Our Volunteers making our trails better
Chapter Meeting & Board Election - Tuesday, October 11th
Join us for our quarterly Chapter Meeting and group ride Tuesday, October 11th at River Bends Park! This meeting is open to all members and non-members.This meeting is also our annual Board Member elections. Four of our current board members are stepping down, leaving six Board Members remaining (Board can consist of up to 12 members). 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: River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Rd, Shelby Charter Township, MI 48317 (Hickory Grove Pavilion located in the grassy area by the main trailhead)When: Group ride starts at 5:30pm bring your lights!Food will start being served at 7:00pm (burgers, hot dogs, and soda will be provided, but please bring your own after ride "refreshments" if you desire)Meeting will start at 7:30pmEmail the exisiting CRAMBA Board if you have any questions at board@cramba.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
2016 Massive Fallout Postponed to October 15, 2016
Just a heads-up to everyone! Due to torrential rains and flooding in SE Michigan, the 2016 Massive Fallout has been postponed to October 15, 2016.Same location, same route, and same time, just a new date two weeks later. Ride Dirt Trails, Not Mud Trails!See you there!
New Mailing Address
We have updated our mailing address. Our new address is as follows:Clinton River Area Mountain Bike AssociationPO Box 180190Utica, MI 48318Info also found on our About Us Page. We look forward to riding with you soon!
2016 Massive Fallout Quad-Trail Mass Group Ride
ATTENTION: Due to torrential rains and flooding in Southeast Michigan, the 2016 Massive Fallout has been moved to Saturday, October 15th, 2016. Please join us -- two weeks later than planned -- for a great ride around CRAMBA trails!
Massive Fallout is a large-scale group ride organized by the volunteers of the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association (CRAMBA-IMBA).The ride features four prominent trails in Macomb and Oakland Counties: Stony Creek, Bald Mountain, Addison Oaks, and Bloomer. These trails are all connected via a series of roads, paths, and rail trails creating a fun, flexible ride. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, the ride can be configured to your experience level and desired length. The total estimated mileage is roughly 50-60 miles including Bloomer.All trails and routes will be marked clearly. Maps will be handed out during starting hours. Join us for the mass start to be part of one of the largest mountain bike group rides in Southeast Michigan.This ride is a CRAMBA event and will be insured under the CRAMBA group event policy. An aid station will be available during the ride. T-Shirts will be available for sale the day of the ride at Stony Creek in the morning and at the Addison Oaks aid station. All proceeds from T-Shirt sales will go to CRAMBA.When: October 1st, 2016 October 15th, 2016 (Postponed due to weather!)Starting Hours: 8:00am – 10:00am, with a 10:00am mass start!Start Location: Stony Creek Metro Park – West Branch Picnic Area CRide Cost: Free! (purchase of Stony Creek Metropark day pass may be required)GPS route:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13334279Turn-by-turn directions:Stony, Bald Mountain, and Addison: http://utabintarbo.com/files/MFORidingDirections2015.pdfBloomer "add-on": http://utabintarbo.com/…/MFORidingDirections2015-Bloomer.pdfFacebook Event Page:https://www.facebook.com/events/1067555313306613/Map(Classic): Massive Fallout Classic MapEmergency Contact: Please call 248-894-4209
2016 Addison Oaks Fall Classic Chapter Benefit Race
What: Addison Oaks Fall Classic Chapter Benefit RaceWho: Presented by CRAMBA-IMBAWhere: Addison Oaks County Park, Leonard, MIWhen: Sunday, September 11th, 2016 (Always on the 2nd Sunday in September)The CourseThe course consists of fast and flowing sections with some tight and twisty sections to challenge your skills. The course is approximately 7 miles long and is ~70% single track. Course map.ParkingRacers who do not already have a valid Oakland County Parks motor vehicle permit will be required to pay a $5 parking fee the day of the race. This fee can be applied to the purchase of a 2016 vehicle permit.Racers arriving by bus will be charged per-bus, at a rate of $1 per occupant.Results2015 race results are available from Newton Timing & Race Services: Elite/Expert, Sport/SS/FB/Tandem, Beginner.Facebook Event Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/events/214178275602363/Sign up NOW!
