Phase 2 of the Far Side Trail Project at River Bends

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Jeremy Verbeke

And we are back!

There has not been much going on with the project most of the summer as we were out enjoying the trails as we hope you have been too. But we are excited to say that Phase 2 is underway!

This morning TrailSense provided a walk thru with CRAMBA and the Twp which closely follows the proposed Phase 2 work. This trail is expected to be ~1 Mile in addition to the Spring Hill trail. This will be a stacked loop, so that means the existing trailhead and exit will be used, so this will split off then rejoin the Spring Hill trail.

The first shovel (bucket) hit the ground and Josh is already moving dirt. It is expected to be under construction for 30-45 days.

We will need volunteers to help with this phase. CRAMBA is looking for some trail finishing work (clean up and final shaping and grading by hand tools) and projecting to build 3-4 wooden features. If you are interested in volunteering please fill out the form at the link here – https://forms.gle/WrUoaGn1P2cb69ij8

We will provide updates as they happen.

As always this is 100% user/donor-funded. Please consider making a donation at https://donorbox.org/river-bends-farside-trail

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Chapter Meeting – Tuesday, October 19th

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

Join us for our group ride and Chapter Meeting Tuesday, October 19th at River Bends! This meeting is open to all members and non-members.

We are also looking for new members to join our Board.  Basic requirements for being on the board are attending a monthly meeting, being a current CRAMBA member, and participating in discussions via email. Your involvement outside of that is up to you.

We are looking for individuals that want to get actively involved, are passionate about mountain biking, with a focus on enhancing the biking community, promoting and maintaining mountain biking trail access, and guiding responsible mountain biking. We want you to step up and help guide the Chapter and the future of mountain biking in our area. Please consider joining the CRAMBA Board if this is you!

A second option if you want to become involved, but do not have time to sit on the Board, is joining one of our committees. We will have sign up sheets at the meeting for the following committees: Communications, Membership, and Events.

Event Details:
Where: 22 Mile entrance pavilion, River Bends
When: Group ride starts at 6pm sharp

Meeting will start at 7:00pm
Note that food will not be provided at this meeting, but you are welcome to bring your own

Email the existing CRAMBA Board if you have any questions at board@cramba.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted in Chapter News, Event | Comments Off on Chapter Meeting – Tuesday, October 19th

September 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

CRAMBA’s September2021 Board Meeting was held on Thursday, September 9th 2021 at 7:00pm at the Spring Hill Trailhead at River Bends.

Meeting was called to order by Wade Robbins.  In attendance also Vito Manzella, John Knight, Brian LaVoie, and Marc Padin.  Minutes recorded by Rebecca Padin.

Massive Fall Out – Saturday October 16th

General Membership meeting to be held October 19th – Rivers Bends Pavilion

River Bends Pump track – Park has requested that the proposed location for the pump track be moved to the Ryan Rd. entrance next to the baseball diamonds.  American Ramp Co. to evaluate for feasibility.

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August 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

CRAMBA’s August 2021 Board Meeting was held on Thursday, August 12th 2021 at 7:00pm at the Spring Hill Trailhead at River Bends.

Meeting was called to order with Brian McPherson.  In attendance also Jeremy Verbeke, Wade Robbins, and Marc Padin.  Minutes recorded by Rebecca Padin.

River Bends:

  • Invoice received from TrailSense for Phase 1 of the Spring Hill trail
    • Next Phase will be approximately $39,000 – approx. $18,000 donation funds remaining
    • Private matching donor has stepped forward, offering to match up to $10,000 to cover the remaining difference
      • Brian moves to meet the proposed donor match
      • Marc seconds, motion passes

General Membership meeting to be held October 19th – Location to be announced

Massive Fall Out – Saturday October 16th

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Addison Oaks Race Cancellation

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Brian McPherson

CRAMBA has decided to officially cancel the Addison Oaks race for this year. Because of all of the rescheduled events from the springtime, we have been unable to secure a timing company for the event. Due to the importance of accurate timing for a series race, we decided against attempting to do it ourselves. We are already working on things for next year. Next year’s race will be held on Saturday September 10th, 2022.

