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Conditions
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Salt Creek
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Weather
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Cycling Orgs
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Outback Trail News
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We will be debuting a NIMBASeries.org website soon to detail 2010 mountain bike racing in Northern Indiana. In the meantime click below to view the schedule of races.
Read More...
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Respect
The time is here when riding dirt is just NOT a good idea for the trail's surface. Most of the snow is gone & water sits atop the mud. IF you ride the tires dig in & cause more water to get on the trial surface. If you have a road bike, now is the time for early season riding on pavement. If you only have a trail bike, I use street slicks by Kenda & ride pavement. Some of our better riders just use their mountain bikes w. knobbie tires & beat up an old set till they are almost bald. Go with what you have just PLEASE STAY OFF THE DIRT!
I will get out this week to put up CLOSED signs on the Kiosks. The wooden signs have been flipped to show CLOSED.
See you @ Shoreline Brewery next week,
No air Bud
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Learn, Speak
The regular monthly meeting of the Outback Trail Commission will be moving to Shoreline Brewery for this month. We have been meeting @ El Pueblo for almost 2 years this will give us a little break. If you enjoy good food & craft brewed beer stop by this month in Michigan City. If you do not drink, the food is worth the drive. The third Thursday is March 18, we'll meet @ 6:30 pm. I called ahead & they will hold a few tables for us in the Non- smoking section. The address is 208 Wabash St. site info @ www.shorelinebrewery.com You can view menus & beverages. If you'd like we can attmept some car pooling as it is a bit out of the way. If you can not sign up @ the March Membership Meeting PLEASE go on line & sign up on the Outback web site.
See you there,
No-air Bud
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Build, Respect
All:
WOW, a 35F day in mid February & no snow storm as predicted. We got lucky w. the weather & had a good crew show up to build the East Trail-head Kiosk. It was a great effort on the parts of Butch, Mike K, Jamie, & Lyle did the lay out & construction. Joe & Mike Cazz stuck around to assist. Rather than micromanage & get in the way I took off w. Will T. & Ross to finish De-vining the Revenge & Switch back. The only main sections left are Balcony, Trailer Run & Basement.
In a little under 5 hours we went from "Wood Henge" the 4 big posts in the ground to our new East Trail Head Kiosk. Our storage area is there, we have been running races from this side also. Now we'll have a new spot to post information, this could be our new gathering spot? We'll see how it plays out this spring. JO is working on building the framework for a Lexan section to house our info. It is pretty close to done & will be nicer than several info kiosks I've seen in some areas. Again, GREAT JOB guys we really appreciate your efforts. Once the ground thaws a bit we can work more on the "Caution Sign" hill re-route near Bobol Ridge. It was an erosion problem that the new switch back section will soften up a bit. If you've ridden Ft Custer there is a "sling shot" tree you ride through. Well, we'll have one of t
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Learn
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Respect
If you ride in Winter please try to lessen the impact on the trail tread. Ride ONLY when the trail is frozen. Once the ice melts away in later afternoon you will be riding on MUD. That is not a good thing. Many of us cross train on xc skis or spin inside. If you ride the bike trail all winter then please try to lessen your impact on it. I hang up the bike & get out the roller skis & xc skis, but have fun on the frozen tundra.
See you in the spring,
No-air Bud
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Annual elections were held on Nov 19th. And nothing has changed. For 2010, the Outback Trail Officers are as follows.
| President |
Bud Hettrick |
| VP |
Joe Exl |
| 2nd VP |
Jamie Owens |
| Treasurer |
Will T Smith |
| Secretary |
Pete Borcz |
Hopefully we'll all do a good job for trail improvement in 2010.
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A at the Glen yesterday showed one thing. Fall is good riding and the changes we've made in past years have definitely made the trail more resilient to water. There are some slip/slimy turns and you are probably not going to ride as fast, but fall is still good riding.
In any case, it's getting colder and many people are hesitant to ride in colder conditions. Read further to learn more about cycling through the deep fall and through the winter. And do check out the articles section for more information.
Read More...
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Speak
There was a front rim & tire found on or about June 2nd in the gravel parking lot @ the Glen. If it is your tire email me describing the rim/tire @ bud.hettrick@outbacktrail.org and I will supply YOU w. the email of the guy who has possession of it. We all space stuff off & we'd like to get this back to the owner.
Let me know,
No-air Bud
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Build, Respect
A work crew of seven of us got the new signs & split rail fencing on the Iron Horse completed. Thanks to Jamie,Lyle, Pete, Eric, Rick,Daniel & myself. It is our hope that with some physical barriers and more improved signs people will be more aware that there is mixed user traffic on the Iron Horse. The new signs are @ the 4 main intersections where the Outback / Ironhorse share the paved trails.
Thanks again to the crew for gettin this done in 1/2 a day & we still had time to spend as we wanted. Special thanks to Lyle who worked a midnite shift, took a short nap and worked his butt off for 5 more hours on the trail.
The signs were paid for by NOAA & Indiana DNR's Lake Michigan Coastal Program Grants. The split rails were from a Pfizer Grant courtesy of Ryan. We have one more section to complete & that should happen in two weeks.
Enjoy the trails,
No-air Bud
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More Articles...
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IMBA News
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IMBA Supports Full Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was created by Congress in 1965 and is authorized to receive $900 million annually in federal revenues from oil and gas leasing. Unfortunately, most of these funds have been diverted, meaning the LWCF has received full funding only once in its multi-decade history. Current legislation could help restore full funding the LWCF. The bills, known as S. 2747 in the Senate (Sen. Bigaman and Baucus) and H.R. 334 in the House (Cong. Rahall) deserve your support.
