Sunday gravel grinder

I'll lead a gravel road ride this Sunday since the trails are soaked.  Let’s start at 9am at Pine Grove Furnace (see map links on right sidebar).  I have a 27 mile loop in mind that can be cut short for those that are pressed for time or have had enough riding.  The loop is up Bendersville to Slate to Piney Mountain Ridge Rd to Huckleberry to Big Flat Atv to Shippensburg Rd to Ridge Rd all the way to Cold Springs Rd to Pine Grove Rd and then back through the park.  You can cut it short along Ridge Rd and return to the park via Michaux Rd or 233.  Bring your cross bikes or hardtails and save some trails!

Tuscarora Gravel Road Ride

I have off of work on Tuesday and I am hoping to get out and explore the dirt roads of a different State Forest.  I am hoping to start by 9AM and plan on a route something along the lines of the following: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/307190955 .
If anyone is interested in coming along let me know.  The current plan is to park at Colonel Denning and ride from there.  Again, the above route is a rough outline and actual distance/route will depend on time and how I am feeling.  This is going to be more of a leisure ride with multiple stops for pics if it is warranted, no hammerfest.

Is this for today's trail conditions?

Chambersburg Bike Park

Good Job and Thank You to all that made it possible!
Everyone else should check it out sometime. Click the link for the story.

Chambersburg Bike Park

2013-2014 Hunting Seasons

It's Deer Season!!!

Play it safe, wear bright colors.

 Michaux State Forest is WMU 5A.
For a complete PA list: 2013-2014 Hunting Seasons

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 5 –Nov. 16 and Dec. 26 –Jan. 11. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Dec. 2 –14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 24 –26. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 19 –26. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26 –Jan. 11. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 5A – Nov. 5 –7

Thursday Night Rides

If you are interested in Thursday Night Rides, assume that it is at Mont Alto at 5 unless you see something posted otherwise. Rides may be shortened for anyone without a light. Once hunting starts, the rides will only be after dark.
Get some lights, ya'll!

Iron Cross results

A huge thank you to Mike Kuhn and the crew and their families for spending days and days planning, putting on and cleaning up an awesome race! Thanks to all the volunteers that helped make this race happen and thank you to the support crews and sponsors! Without all these people that love cycling so much, we wouldn’t have awesome racing!

We had quite a few MBM’ers out there “enjoying” the race.

In the “100K”:
Ladies first: Alicia finished (with her bearded Birdman on his single speed!) with a very respectable time and with the gutsiest performance of the day!

Ralph P led the MBM pack with an impressive ride. He took an hour off of last years’ time after he raced the Three Peaks ultracross the week before!
Dave W. powered to the finish with a flat tire! Does anything slow him down?
Trevis rounds out the sub 6 hour rides!
Ben C. with a strong first time ride! Rode all of Lippencote on his cross bike!
Mike D – someone update me on Mike please

In the 50K:
Dave R with a victory in the single speed category!
Dale with a third place finish in the 40+!
And I finished with a fifth place in the 40+!

Thanks again to all that made this happen!

1st reaction?

What do you think of this? http://reviews.mtbr.com/video-epic-fail-in-bike-park-chatel-france

IC checkpoint

The Iron Cross MBM checkpoint is at the top of Stillhouse Hollow Road at the power line. The same place it has been for years. This year we are much closer to the beginning of the race. We'll need to be set up and ready by 9:30 and we expect the first rider could be there by 10am. This year we will be a water stop only, no drop bags!!
After the checkpoint is done anyone that can move forward in the course and help out would be great.
I expect everything to be through that point no later than 11am. However, everyone that volunteers is welcome to return to the start/finish at Big Flat lot and eat.

If anyone is interested, there is a volunteer meeting at the Big Flat lot at 8am in the Trans-Sylvania Epic tent. If not feel free to meet at the checkpoint.

There's a link with a map location on this post.
Thanks. See you there.

Sunday Ride 9-22 - And Sock PickUp!

Caledonia 9am.
The Socks will be there. Ooooooo.

Fast and smooth

The winners laps video

Dickinson MTB Skills Clinic

Please see the flyer for the MTB skills clinic put on by Harlan Price this weekend in Carlisle. Act fast to get a spot. This is a unique opportunity at a good price if you're interested! Contact info is on the flyer.