Registration day of the event will be available for an additional $5. Registration opens at 8:30 am, and closes 30 minutes prior to each race.Elite/Expert (Men and Women) and Single Speed (Expert/Elite):Registration closes: 9:30 amRaces start: 10:00 amLaps: Elite 5, Expert/SS 4Sport (Men and Women) and Single Speed (Sport/Beginner)Registration closes: NoonRaces start: 12:30 pmLaps: Sport 3Beginner and First TimersRegistration closes: 1:30 pmRaces start: 2:00 pmLaps: Beginner 2, First Timer 1Special Kids’s RaceWhat: Kids race will consist of a special short loop around the spectator area.When: 11:00 amRegistration: Cost is free, but you must sign a waiver at the registration desk. Each racer will get a number plate and a medal.SponsorsWe would like to thank our current 2016 Race Sponsors:
Would you or someone you know like to support CRAMBA-IMBA by being a sponsor of the 2016 Addison Oaks Fall Classic? Please contact us @ race@cramba.org.T-Shirts
To guarantee size, pre-order your shirt by September 6th. No guarantee on sizing for day-of purchase. Shirts are $20 with online registration. The day-of price is $20. CRAMBA-IMBA water bottles will also be available for $5/each.FoodFree (for racers) brats, hot dogs, burgers, or veggie burgers. Non-racers are welcome to enjoy the food, but we do ask that you consider donating to CRAMBA-IMBA to help offset our food costs. The grills will be lit and food available after 12:30 pm.Prize MoneyCash prize for top 3 Elite Men and Top 3 Elite WomenElite Men Overall:1st Place: $1002nd Place: $603rd Place: $40Elite/Expert Women Overall:1st Place: $1002nd Place: $603rd Place: $40Expert Men Overall:1st Place: $752nd Place: $503rd Place: $35AwardsMedals will be awarded to the first 3 finishers of each category.
Pontiac Lake Trail Trimming day June 26th 9am
https://www.facebook.com/events/983134718428856/Join in this amazing opportunity to help improve one of SE Michigan's most prestigious Mountain Biking Trails.Meet at the new sign for The Mountain Bike Trail Head at 9:00am. We will work until noon and then share lunch.What to expect: Good times while helping improve the trail conditions.Trail trimming main goal.What to bring: work gloves and something to drink. Safety glasses if you'd like. Biking gear for after working. Swim gear to take a dip. Hiking stuff if you'd prefer to stay on foot. Bug spray is a good idea. And so is bringing a friend.Dress: recommended pants and a long sleeve shirt.
Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day June 11th 2016
For the most current information please check our Facebook Event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1586737541644809/Join Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association (CRAMBA) at River Bends Parks on Saturday, June 11th from 10 to 2 to celebrate Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day!CRAMBA, local bike shops and other trail enthusiasts will be on hand to help conduct skills development, perform bike/gear checks (safety checks), bike and helmet fittings as well as introduce Leave No Trace principles. A couple of course offerings will be marked on the single track trail, which will provide youngsters with appropriate skills challenges and distances for a variety of abilities and ages.Our National Mountain Bike Patrol will be onsite, and the word on the street is they will be grilling up some lunch for everyone (that is until they run out of food). Riding with your child will help promote both the great sport of mountain biking and an appreciation for out great outdoors. Come join us for a great day out on one of our local trails!Please feel free to follow us on our Facebook page, where we will continue to have updates of trail conditions and chapter events, including Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.Although we do not see anything that would force us to cancel this event, our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/
CRAMBA Mountain Bike Patrol orientation April 30th
Our next scheduled New Patroller Orientation is scheduled for April 30th 2pm at Shelby Twp Fire Station #1. Located at 6345 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Twp, MI 48316Enter the West entrance.
Training will last 2 hours. At 4pm there will be a group ride at River Bends Park.Please bring your bike, helmet and any medical training you have to the training. You must have CPR/First Aid certification. If you do not hold this, there is training starting at 10am. Please contact us for more information.Please RSVP by email bikepatrol@cramba.org or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/214814528899191/If you have any questions please ask, otherwise we will see you Saturday April 30th. Please share this email with anyone else you think might be interested.View our brochure
More MTB Trails at Stony Creek!
