3rd Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival at Lebanon Hills October 3rd

The 3rd Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival is coming up on Saturday, October 3rd at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.  This fun-filled free event is made possible through Dakota County Parks and a partnering with MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists), local area bike shops, businesses and organizations. 

Join in on the fun and celebrate one of Minnesota's best mountain bike trail systems and the many hours of volunteer work that MORC members have put in to maintain nearly 12 miles of single-track.  This event is not only for the avid mountain biker but also a fun and festive way to introduce new riders to the sport.

Scheduled activities include Build Your Skills Sessions, Gear Talk Sessions, Fix-It Clinics, bike demos, group rides, timed competitive events, kids’ activities and live music.  Food and beverage, including beer will be available for purchase on-site.

"This is event is ½ fun community festival trying to introduce mountain biking and the fantastic amenities at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park to a greater audience and ½ recognition for MORC for the many MANY hours their volunteers put in making that system possible." - Katie Pata, Park Operations Coordinator for Dakota County Parks

Updates for the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival can be found on the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival Facebook event page.  Let 'em know you're going by visiting the new online reservation system page for the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival or by calling 952-891-7000 during standard business hours.

 
Event parking will be available at the West Trailhead and at the School of Environmental Studies just a couple of blocks to the south on Johnny Cake Ridge Road.  Overflow street parking is also available along Galaxie Avenue with entrance to the bike trails.  Overnight camping at the Lebanon Hills Campground (located just across the road, and south about half mile from the event grounds) is an option for those needing accommodations.  Camping reservations can be made by visiting the Dakota County Campgrounds page.

MORC's Second Annual Fundraising Gala Coming Up October 3rd

The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists will be holding their Second Annual Fundraising Gala, the 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball on October 3rd, 2015.  This year they are throwing a party to celebrate their recent IMBA Bronze-level Ride Center designation.  Funds raised from this fun event will help MORC improve and expand upon its current trail system "To become one of the first major metropolitan areas in the world to secure 100 miles of singletrack!"

The 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball (yes, masquerade masks are to be worn!) will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 7:00PM to 11:45PM at Surly Brewing Company in Minneapolis.   

"This year we're pleased to announce Surly Brewing as title sponsor. In addition to committing to this event, Surly Brewing is supporting MORC volunteers and trails through unique fundraising & membership drive events, truly going above and beyond to support our community!" - Kristin Clark, MORC Gala Coordinator.

The event will feature a silent and live auction, event speakers,  hors d'oeuvre & dessert items and some great Surly beer.  New details to be announced soon.  More information and updates can be found on the 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball Facebook Event Page.  Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball ticket page.  Purchase your tickets before September 1st to receive Early Bird ticket pricing.

Get The Latest MTB Trail Conditions Before Riding

To prevent trail damage and erosion it is very important that mountain bikers avoid riding on wet trails.  Riding wet and closed trails creates ruts that take many volunteer hours to repair.  If you are unsure whether the trail you would like to ride is open or closed, MORC, Cuyuna Lakes MTB Crew, COGGS, MAMB and CROCT have made updated trail condition and closure information easy to find.  Be informed and never ride wet trails.  Your local trail work crew will thank you.

Twin Cities

MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists) has implemented several ways to keep on top of the latest mtb trail conditions in the Twin Cities area.  The first is the MORC Trail Conditions forum where updates are posted by MORC Forum members.

The MORC Trails app for IOS "Accesses the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists website (morcmtb.org) to get the latest trail conditions for the local MORC trails. Let's the user customize the list of trails to follow, displays reported conditions based on how recently the condition report was submitted, and provides a trail detail page which shows the most recent report as well as providing links to the trail web page and conditions page."   The MORC Trails app is available for free at the App Store on iTunes.

And finally, the MORC @trailconditions Twitter account is updated from the MORC Trail Conditions Forum.

MORC Trail Conditions

Tweets by @trailconditions

The MORC Weather Blog put together by 2WheelWeather meteorologist and MORC member Kristin Clark is updated weekly with cycling weather in mind and how it will impact riders. "Where Cycling & Weather Come Together."  

Cuyuna Lakes

The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew regularly updates trail conditions via Twitter year round.  Know the trail conditions whether you want to "shred the red" or do some Winter fatbiking on the groomed trails here.

Tweets by @CLMTBTCondition

For more information on the trails at Cuyuna, visit cuyunalakesmtb.com.

