Maintenance Night at the Bike Park

Maintenance night at the Bike Park was a big success! A total of 16 volunteers came out: 5 were RBC staff and 3 were under 12! :)  THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! - YOU ROCK!!!

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Big thanks to the Hoots Inc. crew for all their assistance and direction! A lot got accomplished!

And a really BIG Thank You to the RBC Staff for selecting to support the HMBA again this year. Because they volunteered their personal time, RBC will now donate $1,000 to the HMBA.

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Leave Trees Standing

It has been brought to our attention by some of our members that someone has been cutting down trees along some of the HMBA trails. Although folks might think they are doing the right thing and helping maintain the trails or making riding them easier, please refrain from cutting down any standing trees.

Our ability as an organization to keep using these trails and bringing an unreal riding experience to Hinton is based on preserving the forest and minimizing our impact on our natural surroundings as much as possible. If you feel the need to cut down trees or do some work on trails, stand by! We will be announcing a work bee soon where there will be no shortage of work.

If you have any questions regarding the trails or if you see an issue or dangerous trees please send us a note and we can always come and take a look.

Thanks everyone! Get out and ride!

Pine Beetle Control

Update from West Fraser Mills Ltd.

The HMBA has been in touch with West Fraser regarding the Mountain Pine Beetle work being done near Hinton.  They have a huge undertaking ahead of them and have begun work already.  They will have approximately 1500 trees to fall in the HMBA trails area - both in Jacks Trail System and Happy Creek Trail System.  The trees will not be burnt, but they will be felled, limbed and peeled.

The results will be very noticeable, especially on the Bighorn trail and a few other trails that have a large number of trees infected by the beetles.

Infested tree

Popcorn-like pitch tubes created by the beetles.

Key messages from West Fraser

• Crews will be walking into most locations as quading would only get them so far. Some may even be biking in.
• Crews will not be quading on our trails and if they do, it will only be to cross them.
• Before falling trees, they will use signs and have staff along affected trails to advise users to avoid walking or riding the trail where the work will be happening.  Users will be advised both at the entrance and exit points of the trail.
• Limbs will be pulled away from the trails and all peeling's and limbs, cones etc will be raked off the trails.
• Trees will be fallen away from trails as much as possible to help avoid any damages to the trails themselves.
• Any stumps within 5m of the trail will be rounded off.
• The trees, once fallen and peeled, will be bucked to small lengths and left in the bush away from the trails.
• The work needs to be complete by June 15th.  This means it will be an intense activity and will have some impact on accessing some trails but it will be short term.

Contact

If for some reason you run into any issues from crew members or just the public at large, you may contact Hal Jackson at 780-865-8741 and point him in the direction of the issue.

Please note that similar pine beetle control is being done within town limits, but under a different contractor.  Their methods may differ.  Contact the Town of Hinton if you have any concerns of the beetle control work being done within town limits.

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Parking Lot Addition

The Hinton Bike Park now has a designated parking "stall".  There are many times when the parking lot is full: during Sprockids sessions, special events, or just a busy sunny day!   The bike park is accessed by the Town Trail system, but may prove challenging to some visitors.  Having a designated parking spot will help visitors who require such a stall won't have to turn away when the parking lot is otherwise full.

Thank you to Hinton Sprockids, Darryl and Tim Trahan for the materials and installation!!

Cool Bike Plates for Sprockids

New this year! All participants will get a Sprockids bike plate that attaches in front of the handle bars (like a race plate!). A big thank you for all our Sponsors who have supported the program these past 5 years.

All proceeds from the Hinton Sprockids Program registrations helps to cover operating costs and any extra will be put towards trail development within the Bike Park (specific to Sprockids!). We will provide more info later in May. Exciting!

Get your 2017 HMBA Membership!

2017 HMBA Memberships available for purchase

2017 Memberships are available for purchase at 4 Hinton locations!

• Vicious
• The Hinton Voice
• Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre
• Bike Boy (later May/June)

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Membership fees include a membership card with Hinton & Jasper discounts and great stickers including a smaller member sticker is included - the perfect size for your bike!   Fees have not increased since 2008:

• $25 Individual
• $75 Family

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2017 Membership Card Discount Sponsors

Weekend Bike Clinics for Women

Shred Sisters will be giving 2-day workshops in Hinton on August 12 and 13th!!  The weekend workshops are the perfect way to have an overview of mountain biking, and to improve your skills, to be more confident on your bike, and have fun with your new Shred Sisters friends! 

More info...

Beginner Workshop

This weekend workshop is for women who have little or no experience on a mountain bike and would like to learn the fundamentals of riding in a fun, safe, professional, and supportive environment.

Skills Covered:

• Bike Anatomy/Safety Check, Bike Maintenance
• How to change a flat tire
• Stance & Balance
• Braking & Shifting
• Cornering
• Climbing
• Descending
• Wheel Lifts

Details:

• Location: Hinton, Ab
• Dates: August 12th & 13th
• Ratio: 6 riders per instructor
• Length: 9:30am to 4pm with one hour lunch break
• Cost: $295 + GST
• Level: Suited for Level 1 & 2
• Register here

Intermediate Workshop

This weekend course is for women who have taken the beginner program before or have been riding for few years and are interested in improving their mountain biking skills. It is also an amazing opportunity to meet like-minded riding buddies.

