Trail Side Chat With Julie

Trail Side Chat Series 

HMBA is chatting it up with some local women riders to find out why they love mountain biking in Hinton!  Every week, a different rider will share their experiences with you.  This week, we start with Julie!

Meet Julie

Ladies' Ride, Fall 2010

HMBA: How long have you been riding in Hinton?

Julie: This will be my 18th season!  When I first moved to Hinton, I didn't even own a car.  I bought a mountain bike and rode it to work all summer - a summer that had a major thunderstorm almost every second day!!

HMBA: How would you describe your riding level? (i.e. beginner, seasoned, other)

Julie: I suppose I would be a seasoned rider.  But every year I look forward to improving my current skills even more!

HMBA: What style of riding do you do?

Julie: At first it was just cross-country/trail riding.  Now, I have having fun expanding into some downhill (Gasifier) and winter biking - all because it's possible to do them all in Hinton!  Oh, and I do enjoy playing at the Bike Park!

HMBA: What are your favorite things to ride at the bike park?

Julie: I love challenging myself in the skills area.  Business Time is super fun and I am still working up to completing Fo'Shore.  Totally Lost is my favorite trail in the park.   It's my daughter's favorite too.

HMBA: Do you ride the trails in our trails systems? (Happy Creek System, Jack’s Trails System)  If so, what would be your most favorite trail?  What’s your favorite loop?

Julie: I ride all of them!!  Having biked here for so long - I've seen the multiple changes in our trail systems.  Back in the day - Happy Creek was so challenging that people did Jack's Trail System as the regular go to!  My most favorite trail... I would say Halloween in the Fall.  There is a location that is absolutely beautiful when the leaves are at their yellowest.  My favorite loop is ending at the back of (lower) Big Horn Trail and riding with speed down the powerline to finish on Flow Master - with not one pedal stroke along the way!

Getting gravity on Gasifier with Stacey

HMBA: Have you tried Gasifier yet?  If so, what do you think?

Julie: Yes I have.  And I can't wait to go again!  I have a downhill bike and gear - which makes it really fun.  

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone new to biking – what would you say?

Julie: If you love being outdoors - this is a great way to do it.  There are so many great trails, some with some neat viewpoints.  I always feel great after a ride and wished it never ended!

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone who bikes, but is new to Hinton – what would you say?

Julie: Join the group rides!  It's the best way to meet other riders and to get to know the trails.

Muck Yeah, 2010

HMBA: How would you describe a typical Ladies’ Ride to someone who hasn’t been on one yet?  

Julie: I always look forward to Ladies' Ride.  I'm  a mom of two and it's my 'me' time.  So it's great to ride with other ladies.   There's lots of camaraderie, support and encouragement when we meet those challenges on the trails.  Lots of laughs, good biking, and even bouts of basic trail maintenance!

HMBA: In what ways do you give back to HMBA?

Julie: First, I support them by buying my annual membership!  For many years now, I have been leading the Monday Ladies' Rides and occasionally the Wednesday Group Rides.   I got certified as an IMBA instructor a few years ago, so that I can help riders enhance their skills.  Since 2011, I have been on the executive as Treasurer and now VP.  I also volunteer as a coach with Sprockids.

HMBA: Thanks Julie!  Looking forward to seeing you out on the trails!!

Julie: With a big smile on my face!!

Jerseys & Socks Available at Vicious (Hinton)

HMBA Jerseys and Socks are back at Vicious, ready for the biking season!  Size options are starting to get limited - so get yours before they are all gone!

• Freeride Jersey: $70
• Turbo Tees: $45
• Socks: 1 for $15 or 2 for $25

Cash or Cheque only please!

Another Great AGM!

Our 2015 AGM was well attended with many new faces in the crowd!  It was great to meet everyone and gear up for another great season of riding and exciting events.

Unfortunately, HMBA's presidency is still left vacant and we encourage anyone interested in joining the board to please contact us!  We are also looking for extra help in organizing the Beaver Bike Fest happening in August - it's a lot of fun!

To help make all this happen, we would like to give our sincere thanks to Lakeview Inn & Suites for allowing us to hold our AGM in their conference room,  and to The Hinton Voice and Ouiprint for once again designing and printing awesome posters for us!!!

