Tenth Mountain Ski Club Branching Out

by Sherry Dubis

Fort Kent, ME - The Tenth Mountain Ski Club is expanding its sporting capabilities with the addition of multi-use single track trails. This recent development was inspired to a great extent by local citizens who have been anticipating such an opportunity for several years. A cadre of riders and runners from as far away as Presque Isle has thrown their support behind this grass roots effort.

In preparation, project coordinators Mike Smith and Seth Hubbard of MWSC, and Jeff Dubis of Tenth Mountain Ski Club, attended a workshop sponsored by International Mountain Bike Association. Quality of design and construction is of utmost importance. When completed, these trails can double as additional paths for snowshoe enthusiasts.

To get the project rolling, so to speak, MWSC coaches built a mountain bike terrain park in the glade area adjacent to the stadium, and initiated a weekly mountain bike program for local youth. Volunteer hand crews began single track trail construction in early July.

Relying entirely on volunteer hand crews for labor means progress is expected to be slow, but steady. This season's goal is completing two to three miles of easy to moderate terrain accessible from both the groomer garage and the Red Barn parking area. If there is enthusiastic interest from the community, ground breaking on additional trails will be possible this fall.

Individuals and county businesses have lent their support in the form of in-kind donations. The club would like to acknowledge the generosity of Carl Soderberg for the use of a mini-excavator, and Huber Corporation for the donation of materials for trail features such as bridges and boardwalks.

For more information about the youth mountain bike program contact Program Leader Raleigh Goessling at raleigh@goessling.com or 218-310-4306, or MWSC Biathlon Coach Gary Colliander at gary@mainewsc.org or 207-227-3863. For information regarding trail construction and use, contact Jeff Dubis at jdubis@maine.edu or 207-316-8866.

From 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. each day at the Nordic Heritage Center, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will offer trainings (two separate sessions) in how to present the Coalition's nationally recognized Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Curriculum. This is the perfect chance for you to start getting involved with the world of bicycle education. The training is FREE, and it prepares you to become one of the Coalition's PAID Bicycle Safety Instructors!  It also comes in handy if you ever get tapped to make a presentation on bicycling basics in schools, worksites, rec programs, etc.

The training, which runs about 2.5 hours, covers the basics of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Curriculum (which is presented to about 10,000 people every year), and includes some presentation tips and suggestions. The training also reviews some of the myths and laws pertaining to bicyclists on the roads, and offers some suggestions to help answer common questions raised about cyclist behavior (e.g., Why was that bicyclist in the road?). In addition, the training includes a brief overview of how to plan and stage a bicycle "rodeo" or skills fair. Contact Jim Tasse Jim@BikeMaine.org FMI

This summer the Nordic Heritage Sport Club suggests that you GET FAT...fat tires that is. There's no better time to try mountain biking than at the 6th annual Fat Tire Festival. Weekend festivities include a Mountain Bike Biathlon, races for kids and adults, bike rodeo events, trail tours for beginners and a bike terrain park.
  
Also, join the Nordic Heritage Sport Club for food, music, films, a large bonfire and more! Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. both days and participants are encouraged to pre-register. Weekend camping on-site will also be available at this year's Festival, though spaces are limited.

The festival is open to all ages and ability levels and spectators are welcome to come and enjoy the event. Volunteers are also needed. Visit www.nordicfattire.com FMI

From Noon to 1:00 p.m., the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will host an informational meeting about current and upcoming programs in northern Maine. This is your chance to learn about the Coalition's activities that make Maine a better place to bicycle, and to raise questions about bicycle issues in your area. If you're interested in getting involved in making your community more bike-friendly, come to this meeting and learn how the BCM can help you get started. The meeting will be held in the Lodge at the Nordic Heritage Center and we'll post signs to direct you once inside. Contact Allison Vogt Allison@BikeMaine.org FMI

10K Run; 5K Walk/Run starts at 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic time). Register online now: $25.00 per person. Family Registration: Register online now: $40.00. This is an Atlantic Chip timed event. Contact Woodstock Recreation Department (506-325-4307) FMI