The good news is we have more time/energy to focus on our Massive Fallout event. We’ve pushed it back to October 16th this year. Yes, this is much later than we usually hold it, but there were other conflicting events for other weekends and decided this would be our best option before it starts getting to be too late in the season. If anyone is interested in assisting with the MFO event, running an aid station, placing signage, etc, please let us know!

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July 2021 Membership Meeting Minutes

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

CRAMBA’s July Membership Meeting was held on Wednesday July 28th at 7pm at Stony Creek Metropark. There were 48 members in attendance.

River Bends

  • “Far Side Trail Project”/flow trail
    • Phase 1 completed – dubbed Spring Hill Trail
      • Cost $23,000
      • Raised so far $27,000
      • Considerations being made to build a kiosk at the trailhead to prevent vehicles from obstructing the path
    • Phase 2 will be approximately 1 mile of many elevation changes
      • Approximate cost $30,000
    • Phase 3 likely to be constructed by CRAMBA volunteers
    • $8620 donation from KLM as proceeds from their raffle
  • Pump Track
    • Approximate cost $225,000
    • Planned location: horseshoe pits at the 22 Mile Rd entrance
    • Currently pursuing grants and corporate sponsors
      • Permissions received to feature logos on the track surface
    • $30,000 commitment from Shelby Township

Addison Oaks

  • Currently in process of getting an MOU in place
  • Trail closure from 6am-2pm for trail work the week of August 1st

Bald Mountain

  • Approval for the Addison connector finally received, looking to start construction in the fall
  • CRAMBA has pledged to financially support a study conducted by Trail Sense on the southern area for possible development
    • Targeting an area near the swimming hole to develop a skills course, which will likely need to be hand-built
  • Lake Orion Township/Friendship Park – currently pursuing construction of mountain bike trails, possibly tie in with Lake Orion HS trail system
  • BM North – trail conditions: overgrown/trees down due to recent storms
  • Massive Fallout – potential to connect north and south, working with the township to see if they can provide a flashing intersection

Clinton River park trail

  • Mostly underwater the last week due to recent storms

Columbus

  • 2 miles of new trails built during the last year, approval received from the park to mark out additional trail
  • Flooding from the river has made maintenance difficult; multiple trees down but unable to reach them

Pontiac Lake

  • Trees recently cleared, new features installed
  • New changing station to be installed near the bathrooms
  • Memorial benches to be installed around the park

Stony Creek

  • New Trail Coordinator – Aaron Barla
  • 2 additional sections of trail with wooden features to be finished before a “soft opening” can be held in the next few weeks
    • Grand Opening – TBD, to be coordinated by the park
    • Signage concerns – current indicators are too small to determine if it’s hiker/biker/2-way from a distance

Woodsong County Park

  • Info is up on TrailForks
    • Currently approximately 2 miles of trail, working on another ½ mile

Oakdale

  • Within the last week, trail map was posted
  • Group rides to be held at 6pm on Wednesdays

Bike Patrol

  • Vito Manzella has replaced Jeremy Verbeke
  • 62 active members (2nd largest chapter in the National Ski Patrol)
    • 10 new members
    • ~30 members refreshed their first aid skills
    • ~15 events currently on the calendar to provide support

Massive FallOut

  • Need to consider other events to make sure we are not overlapping/trails in use

MiSCA

  • Race to be held at Addison Oaks on 9/12

Membership

  • 424 active members

Finances

  • $66,684 (before payment to Trail Sense for River Bends Phase 1)

Trail Conditions

  • Reminder to Trail Coordinators – if you’re going to host trail days, please let us know so they can be more widely advertised
Posted in Chapter Meetings, Meeting minutes | Comments Off on July 2021 Membership Meeting Minutes

Chapter Meeting – Wednesday, July 28th

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

Join us for our group ride and Chapter Meeting Wednesday, July 28th at Stony Creek! This meeting is open to all members and non-members.

We are also looking for new members to join our Board.  Basic requirements for being on the board are attending a monthly meeting, being a current CRAMBA member, and participating in discussions via email. Your involvement outside of that is up to you.