A Great Trail Cleaning Day!

From a facebook post by Jailin Threinen:

We ran into some "garbage angels" on the biking trails today. Thanks for taking the initiative to keep our town and trails clean and enjoyable.  #hintonproud

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Signed HMBA Jersey - on Auction for a Good Cause

From a great idea, came a SWEET JERSEY!!!!

You have the chance to OWN a REAL HMBA Jersey with REAL SIGNATURES from some of Canada's Gnarly Maniac Mountain Bikers!

•  Geoff Gulevich
•  Jay Hoots
•  Ryan Leech
•  Brett Tippie
•  Brendan Howey

• Ben Glassen
• Curtis Robinson
•  Dyl Dunkerton
•  The Intern 

•  Logan Peat
•  Graham Aggassiz
•  Kurt Sorge
•  Lorny

Bidding can be made by all ages in person at Sweet Lou's in Hinton on the evening of FRIDAY APRIL 24TH FROM 7PM. (More bidding options to come..)

All proceeds will be donated to 'Mobility Van for Owen Langford'  

“Mobility is key and a van would be life changing for a boy that is fighting to stay mobile every day! He needs your help!”

— Michelle Langford

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Jersey bought and donated by Marie-Soleil Pinet and Jan Vassbotn
Postage and Volunteer Time donated by Vicious Cycle, Hinton. 
Hoots Co. (Jay Hoots) rounded up the autographs!! 

This is for a fantastic cause and you know all of your friends are going to be jealous!!!! So if you can't one up them with your bike, one up them with this sweeeeeettttt JERSEY!!!

Sweet Lou's, Friday April 24th at 7pm!

Come out to Sweet Lou's and enjoy a night out to help Owen get a mobility Van.  Live music from the Mary-Lee Bird Band, Silent auction, raffles, games, and more!  Follow Owen's facebook event!

2015 Membership Discount Sponsors

A BIG THANK YOU to all our membership card discount sponsors!!!   Membership cards will be available with new or renewed memberships at the AGM on Thursday April 16th.  Doors open at 6:30pm at Lakeview Inn & Suites in Hinton, off Highway 16.

Visit our MEMBERS page for more information on how to obtain memberships after the AGM and find out about all the great discounts at local and regional businesses.

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HMBA's Supporters

HMBA has had amazing support over the years - we can't thank them all enough!!!  THANK YOU!!!

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Early Spring Trail Report

Bike Park

With the good weather and recent winds the Bike Park is drying up fast. There are still some critical wet areas and subsequent rutting from riders  who are too impatient to wait it out. The ground is still frozen and spring showers are sure to come.

The strong winds also present a hazard with unstable trees in many areas of the areas of the Park. Several of these trees will have to be professionally removed and this may take time.

If favorable conditions hold throughout the week, there will be a basic maintenance day on Saturday April 18th. This will include garbage cleanup, removing debris from the trails, raking leaves and debris from drainages and raking out the unfortunate new ruts.

Stayed tuned on our website calendar for upcoming maintenance dates!

When conditions are poor, you will see signs like these at the Hinton Bike Park.

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Trail Systems

Happy Creek

The Happy Creek trail system has seen high use in the last couple of weeks with favorable temperatures and rapidly melted snow pack.

There are still a few areas with snow/ice and lots of wet problem areas throughout, especially Happy Creek East and Just Giver.  All other trails are in awesome early season shape. 

Downed trees on Slowcooker were cleared this weekend.

Jack's

Report from Jack's Trails of downed trees and wet areas in the obvious spots.

As always, please let us know your trail feedback. Keep us informed on trail conditions and maintenance so we can pass it on to others.   

See you at the AGM!

Renew or buy your membership online!

1-2-3 Easy!

Beat the rush and purchase your annual HMBA membership online!  Membership cards will be distributed at the AGM.  If you are unable to make the AGM - the membership cards will be mailed out to you after the AGM.   Membership forms will still be available at the AGM for those who prefer to stick with pen and paper.  Cash or cheque please!