Every summer the Nordic Heritage Sport Club comes alive with fat tire activity. This summer, on the first Monday of each month join the club for something new - Grass Roots Race Night. It works like this: a "course" will be decided that night, and everyone will throw in two dollars to ride the course. The winner gets half the money, while the other half of the money goes to trail support & maintenance. There will be a course for kids and adults, and the goal is to have fun and introduce people to the joy of racing on singletrack! Fun starts at 6:00 p.m. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) mikes@mainewsc.org FMI

Bring your family and friends to ride with you on the grand tour of the St. John River Valley. In its 19th year, the Tour de la Vallée promises to be a challenge for all riders. You can choose to ride a quarter century (25 miles), a half-century (50 miles), a metric century (62 miles/100 kilometers), or a century (100 miles). This is a fully supported ride with rest stops about every ten miles.

Each rest stop will be stocked with water, beverages, fruit and other healthy snacks. Lunch will be served at some of the rest stops. Although bathroom facilities may not be available at every stop, you will be informed of where you might find facilities along the route. Medical and mechanical assistance will be available during the route. Someone will be available to give you a ride if you need one. You should carry a spare inner tube in case of a flat. Let us worry about the details. You can have a grand time while you raise money to help families of the St. John Valley "live well with cancer." Proceeds benefit the Edgar J. (Guy) Paradis Cancer Fund. Visit www.nmmc.org/biketour FMI

Presentations by longtime Canadian Head Coach and team leader Dave Wood, US Ski Team Physical Therapist Kurt Jepson, Stratton Mountain School Head Nordic Coach Sverre Caldwell, and more! This is a can't-miss event for coaches, club leaders, and officials.

The Nordic Symposium will be held at the Westin Waltham-Boston in Waltham, MA. The cost of the symposium is $195.00. Thanks to NENSA member Aime Smith's hard work, NENSA has a block of rooms at a very reduced price at the Westin Waltham-Boston hotel for $99.00 plus tax per night. Rooms at this price are limited! Rooms must be booked online using this link: $99 per room per night group rate by August 18 to receive this pricing. After that date, any unreserved rooms will be released and reservations will be at the full rate.

Meals are at the cost of the participant. There are many food options available in and around the hotel.

Registration Deadline: September 10, 2010. Visit www.nensa.net FMI

See below for details. Contact MOJO (760-9500) or info@melsmojo.com FMI

Mondays: PQI; Women's 'No Drop' Ride. Distances and routes are determined before leaving MOJO. Rolling out at 5:30 p.m.

Mondays: PQI; Mountain bike ride at the Nordic Heritage Center. Intermediate ability level. Meet at the road at Tom's Trailhead at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesdays: CAR; Moderate pace road ride. Meet at S.W. Collins at 5:30 p.m. Average speed 16-22mph with distances up to 30 miles.

Tuesdays: HOU; Moderate to fast pace road ride. Meet at the Tourist Information Center at 5:30 p.m. 17-22mph, 30+ miles.

Wednesdays: PQI; 'Good Times' Ride. All abilities welcome. A hybrid or road bike is recommended. Rolling out from MOJO at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: PQI; All abilities mountain bike ride. Meet in the parking lot at the Nordic Heritage Center at 6:00 p.m.

Thursdays: PQI; Moderate to fast pace road ride. Meet at MOJO at 5:30 p.m. Average speed 18-22mph, 30+ miles.

Mondays; 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Nordic Heritage Center for boys and girls ages 8-14. The program will be held through August 9 and is free to all participants. There are a limited number of mountain bikes available for rent at $5 per evening. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) FMI

Mondays: Meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Stockholm School. Cost: $5 per class. Contact Sarah Dominick (207-896-3514) FMI

Tuesdays and Thursdays - Meets at 5:45 am: at County Physical Therapy. Cost: $3 per class. Contact MOJO (207-760-9500) FMI
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Tuesdays and Thursdays; meets at the lodge at 6:00 p.m. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

Thursdays; this program is for 3rd to 8th graders. They will be shooting and roller skiing and games! Contact Gary Colliander (207-227-3863) FMI