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All the news... about the HPT organization, the people that make it great & the trails we build.
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Written by Jed Olson
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Thursday, 25 June 2009 11:36 |
 Sorry this is a bit late but HPT has had a whirlwind of building and training activity and I allowed myself to get lost in summer (which is finally here by the way). The IMBA Trail Care Crew was a great success from all viewpoints. IMBA's Midwest Regional Director - Hansi Johnson along with one of IMBA's road warrior crews made up of Collins and Kelly Bishop made a brief stop in La Crosse on a dirt-filled weekend in mid-June. HPT hosted an entire weekend of events, rides, trainings, and build time.
The Bishops were welcomed to La Crosse by some of HPT's members with a social gathering Thursday evening, but the big kickoff was Friday evening's screening of the film "Klunkerz". The film highlights the early days of mountain biking in Marin County in Northern California. Lots of great footage and inspiring stories lead to some memory sharing and story telling down at the Bodega following the viewing. (If you'd like to purchase the film for the one-time-only "Sham Wow" low price of only $20, please fill out THIS FORM.)
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Written by Gene Roberts
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Monday, 25 May 2009 09:31 |
This is an article I have intended to write for some time. I have been a member of Human Powered Trails for about two years. My wife has been involved in community service yet I never seemed to find a project that I was willing to commit myself. I have known many members of HPT for many years mainly through the cycling community. I began to hear more and more about HPT, not only as a place to ride a bicycle, but rather a place that all people of La Crosse and the Coulee region could go to enjoy the trails and the nature that surrounds them.
I became a member of the Board of Directors and I was asked to cultivate a trail patrol. A patrol consisting of a group of like-minded individuals whose mission would be to provide service to all trail users through assistance, education, and community goodwill all the while enjoying using the trails. The Coulee Region Patrol (CORE) was born. Although fundamentally similar to IMBA’s National Mountain Bike Patrol CORE would be different. CORE would develop a cadre of shared trail users as Patrollers and Ambassadors with basic first-aid, CPR, and basic field bike repairs. CORE is young, in development but moving forward.
As important as CORE is to HPT I think have found my true civic calling by personal commitment to the mission of HPT. I was fortunate to attend the first annual Wisconsin Bike Federation State Summit meeting on April 27 and 28 in Madison. It was exciting to be among four hundred fifty cycling enthusiasts, more than attended the National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. weeks earlier. Two hundred twenty members met with our state representatives to discuss cycling related legislation and transportation issues.
With HPT leadership I attended The Department of Natural Resources State Trails Council meeting. This council is comprised of representative users of the trail system in Wisconsin. During a sub-committee’s report on trail development and use it was stated that as the DNR does not have the resources, funds, or man-power that is necessary. And that civilian organizations such as “Human Powered Trails of La Crosse” would be instrumental in the development and maintenance of the trails in Wisconsin. We were on the record!
What preceded and followed these meetings was the opportunity to network with like-minded trail users, DNR committee members and influential State representatives. I found that this is where the rubber, be it a tire tread or shoe sole, meets the road, or in this case the trail. HPT needs to maintain a high profile, be it with the people of the greater La Crosse community or people of importance around the state, if we expect to continue to foster and develop additional shared-use trails.
So now you know why I have chosen to to be a member of HPT. Now it’s time for you to consider how you can contribute to the city we live and to keep the idea of great shared-use trails alive. More than ever we need your support.
See you on the trails!
WHAT'S YOUR HPT STORY???
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Written by Pete Taylor - Vernon Trails
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Monday, 15 December 2008 08:16 |
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What a week we’ve had here for the outdoors enthusiasts in the Driftless area!
