Hello Club Members,

On June 7th, we are holding our first Duck Lake Beach 40k TT just south of Whitehall.   We are in need of approximately 25 volunteers to run the event.  Most of the positions will be corner marshals, but we would also need help with registration, timing, and starting the riders.    We would need volunters to arrive by 8:00am and we anticipate the event to conclude by approximately 11:00am.   Registration would start earlier, but would end earlier too.   Please contact me at shoepop@aol.com to let me know if you can help.

I am really excited about this event.  It is an individual timed event that any club member can do.   Yes it is competitive, but it is just you against the clock.   I think we have a great opportunity to put on a first class event that won't tax our membership too much during our summer months.   If you aren't volunteering....RIDE.

Thanks,

Bill Schouman

Well I got out for just a 3 1/2 hr sample with Phil, Randy, Brian D and Peter J last Saturday. I think "Death March" is a better title than Epic. Phil has designed sucha creative use of the off-road landscape that he is now a certified pathologist/cartographer. What I used to have was a rolling, scenic gravel road and two track tour of West Oceana. Now it's a 5-6 hour endurance test. However, I must say that most of these descents are very much worth the anarobic blow-outs it takes to get to them. Even compared to the profile of the Ore-to-Shore, it's a no contest.

This is indeed a ride of character, likely to even build character. However, this is a social ride by design. Much of this cannot be mapped effectively because of it's off-road nature and because we have a private property pass courtesy of the Knapp family. Therefore, keeping the group together will be a top priority. There will be one more update before ride day. Be sure to be ready to roll at 10am. Parking is at M20 park-n-ride, Exit #140 on northbound 31.

Bryan Myers

Can you hear it? The roads and trails are calling our names. The riding season is upon us. Organized rides have already started with our neighbors to the south on the weekends. Within one month, we will have started the official Monday Night Ride out of Muskegon. There is a new Tuesday Night Ride which is starting this year out of Grand Haven. I have heard very positive rumors about some renewed local mountain bike trails (until confirmed that is all I will say). While there are some roads that are a little torn up from a hard winter, most of them are in great shape. Hopefully, the trails are in relatively good shape besides the normal downed branches. Yeah, I can tell this is going to be a great year.

The Duck Lake 40k Time Trial is taking shape. Flyers have been produced. Paperwork is about to be filed with USA Cycling. A new chapter in racing in the greater Muskegon area is about to start. I have a funny feeling that this will turn out to be a real winner in two or three years. This will also be a chance for ANY club member to take advantage. It is just you against the clock. You go at the fastest pace you can pedal. 6 mens classes and 4 womens classes all based on age. Give it a try. You might like it!

Thanks - Ride Hard, Live Long

Bill Schouman

Now that the roads are thawing it's time to get down to the business of planning a western version of the popular eastern Oceana MTB Epic. Last fall, 25 mountainbikers from all corners of West Michigan came out and raved about the appeal of Oceana County's dirt roads.

While the details are being carefully researched among the creative minds of Phil Cannon, Randy Knapp and Bryan Myers, it can be assumed that this course will be at least 50 miles of rolling hills and an emphasis on minimal paved roads. If you like big gravel climbs with white-knuckle descents, then the west is best. Be advised, however, like the eastern ride in the fall, this ride is unsupported. We'll give you a detailed map and the rest is up to you. Most importantly, this is not a race.

Bryan Myers

Contact Bryan at northsidebiker@yahoo.com for more info!

Look for a new weekly Tuesday Night Ride to leave from the Grand Haven Breakaway Bicycles store at the beginning of May!

The ride will be an easy rest day ride, about 25 miles, one group, no drops! We will try to keep the pace at less than 20 mph. Group riding is a great way to explore the sport of cycling even more!

Experienced riders will be in the group to give pointers on form and technique to help you enjoy the ride even more. Start time and ride maps will be posted at Grand Haven Breakaway Bicycles soon!

Hope to see you there!

Michael Workman