Broken Spoke Results

Chief thought people might find this interesting. An aluminum bladed spoke on my road bike rear wheel failed for no particular reason. The photograph shows what it did to my derailleur.

Madcap Trail Work Update

 What's been completed so far?

Buckets, Turtle, and Four Logs have all been completely weed wacked. A lot of dead wood has also been removed from these trails. As a bonus, the Park Trail was also weed wacked last night! Thank you Mike and Charlie!

What still needs done?

Our wish list includes the following: A few more logs need to be removed from Buckets because they are speed killers and have no additional technical value. Spooge needs to be checked out for dead fall. If needed, additional trail work nights will be announced.

Thank you!

Lastnight was a great night for Madcap trail work! AND it was such a huge success because of the 7 volinteers who came out! Ok.... 10 if you include dogs.

Some of nature's beauty gets overlooked when riding.
Saw this on Turtle.

Madcap Enduro Pre-Ride

Hey all. I'm going to lead a pre-ride on Saturday at 10:30 am. Leaving from Old Forge State Park. if anyone is interested. Plan on a 3hour ride.

View Madcap Enduro Camp Penn Start in a larger map

Sunday Ride

I was thinking we could put some wheels on the trails for the Enduro.

Mont Alto at 9.

Monday 7-30 Trail Work @ 5:30

More work on the Michaux Madcap Enduro trails was completed on Monday the 23rd. We cleared all of the big stuff from upper Buckets. This trail could still use a good weed wacking to clean up around the edges. A huge thank you goes out to the 6 members who showed up and made this trail night a success. There is still plenty more work to do before the trails are ready for Madcap.

Sue welcomes the people of earth with her trail tools.

Larry is officially MBM's most eco-friendly trail worker.

Next Monday we will meet in the Mont Alto parking lot at 5:30 to do more work. Please join us if you can! If you can't then at least get out there and RIDE IT!

Dark Hollow Race Pics

some pics from Tomi

Thanks to all the volunteers, the checkpoint was a success.
The party at the MBM tent after the race was fun too!
If you didn't stop by you missed out.
Pictures..

MAD RESPECT

Yesterday was my first MTB race and I through my hat into the 20 miler with no expectations other than to finish (and hopefully not be the last one). I think I did both.
I was just amazed at the skill required to handle those trails and seeing the other MBM riders blaze past me and make it look so easy. Thanks to the MBM aid station crew and all those involved yesterday. MAD RESPECT to all the riders.

Wanted: Info on Mike D

Last seen: Flicking-off his bro from the back of an ambulance.

Kids MTB race 21 July 12

Here is a link to some pictures of the kids MTB race today in Chambersburg. Big props to Larry for putting on a fun event for the kids.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6ditmehb7zs1e9f/HlmfOutB0T

EMTs/Nurses Wanted

We need a total of three EMT's or nurses to help at the Michaux Madcap Enduro. If you are or know of anyone who meets this criteria and is willing to help, please contact an officer. Thanks!

Dark Hollow Race Checkpoint

Race day is tomorrow, Sunday July 22nd.
Good Luck Racers!
Volunteers meet at the registration tent at 8:45 by the boxes where racers put their drop bags.
Volunteers check your email.
Thanks.
~slow

Monday 7-23 Trail Work @ 5:30pm

Jody and I did some trail work for the Enduro yesterday. Four-logs is riding nice but still needs some trimming. Upper and lower buckets need a TON of work. Weed wackers, sickle bars and rakes are needed. We estimate about 3 work days. Working again on Monday at 5:30 from the Mont Alto parking lot. Please come out and help make this race a success!



Removed Log by the pump house at bottom Four-logs 



Removed fallen pine tree Lower Waynes/Turtle



Trimmed top of Four-logs



More top of Four-logs

Curse Cwestions?

I have Curse Cwestions Cause I'm Confused. I'm wondering if anyone can give me a blow by blow account of what happens on the 20 mile loop after the reservoir trail. I bailed on Sunday after the rigid fork and the skin on my hands didn't play nice, then went out again yesterday and ended up by-passing camp trail. Can someone not suffering from my obvious age induced dementia help me out here? thanks.

Oh, and I have a schweet Black Buck frame 4 sale that even the Wiser Weiser couldn't break, and I'm looking to build a couple of urban assault bikes if anyone has some spare niner wheels and other such goodies. thanks. again.

Mini MBMer Rides

Ride #5

Monday July 16th 6:00 PM

Fuller Lake, beach parking lot

Ralph will be leading tonight. Thanks RJ

MICHAUX MADCAP ENDURO

Three Stages!
30 minutes and 2,200ft of descending!
Stay Overnight at Camp Penn!
Bunkhouse living!
Cool Mountain Creeks!
Camp Fires!
Hot Showers!
Fruit Salad!
Swag!

To Benefit the Mountain Bikers of Michaux.

Race-day registration is $10 more!!!! So expect to pay $60 on race day. It's easier for us to plan if we know how many people are coming!