Duluth 

C.O.G.G.S. (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores) updates trail conditions for several trails in the Duluth area via Twitter.  These include Hartley Park, Lester Park, Mission Creek, Mont Du Lac, Piedmont/Brewer and Pokegama.  Spirit Mountain is updated by the Spirit Mountain Twitter feed.

Hartley Park

Tweets by @CoggsHartleyTC

Lester Park

Tweets by @COGGSLesterTC

Mission Creek

Tweets by @COGGSMissionCrk

Mont Du Lac

Tweets by @coggsmdltc

Piedmont/Brewer

Tweets by @COGGSPiedmontTC

Pokegama

Tweets by @COGGSPokegamaTC

For more information on the trails in the Duluth area, visit wp.coggs.com.  More information about the Spirit Mountain Bike Park can be found by visiting spiritmtbike.com.

Mankato

The Mankato Area Mountain Bikers update trail conditions for the Kiwanis and Ft. LeHillier on their Trail Maps & Conditions page.  Look for the Trail Conditions widget on this page.  Anytime the trails status is listed as "Wet", the trails are closed.

Northfield

CROCT (Cannon River Offroad Cycling Trails) manages the trails at Sechler Park and updates the trail conditions via Twitter.

Tweets by @CROCTconditions

Save The River Bottoms Flyer Available for Download

From the Save the River Bottoms Facebook page:

"We....meaning the multi-talented Porter Million....created a flier that we will have down at the Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Expo. See the link below.

Please feel free to download, print and disperse responsibly. We ask that you NOT stick them randomly under windshield wipers and such. We want to Save the River Bottoms...not pollute it."

Steve for Save the River Bottoms

Download Link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wbcngwy5tzm361d/Save%20the%20River%20Bottoms.pdf?dl=0 

Download, print and post responsibly. 

#savetheriverbottoms

 

Sign the Petition

MORC has started a petition that will be presented to the MN DNR, Bloomington City Council and Representative Ann Lenczewski.  Please visit Change.org to let your voice be heard that you want to stop the plan to put a paved trail in the Minnesota River Valley between the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge.

Pat Sorensen Of Penn Cycle Interviewed On Inside Mountain Bike Radio

Penn Cycle President, Pat Sorensen recently went on the Inside Mountain Bike Radio Show on Mountain Bike Radio to talk with host Ben Welnak about some of the history of Penn Cycle, events Pat has coming up and the long-standing tradition of Thursday Night at the Races.

Inside Mountain Bike Radio-November 5, 2014
Pat Sorensen of Penn Cycle

Pat starts the interview with how his father Elmer got Penn Cycle going back in 1957 and details some of the history and growth of the business.

 Elmer at the Richfield store back in the early 1960's

Image Credit: Penn Cycle

Pat tells Ben about the upcoming Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists' 20th Anniversary Gala on November 9th, Penn Cycle's commitment by being the Title Sponsor and the great work that MORC does for mountain biking in Minnesota.  Tickets are available at bit.ly/morcGALA.

He then goes into how the Get Phat with Pat fatbike races got the name, the unique location where they are held (the Minnesota River Bottoms), some of the fun and prizes to be had and how these races help raise money for MORC.  Also discussed is the evolution of fatbikes in the last few years.  More information on the upcoming Get Phat with Pat races can be found here.

With the Cross For Tots race coming up on November 29th at Moir Park in Bloomington, Pat gives a little history on how this cyclocross race was started and how it will benefit Toys For Tots.

To wrap up the show Pat reflects on the 23 year history of Penn Cycle's Thursday Night at the Races at Buck Hill in Burnsville.  How the kids races started, the danger, mayhem and fun that comes along with the adults on kids bike races are also discussed.  Watch the video below to get a taste of what Thursday Night at the Races is all about.

A download link of this episode of Inside Mountain Bike Radio is also available here.

Save the Minnesota River Bottoms: Sign the Petition

For those of us that use the Minnesota River Bottoms, whether it be for hiking, running, mountain biking or bird watching, this area has been a favorite of nature lovers during all seasons for many years because of its natural beauty.  I first introduced my son to mountain biking here years ago and it was a special place for us to go and ride together.  For over 20 years MORC members have helped maintain this natural surface trail that runs between the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and Indian Mounds School in Bloomington.