Iron Cross 2nd half pre-ride

Some of us are doing a pre-ride of the second half of this year's Iron Cross course this Sunday the 22nd. We will be leaving from Big Flat at 9am. Dust off those cross bikes and come ride with us!

Fall Racing Season

If you are racing and you have volunteered with MBM this year contact me before registering for this event!

The Iron Cross XI is September 29th. See Bikereg for more info.

If you're racing Good Luck!! The course has changed this year. The start/finish will be at Big Flat.

MBM is hosting the regular checkpoint at the power line on Stillhouse Hollow Road. If you can help please contact me. We always have a great time at this one. Food and beverages will be provided. I'll ask the promoters for some swag too.

Volunteering for MBM supported events not only provides participants the opportunity to safely enjoy central PA's greatest natural resource, it also helps sustain the only mountain bike club in Michuax State Forest that is recognized by DCNR and open to anyone. 

To volunteer for any event contact me directly: Ridemichaux@gmail.com

See you at a ride soon! ~Slow 

new Emmitsburg Trails open

MORE is hosting an IMBA "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" ride here on Oct 5th.

Thursday 9/12/13 Mont Alto Ride

As of 3:00pm the weather in Chambersburg is looking bad.  If you are planning to ride tonight post a comment.  It is not likely many (or any) will show at Mont Alto this evening so proceed at your own risk.

Scott

'Cross/Gravel Grinder rides

Is anybody interested in doing some fire/dirt road rides in the region's State Forests this fall?  I would love to do Ironcross this year since it has been moved to earlier in the year (and away from my nephew's birthday), but I have family commitments out of town that weekend.  Also, I am not fit enough at the moment!  I would like to finally get out for some 'cross rides on my CrossCheck.  I would especially like to check out some of the roads in Tuscarora state forest.  If anyone has a good route suggestions in that forest please let me know.  I'm also up for riding in Michaux.  I would be able to do ~2 hour rides on Tues/Fri in Norchaux if we start by 1PM as I need to pick up my kiddo from daycare by 4-4:30 in Harrisburg.  I could probably get away for a longer ride on the weekend as long as I have advance notice.

PreRace Ride

If a replacement for my exploded shifter arrives tomorrow, I will do a preride of the 20 mile loop, starting at 9 on Sunday. I will ride at race pace, which, for the rest of you will hardly raise your heart rates.

Sunday Ride 9-8

The Enduro signs all over Michaux are scaring me south of the border . . .

Gburg may be doing a Teaberry preride, so if you're interested in that keep your eyes peeled.
Our MBM group ride will be from the SandFlats in the Watershed. Thanks to Jason for agreeing to usher us around. We can carpool/caravan from the southend of Cburg if anybody wants to. We will try to get there to ride at 9, so meeting around 8 would be plenty of time.

Thursday Ride (I can't lead it)

I had thought I could lead a ride from the Teaberry lot this Thursday but I have a work conflict.  We've been talking about moving the Thursday night ride around a bit and we've got some newer riders that would like to see the trails around Teaberry prior to the upcoming race.  If anyone can lead a ride from the Teaberry lot this Thursday or any other time please post.  Also, if you plan to ride this Thursday from Mont Alto please post so newer riders will know they have a leader.

State Forest Resource Management Plan Survey

DCNR is beginning the process to develop its new State Forest Management Plan.  If you want your voice to be heard, and your priorities to be considered in the management of our State Forests, please take the time to seriously consider this survey and complete it!  

Here's the email text from Forestry and the link to the survey can be found on the main page of Michaux's web page, as linked below:

--------------------------------------------------------
Dear Michaux State Forest stakeholder or user,

The Bureau of Forestry is beginning the planning process to revise the State Forest Resource Management Plan (SFRMP). The SFRMP is a broad, state-wide plan used to guide the Bureau of Forestry’s management of state forest resources.

Public participation is an integral part of state forest management. As part of the SFRMP revision, we developed a survey to gather public input that can be incorporated into the planning process. Additional opportunities for public input through 2014 will include written comment and public meetings. Hearing from the public gives us insights into the needs and concerns of citizens and stakeholders, so we can better adapt our management strategies.

