U.P. bike group in national contest
The Copper Harbor Trails Club has been chosen as one of 12 finalists in a national competition that will award a total of $100,000 to 3 mountain bike trail projects nationwide. Funded by Bell Helmets and the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), the Bell Built grant competition winners will be selected with the help of online voting that ends on April 12, 2013. Voting is open to mountain bikers and the general public. To vote or learn more: www.facebook.com/bellbikehelmets
The Bell Built program is designed to give a financial boost to mountain bike trail projects in three categories including downhill, flow trail and pumptrack. Copper Harbor is a finalist in the downhill category with a proposed project titled Overflow that is planned as an intermediate and expert level downhill only trail featuring an assortment of built and natural terrain. According to Aaron Rogers, CHTC President, “Overflow will add to the expanding gravity-assisted trail system in Copper Harbor and be another draw for riders from throughout the Midwest region.” Other finalists in the DH category are located in Oregon, Colorado and Pennsylvania. The final grant recipients will be chosen based on a combination of public vote and input from Bell and IMBA staff and announced at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, on April 19.
The Copper Harbor Trails Club – IMBA Chapter is a 501C-3 with the mission of developing world class trails in Copper Harbor and the surrounding region. The Copper Harbor Trails are recognized as an International Mountain Biking Association Ride Center, one of only 11 Ride Centers in the world. The Ride Center® designation represents IMBA’s Model Trail recognition for large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider. Thanks to the support of volunteers, local government, donors and fundraising efforts, the Copper Harbor Trails Club employs a trail crew that maintains over 30 miles of trails with additional trails planned and under development. For more information: www.copperharbortrails.org