The Michigan DNR used to run a program called “Becoming an Outdoor Woman” (BOW), but has discontinued this program. But it lives on, thanks to Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association (CRAMBA-IMBA) member Martha Shue.

Re-named as “Got MTB” (Girls on Trails Mountain Biking), this is a Women’s Mountain Biking [...]]]> Women on Mountain Bikes

The Michigan DNR used to run a program called “Becoming an Outdoor Woman” (BOW), but has discontinued this program. But it lives on, thanks to Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association (CRAMBA-IMBA) member Martha Shue.

Re-named as “Got MTB” (Girls on Trails Mountain Biking), this is a Women’s Mountain Biking Clinic geared for the beginner to the intermediate mountain bike rider. On the bike, you will learn how to ride singletrack trails, and skills such as the basics of braking and cornering and how to distribute body weight on climbs and descents. Off the bike, a maintenance clinic then covers basic trail repair, how to fix a flat tire and a broken chain, and how to keep a bike clean and properly lubricated. A third session, Mountain Biking 101, will cover basics of mountain biking such as nutrition, hydration, gear and safety.

The next session is Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 930 am – 4:30 pm at River Bends Park. More information can be found at this link: http://cramba.org/gotmtb/

On the west side of the state, Western Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance member Julie Whalen and Marleah Bevelacqua led a women’s clinic in April which spurred a regular ride event. The women’s ride is every 2nd and 4th Monday from 6pm-7pm starting at Luton due to the ease for beginners. WMMBA member Nancy Curtis is exploring a similar program to be held in the Yankee Springs area. Their goal is to specifically help women who are not as confident riding on trails. Watch the WMMBA Facebook page for upcoming information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Michigan-Mountain-Biking-Alliance-WMMBA/263913570344927

The League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Mountain Biking Association are pleased to join forces once again for the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day to be held at the [...]]]> The MMBA is supporting the League of Michigan Bicyclists for their annual Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day on May 22nd.

The League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Mountain Biking Association are pleased to join forces once again for the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day to be held at the State Capitol on May 22nd, 2013 as a culmination of National Bike Month.

In 2013 we are excited to add Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC) as an official Advocacy Day host organization and to continue collaborating with our friends at MSU Bikes to kick off the event in style with a morning bike rally to the State Capitol. Once at the Capitol, volunteers from all four organizations will educate legislators on key policy issues that facilitate a bicycle-friendly Michigan. Lunch will be provided after legislative visits, followed by an optional afternoon ride.

Whether you enjoy riding on Michigan roads, trails, or dirt single track, Advocacy Day is your opportunity to speak with one voice to help advance Michigan bicycling and the interests of cyclists of all abilities across the state. We hope that casual riders and die-hards alike will join us in communicating the great importance of bicycling to the Michigan Legislator.

This year’s key issues include: -Protecting vulnerable roadway users by establishing enhanced penalties for injuring or killing cyclists.

-Establishing a standard for safe passing of bicyclists on Michigan roads.

-Revising the right turn hand signal to make an extended right arm legal in Michigan.

-Allowing bicyclists to bypass malfunctioning traffic lights. -Supporting a new Michigan trails and greenways license plate to fund local trail projects

-Prevent raid on Natural Resourses Trust Fund

Go to their website for more information (link below): http://www.lmb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=645&Itemid=23

The 2013 IMBA Great Lakes Regional Summit is just a few weeks away…. are you registered yet?!?

WHEN: May 17-19, 2013 WHERE: Brown County, Indiana COST: $50

This year’s event, co-hosted by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and Sub-9 Productions, will provide opportunities for advocates across the region to witness valuable presentations, network with [...]]]>

The 2013 IMBA Great Lakes Regional Summit is just a few weeks away…. are you registered yet?!?

WHEN: May 17-19, 2013
WHERE: Brown County, Indiana
COST: $50

This year’s event, co-hosted by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and Sub-9 Productions, will provide opportunities for advocates across the region to witness valuable presentations, network with others, have fun and enjoy quality riding at Brown County State Park (Nashville, IN).

Highlights include:
~ Land Manager Workshop (FREE TO LAND MANAGERS – LUNCH PROVIDED)

http://www.imba.com/civicrm/event/info?id=305&reset=1

~ Downtown GetDown Pub Crawl

http://www.browncounty.com/calendar/event/downtown-getdown2

~ Sub-9 Schooner Shakedown Race and After Party

http://www.schoonershakedown.com

~ Skills Clinics by IMBA-ICP certified instructors
~ Advanced Trail Building
~ Presentations on topics such as fund raising, taking your club/Chapter to the next level, engaging women and youth, leadership round tables and more!