This is it, everyone: your chance to support more mountain bike trails at Stony Creek Metropark!On Saturday, April 2nd, from 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Huron-Clinton Metroparks are hosting a Master Plan Open House at the Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center. We need as many people as possible to show up and tell the Metroparks planners that you want more single track mountain bike trails at Stony Creek. Bring your friends, CRAMBA members or not, and show the park planners how many of us mountain bikers use the park and want more places to ride.Before the meeting please fill out this survey about trail use at Stony Creek: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stonycreekmpCurrently Stony Creek only has four miles of single track trail that is designated for mountain biking. By getting more mountain bike trails listed as a goal on the master plan they will become part of the park's development. In order to make trails happen the park planners need to hear from us!See this event on the Metroparks Events Calendar for more information: http://www.metroparks.com/Stony-Creek-Metropark-Master-Plan-Open-House/Events#8006When talking to planners at the meeting and completing the survey here's some points to keep in mind:
- The mountain bike trails at Stony Creek are one of the most popular trail systems in the area. (Note: Frequently-full parking lots and those who ride to the trails by bike.)
- More single track mountain bike trails will decrease pressure (usage density) on existing trails by further spreading out users.
- Continued development of the mountain bike Skills Area will enable skills development and provides healthy outdoor activities for riders young and old.
- CRAMBA has 300+ paid members in the greater Stony Creek area and the expertise and volunteers to work with land managers to design and build successful trail networks.
- There is enough unused terrain in the existing mountain bike trail area to build more trail of all kinds and difficulties. (Still more is unused throughout the whole of the park.)
- Trail design has come a long way since the Stony Creek's MTB trails were first built, allowing for more exciting, sustainable, low-maintenance routes.
- Winter fat biking on snow is growing in popularity. In winter, fat bikes should not be prevented from riding the mountain bike trails.
2016 Spring Membership Drive - Become a Member
Think spring! Think warmer weather! Think mountain biking! Think CRAMBA!With the cold weather, snow and gray skies almost behind us it's time to put that fatbike away and dust off your 29er, 650b or that rockin' 26er! Of course, some of you ride fat year round, so tune that fatty up and keep her rollin’ this summer (and join us on one of our group rides).So you’re ready to head to your local trail… thankfully it's ready to ride thanks to your CRAMBA-IMBA chapter! Or maybe you're ready to head to a brand new trail. Thankfully, it exists due to the efforts of your CRAMBA-IMBA chapter!How does this all happen? It's simple: members like you drive the mountain biking experience in concert with CRAMBA-IMBA!By becoming a CRAMBA-IMBA member you support building and improving your local trails. And more members means more weight for getting what we want, which means better trails and more trails.Still not sure why you would want to be a member?Our members dictate what we want and do.
- Member counts bring us clout with our local parks, government, and land managers which gets us what we want: new and improved trails.
- Membership pays chapter expenses: supplies for building and maintaing trail, insurance for the work we do, events we put on.
Direct membership benefits:
- Knowing you supported your local trails
- Socks at the $50 level
- Subaru VIP access—save up to $3,300 on a new or leased vehicle
- com year-long membership offering pro-deals bike gear
- Year-long subscription to your choice of mountain bike publication—choose from Bicycling, Dirt Rag Digital, Peloton Digital or Velo Digital
- Membership kit with stickers, propaganda and membership card
- Discounts on bike and outdoor gear
- 10% off all IMBA gear and event registrations
There are no additional obligations when becoming a CRAMBA-IMBA member.If that's not enough for you, CRAMBA-IMBA is launching a Spring Membership Drive running March 2016 until May 2016 to encourage you to join your CRAMBA-IMBA chapter!Running March through May, the drive will include special prize opportunities donated by a variety of corporate sponsors and limited edition IMBA gear for all individual and family members who join or renew their membership or register with CRAMBA-IMBA.Look for an upcoming announcement about the 2016 benefits for new and renewing members. Join here: I want to join CRAMBA-IMBA! Or here: IMBA.Visit our Facebook page; we look forward to seeing you on the trails and at one of our upcoming events. Ride on!
Stony Creek Spring Trail Day 2016
Join us for our spring trail day at Stony Creek Saturday April 23rd. We will meet at West Branch Lot B at 9 am.The main focus will be repairing the supports under the main boardwalks in the Pines. Secondary projects such as the rock garden lengthening and basic ground repairs will be tackled depending on volunteer turnout.Are you curious about what we do and who we are? This is a great opportunity to find out and get involved; everyone is welcome.
