The next Trail Day at Owasippe will be Saturday November 26th. To qualify for a 2011 Alcoa-Howmet Action Grant ($3000), a minimum of 12 Alcoa-Howmet employees will volunteer their labor for 4 hours. The planned project is to restore the eroded trail section that was bypassed with Re-Route #3. See attached map. We will have the WMMBA tool trailer on-site. Volunteers should bring gloves, water, snacks and be dressed for any kind of weather including rain/snow. Bringing along a favorite rake, hoe or shovel might also be a good idea. Please be aware that November 26th is within the deer rifle season (Nov.15-30). It is private property and not open to public hunting, but there is a hunt club that has hunting privileges. Wearing bright colors is still recommended.
FREE Lunch will be provided. Time 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Saturday November 26th
Trail Address: 9900 Russell Road, Whitehall, MI 49461
Trail Map: http://wmmba.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/owasippe2.jpg
Sincerely,
Randy Knapp
WMMBA Trail Coordinator-Owasippe
231-893-2024
rlknapp@chartermi.net
Written by adminPosted in Blog,Community,VolunteerNovember 12, 2011
As we draw toward the end of the year we need to complete our chapter board nominations and election.
Each December we elect a new board of directors for the chapter. These directors provide, well… direction. Basically the board organizes the chapter for the year, provides and implements direction for the chapter. There are 6 positions on the board and 4 open seats to be filled:
President: The president is the prior year’s vice president, Kevin Allen for 2012
Vice President: Elected by membership, a 3-year term, 1st year as vice president, 2nd year as president and 3rd year as past president.
Treasurer: Elected by membership to a 1-year term, keeps the financial records, pays bills for the chapter
Secretary: Elected by membership to a 1-year term, reports on chapter activities & communication
State MMBA Board Representative: Elected by membership to a 1-year term.
Past President: Is the former year’s president, Martin Hall for 2012
We are accepting nominations from chapter members to serve on the board. In order to be accepted as a nominee you must:
1. Be a member in good standing, (paid dues, able to carry out the duties of the position, etc…)
2. Submit an e-mail stating what position you desire to run for, why you desire to serve and a brief bio of why you would be qualified to represent the membership on the board.
3. Commit to attend board and chapter meetings and be active in carrying out the duties of a board member.
Process:
Nominations will be accepted by e-mail to mehall@landolakes.com until Friday Nov. 25th, 2011
Election voting will begin on Sunday Nov. 27th or as soon as I can get the ballot notice out on Survey Monkey.
Voting will remain open until 6:00pm Sunday Dec 4th. 2011
Results will be ratified at and announced following the board meeting on Dec. 5th, 2011
New board officers will begin their term on January, 1st, 2012 and will run through December 31st, 2012.
We hope that you will consider stepping up and serving as a director of the WMMBA, without the WMMBA and its volunteers, you ride the road! If you have questions about running or the process please e-mail Martin.
Thanks,
Martin Hall
WMMBA Chapter President
mehall@landolakes.com
We will be having our chapter meeting this next Monday, Nov 7th at 7pm at Rocky’s Bar and Grill in downtown Grand Rapids. Come join us for a drink and an update on some of the project we’re planning for next year!
Guest Speaker, James Patterson, Ditch Witch of MI. Why the Ditch Witch SK 650 is the premier trail building tool for West Michigan.
Chapter Membership meeting
How to become involved locally with the WMMBA
50 in 5 Update:
10 Mile Project, Plainfield Twp
Upper Macatawa
Grand Loop
Saugatuck Shore Acres
Owassippe
Cannonsburg Twp. Short loop
WMMBA Board election set for December. Nominations requested
West MI Bike Film Festival for 2012
Political Involvement, WMMBA suggest attending the League of American Bicyclist “National Bike Summit” in Washington, DC. March 20-22, 2012
IMBA Chapter Update:
Membership
Other Business:
Adjourn by 9:00 pm.
Written by adminPosted in Blog,Events,Group Ride,Yankee SpringsNovember 1, 2011
Once again this ride will be held on the Friday following Thanksgiving (November 25th, 2011) at the Deep Lake trailhead, Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Arrive in time to depart the parking lot at 10:00am+/- plan on riding for a couple hours. Enjoy the holiday with the next to last (last is the Holiday Ride in December) organized WMMBA Ride of 2011. All levels are invited, as we will break into 2 or 3 groups depending on the speed and experience of those in attendance.
The Deep Lake trail is open to riding during the deer hunting season, it is also open to deer hunters. Please use good sense and wear bright clothing. Yes, it may be ugly, and out of style, but you just never know what you may win a prize for at one of these rides. And, you’ll be safer!
Please pass this along to your friends and we’ll see you for the Turkey Burner. RSVP not required, just show up and feel that turkey burn!
BTW, this picture is from 2009, and hopefully there will be NO snow this year! haha
See you all there!
This is going to be one of the best and closest trails for lots of us! Come out and give us a hand building! Brings gloves and water, dress for the weather. Hope to see you all there.
Kenosha Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Written by adminPosted in Blog,Events,Owasippe,Trail Day,VolunteerOctober 14, 2011
10am – 2pm join us for a trail day out at Owasippe. We’re trying to get the first 10 mile loop opened up asap, and this trail day will probably determine if it gets done before the end of this year.
FREE lunch is included. If you have globes or rakes, please bring them. Be sure to bring you bike as well to “test” the trail you help build!
Hope to see you all there!
We’re trying to finish building the new mountain bike loop that we started on October 1st.
Bring water, loppers and rakes if you have them. Boots and work gloves recommended. Lunch will be provided.
October 29th, 9:30 to 12:30
Cannon Township Center
6878 Belding Road NE
Rockford, MI 49341
Written by adminPosted in Blog,Grand RapidsOctober 7, 2011
Our very own, WMMBA board member Nate Phelps is planning on opening a bike shop in downtown.
Nate Phelps, a Grand Rapids biking advocate, has signed a lease to open the as-yet unnamed the store [at] 52 Monroe Center, which has been vacant for about seven years.
We wish Nate, and his partners the best of luck!
Written by adminPosted in Blog,Events,Group Ride,Owasippe,TrailsOctober 7, 2011
Wheels up Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1:00 pm for the final allowed ride at Owasippe! You don’t want to miss your only chance at riding this trail.
September 8, 2012 at Cannonsburg Ski Area in Belmont, Michigan on some of West Michigan’s finest single track.
It is our goal to create a first class event that is well run and competitive for the expert racer as well as one that is enjoyable and challenging for the enthusiast. Were are proud to put on an event that will be a great time for the racer, the whole family and the spectator!
Battle at the Burg is an all day fat tire festival featuring…