Cost is only $50 (plus $10 for event t-shirt) and includes summit entry, light breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Shakedown After Party! Summit participants also get FREE ENTRY to the Sub-9 Schooner Shakedown… a technically demanding, point to point race on the double-black diamond (expert) Schooner Trace Trail!

Click here to register: https://www.imba.com/civicrm/event/info?id=284&reset=1
Sponsors include (but are not limited to)
IMBA
SRAM
Dirt Rag
Seasons Lodge
Brown County Tourism Center
The Big Cheeze
Big Woods Brewing

The team at Fort Custer has mapped out a different course and starting location. Online Registration Closes Friday, May 03, 2013 [...]]]> Just a reminder that race #2 in the Championship Point Series is the Southwest Chapter’s annual Fort Custer Stampede.
This benefit race helps build and maintain trails at the Fort and the surrounding area.

The team at Fort Custer has mapped out a different course and starting location.
Online Registration Closes Friday, May 03, 2013 at 11:45 PM, Eastern Standard Time

Look for some travel slowdowns coming in to the area from US-131 and I-94 (See M-DOT link below)

LINKS:
Championship Point Series page: http://mmba.org/programs/championship-point-series/

SWMMBA website: http://www.bikefortcuster.com/

Stampede registration: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/18341

State of Michigan road alerts: http://mdotnetpublic.state.mi.us/drive/Default.aspx?

Our new Trail Guide can be [...]]]> Just a reminder as we now get into good weather- the MMBA launched a new trail guide thanks to some highly skilled and dedicated work by one of your fellow mountain bikers. The trail guide is much more visual and informative. It’s easy to see WHERE the trails are!

Our new Trail Guide can be found here, or at the link in the side bar: http://mmba.org/trail-guide

Developed as a winter-time volunteer project by professional web developer Jeff Lau (UselessPickles on the MMBA Forum) this guide is designed to let users explore what our state has to offer, easily finding information about each trail. One can quickly identify trails in an area, drill down to detailed info on each trail, and get directions to help navigate to new places. Some of the trails even feature an overlay of their trail map.

The new Trail Guide has been filled with information gathered from the old MMBA Trail Guide, MMBA member organizations, Trail Coordinators, and public websites. We’ve done our best to ensure the data is as accurate as possible, but there may details or complete trails that we may have missed. If you see something that is missing or incorrect, have questions about the guide, or just want to let us know what you think of it, please email webmaster@mmba.org.

We have set up a topic here on the MMBA Forum about the Trail Guide which includes basic tips, Frequently Asked Questions, and a place for public comment and discussion. While this first release of the Trail Guide site does quite a bit we’re going to be adding new features in the future and will be looking at your feedback for ideas and direction on what you find important and want to see next.

If you see Jeff- give him a KUDOS! http://mmba.org/2013/03/05/new-mmba-trail-guide/

The 2013 IMBA Great Lakes Regional Summit is just a few weeks away…. are you registered yet?!?

WHEN: May 17-19, 2013 WHERE: Brown County, Indiana COST: $50

This year’s event, co-hosted by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and Sub-9 Productions, will provide opportunities for advocates across the region to witness valuable presentations, network with [...]]]>

The 2013 IMBA Great Lakes Regional Summit is just a few weeks away…. are you registered yet?!?

WHEN: May 17-19, 2013
WHERE: Brown County, Indiana
COST: $50

This year’s event, co-hosted by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and Sub-9 Productions, will provide opportunities for advocates across the region to witness valuable presentations, network with others, have fun and enjoy quality riding at Brown County State Park (Nashville, IN).

Highlights include:
~ Land Manager Workshop (FREE TO LAND MANAGERS – LUNCH PROVIDED)

http://www.imba.com/civicrm/event/info?id=305&reset=1

~ Downtown GetDown Pub Crawl

http://www.browncounty.com/calendar/event/downtown-getdown2

~ Sub-9 Schooner Shakedown Race and After Party

http://www.schoonershakedown.com

~ Skills Clinics by IMBA-ICP certified instructors
~ Advanced Trail Building
~ Presentations on topics such as fund raising, taking your club/Chapter to the next level, engaging women and youth, leadership round tables and more!

Cost is only $50 (plus $10 for event t-shirt) and includes summit entry, light breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Shakedown After Party! Summit participants also get FREE ENTRY to the Sub-9 Schooner Shakedown… a technically demanding, point to point race on the double-black diamond (expert) Schooner Trace Trail!