Let’s start at the beginning... Several years ago, the Human Powered Trails group in La Crosse received a visit from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Trail Care Crew. The Trail Care Crew is a group of professional trail builders who travel the globe to consult and educate local clubs on how to create sustainable multi-use trails. For them to take interest in our corner of the world was exciting, to have them come to our local trails and work with our land managers, teach our trail crew, roll up their sleeves and build trail is a special privilege. This put the Driftless area on IMBA’s map so to speak as well as mountain bikers all over the Midwest and beyond. La Crosse quickly got the seal of approval from the “experts” for world class trails for mountain bikers to enjoy.
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Written by By DONALD NELSON | Eau Claire, Wis.
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Monday, 15 December 2008 06:09 |
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I was in La Crosse on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to attend the International Mountain Bike Association and Human Powered Trails Inc.’s meeting about La Crosse becoming a Ride Center. What I learned was that this is a worthwhile endeavor for people, businesses and government officials to support a project that would benefit them and the surrounding region.
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Written by By CHRIS HUBBUCH | chubbuch@lacrossetribune.com
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Tuesday, 09 December 2008 06:15 |
Eight years ago, a group of La Crosse mountain bikers went to the city begging for a place to ride.
Since then, Human Powered Trails has built more than 12 miles of world-class trails that attract riders from throughout the region to La Crosse’s bluff tops.
Now the volunteer-run organization says that with the Coulee Region’s unique terrain and abundant natural resources it could be a bicycling mecca and multi-million dollar tourist magnet.
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Written by Dan Luebke
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008 23:18 |
Chapter I - The Past
A
few years ago we had an idea to create a challenge/kids area up at
HPT. We went through a lot of work to make it a reality, including
getting the area approved through the Hixon Forest Board and the La
Crosse Park Board, clearing the area of the wood chips that had been
deposited in the area, building obstacles and a short trail etc.
However,
despite our work the area never turned into what we had originally
wanted it to be... A place that everyone could enjoy from the smallest
child just learning to ride, up to an advanced rider looking to improve
his or her skills.
Chapter II - The Vision
About
a month ago Jed Olson approached the HPT board wondering if we would be
interested in building a Dirt Park including a pump track. Jed
presented us with his ideas and showed us some examples of what could
be done. Needless to say, we were very enthused about the idea and
impressed with Jed's experience!
Jed has had a lot of experience building dirt parks in the past, including such places as the world renowned Woodward Camps.
His vision for the Dirt Park is right on track with HPT's ideals of
creating a sustainable, environmentally correct place for all users to
enjoy.
Over the last month we have gone over many ideas that
could be integrated into the new and improved Dirt Park. Keeping in
mind that all of them will be safe and fun for all levels of users...
from a small child just learning to ride, up to the most advanced
riders.
In case you are wondering... "Just what is a Dirt Park?" the ingredients usually include a variety of dirt jumps, natural obstacles such as rocks and logs, imaginatively constructed features like teeters and ladder bridges - all collected in a small setting. Picture a skateboard park or snowboard park, but designed specifically for mountain bikes.
Chapter III - The Future
Since
this is such a large undertaking we have planned out the construction
as a number of different "stages" to get something on the ground and
open for use as soon as possible.
Stage 1: Dismantle old obstacles (Complete)
Stage 2: Clear Area of weeds (Complete)
Stage 3: Excavate for proper drainage (Complete)
Stage 4: Build Pump Track (In Progress)
Stage 5: Build Intermediate Berms/Jumps
Stage 6: Construct Wood features
Stage 7: Build Advanced Jumps/Berms
Generous contributions from Fowler & Hammer General Contractors have helped us to begin building. But we still need plenty to make
this dream a reality. Including... sweat equity, lumber, fuel for
machines, signs, water, & DIRT!
If you can help us in this endeavor please contact us HERE. Remember that all contributions to HPT are tax deductible!
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Pump Track Example Videos: (notice that each of these pump tracks are fun and safe for all levels of riders.)
Young Kids riding
Intermediate rider
Advanced rider
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uman Powered Trails, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is: “To develop and maintain first class sustainable and environmentally correct, human-powered, shared use trails for the La Crosse, WI region."