No experience is necessary to participate in a Trail Day, just a desire to make our trails better. Wear clothes for working outdoors (long sleeves, pants, gloves, boots, eye protection) and bring something to drink. We'll provide the tools, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. We look forward to seeing you there!Also, see our event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1682184792049170/
2016 Tri-Chapter Ultimate Trail Challenge
Did you know there are 33 different mountain bike trails in the metro Detroit area?The Clinton River Area Mountain Biking Association (CRAMBA), Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA), and the Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association (Poto MBA) are teaming up this year to present the 2016 Tri-Chapter Ultimate Trail Challenge. The challenge involves riding all 33 of three local IMBA chapter trails at least once during 
the 2016 season. The challenge officially begins on February 1, 2016. Rides will be loosely coordinated on the Facebook event, chapter Facebook groups, or other various locations. Join a ride that has been posted, or exercise your self-reliance and organize your own trail outing and invite others to join. Get creative and combine multiple trails for some excellent endurance training rides. Submit your challenge summary by November 13th (send your summary by email to: jenny_schultz@hotmail.com)
2015 CRAMBA Bike Patrol Year in review
The Clinton River Mountain Bike Association’s (CRAMBA) National Mountain Bike Patrol continues to grow and provide a great service for all trail users in Southeast Michigan.The mission of the CRAMBA Bike Patrol is to Assist, Educate and Inform mountain bikers and other trail users in safe, responsible and respectful use of bike trails and parks. This is accomplished through volunteers “patrolling” local trail systems. The CRAMBA Bike Patrol is not an enforcement agency, yet we Assist all trail users in times of need, Educate users of proper “rules of the trail” and Inform land managers and officials of conditions and concerns of the trails.CRAMBA Bike Patrol has significantly grown since its inaugural year in 2013. Over the last 3 years our numbers of patrollers increased, our working relationship with land managers and trail users are improving and many people are recognizing what the Bike Patrol provides.In 2015 we started off strong by extending our patrol season to all year. With the increase of fat bikes, more and more patrollers are out on the trails throughout winter as well. CRAMBA Bike Patrol also improved by hosting two new patroller orientations and training sessions. The training sessions included First Aid/CPR, trail etiquette, trailside maintenance, conflict resolution and Land Manager relations.37 active CRAMBA patrollers put in a remarkable 2919.86 hours of volunteer time in 2015 from 1087 logged patrols! They also logged more than 14,000 miles of trails patrolled. Log reports showed trail assistance provided anything from providing maps and directions all the way to stabilizing efforts, 911 activation and patient transfer to local EMS. All of this is provided free of charge, by volunteers.Also, in September, the National Director of the IMBA-National Mountain Bike Patrol in Boulder, Colorado flew out to meet with CRAMBA Patrollers and film a promotional video for the Bike Patrol. Several CRAMBA patrollers participated in the video that helps explain what the Bike Patrol is and what we provide. The video can be seen on YouTube at https://youtu.be/negBTR1m4wc . This was a great honor for our group to be featured and highlighted on the national level.
The group is planning for training in the spring of 2016 to add to our wonderful group of volunteers. For information about requirements and basic program overview, please go to CRAMBA-IMBA’s Mountain Bike Patrol page. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please send an email to bikepatrol@cramba.org. This is a great opportunity for you if like to ride and like to help others.
