jim Crissman to write the Bent Rim Bugle Report (honestly, I need to find out what this is)…of course we approve of Jim, but not sure if he is ready to tackle this one.  He may be willing to pass this on to another interested candidate.

There were about a dozen or so, in attendance.  At least half of them rode MCF before the meeting with perfect weather and trail conditions.  Thanks to those who participated and brought beers/snacks!  Hope to see even more folks at the next meeting, as we are hoping to kick off some great projects/events and will need more help.  Future meeting dates posted here soon.

FYI…if you are unsure of what a “pump track” is…type it into a YouTube search and see many examples.  I posted some links on our Facebook group.

From zero-to-Skills Course in 5 minutes

 

 

James Lee

 

Thad Hallberg

After our chapter meeting we decided to walk/ride out to the potential site of the skills/pump track at Midland City Forest.  The space looks roomy enough for our needs and seems to be vacant of any activity.  We will need the approval of the city before any ground is broken…that is our next step.

While we were there we found some old railroad ties and logs that were asking to be ridden over.  James sailed over them with ease, while I cautiously gave it my best.  WARNING: the riders shown in these images are not wearing helmets and should be severely beaten for their behavior.  The MMBA Northeast Chapter promotes safe bike riding and the use of helmets.  The riders were forced to apologize and promised to not let this happen again!  Seriously, we know better and weren’t expecting to be doing this.

Hopefully, our skills course and pump track vision can become reality.  It would be a great attraction to add to our already solid MCF trail system!

Meeting Tonight!

Midland City Forest…Wed. August 20th…7pm sharp…bring bike (last agenda item is a group ride)…all invited.

UPDATE: some are riding the whole trail (approx 13.5 miles) before the meeting.  Departing about 5:15pm.  There will be limited daylight after the meeting…maybe enough to complete a couple of loops.  See you there!

Northeast Chapter meeting/ride…

Copied from Uncle Jimmi’s MMBA forum post…

A meeting will be held Wednesday August 20 at 7:00 PM sharp at none other than Midland City Forest. 
Bring a chair or stool or be prepared to sit on your bike, this meeting will be held at the main trail head parking lot. 
We will have a productive 30 to 40 min meeting followed by a lap through the forest for those who want to ride. Lights won’t be needed and we will do 2 groups, fast and slow. 
On the agenda for the meeting will be discussing the possibilities of holding a race before the season is over. 
Setting a date for the next meeting so it never goes this long between meetings again. The position of Secretary for the chapter. 
Adding a skills area and skills options to the existing trails at the MCF.

…hope to see all interested riders there.

Northeast Chapter “group” now on Facebook…

The MMBA Northeast Chapter now has a Facebook group (creatively titled MMBA Northeast Chapter).  If you are a Facebook user already, you can find us easily via a keyword search.  If you are not a Facebook user, become one.  You can create a free profile in minutes and be connected to the group.  Don’t feel obligated to divulge all of your personal information in your profile.  You can add/edit it at any time.

You are encouraged to add stories, trail reports, photos and even videos in the Facebook group.  Have fun with it.  Also, please invite other riders to our new site and Facebook group.  Thanks, now go ride!

Northeast Chapter Lives…

 

Over the bars

The MMBA Northeast Chapter has been offline for a while now.  We are establishing this blog to put us back on the map!  Give us a little time to work out the kinks.  Feel free to leave comments and help guide this blog in the right direction.

We can grant authorization to any of you who feel compelled to contribute to this blog.  Step right (write) up. Don’t be shy.

Please contribute to our “Rides” section.  If you have (or want to have) an established weekly ride that you want to promote, please send us the meeting time, place and skill level.  We will try to post your ride in a timely manner.  It would be great to have a place to promote impromptu rides as well…working on solving this issue.

Create your bookmark now and check in often, as we will be adding more content.  Hope to see you all playing in the dirt soon!