This area is prone to repeated flooding and the idea of millions of dollars being used to develop a paved or aggregate trail here seems like an expensive plan that will require a lot of  yearly maintenance costs and has been one that many people have opposed for years.  Many of us would like to see this area expanded, improved and preserved in its natural state as a natural surface multi-use trail open to hikers, runners, cyclists and nature lovers.  MORC has started a petition that will be presented to the MN DNR, Bloomington City Council and Representative Ann Lenczewski.  Please visit Change.org to let your voice be heard that you want to stop the plan to put a paved trail in the Minnesota River Valley between the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge.

For updates on this important issue please visit the Save the River Bottoms Facebook page.  Join MORC today to help safeguard the future of mountain biking in Minnesota through the promotion of responsible riding, establishment and maintenance of mountain biking trails, and preservation of Minnesota's natural resources.

MORC's 20th Anniversary Gala To Be Held November 9th

For 20 years MORC's (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists) mission has been "Gaining and Maintaining Trails" so to celebrate this this anniversary and fellow ridership they are throwing a BIG party.  The MORC 20th Anniversary Gala will be held at the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown November 9th from 2-7pm.

Image Credit: Varsitytheater.org

This formal attire dinner event will raise funds for MORC's 2015 season and their efforts to become the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s first designated ‘Ride City’ which requires a major metropolitan area to have 100+ miles of designated single track mountain bike trail.  MORC is currently developing the Three Rivers Park area at Lake Rebecca which will secure this designation but "it is going to take a lot of blood, sweat, tears and dollars to complete a project of this scope but it is sure to be amazing!"

Silent and live auctions during the Gala will also support MORC's efforts moving forward.  If you are an individual or business that would like to donate items for these auctions, please contact Meghann Charboneau.

Image Credit: Media Logic Group

The evening will feature several speakers during the dinner.  Keynote Speaker, Paul Douglas' talk will incorporate weather/climate with outdoor recreation, namely cycling.  Other speakers scheduled include President of QBP Steve Flagg, former IMBA Midwest Regional Director now with the MN Land Trust Hansi Johnson and Minnesota High School Cycling League Communication Director and Founding Member Libby Hurley.

Image Credit: Minnesota High School Cycling League

MORC Gala Breakdown

2-7pm Event Time 

2-3:30pm: Surly Brewing Happy Hour
3pm: Silent Auction Begins
3:30-5:00pm: Dinner
4:15pm: Keynote Speaker Paul Douglas
4:30pm: Second Speaker Libby Hurley
4:45pm: Third Speaker Steve Flagg
5:00pm: Fourth Speaker Hansi Johnson
5:15-6:15pm: Live Auction
6:15-7:00pm: Music by "The Lost Wheels"
Note: Times and events are subject to change

Valet parking will be available and there is plenty of parking around the Varsity Theater and at the U of M 4th Street ramp.  Tickets are available now through Brown Paper Tickets.  Purchase your tickets before October 1st and save $30.  Your attendance will help fund projects at the Twin Cities mountain bike trails we all love to ride.

2nd Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival at Lebanon Hills October 4th

The 2nd Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival is coming up on Saturday, October 4th at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.  This fun-filled event is made possible through Dakota County Parks and a partnering with MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists), local area bike shops, businesses and organizations.

Join in on the fun and celebrate one of Minnesota's best mountain bike trail systems and the many hours of volunteer work that MORC members have put in to maintain nearly 12 miles of single-track.  This event is not only for the avid mountain biker but also a fun and festive way to introduce new riders to the sport.

Image Credit: Dakota County Parks

The Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival is a family-friendly free event, however Dakota Co. Parks would like attendees to pre-register online or by calling 952-891-7000 during standard business hours.  Come down between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm for a day filled with activities.

Image Credit: Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook Page

Scheduled activities include Build Your Skills Sessions, Gear Talk Sessions, Fix-It Clinics and live music by Twin Cities bluegrass band Sans Souci.  Throughout the day there will be bike tune-ups, kids activities, timed competitive events, group rides and a VIP Lounge presented by Freewheel Bike.  Food and beverage, including beer and wine will be available for purchase on-site by Green Mill.

There will be plenty of new bikes to demo at this year's festival.  The Trek Factory Demo Rig will be there with brand new Mountain, Road and Cyclocross models to test ride on the mountain bike trails, skills park and nearby bike paths.  The Specialized Demo Rig loaded with 2015 men's, women's and kid's bikes will also be there and event partner Valley Bike and Ski is coming with Giant, Felt & KHS demo models.  All demo rides are free but may require you to bring your helmet, credit card and driver's license to demo bikes.