Airborne Bicycles Joins IMBA, Launches Search for 'Flight Crew' Brand Ambassadors
Airborne® Bicycles recently announced a partnership with IMBA. To kick off the new relationship, Airborne is reaching out to IMBA members by giving them the first chance to become a part of its first-ever Flight Crew. Up to 10 enthusiastic riders will be selected for the Flight Crew and have the opportunity to test out new Airborne bikes, post videos of their adventures and represent Airborne® Bicycles at the upcoming Sea Otter Classic, April 15-19, in Monterey, CA.
Support New Legislation for Dedicated Urban Parks Funding
Mountain biking has been identified as one of the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities among youth (Outdoor Foundation, 2009). IMBA's trail development work in urban areas, including the Gateway Trails program, helps meet that demand. These trail systems also contribute to reducing the risk of obesity and inactivity facing today's families.
IMBA Meets with Congressional Leaders and Federal Agencies on Public Lands Issues
IMBA recently conducted several meetings in Washington, D.C. with key congressional leaders and federal agency personnel. Productive discussions with Chairman Raul Grijlva (D-AZ), Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), among other members of the House Natural Resources Committee, as well as meetings with Forest Service officials, provided IMBA with the opportunity to strengthen support for mountain bike access on public lands.
IMBA Trail Professionals Creating 'Gateway Trail' Systems Across the Nation in 2010
Working in locations across the United States, IMBA Trail Solutions staff is helping shape the next generation of trails. A variety of innovative projects, including the youth- and family-friendly trails systems IMBA calls "Gateway Trails," are scheduled for completion in 2010.
Registration Open for Two IMBA Gatherings: National Bike Summit and World Mountain Bike Summit
You belong with IMBA at two important gatherings in 2010. First, the National Bike Summit runs March 9-11 and will be held in Washington, DC. Just weeks later, the IMBA World Summit will be held May 5-8 in Augusta, Georgia. Registration is now available for both events.
Leadville Trail 100 Champ to Host Mountain-town Movie Tour of “Race Across the Sky”
<p>Rebecca Rusch, three-time reining 24-Hour Solo Mountain Biking World Champion, will host a five-stop movie tour featuring Race Across The Sky, the new documentary film about one of the most intense endurance mountain bike races of all time, the Leadville Trail 100.</p>
<p>This inspirational film has been shown in larger cities, but has not yet been seen in the core cycling communities of the Mountain West. Rusch attended the film’s premiere in New York City. That screening was intended to be a one-time only event, but after sold-out showings and multiple requests from cyclists and friends, she decided to bring the film to a select group of mountain towns.</p>
House Circulating Sign-On Letter to Ensure Protection for Recommended Wilderness and Preserve Mountain Bike Access
<p>Congressman Raul Grijalva (D – AZ), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, is generating increased Congressional attention on protecting national forest lands that have been recommended for Wilderness designations.</p>
<p>Mountain bicycling is a traditional use in many national forests. Bicyclists value these special lands for the same reasons as hikers and equestrians -- the opportunity for a healthy, low-impact recreational experience. We seek the freedom, solitude, clean air, clean water and healthy forests that bring us closer to nature.</p>
Help Bring Mountain Biking to West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park
The National Park Service is looking for public input for a proposed trail network at New River Gorge, one of the premier recreational areas in the Mid Atlantic. The proposal includes the construction of two new stacked-looped mountain bike trail systems and the reclassification of certain existing trails to be open to bicycles. This has the potential of creating a network of over 100 miles of trails in the region.
IMBA at the 2010 National Bike Summit
IMBA is a proud sponsor of the League of American Bicyclist's National Bike Summit. IMBA's presence at the summit includes sessions and workshops designed to help the mountain bike advocate lobby for public lands funding, protection and access. Join other mountain bike leaders, youth group organizers, retailers, club leaders, trailbuilders, bicycle suppliers and other leading voices as we unite for three powerful days in Washington, D.C.
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TwentyNineInches.com
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Join Outback Trail
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Thank You for visiting OutbackTrail.org. If reading this page you probably ride the trail. Since the Outback Trail is in a city park, many people assume it's taxpayer supported facility. In truth, while the city provides invaluable assistance by allowing us to use public land, the trail is almost entirely financed, created, and maintained and by volunteer efforts orgainzed by the Outback Trail Commision,
Because we are an independent organization, we have to pay liability insurance just to maintain this trail. In the past year, our insurance costs have doubled and this has put significant strain on our budget. While a few individuals have been donating money to support the trail and pay the insurance, hundreds ride the trail without contributing. Since the insurance is doubling, member dues on our small group will not come near to paying the annual insurance. And this does not take into account other costs such as building supplies, tool purchase/maintenance and administrative costs such webhosting.
So, we are asking anyone who uses the trail on a regular basis to join the Outback Trail Commission. Consider the considerable investment you put into your bicycle and other cycling equipment. Now imagine their value if you had no trail to ride it on. With your membership fee, you can help us maintain and upgrade the trail as well as providing a sense of pride that you are contributing instead of just riding.
You can download the membership form in PDF format by by clicking here. We greatly appreciate $20 membership fee and any other donation you would make. Become a trail builder today!!
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Municipal Partners
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Upcoming Events
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Survey
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