After many years, countless hour of tireless background work, by a lot of nameless and faceless individuals; purpose built single-track mountain bike trails will be becoming a reality in the Northland!!
There’s already been one community plannings session, with another scheduled for…..
This is a dream come true to many riders in our area and far beyond!!
Iroc-mtb clubs most recent press release….. reads as follows.
Contact: Pete Kero FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P: 218-969-8745
Email: PKero@barr.com
Iron Range Off Road Cyclists Announces Second Planning Session for Redhead Mountain Bike Park and Recreational Area: Ideas finalized for Spring 2019 construction.
Hibbing, MN—With over two dozen people from across the area, Iron Range Off Road Cyclists (IROC) held the first of twocommunity input sessions Thursday night to gather community input on the forthcoming Redhead Mountain Bike Park and recreational area.
The session, held at the Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC),was the first of a two part series to gather insight fromcommunity members about what they would like to see in the bike park and larger recreation area.
The second session, to be held Wednesday, October 24, 6:30 PM at Minnesota Discovery Center, will refine the list of features for inclusion in the park, the larger recreational areasurrounding the park and amenities at MDC. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Admission is free.
Participants in Thursday night’s session brainstormed ideas insix key areas: what would you like to see for trails; integration of the park with MDC; community impact; getting kids outdoors; facilitating women, aging, and physically-challenged riders and rides; and other amenities for the larger recreation area.
Ideas ranged from wider trails to allow hand bikes; fun, easier trails for new, young and or aging riders; a large play park at MDC; swimming in Monroe pit; hosting an annual community mountain bike fest; kayaking; and craft beer, good coffee and excellent food at MDC.
Scott Linnenberger, construction manager for the three, iron range, off-road cycling destinations currently under development spoke at the IROC session.
“The best projects are the done by the community, for the community,” Linnenberger stated. “Everyone can ride (off-road) with the right trails. We want to know those needs and desires. If we get a list of 100 ideas, we try to incorporate 99 of them into the system.”
Linnenberger has managed the construction of destination trail systems across the United States. He is currently overseeing theconstruction of the Giants Ridge lift-served mountain bike system and the Tioga single-track trail system in Cohasset. He is also leading trail construction at Redhead.
“We have the best builders in the Midwest working on these projects,” said Linnenberger. “With the amount of funding from the IRRR, the speed of development, and the cooperative agreement to build three parks simultaneously, North American mountain biking has never seen a regional initiative like this.”
“What we are building here is a huge asset,” said Benji Neff, IROC President. “We are building community, regional, and national tourism destinations. With the combined trail systems of Tioga in Cohasset, Legion Hills in Grand Rapids, Maple Hill in Hibbing, Redhead in Chisholm, Lookout Mountain in Virginia, and the gravity trail system at Giants Ridge, we are creating a world-class destination. And it is already underway.”
“I have been interviewed by national publications about our project,” said Benji Neff. “Word is spreading. We are starting to get calls and texts from folks out of the Twin Cities asking, how can I help? This is an exciting time.”
Construction on the Redhead Mountain Bike Park is slated to break ground spring 2019. The park will be located south of MDC along the shores of the beautiful Monroe Pit, visible from HWY 169. The park will consist of 25 miles of single-track mountain bike trails, which will be open to the public, and access free of charge. The recreational area surrounding the bike trails, including amenities at the Minnesota Discovery, may include a kinesthetic playground, camping, swimming in the Monroe pit, food and drinks, and entertainment at MDC—as designed by our community.
Mountain bike parks have become a destination for individuals and families as evidenced by the heavy traffic at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Crosby, MN. Communities with mountain bike parks have seen an increase in customers for food, drink, bike equipment and repair, and lodging.
Redhead will be a park and recreation area designed to attract riders of all ages and abilities and their families. With a healthy list of ideas generated from the first session, IROC will work with the community on October 24 session to finalize ideas for inclusion in the project. Women, children and families are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions.
Soon enough….. this picture will be more than just words for people from all over!!
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