Skills Covered:

• Review of Stance and Balance
• Review of Shifting and Braking
• Pumping
• Straight Line Riding
• Roll Down Lunge Maneuver
• Descending Strategy
• Technical Climbing
• Cornering: Switchback & High Speed

Details:

• Location: Hinton, Ab
• Dates: August 12th & 13th
• Ratio: 6 riders per instructor
• Length: 9:30am to 4pm with one hour lunch break
• Cost: $295 + GST
• Level: Suited for Level 3
• Register here

More info...

Hats off to our 2017 members!

In honor of our 10 years and record 300+ members we are giving away limited edition anniversary hats to the first 30 2017 members who are attending our AGM on Tuesday, April 11th at the Peoples Centre at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre. Doors open at 6:30pm. See you all there!!!

Ride DIRT, not MUD

Spring is indeed upon us! Current conditions in the Hinton Bike Park and many of our trails are very wet and muddy. Please refrain from riding in these poor conditions as it deteriorates our trails. It won't be long before we can all go out and enjoy riding!

Sprockids Registration Open

Registration is now open for 2017 Sprockids Program!

COST: $20 per participant (must be a 2017 HMBA Member)

WHEN: Thursdays May 18 - June 22 AND September 7 - 28 (10 sessions)

WHERE: Hinton Bike Park

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Coaches (training provided) and volunteers needed 

CONTACT: Tim at hmba.sprockids@gmail.com

Visit the Sprockids page for more information or click the button above to register.

Anniversary Apparel for Sale at AGM

Limited edition 10 year anniversary jerseys will be on sale for HMBA Members at this year's AGM.  Limited quantities available.  Price reduced by $10 (10 years!) from HMBA's cost.  Check out our shop page for more info!  Trucker hats will also be available (no pics available).  Past year jerseys and shirts will also be on sale.

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women's front

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left sleeve (bikehinton.com)

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right sleeve (HMBA)

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Men's front

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Annual General Meeting

Mark your calendars! The Hinton Mountain Bike Association Annual General Meeting is set for Tuesday, April 11th in the People's Centre at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre.

Doors open at 6:30pm.  AGM to start at 7:15pm

Come get your 2017 membership! 

2017 is our 10th Anniversary.  Limited edition jerseys will be for sale at the AGM.

Interested in joining the Board?  Let us know!!

Contact the HMBA

Interested in joining the board

Wonderful Support from our Sponsors!

One more day until the Hinton Growler 2017 - Fat Bike Endurance Race!!! We want to thank all our wonderful sponsors for this event - we've received so much great support!! We also want to thank all our volunteers who have or will help make this is fantastic event! See you all tomorrow at Maxwell Lake.

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Help keep the race course in tip top shape!

Our Chief of Course for the Hinton Growler, Mike, asks for your help in keeping the race course in it's best possible condition. 

With the warm weather we need all the help we can get keeping our Growler race course in good condition, to do this we ask that you refrain from riding regular mountain or "skinny" tire bikes on the course, this will help control unnecessary ruts and potential hazards with the thawing and freezing. Thank you

Find out more about the Hinton Growler event.

Hinton Growler Happening in 3 weeks!

The Hinton Growler Fat Bike Endurance Race is happening Sunday, February 26th!  Are you ready???

Check out our event webpage and/or our facebook event page.

Great Prizes for the Hinton Growler

With three weeks to go until our big day, many things are falling into place.  Check out these cool prizes!

Prizes for the top 3 finishers in each adult category.

Who wouldn't one of these great stickers!

Jasper Brewing Co. donated 3 growlers will full punch cards

Bench Creek Brewing donated 3 howlers

Folding Mountain Brewing donated some sweet mugs

Revolution Cycle donated some cool gear

Vicious will supply demo bikes and an onsite technician as well as prizes

Subway is donating subs for our hard working volunteers

Michelle Langford, owner of Ribbon-oh-Gram, created custom trophies for the event

Morad Communications is donating the use of radios for the event

• Expression Hair Studio - donated a prize package worth $50
• Sweet Lou's donated a party pack certificate
• Dig That Stitch donated over 60% of the costs towards volunteer toques
• Ian Rosseel from Informal Sounds DJ / R.V. Rescue is donating his time as event announcer

AFD Petroleum Ltd. is the main event sponsor.  Thank you AFD!

Hinton Growler Route available on Trailforks!

Getting ready for the Hinton Growler?  It's less than one month away!  Check out the route and get some laps in!

Growler Race Route on Trailforks.com

Winter Trails

Want to know which trails get groomed? Check out our map!

Please note that these trails are 100% groomed by volunteers. Grooming depends on snow conditions, weather, volunteer availability and equipment functioning (they do break down!).  More info about our grooming...

Get access to a georeferenced and printable pdf map here (8.5"x11", 1400dpi, 4.3GB)

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Get Ready for the Hinton Growler

The 1st Annual Hinton Growler Fat Bike Endurance Race is happening February 26th, 2017 during the Town of Hinton's Winter Magic Festival!   Book your calendar! The race will be held at Maxwell Lake.  More details...

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Growler Race Route on Trailforks.com