As a valued state forest stakeholder or user, we are interested in your survey response. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please use the following link to access the survey on the Michaux State Forest webpage. You will find a link to the survey under the Advisories section of the webpage. The survey will be available online through October 31, 2013.

www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/michaux

Please feel free to share this link with other state forest stakeholders or users that you may know.

Thank you,

-Forest Resources Planning and Information Team

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

Michaux and all the other State Forest lands mean a lot to all of us--let DCNR know your opinions and priorities!

 

Thanks!

See you on the other side.

editing Brian's post.  MBM should know about this tomorrow:

Ralph Pisle

spread the word if you can

To all friends and family of Brian and Lee Ann Fults: There will be a memorial ride/walk tomorrow morning (Sunday 10:00 pm) to spread his ashes along Abby Trail in Micheaux as request by Brian on his last few days with us. Walkers will be led by Les Hegarty and Lee Ann Fults and will only walk the second part of the trail. Mountain bikers will be led by Cory Hegarty and will ride all of Abby trail. Riders and walkers will meet halfway through Abby trail at a pre-determined location and a few words will be spoken. Riders and walkers will meet at big flat parking lot at 9:30 and instructions will be given from there. Location to parking lot:http://www.mapquest.com/?hk=10W5H0v&icid=embed_viewLargerMap. (right off of Birch run rd.)

You will be missed.

Brian and I at his benefit ride. 

 Last Wednesday our friend and member Brian Fults lost his fight against cancer. Brian was an inspiration. He rose through the mountain biking ranks in record time and began winning races. He eventually started the Bulldog Race Team. His drive and his spirit will be missed by all.

9200ft summit in Mount Rose wilderness NV.

TORC and Gettysburg near Nevada City, CA.

On Friday a group of MBM, Gettysburg and TORC riders dedicated a ride to our friend. Thanks for the jersey Bulldogs! I will wear it with pride. We will remember our friend.

For those attending services, please wear your jersey.

Sunday Ride 8-25

Bendersville Lot 9am.
The lot at the top of Bendersville Rd where the Maximus is . . .

Sunday Ride Report

We had a great ride yesterday with an excellent group! We pretty much rode the second half of the maximus 40 in a nice light rain. Finishing 20+ miles of singletrack in that weather with a group of 8 intact is a good day on the bikes. Thanks to those who rode and those who were helpful in keeping the group running smoothly. We had some new faces and very few of the 'regulars' - thanks for coming out! Photo to follow (once I get it off my phone).
I'm thinking of starting from Bendersville Lot this Sunday and riding the first half of maximus. Yes, that means climbing DeadWomansHollow, but I've had some requests for 3miletrail, so we will make that happen!

Gary Fisher to Trek

Gary Fisher 7
Niner 1
Lets see if Trek can handle Michanx. 

A very successful 'beginner' ride!

It was a great turnout last night. Thanks to the riders who helped show a nice group of 'beginner' riders around the woods. We had a variety of newer riders with a variety of strengths and weaknesses. We challenged most of them but everybody came away with a smile (to my knowledge).

For the rest of the fall, the Thursday rides will be regular. It will be Mont Alto unless posted differently. These are open rides. Any ability is welcome. The ride leaves the lot at 5. If you may be a little late, try to contact somebody that can alert us. We will tailor the ride to the group's ability on any given night, so please come out and ride bikes with us!

Tues. Aug. 13

15-20 mile ride from Furnace lot if anyone is interested. Ride starts at 5:30pm pending solid weather. Quick pace, but company is certainly welcomed. If inclement weather, check the blog before heading out. Any takers to ride up north?

Jeremy

Thursday Night Ride 8-15

There will be a beginner-paced ride from the Mont Alto lot at 5 on Thursday this week. Anybody is welcome. Put the word out please.
Any members who can be on hand to help would be appreciated.
Come prepared to ride for 2-3 hours (about 2 water bottles and a snack). Helmets required.
Any questions, please ask on the blog or email the club.

Sunday Ride 8-11

Caledonia at 9.
Next week will be Mud Banks.

Clear Rocky Ridge

Rocky Ridge is totally overgrown. I want to clean it up on Saturday. I need one or two people to help. I'd like to meet at Old Forge at 10AM. I will bring the biggest brush cutter I can rent. Please respond if you can come.