Michaux State Forest is getting a new race presented by Mountain Bikers of Michaux, Gettysburg Bicycle and TakeAim Cycling. In the course of one day racers will complete three mostly downhill timed sections. Each section will be super-d style and can be completed on any mountain bike. The ideal bike will be a full suspension with 120-150mm of travel.

Format:The race will consist of three timed sections consisting of mostly cross-country style downhill trail. There will be some pedaling! But, take a look at the profile maps and you'll see the direction is mostly down.

At the end of each timed section we will gather and ride as a group to the next start. The gist is; race the downhills, climb back up as a group. The climbs are on gravel roads with only a couple of pitches.

Stages 1 and 2 will be time trial starts with 30second splits between each rider.
Stage 3 will start in order of the overall times after two stages. We will calculate the times of the first two stages and racers will get to chase and be chased on the last stage as you start with your time difference as your split. Call your pass!

Schedule
Saturday
12:30 arrive at Camp Penn
3pm Pre-ride of Stage 3
Sunday: Based on 100 riders
7:30-9am Registration
9:30am Group Roll-out

Camp Penn: No Alcohol PleaseWe are reserving Camp Penn as the race headquarters. We will be there Saturday and we invite you to come early, grab a bunk, go for a pre-ride and hang-out. Because it is a Methodist owned camp there is a No Alcohol Policy. Please observe. The other benefits of using the camp are well worth it.
It's a beautiful place with the Appalachian Trail across the street, a creek nearby for cooling down, and bunkhouses for staying in overnight. Bring the family. A $5 per person fee applies!

Directions:
http://goo.gl/maps/3WfN

Local Businesses!
Support these guys because they support us.

Gettysburg Bicycle & Fitness

307 York Street, Gettysburg, PA

(717) 334-7791 ‎ · gettysburgbicycle.com
Go to www.RaceMichaux.com to learn about about the other excellent races this shop puts on.

Roy Pitz Brewing Company

140 N 3rd St, Chambersburg, PA

(717) 496-8753 ‎ · roypitz.com

Stop by and taste some Micro Brew before heading to the Camp where there is no alcohol.

Okay! So we originally wanted to give you four stages of Michaux rock'n punishment. On two pre-ride attempts it just seemed to be a bit long, and we think you'll agree that these three stages are good enough to satisfy for the day. Did you really want to do another 30minute climb in august?

What you will get is classic Michaux. Rocky technical descents with some real tricky rock gardens. Logs too! We don't cut it all out. Twinkle-toes will come in handy! Stay loose! Beginner riders may not have a great time but an intermediate rider will learn some new things. Good descenders with technical skills will love it.

On stage three there is a section with two drops.They are faster but sketchy and unless you pre-ride you will probably not want to take them. I rode the course to make this map, I know those drops, I've done them, but it' had been so long since I was on them last time, I choose to ride around. They will be marked. Take heed! Knowledgeable pro-line only. 

Each stage is different. There is pedaling, there are surprises. Be ready to be in the wrong gear. You'll have incredible moments and some awkward ones too. This is natural terrain. Don't expect berms or jumps. Flat corners mean you got to earn your edge. Expect a couple or more quick (5-20sec) climbs on the first two stages. None stage three. Stage three will still make you earn it. Loose the flow and you'll fight the rocks.

**If you are an MBM Member, please email any officer and once we check your membership status, we will send you a coupon code to register for $45, which also includes the Saturday night bunkhouse.

Register Here

Dark Hollow Preride

Sorry for the late post!
Tomorrow will be from Big Flat. We will preride the Dark Hollow course with probably two groups so racers can pace a little faster.
I encourage everybody to register for the race. New folks: this is a fun 10 mile course - very doable for beginners.
Please consider supporting the race any way you can. The guys at the Gettysburg shop have been very supportive to us this year -- let's return the favor!

Recap:
Preride from Big Flat 9am the 15th.
Race on the 22nd.
Anyone not racing please help Slow at the checkpoint.

Trail Work a Success!

Both Jerry's Flat and 1500 Block trails have been cleared. 

Thank you to ALL that came out to help last night!

Curse Pre-ride on Sunday 7/15

Hello all!  Dave Gentzel and I are planning to do a pre-ride of the 20 mile Curse race loop on Sunday.  Anyone else who is interested is also welcome.  We are not meaning to hijack the normal Sunday ride as there are not so many of us racing as there used to be so by all means post another ride location for that if you wish.

~Scott

Wednesday 7-11 Trail Work @ 5pm

Meet @ the Weisers' house and then we'll go from there.

We'll carpool from there to a couple entry points and do some much needed trimming on some sweet singletrack.

Tools that may come in handy will include power trimmers, loppers, pruners, saws, rakes, leather gloves and beer.
Hope to see ya there!

Afterwards all are welcome to grill and chill back at Das Berg Haus--bring combustibles for the grill or whatever if you like.

Sunday Ride

Caledonia. Ride time 9am. Park near the furnace stack.

Storm Damage?

Friday's storm made my neighborhood look like a bomb went off. Massive trees down everywhere and several houses crushed. What happened out there? Is there much trail damage?