Refuge Bike Park - Do yourself a favor and get here

[nolan]

If you love a good freeride, make time to check this place out. I compiled some clips from my sessions. I ran into Brent and Glen, the brains behind the project, both days that I was out. They are both great dudes and I was humbled by their dedication, hard work, and activism. Everything here was paid for with grants and was professionally built. I think I remember them saying they are working on securing new funding for additions, including a wooden pump track. Get out here, ride, and support these guys. And did I mention it’s not MMBA, so the teeters are fully functioning!

[wingzz]

just to clarify the decision to remove/disable teeters was not the MMBA's, it was an insurance issue and we are still working to resolve the issue and get teeters reinstalled.

[mtbfree]

Looks pretty dope. My brother went to school at Ferris State in Big Rapids... I really wish I had known about this place before he graduated last month. I'll still have to try and get up there soon, though.

Are there any entry fees or anything? Or do you just park and ride?

[tools mctool]

That's a dope spot fo' sho'! I'm gonna try and get up there this summer. You guys got a good thing going up there. Keep us updated when you get new *beep* too.

[nolan]

Just park and ride, fren. Park and ride.

[aa7vandis]

yeah man that place looks really nice. im trying to build some stuff.

[zach]

can anybody just go and ride? also is it free?

[MO Speed]

Where exactly is this and how did you find out about it? I couldn't find anything on the internet about this place. Just some random videos. Looks like a good road trip for an overnighter.

[bradf]

I rode Refuge today with a friend of mine. Its a very well built place and has some pretty good stuff I was not disappointed. They have a pretty huge gully or center with hills all around with some good jumps among the massive amount of wood things they have constructed on the main track/trail.

If your into skinny ladder bridges/down trees and stuff you fall off (unless your rly *beep* good) a few times before completing this place prob isn't your best fit but still very worth your time. The difficulty isn't too high for people that freeride or just ride more tech oriented (skinnies) xc all the time. For a starter some obstacles are over their head that's for sure.

Also the wooden pump track was installed when we went but I couldn't ride it to well with my mountain bike. The thing looks incredible when you see it but I don't think all bikes are able to ride it? Could be wrong but some of the bumps seem to be way to close to each other. Take this with a grain of salt tho as it could be my skill lvl with pump tracks

[ColorVoyeur]

Could the tight bumps in the pump track be designed as a double?

[bradf]

Could the tight bumps in the pump track be designed as a double?

They are pretty big (big sets they have small also) I don't see some one jumping them at all. Even putting a one wheel manual through them seems un plausible with how tall they are. Its probably my skill lvl with them its just as I pumped through the bigger sets no matter how slow or fast I went id always either have my bike air out or the incline/decline too steep to flow?

Like I said tho GO THERE its a great time and worth a long drive even.

[RB.]

anyone got an address i can plug into my gps to get there.

[bradf]

anyone got an address i can plug into my gps to get there.

W 88th St & S Osborn Ave, Fremont, Newaygo, Michigan 49412

[RB.]

hey thanks alot! all i could find when i researched this place was the intersection. have not lived in michigan that long so dont know my way around everywhere.

[RB.]

Went to the park today it was awesome. just wondering tho to the people that have been there and know their way around. is the gate always closed and you just park in front and ride in? wasn't sure if i should do that and go in or not but i did. also what is the best way to get to the start. i back tracked the trail for a good hour before i gave up and just started following the yellow arrows and took me back to beginning. i went straight down the 2 track when we firsat went in. should i have taken a left right when we entered? anyways the park is freaking awesome and it is HUUUUUUUGE!!!! there is so much stuff and something for everone. they got small jumps and big jumps. its a great time. well worth the drive from kalamazoo. just wondering who takes care of it tho. a lot of growth out there riight now. if i had stuff to weed whack or whatever i wo0uld do it. i wouldnt mind going back to help out if other people want to that have extra tools. anyways its a great place and everyone should check it out. the pump track looks sweet too. i tried to ride it but idk. maybe im just not good enough. but some of the hills super steep and close together. dont see how you could manual over it. but when i hit one it put me at a dead stop and i went over the handle bars. but hey, could just be im not good enough at it.