Updates to our Volunteer Appreciation program

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Published on Thursday, 02 April 2015 10:03

Written by Loren Konkus

For almost 20 years, the MMBA and our Chapter has recognized significant trail work volunteer efforts with the First Across the Finish Line (FAFL) awards. These awards began as a small token of appreciation made possible by an anonymous memorial to Ed Berta, a volunteer who lost his life in a traffic accident on a trail day. Last year, 35 members of the Motor City Mountain Biking Association contributed at least 10 hours of time trimming trails, clearing deadfall, armoring mud holes, or other boots-on-the-ground trail work. In appreciation, each volunteer is receiving a soft-sided beverage cooler emblazoned with both our chapter and the FAFL logos.

Times they are a changin. In recent years, the mission and role of the MCMBA has grown beyond our core trail work to include more advocacy and outreach activities. For example, we have a very active National Mountain Bike Patrol group in our chapter, members of which attend group rides, help with races, and act as ambassadors to the community. We organize several significant fund raising events and races in our chapter, organized and staffed by volunteers marking courses, handling registration, and all of the behind-the-scene work that make them seem fun and effortless. We have an IMBA Certified Instructor, and host riding clinics to grow the sport and introduce new riders to responsible mountain biking. We have volunteers who write grant proposals, keep websites up and running, and design great flyers and maps. All these volunteer efforts have value to our members, our community, and our land manager partners.

In recognition of this, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our MCMBA FAFL award program to include ALL volunteer contributions to the chapter in 2015!

Of course, not all volunteer time is equal. Dodging mosquitoes while trudging a wheelbarrow full of limestone down a mile of singletrack is just a little more taxing than working on a website, leading a group ride, or hiking a trail collecting GPS data for a map. To help level the playing field, we’re going to use a point system to determine FAFL eligibility. In 2015:

• 30 points wins a FAFL award
• A trail work hour counts as 3 points
• Each hour of non-trailwork volunteer time counts as 1 point

Recording your volunteer hours – all your efforts, not just trail work – is key to making this plan work. Click here to get started!

National Mountain Bike Patrol training is scheduled

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Published on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 08:13

Written by Administrator

The next National Mountain Bike Patrol training is scheduled! Details below.

What is the National Mountain Bike Patrol?

A chapter of the National Mountain Bike Patrol is a volunteer mountain bike organization dedicated to promoting responsible riding and trail use on our public lands, providing assistance and education to trail users, and participating in this mission by riding our bikes. Our patrollers ride designated Township, City, County, State and U.S. Forest Service trails and provide simple, helpful assistance (such as giving directions to trail users, helping with minor mountain bike repairs, and educating riders about the rules of the trail). Patrollers report patrol activity via an easy web form after completing their rides.

North American Bicycle Show 2015

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Published on Thursday, 26 March 2015 21:32

Written by Administrator

Once again, CRAMBA and MCMBA will be joining forces to host a booth at the North American Bicycle Show this weekend at Cobo Hall. It's a great chance to connect with friends, check out our new gear, and find out more about trails, races, and other events happening in the area.

See http://noam.bike/nabs/ for more information.

Look for CRAMBA and MCMBA in booth #59!

Volunteer of the Year - 2014

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Published on Sunday, 15 March 2015 23:09

Written by Loren Konkus

Please join us in congratulating our 2014 MCMBA Volunteer of the Year, Dave Mackey!

That Dave recorded over 240 hours of FAFL time last year is remarkable, but what really impressed us was the way that he stepped up into the role of assistant trail coordinator for the Hines Park trails, organizing weekly trail work days, coordinating group rides, and posting nearly daily trail building progress and condition reports.

Many hands have contributed to the Hines Park trails for sure, but it's fair to say that Dave's consistent enthusiasm and energy has contributed greatly to this journey, and has helped us build credibility with Wayne County Parks as a can-do organization and a reliable partner.