2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit

[Bexter]

IMBA is coming to Grand Rapids, MI, May 28-31, and you're invited to join us at the Midwest Mountain Bike Advocacy Summit. Kelly and Collins Bishop of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew are teaming up with the Michigan Mountain Biking Association Western Chapter for a weekend dedicated to trails and advocacy education, networking and, of course, lots of fun riding!
You are receiving this email as an IMBA member or contact. Help us get the word out. Please use the "Tell a friend" button below to send this invitation to other area mountain bikers, land managers and trail users. The more the merrier!
If this event is too far away for you to attend, we understand. We sent you this email to not just invite you but also let you know about the important work IMBA is doing in your area.

Schedule:

Thursday
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Comfort Suites North

Description: Network with Summit attendees over an evening of sustainable pastured roast pig from Crane Dance Farms and beverages from Founders and Arcadia Brewing. A pump track will be on site for the duration of the Summit.
Friday

Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Comfort Suites North
Description: The day will begin with the Club Care workshop led by Kelly and Collins Bishop from IMBA. Throughout the rest of the day, attendees can participate in workshops and seminars focusing on all aspects of mountain bike advocacy, with an emphasis on promoting and developing urban trail systems called gateway trails. Nationally and regionally known presenters will lead discussion on topics such as, working with planners, developing skills areas, and grant writing. Also offered will be the IMBA trail school. The classroom session is on Friday, and the field layout session is on Saturday.

Schedule of Presentations:

9:00: Club care with Kelly and Collins Bishop of IMBA
10:00: The economic impact of mountain biking by Mike Dulin of KYMBA
11:00: Grantmaking from the grantmakers perspective by Milt Rohwer of the Frey Foundation
12:00: Pizza Lunch from Jets Pizza
1:00 PM: Gateway trails by Ryan Schutz of IMBA
1:30: IMBA trail school track #1
1:30: Gateway success story by Kevin Marley of CAMBRwest
2:30: Building coalitions by Ken Freestone of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance
3:00: Working with City Planners, Commissioners, and Parks Department roundtable with reps from the City of Grand Rapids
3:00: IMBA trail school track #2
4:00: Chainsaw school by Stihl
5:30: Adjourn to the Cannonsburg Ski Area

Saturday
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: Cannonsburg Ski Area
Description: Saturday morning will feature hands-on technical trail building demonstrations and trail layout with IMBA. Later in the day, the Summit will have a festival atmosphere, with food, demos, and organized rides on local trails, a raffle, and music provided by local bands. Additionally, attendees may submit photographs and digital "YouTube" style videos shot during the Summit with prizes being awarded to the top submissions on Sunday afternoon.

Schedule of Morning Clinics:
8:00: Using chainsaws on common trailday applications
8:00: Mechanical trailbuilding with Stihl yardboss and a Ditchwitch Sk-600
9:30: Trail Layout with Kelly and Collins Bishop of IMBA
9:30: Using chainsaws on common trailday applications
11:00: Trail Armoring with Mike Dunstan from GORC
11:00: Mechanical trailbuilding with Stihl yardboss and a Ditchwitch Sk-600 Note: All clinics are limited to 10 people each

Sunday
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Cannonsburg Ski Area
Description: Sunday's big event is the organized epic ride. Attendees will cover 3 different trail systems, every kind of surface you can ride a bike on (dirt, roads, and paved trails), and over 40 miles of riding. There will be aid stations along the way to fuel-up, as well as optional stops at local watering holes for refreshments. Shorter ride options will also be available.
Please register online.

[Bexter]

The Summit is finally here! Some people are starting the drive to Grand Rapids Thursday night after work, others are leaving Friday morning.

Several of us are riding Yankee (South of Grand Rapids) late Friday afternoon. PM for my cell # if you want to join us, and we can coordinate Friday (John and I are driving up Friday and going straight to Yankee -- we won't know exactly what time our arrival will be depending on traffic, pit stops, etc.).

We are camping at the Grand Rogue Campground.

[Bexter]

The weekend is finally approaching!!!! The Grand Rapids weather forecast looks pretty decent. What are you waiting for? Now is the time! Pack your tent, bike, gear, cooler and hit the road! See you in Michigan!

[Bexter]

Had a blast at the Summit, rode 4 different trail systems which were all really fun, wish we could have stayed longer! I won't mention the beer consumption...

[Vibrato]

And the star of the summit- THE TRAILS!! INCREDIBLE systems- ranks right up with the best I've ever ridden- the only thing I didn't like was that MOST of the obstacles were too big for me to try- NO JOKE!!

Rolling hills makes for trails without ups- FAST and flowy, did I mention FAST!! Like going down rock cut for miles and miles!! GREAT WEEKEND!! :burnout:

[Gunchie]

Fast is right! It was even more fun doing it at night with no lights half way through and getting drunker by the minute since they had coolers of awesome Founders Microbrew! And all I broke was my carbon water bottle handler on one of my best over of the handlebar crashes to date! All you freeriders in the club missed out. There was some absolutely sick stuff! What a great time!

[russ]

Hey, my first post on the FORC site :banana:

The GR area trails are top shelf. Been trying to spread that message for years but I have a feeling that the word will be getting out now!

And as always, spending time with the FORC crew reminds me that bike clubs should be FUN


Gawd, Lori & I need to move to the QC!