| Total hours | Total miles (est.) | Total impressions (est.) | |
| 2919.86 | 14306.23 | 43069.5 | |
| Impressions are defined as individuals who were seen observing the presence of a Bike Patroller | |||
| CRAMBA Trail | hours | miles | impressions |
| Addison Oaks | 350.75 | 1344.26 | 5138 |
| Bald Mountain | 138.25 | 611.8 | 907 |
| Bloomer | 136.5 | 577.3 | 907 |
| Clinton River Park Trails | 220.75 | 1533.17 | 3812 |
| Clinton River Trail (rail-trail) | 27 | 266 | 272 |
| Holdridge State | 34.5 | 121 | 153 |
| Macomb Orchard Trail | 35.1 | 343.7 | 344 |
| Metro Parkway Trail | 35 | 99.2 | 152 |
| Orion oaks | 10 | 69 | 33 |
| Paint Creek Trail | 80.35 | 650 | 1604 |
| Polly Ann Trail | 15 | 110 | 140 |
| Pontiac Lake State Rec | 57 | 264 | 292 |
| River Bends | 568.25 | 2736.88 | 5415.5 |
| Ruby Trails | 12 | 54 | 74 |
| Seven lakes | 1 | 7.5 | 3 |
| Stony Creek Metropark | 644.05 | 3346.52 | 14992 |
| Other Trails | hours | miles | impressions |
| 54 other trails | 554.36 | 2171.9 | 8831 |
Thank you,Jeremy VerbekeCRAMBA Bike Patrol Director
CRAMBA-IMBA January 2016 Chapter Meeting
While we can't change the fact that it's winter, we can at least bring you a smile by inviting you to our first chapter meeting of the new year!We have state level updates, membership updates and some other good stuff to talk about. We will also introduce our (mostly) new board! Hopefully they show up! Since biking and beer go well, we'll be at Rochester Mills Beer Company, January 12. Meeting starts at 7 PM.For those of you who have not heard of Google search and maps (hee hee), the address is:400 Water St Rochester, MI 48307See you there!Click here for the Facebook page event: CRAMBA January Membership meeting Facebook link
Bald Mountain Trail Day Recap: October 25, 2015
This past Sunday, October 25th, CRAMBA volunteers met up with Paul Majchrowski, the Lead Worker for Bald Mountain Recreation Area, for another successful trail day. For years the segment of trail located between along Predmore Roads and Carpenter Lake on the Orange Loop of the North Unit between markers 13 and 14 (map) has been muddy and frequently impassible. The section downslope from what's commonly referred to as The Ranger's House (a DNR-owned house) was one of the worst spots.By 
clearing deadfall and reusing and improving existing, casually-created trails we were able to move the trail 3-6 feet above the wet area, establishing a route that should remain dry year-round. This will benefit all trail users including mountain bikers, hikers, runners, skiers, and dog walkers.While a few other wet spots remain, by working in partnership with the DNR, CRAMBA volunteers like you have fixed numerous problem areas, helping to make the trails at Bald Mountain better than ever.In additional to Paul, Adam Lepp, and the rest of the DNR staff at Bald Mountain, we would like to thank all the volunteers who showed up and worked to make our trails better:Tony McGee, Todd Parkinson, Kristen Barry, Jeremy Kozak, Paul Culbertson, Dave Jackson, Scott Cervin, Konrad Kucharski, Steve Vigneau, Dan Blodgett, Deanna Velasco, Rodney Gullett, and Mark Senyk.Thank you everyone! See you on the trails!(An album of photos taken by Kristen Barry, CRAMBA Treasurer, can be found here.)
¡Ay CRAMBA It's Cold Out! Fat Bike/Snow Bike festival January 31st 2016
Noon-5pm January 31st 2016https://www.facebook.com/events/1031674640210310/
Please join CRAMBA-IMBA for ¡Ay CRAMBA It's Cold Out!, a celebration of cold weather riding at Shelby Township's River Bends Park. Come on out and join us for a group ride, fatbike demos, hot bonfires, chili, and tasty beverages. Please feel free to bring food, snacks, and/or drinks to share.
Fat bikes or normal mountain bikes, everyone is welcome!
September 2015 Chapter Meeting and Election Minutes
The September Chapter Meeting minutes, with Board Election results can be found here:CRAMBA September Chapter Meeting 2015Thanks for all who attended and especially those who stepped up to form the new board!
July Chapter Meeting at Stony Creek
July 8th at Stony Creek Metropark.https://www.facebook.com/events/404423869731764/This will be our third quarterly meeting of 2015. For a change of pace, this will NOT be held at our normal location, but will be held at Stony Creek Metropark. Beginning at 5:30PM, there will be rides heading out from the West Branch C Lot pavilion. If you can't make it at 5:30, that's fine, we'll be riding till 7:30PM.At 7:30PM, we'll meet at the pavilion for a quick meeting, talking about what is going on in the chapter and future plans, and then we can socialize with some food off the grill and some beverages.We hope getting the meeting outside, and combining it with some food off the grill and some riding will get some new people out the ride, and give us a chance to hang out and hopefully ride some new faces. If you aren't familiar with Stony Creek, this is a perfect time Please note that to drive into the park, you need an 2015 Metropark pass, or will need to pay a $7 daily fee at the gate.