More than 80 riders hit the mountain bike trails around Milford, including Highland, Hickory Glen, Proud Lake, Kensington, Island Lake, and the Milford Trail.  That’s quite a collection and variety of riding all within a relatively close distance to the Village of Milford.  And fortunately there are many safe and simple routes between these trails.

“It was a great day of riding, with a few beers and pops alone the way,” said Bill Hermann, event organizer and MMBA Trail Coordinator for Proud Lake.  “I would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors that help make this event a success.”

Sponsors included the St .George’s Café and O’ Callahan’s Pub, the event’s starting and finishing/re-hydration point.

Money raised from the event will help support the MMBA and The Milford Yellow Bike project.  Expect to hear more about the latter as the details are worked out.  But in a nutshell, it’s part of a plan to promote biking in the Milford area .

As for the riders, the reviews were all thumbs up.

“The beer was great, food was great, oh, and yes, the trails were fun,” reported Claudia Bean who rode 33 miles.  “The heat and humidity just made us drink more beer.”

New this year was a cool fancy trail map by Dave Cox.

Riders could choose which trails to ride and end up with anywhere from 7 to 98+ miles. Only one rider, Sam Grebe actually finished all the trails listed on the map this year.

Jon Heft had planned on riding them all in preparation for the Lumberjack 100. “Our group of 7 was whittled down to 4 people - thoughts of doing 90+ miles were quickly quashed by the heat and humidity,” said Heft.  “My legs were completely cashed by the time we completed our 55 miles.”

Mike Connolly, who’s also training for the Lumberjack added, “I had a great time and can’t wait for next year.”

Thanks everyone for making the second annual Milford Trail Challenge a great success. With 80+ riders showing up, It was a great day of riding, with a few beers and pops alone the way.

I would like to thank all the volunteers that help me make this event a success ,with out your support I couldn’t have done it.

Also St .George’s Cafe and O’ Callahan’s Pub for there starting and finishing points
Thank you for supporting the MMBA and The Milford Yellow Bike project.
So let’s start planning next year’s event….. Same time same place everyone….. .

Thank you
Bill and Sam the Trail Dog

Photos from the event are now uploaded.

If biking along wooded, unpaved paths is your thing —and you are up for a challenge — Milford is the place to be on Saturday.

The second annual Milford Trail Challenge is June 7, encompassing some 100 miles of dirt trails winding throughout the area. Participants bike at their own pace on a course of their choosing, starting at about seven miles in length and varying in difficult

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Milford Trail Challenge

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Fun ride or epic ~ you decide! A DAY OF MOUNTAIN BIKING starting in the Village of Milford.

You pick the course, the length and the degree of difficulty. Covering scenic and sometimes challenging routes between trail heads. Though and around the scenic Village of Milford

Entry Fee:

$20 ~ portion of proceeds to benefit Metro South MMBA. Another portion to a group that has not been determined.

Length:

Routes range from 7 - 90+ miles

Registration/ Start:

8 ~ 11 a.m.
Saint George’s Cafe
359 N. Main St., Milford
Start your ride with a great breakfast or lunch www.saintgeorgescafe.com

Finish:

11 am to sunset …
O’Callaghan’s Irish Pub
449 N. Main St., Milford.
Show your ride band to receive DOLLAR BEER’s& a congratulatory slap on the back for a job well done. Enjoy some much needed food.

Biking Trails:

• Milford Trail
• Highland Mountain Bike Trail
• Proud Lake
• Hickory Glen Trail Head
• Island Lake

If you are not familiar with these trails, maps may be downloaded from Michigan Mountain Bike Association

Available Lodging:

Proud Lake Campground. Within three miles of start, this is a great place to camp and ride to the start. Proud Lake also has cabins for rent.
http://www.midnrreservations.com/campgrounds

General Information:

YOU NEED TO READ THIS……

• At registration, participants will receive ride wrist bands, maps of routes to listed trail heads. These maps also indicate water locations and stores.
• Riders must be self supported - Each biker is in charge of providing their own supplies: water, food, etc. (This means no SAG support, bring money, your cell phone to call a friend )
• All bikers must wear helmets.
• All routes will use minimum use of roads, riders ride at their own risk.
• Bikers pick their own course based on length and degree of difficulty.
• Enjoy scenic bike routes around the Village of Milford with other bikers.
• Riders assume responsibility for reading maps.Directionally challenged individuals should ride with others.

Sponsored by:

MMBA, O’Callagahan’s Irish Pub, Saint George’s Cafe , Great Lakes Spoke Junkies & Hermann Construction, Inc.