We are looking for individuals that want to get actively involved, are passionate about mountain biking, with a focus on enhancing the biking community, promoting and maintaining mountain biking trail access, and guiding responsible mountain biking. We want you to step up and help guide the Chapter and the future of mountain biking in our area. Please consider joining the CRAMBA Board if this is you!

A second option if you want to become involved, but do not have time to sit on the Board, is joining one of our committees. We will have sign up sheets at the meeting for the following committees: Communications, Membership, and Events.

Event Details:
Where: West Branch West Picnic Shelter, Stony Creek
When: Group ride starts at 6pm sharp

Meeting will start at 7:00pm
Burgers and hot dogs will be provided, but please bring your own after ride “refreshments” if you desire

Email the existing CRAMBA Board if you have any questions at board@cramba.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted in Chapter News, Event | Comments Off on Chapter Meeting – Wednesday, July 28th

July 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

CRAMBA’s July 2021 Board Meeting was held on Thursday, July 8th 2021 at 7:00pm at Stony Creek.  The June Board Meeting was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.

Meeting was called to order with Brian McPherson.  In attendance also Michael Green, Marc Padin, Wade Robbins, Steve Vigneau, and Aaron Barla.  Minutes recorded by Rebecca Padin.

Board Items:

  • CRAMBA has purchased a plate compactor for use for trail building and maintenance.  Currently being stored at River Bends.
  • Discussion regarding planning of Addison race and Massive Fallout

Stony Creek

  • Aaron Barla will be replacing Pete Kresmery as the Trail Coordinator for Stony Creek.  Pete, thank you so much for all your years of service and hard work!
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May 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

CRAMBA’s March 2021 Board Meeting was held on Thursday, May 13th 2021 at 7:20pm at River Bends.

Meeting was called to order with Brian McPherson.  In attendance also Michael Green, Marc Padin, Wade Robbins, John Knight, Michael Benigni, Jeremy Verbeke, and Chris Westerlund.  Minutes recorded by Rebecca Padin.

Board Items:

  • With updated CDC recommendations, group rides will be scheduled to start up again:
    • Tuesdays at River Bends
    • Wednesdays at Stony Creek

River Bends

“Far Side Trail Project”/flow trail
  • Phase 1 completed – dubbed Spring Hill Trail
    • Donor Preview Day – 5/14
    • Opening Day BBQ – 5/23
  • Steampunk Tap Room in Utica hosting a fundraiser on 6/12
    • Sponsors: Griffin Claw, Uncle Peter’s Pasties, and Paramount Electric
  • KLM hosting a raffle, tickets available for purchase at either location, proceeds to go to CRAMBA

Pump track
  • American Ramp Company – 3D design and quote received
    • Pursuit of fundraising opportunities continues, considering sponsorship from businesses, possibly feature their logo on signage near the sites
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April 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Rebecca Padin

CRAMBA’s April 2021 Board Meeting was held on Thursday, April 8th 2021 at 7:00pm via Zoom.

Meeting was called to order with Brian McPherson.  In attendance also Wade Robbins, John Knight, Pete McCreedy, and Ken Markiewicz.  Minutes recorded by Rebecca Padin.

Board Items:

River Bends

“Far Side Trail Project”/flow trail
  • Construction broke ground on 4/1
  • Fund raising in progress via DonorBox, but enough funding has been received to begin construction.
  • KLM hosting a raffle, tickets available for purchase at either location, proceeds to go to CRAMBA
  • Preview event for donors and official Opening Day event to be held

Pump track
  • American Ramp Company – initial spec received, additional photos being provided to help finalize designs
  • Pursuit of fundraising opportunities and applying for grants continues, considering sponsorship from businesses.

Bald Mountain

  • DNR looking into connecting with the Lake Orion high school trail system (original trails were encroaching on DNR property and were rerouted)
  • DNR pursuing master plan for connector trails – CRAMBA pledges up to $3,000 to the connector trails

Pontiac Lake

  • Grant received from Panasonic to build a changing station, Wade reached out to the PLRA Trail Coordinator regarding construction
Posted in Board Meetings, Chapter News, Meeting minutes | Comments Off on April 2021 Board Meeting Minutes