The 10th Annual Midwest Mountain Bike Summit returns to Grand Rapids, September 10-12, 2010. Last year, the Summit drew nearly 200 mountain bikers from across the Midwest to Grand Rapids for three days of mountain biking advocacy and festivities, and in the words of Dirt Rag, "Advocacy never tasted so good". With Founders Brewing Company as the title sponsor this year, the 10th Annual Summit will make advocacy taste even better!
So, what is the Summit? The Summit was conceived ten years ago by the Earthriders Mountain Bike Club in Kansas City, Missouri, as a means to promote singletrack advocacy and awareness. In 2005, the Summit began moving east making stops in St. Louis, Missouri (2005-2006) and Peoria, Illinois (2007-2008) before landing in Grand Rapids last year. The Summit has grown with each stop, and now it is the regions premier mountain biking advocacy event/festival.
In keeping with tradition, the first day of the Summit, Friday, September 10, is dedicated to advocacy. The Clif Bar Advocacy Day includes workshops and seminars, including: The Ins and Outs of your IMBA Club Insurance Policy, presented by Scott Chapin of RJF Agencies; Developing Urban Trail Systems, presented by Ryan Schutz of IMBA; Tapping Project Resources From a Local University, presented by Professor Carol Griffen of Grand Valley State University; and day one of the two-day IMBA Trail School. New this year is a Friday night urban ride complete with fireworks in downtown Grand Rapids, and a few optional stops at Founders and other local watering holes for refreshments.
Saturday, will have a festival atmosphere, with food, a beer garden, and music provided by local bands. The Founders Brewing Co.'s Festival Day will showcase the Grand Rapids Bike Park, which features a dual lane pumptrack, a developing skills area, a jump line, and 2.5 miles of singletrack with a jump competition, Pump Track Fury, and a Short Track Competition. Attendees may participate in hands-on demonstrations on topics such as pumptrack design and the construction of technical trail features; presented by Aaron Rodgers of the Copper Harbor Trails Club. If the Bike Park is not your thing, shuttles to other area trails will be provided. On Saturday night, attendees may participate in, or watch, the Cyclocross race under the lights.
The Summit concludes Sunday, September 12, with an organized epic ride. The ride cover three different trail systems, almost every kind of surface you can ride a bike on (dirt, roads, and paved trails), and over 40 miles of riding. The epic ride is a great way to experience some of West Michigan's finest singletrack.
The good news, it will only cost you $20 to attend, $15 if you are an MMBA member, and $5 for children 15 and under (accompanied by an adult). Even better news, if you sign up for the full three days, we'll throw in a reception dinner on Thursday night for free! Can't make it on Friday? A two-day attendance is $10 and includes clinics, classes, and events on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to register for the Summit, check out www.midwestmtbsummit.com.
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