Click here to register: https://www.imba.com/civicrm/event/info?id=284&reset=1
Sponsors include (but are not limited to)
IMBA
SRAM
Dirt Rag
Seasons Lodge
Brown County Tourism Center
The Big Cheeze
Big Woods Brewing

The MMBA sponsored Championship Point Series kicked off the mountain bike race season Sunday with the annual Yankee Springs Time Trial. Over 700 racers competed in the 24th edition of the race. The Yankee Springs Time Trial is a Western Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance IMBA-chapter fundraiser and proceeds go to buildi [...]]]> Race season is on!

The MMBA sponsored Championship Point Series kicked off the mountain bike race season Sunday with the annual Yankee Springs Time Trial. Over 700 racers competed in the 24th edition of the race. The Yankee Springs Time Trial is a Western Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance IMBA-chapter fundraiser and proceeds go to buildi and maintaining trails in West Michigan.

Next up is the Fort Custer Stampede, also a fundraiser for the Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association IMBA chapter. Proceeds from this event support trails at Fort Custer and the surrounding area. Expect nearly 600 racers for this one.

To register for the Championship Point Series or any of the ten series races, visit the Championship Point Series page for all the relevant links!

http://mmba.org/programs/championship-point-series/

The League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Mountain Biking Association are pleased to join forces once again for the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day to be held at the State [...]]]> The MMBA is supporting the League of Michigan Bicyclists for their annual Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day on May 22nd.

The League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Mountain Biking Association are pleased to join forces once again for the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day to be held at the State Capitol on May 22nd, 2013 as a culmination of National Bike Month. In 2013 we are excited to add Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC) as an official Advocacy Day host organization and to continue collaborating with our friends at MSU Bikes to kick off the event in style with a morning bike rally to the State Capitol. Once at the Capitol, volunteers from all four organizations will educate legislators on key policy issues that facilitate a bicycle-friendly Michigan. Lunch will be provided after legislative visits, followed by an optional afternoon ride.

Whether you enjoy riding on Michigan roads, trails, or dirt single track, Advocacy Day is your opportunity to speak with one voice to help advance Michigan bicycling and the interests of cyclists of all abilities across the state. We hope that casual riders and die-hards alike will join us in communicating the great importance of bicycling to the Michigan Legislator.

This year’s key issues include:

-Protecting vulnerable roadway users by establishing enhanced penalties for injuring or killing cyclists.

-Establishing a standard for safe passing of bicyclists on Michigan roads.

-Revising the right turn hand signal to make an extended right arm legal in Michigan.

-Allowing bicyclists to bypass malfunctioning traffic lights.

-Supporting a new Michigan trails and greenways license plate to fund local trail projects

-Prevent raid on Natural Resourses Trust Fund

Go to their website for more information (link below):

http://www.lmb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=645&Itemid=23

The MMBA sponsored Championship Point Series kicks off the season this coming Sunday April 21st with the annual Yankee Springs Time Trial. The proceeds from the series help support the MMBA as well as some local IMBA chapters who utilize funds for trail work and advocacy.

For more information on [...]]]> Mountain Bike race season begins!

The MMBA sponsored Championship Point Series kicks off the season this coming Sunday April 21st with the annual Yankee Springs Time Trial.
The proceeds from the series help support the MMBA as well as some local IMBA chapters who utilize funds for trail work and advocacy.

For more information on the series and the races go to the Championship Point Series page:

http://mmba.org/programs/championship-point-series/

Or follow the CPS on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137774566273214/

Race #1 Yankee Springs Time Trail Sunday, April 21, 2013
Race #2 Fort Custer Stampede Sunday, May 05, 2013
Race #3 Hanson Hills Challenge Sunday, June 02, 2013
Race #4 State Games of Michigan Saturday June 22, 2013
Race #5 Sweat Shaker Saturday, June 29, 2013
Race #6 Boyne Challenge (1.5 x points) Saturday, July 13, 2013
Race #7 Big M Challenge (1.5 x points) Sunday, July 28, 2013
Race #8 Maybury Time Trial Saturday, August 17, 2013
Race #9 Addison Oaks Fall Classic Sunday, September 08, 2013
Race #10 Pando Challenge Sunday, September 22, 2013

Categories to be inducted include Advocacy, Trail building and design, Racing, Promotions

Give some thought to who you think should be in the Michigan Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in these categories! Present your suggestions [...]]]> The Michigan Mountain Bike Hall of Fame will induct the first members at the Annual Expo next January 2014.

Nominations and selection will be a mix of public input and MMBA Board decisions

NOMINEES