 

Parking is free but limited at the West Trailhead lot.  Overflow event parking is available at the School of Environmental Studies (12155 Johnny Cake Ridge Road) located just South of the West Trailhead entrance.  Additional street parking can be found along Galaxie Avenue on the west side of the park and in neighborhoods near the park.

Image Credit: Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook Page

This is a rain or shine event.  Dakota County Parks will have a large canopy tent on-site to keep people dry if it does rain.  Severe weather or lightening may postpone or cause events to be rescheduled later in the day.  If wet trail conditions close the mountain bike trails, nearby paved trails and the old gravel parking lot are available for test-riding bikes.  Check the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook page for hour by hour updates in the event of severe weather the day of the Festival.

Visit the Dakota County Parks Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival page for more information or call the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center at 651-554-6530.  Thanks to Event Partners MORC, Penn Cycle, Erik's Bike and Board, Trek, Freewheel Bike, Valley Bike and Ski and Health Source Chiropractic for making the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival possible.

MORC Gives Back With Tent Days at the Trailhead

Image Credit: MORC

The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) will be highlighting one Twin Cities area trail each month through September for their 2014 Tent Days at the Trailhead.  Tent Days is a way for MORC to give back to their riders and a way to reach out to their current and new ridership.

Upcoming dates and trails include:

• June 21st at Theodore Wirth Park
• July 19th at Elm Creek
• August 9th at Murphey-Hanrehan
• September 13 at Lebanon Hills

Mark your calendar and get ready for some bikes, breakfast and singletrack.  Keep up to date on these Tent Day events by following MORC on their Facebook page and Twitter.

The Cottage Grove Bike Park is a Finalist for a Bell Built Grant and Needs Your Vote

The Cottage Grove Bike Park is one of the twelve finalists eligible for a portion of the $100,000 grant from IMBA and Bell Helmets and needs your help.  Competition is fierce as the Cottage Grove Bike Park goes up against two other bike parks and a flow trail in the Central Region.  Voting begins April 21st will continue through May 4th with the winner being determined by popular vote and announced on May 5th.  Spread the word to friends and family and use social media to help the Cottage Grove Bike Park make this dream a reality.

Image Credit:  Cottage Grove Bike Park Facebook page

MORC Press Release:

Bell Helmets is giving away $100,000 in a trailbuilding contest, and we’re a finalist! Vote for us to make this dream a reality.

Do you support healthy active recreational opportunities for Minnesota youth? Of course you do and that’s why we’re seeking your support! The Cottage Grove Bike Park is among 4 finalists in the region, competing for a third of the $100,000 grant offered by Bell Helmets in conjunction with the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The winner will be determined by popular vote occurring between April 21 - May 4.

Cottage Grove Bike Park, located within West Draw Park (7050 Meadow Grass Avenue), has already received great community support and has been constructed by volunteers via partnership of Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists & the City of Cottage Grove. The final vision of the park will contain a 4X race track, two pump tracks, a tot track, slope-style course, mountain bike skills course and dirt jumps.

Supporting this great project is easy, simply visit the below website between April 21st and May 4th to cast your vote!

www.bellhelmets.com/BELLBUILT

“Young people of today need more venues that encourage fitness and exercise.” David Bole, owner of The Bicycle Chain

“Cottage Grove currently has one of the best publicly supported parks and has the opportunity to be an example of what other cities should be doing to support their local BMX bikers.” Glen Dussl, BMX Sales Manager, Quality Bicycle Products

“This project is important for our community as it offers a venue that is free while providing a physically dynamic environment to be enjoyed by all.” Kevin Zimmerman, Cottage Grove Lions Club member

“This project is a great asset, not only for Cottage Grove residents, but for the entire Minnesota cycling community as well.” Jason Lardy, President MN Cycling Center

“As a parent, I was excited (my children) were getting exercise while making many new friends. I would visit the park frequently and felt my boys were very safe and enjoying the activity the park had to offer.” Candi Pierre, local resident and parent to Blake (14), Brock (12), and Kate (8)

Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists is a volunteer driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
MORC – Gaining and Maintaining Trails

The grant funds will cover the design and construction of a World Class Dirt Jump Plaza.  To learn more about the Cottage Grove Bike Park, watch video above.  Download and print a Cottage Grove Bike Park "Vote for Us" informative poster or download the first image in this post for use on Facebook or Twitter to help spread the word.  Remember, the voting begins April 21st.