Blower Brigade Deployment…

10 11 2009

If you have ridden MMCC lately, you know that the trail is buried in leaves. Thankfully, many of the orange marker ribbons are still in place from the trail build last Spring.  Jim Crissman (DirtPo) has posted in the MMBA NE Chapter forum, that we clear the leaves for safe Fall/Winter riding.  If you have a gas blower or a rake and strong shoulders, reply to Jim’s post.  We need to declare a time and deploy the blower brigade.  Thanks for any of your help.

http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=93945

UPDATE: Thanks to Jim Crissman and Ken Eddy for checking this task off of our list. The MMCC Trail is ready to ride again.  Join up with the group ride at MMCC on Sunday Nov. 15th @ 10am, if you aren’t gunning for a deer.  No worries, the buckslayers are not allowed to hunt on MMCC property.





Busy October!

26 10 2009

Sorry readers, it has been a busy October.  My MMBA NE Chapter postings have really petered out. That’s not to say that there is nothing going on. Everyone (but me) is still hitting the trails hard before the snow starts flying. Last minute preparations and training sessions for Iceman are happening all around us.  Get on Steve Hoffman’s email distribution for regular group ride notices <stevehoffman813@gmail.com>.  Yes, I am registered for Iceman and yes, it is going to kick my a- -!

Safety concerns:  We were notified recently by IMBA/MMBA to dismantle any teeter-totters on MMBA sanctioned trails.  This is due to some discrepancies in their insurance coverage.  We believe that the teeter-totters will be re-installed as soon as the issues are resolved.  Please do not try to “fix” them, just ignore them for now and forge ahead.  Thanks.  Also, be careful riding during the Fall season. The combination of slippery wet leaves and hidden tree roots can really kill your buzz quickly.

Several have been asking about the trailhead location at Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC).  As you enter the main parking lot at MMCC from S Clare Ave (old 27), you will find the trailhead about 100 ft (across the lawn) from the NW corner of the lot.  You will enter into a wooded area between the school and the road.  The 10.1 mile loop will conclude  on the South side of the same lot.  We hope to work with MMCC to develop some trail signage in the near future.  This is a wise ride destination during the rainy season, as it is on high ground and sheds water quickly.

Thanks to those who participated in the Pain Haven race and our 1st annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.  Both were successful events and we look forward to growing them in 2010.  Thanks to the City and County of Midland for their help with both events.

Glad to see so many familiar faces at “Race Across the Sky” the other night in Saginaw.  This inspiring documentary movie is about the Leadville 100, a now legendary mountain bike race in the sleepy mining town of Leadville, CO.  The Leadville 100 is an out and back race that begins at an altitude of 10,200 ft and climbs to 12,500 ft.  It challenges all riders from the elite level like Lance Armstrong, to those only competing against themselves for a chance to say that they completed the “Leadville”.  It was cool to see mountain biking on the big screen and learn of the riders who had to overcome many challenges to finish this race, not to mention seeing Lance’s feeble attempt to fix a flat tire.  Maybe we could consider creating our own “movie night” and show some mountain bike flicks at a venue of choice?

As we get into the hunting seasons, keep in mind that you may be sharing the woods with others, less visible.  I know that Midland City Forest and MMCC are posted “No Hunting”…probably others too.  I will try to get clarification on this and post an update.  May as well remove the whitetail from your riding tights until next year, just to be safe.

As mentioned before, I would welcome others to contribute to this site.  It is easy to get you authorized to become an author.  Or submit a story to me and I will take care of getting it posted. Or if you can capture any ride imagery or a post-ride video of Steve H singing karaoke at Ruckles, I would gladly post that too.  Send to: <thadhallberg@gmail.com>

Until next time, keep the rubber side down and your extremities warm!





Wednesday MMCC Ride…

25 08 2009

This Wednesday Aug. 26th at Mid Michigan Community College – ride leaves at 6pm sharp! For those interested in an early lap – some plan to be there at 4:45pm.

Note: School is back in session at MMCC. If the front parking lot is full, continue on to the back parking area. This area is open during the week for overflow parking. DO NOT PARK ON GRASS!





MMCC Trail Added…

14 08 2009

The Mid Michigan Community College Trail has (finally) been added to our TRAILS tab.  Steve Hoffman and Vaughn Murray are the trail coordinators. There is a link to our MMCC Trail Report topic on the MMBA Forum.  Please use this topic to report any issues, make suggestions, share a ride story, etc.  The trail is seeing a lot of action this Summer.  If you haven’t ridden it yet, you should.  Also note that this trail is posted “no hunting“…so ride it safely, until the snow start dumping.





Wednesday Ride…

11 08 2009

Group ride!  Wednesday Aug 12th, Mid Michigan Community College trail – 6pm sharp!  Trail is in GREAT shape (we rode it Sunday and it was outstanding)

Please note that the main parking lot will be closed for resurfacing, so we’ll meet at the parking lot where our trail crosses the asphalt road.   Directions:   Continue on Mannsiding Rd past Old Clare Ave (where we normally turn left).   Take 1st drive on left  (approx 100 yards past stop sign) and continue to the 2nd parking lot on left (just before the yellow gates).

It looks like there will be a carpool group leaving (at 5pm) from the parking lot of the “old” Holiday Inn (near conference center) on Wackerly Rd, in Midland.





MMCC Group Ride…

7 08 2009

Group ride (tomorrow) Saturday August 8th, Mid Michigan Community College at 9am sharp!  Weather permitting.





Wednesday Group Ride…

29 07 2009

See our “Rides” tab or http://mmbane.wordpress.com/rides/ for updated “Wednesday Ride” information.  This is a well established group ride, with deep roots and dedicated participants.  You won’t regret hooking up with these dirt lovers!

Tonight happens to be at Burns Rd (5:30pm sharp).  For future e-mail notifications on the Wednesday night group ride details, contact Steve Hoffman at shoffman813[at]sbcglobal[dot]net.  This will save me from having to post details every week…thanks.

Also…Thanks to those who participated in last night’s group ride and meeting with MMBA Director, Marne Smiley.  A little dirt, some beer, lively conversation…good times!  Sorry, I forgot to snap some pics.





Tuesday & Wednesday @ MMCC

12 07 2009

This week there will be group rides at MMCC Trail (Harrison, MI) on both Tuesday and Wednesday at 6pm sharp. This is to better accomodate all rider’s schedules.





MMCC Trail Buzz…

17 06 2009

Thanks Di for the compliments on the MMCC Trail!… http://bit.ly/Oyx4a

The credit goes to Vaughn Murray and Steve Hoffman for leading the build, as well as Mid Michigan Community College for trusting their trail building experience. Many other faithful and experienced volunteers pitched in to speed this project along.

The trail isn’t perfect yet, but the more riders we can get on it, the better!

See Di’s website and blog…

http://www.moronacity.com/

http://www.moronacity.com/blog/





New MMCC Map Images…

4 06 2009

 

MMCC Trail (Harrison,MI)

MMCC Trail (Harrison,MI)

These are from the GPS data retrieved from last nights amazing group ride.  If you haven’t already participated in the Wednesday night group ride…you should!  It departs at 6pm  sharp! Historically, it has taken place at Burns Rd, but lately at MMCC.  We will try to keep you properly informed.  The images are from the Garmin 405 and it’s new collaboration with Google Earth.  It’s a great and easy method for making maps!  Enjoy.

MMCC Trail (Harrison, MI)

MMCC Trail (Harrison, MI)








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