Sprockids

Sprockids registration is also available online or at the AGM.

HMBA Gear

We still have jerseys and socks for sale.  Support the club you love!!

AGM

HMBA's Annual General Meeting is on Thursday, April 16th.  Doors open at 6:30pm at the Lakeview Inn & Suites off Highway 16.  AGM to start at 7:15pm.   See you there!

 

2015 MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS *

*All Discounts Valid until March 31, 2016

HMBA sponsors continue to offer Membership Discounts!  Please see the list below of businesses that support the HMBA.  We would like to give a BIG THANKS to all the businesses that provided these discounts for our members.

HINTON

Bike Boy – 10% off bike parts and accessories

Escape Clothing Company – 10% off regular priced items 

Hinton DQ Grill & Chill - 15% off food and drink.

Maximum Work and Active Gear - 10% off regular priced items

Mountain Donair - 10% off food and drink.

Subway - 10% off regular prices items (not valid with any other discounts) - valid at 5 locations including Hinton, Jasper, Banff and Canmore

The Hinton Voice - Two free classifieds per week (maximum 30 words each)

The Old Grind - 10% off food, drink and giftware (excludes alcohol)

Vicious Cycle Hinton - 10% storewide (excludes bikes and Go Pro cameras)

Yukon Sausage Inc. - 10% off meat purchase

JASPER

Bombshell Boutique  - 10% 

Coco's Café - 10% off food & drink

Jasper Freewheel Cycle  - 10% (labour not included)

Jasper Source for Sports – 15% bike services

Patricia Street Deli - 10% 

Ransom Clothing and Eyewear - 10%

Subway - 10% off regular prices items (not valid with any other discounts) - valid at 5 locations including Hinton, Jasper, Banff and Canmore

Totem Ski Shop - 10%

Vicious Cycle Jasper  - 10% storewide (excludes bikes and Go Pro cameras)

Winter Magic Photos from The Hinton Voice

Check out these great picks taken during the Fun Fat Bike Race at the Winter Magic Fat Bike Demo Day on February 21st, 2015!

Flickr Photos from The Hinton Voice

Spring Conditions in Bike Park - Please Stay Out!

Please stay out of the bike park during these early spring conditions.  The weather is great and we are all itching to get out, but please have some patience.  It takes a lot of time and effort to fix ruts created when trails and features are muddy.  Time that would be better used making the park radder for all of us!

Thank you!!

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Great Fun at the Winter Magic Fat Bike Demo Day!

The Winter Magic Fat Bike Demo Day was a great success!  Some fresh overnight snow, groomed tracks and lots of bikes to try out.  10 riders participated in a fun race - randomly paired with enthusiastic partners on a beautiful wintry day.

Thanks to HMBA's Sarah, Mike and Mike for putting time in organizing and prepping this fun event!  Thanks to Christopher Read for being a great MC! 

Thank you to the bike shops for bringing Fat Bikes to Hinton for folks to try out!!!

Thank you to local businesses that helped make it a great event!

Thanks to Sandra, Paul and Michelle for the use of these great shots!

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Sarah staying in front of Colin on the final lap.

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Fun Fat Bike Race Trophy - crafted by Mike Mahoney

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The winning team.

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Lots of people trying out fat bikes for the first time - and loving it!

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Gals on Fat Bikes

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Volunteer Call!

Volunteer Call! HMBA is looking for someone to help with a Hinton Bike Park mini-project. We need to have a cement pad installed near the seacan in the spring (roughly 3'x3' to 4'x8') and would like someone with good concrete know-how to help manage this small project. Any takers??

Email us at info AT bikehinton.com for more details!

What makes HMBA tick? Come and find out!

Discover HMBA

Are you wondering how you can further contribute to awesome mountain biking in Hinton? Anyone who is interested in (or thinking about!) joining our board as an executive member or as a coordinator is invited to attend a meeting.  Come check us out - you don't have to commit right off the bat!  

Contact Us and let us know you are interested!

Our mandate is to:

1. To provide and maintain free access multi-purpose mountain bike trails and facilities, for use by the public.
2. To promote local mountain bike events and activities for community participation in healthy recreation.

Let's work together and continue to provide awesome mountain biking opportunities in Hinton for all!

Get Winter-active! Town of Hinton Recreation News Flash

Posted on: February 13, 2015

Get Winter-active! HMBA and TOH to Groom Trails for Winter Use!

The Town of Hinton and the Hinton Mountain Bike Association have collaborated to create more recreation opportunities in the winter months for Hintonites!  Read More...

Winter Trail Pilot Project Underway

Two of our local fat bike riding enthusiasts, Mike Mahoney and Mike Langford, have teamed up on this recent Winter Trail Pilot Project.  With the support of the Hinton Mountain Bike Association and the Town of Hinton, this project will allow the grooming of some of our favorite established backyard trails!

The grooming will be done with a small snowmobile which is handy for mobility and keeping our trails narrow.  Absolutely no trail work needs to be done in order to accommodate the grooming, nor will there be any erosion or damage to the existing trails.  

The groomer is towed behind the snowmobile and it is exactly the same type of groomer that is used by nordic centres to groom for cross country skiing.  The only difference is in the width of the groomer - only 30 inches (76 cm) wide, the ideal width for non-motorized winter activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, bicycling, hiking, dog walking and trail running.

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Grooming is a slow process, the snowmobile runs approximately 5 kms/hr towing the groomer as it rolls and packs the trail down. Once groomed, it takes a few hours to "set up" or harden, then it is ready for use. Grooming will be done mostly at night when there is less usage, and a better chance for the snow to set-up. 

There a several benefits from this pilot project:

• There will be no cost to the town as Mike Mahoney has volunteered his time and money for this project. The HMBA has agreed to review progress in one years time, and if the project is a success, the association will become financially active with the project.

• A groomed winter trail will further promote healthy, "green", carbon neutral activities within our community.

• There is a potential to draw more tourist dollars to our town.

• The HMBA and the town of Hinton are pushing for Hinton to be a "Alberta's Mountain Bike Mecca". What better way then to make mountain biking a year-round sport?

• Dead-fall will be removed throughout the winter thereby reducing the spring workload for the trail crews.

The area that would be groomed include a connection of several small trails in the Happy Creek zone.   Trails that will be part of the groomed loop:

1. The J

2. Ranger

3. GS connector

4. GS

5. Halloween

6. Phil's Thriller

7. Bubba's

8. Bighorn

Happy Trails!!

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The J on February 7, 2015

Position Available at HMBA!!

This position could be right for you!

HMBA has an immediate opening to our coveted executive board: President!  Presiding over a full board of FIVE executive members and FIVE coordinators, it's a great opportunity to extend your passion for Alberta's Mountain Bike Mecca!  You too can be part of a great team!

Don't delay!  Submit your application below.

Top Ten Reasons to Volunteer 

(a bit of humour, quoted from this site) 

1. When you stay home, you get too many telemarketing calls.
2. Your family could use a break from you.
3. You might need help yourself some day.
4. It's hard to win a game of solitaire.
5. Soap operas all sound alike.
6. If you don't go out each day, you get old.
7. Why let your boss have all the fun in life?
8. The bike needs a workout.
9. Your mom would be proud of you.
10. Who cares about money?

Presidential Duties

• Oversees HMBA vision/mission  (great biking in Hinton!)

• Manages HMBA governance & bylaws (makes sure HMBA follows its bylaws) 

• Chairs HMBA meetings (and gets to make motions and delegate!)

• Maintains/Promotes external relations:

  • Media relations (we love the press!)

  • Partners: Foothills Recreation Management Area, Coalspur, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Town of Hinton and many other awesome supporters!

• Works closely with all Executives (we're in this together!)

• Reports to: HMBA Membership (HMBA wouldn't exist without them!)

Tell us you want to be a part of HMBA!

Winter Magic Fat Bike Demo Day

On Saturday February 21st from 1pm Various Bike Shops from Hinton & Jasper will be at Maxwell Lake!

Come down to trial a bike, roast some marshmallows or participate in a race!

There will be a snowman competition (snow permitting) and hot chocolate for the kids :-)

 

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Suggested parking locations off of Collinge Road: