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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 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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Written by Aaron Schmidt
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Thursday, 10 July 2008 21:20 |
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Enough can never be said about the efforts of our volunteers! The chainsaws, clearing, dragging, and back breaking work accomplished over the last two evenings to get our trails cleared of downed trees from the 70mph winds that blew through on Tuesday this week is a true testament on how dedicated this growing group of HPT individuals is. Until you've seen it or been involved in any capacity, no one will ever understand what efforts it takes to accomplish everything HPT does and continues to do for the benefit of our community and visitors from all over the country visiting our region just to ride, walk, and run these "world class" trails. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE EXTRA EFFORT PUT FORTH IN GETTING THE HUMAN POWERED TRAILS BACK IN SHAPE FOR EVERYONE FROM THE COULEE REGION TO ONCE AGAIN UTILIZE (for free).  |
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Written by Mike Charron
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 13:52 |
 What a beautiful morning for your 1st Mountain Bike Ride on real Singletrack !!
This is what met 19 high school students and their teachers - Lee, Kyle and Jessie - this morning as HPT welcomed the Outdoor Pursuits Class up for 2 1/2 hours of sweet singletrack riding. The students did a great job and the trails were in perfect shape. The Class received an intro to Mtn Biking with some easy exercises to warm up and learn how to relax on the bike. Then it was off to the trails !!!
HPT volunteers included Josh and Kim Shively, Aimee Zabrowski, Judd Steinback, Kathy Frise and the Frenchman. Josh was able to perform some quick & easy bike repairs so all bikes were ready to go.
The Class started out on the easy grass trails where we stopped a couple of times and gave the group some pointers along the way. Our goal was to work our way over to the Quarry Trail and let the group fly all the way up to the Quarry. Once at the Quarry, the group split with some feeling they had enough and others ready to go for more !! One group of 6 students probably rode 6+ miles of singletrack !!
All in all, the group had a great time and some new singletrack converts will be appearing on the trails ! Thanks to all the HPT volunteers for making our 3rd annual Outdoor Pursuits Class a success !! |
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Written by Dan Luebke
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Friday, 27 June 2008 09:03 |
 A few people have seen Black Bears on the trails at HPT this summer. They were also sightings reported in the area numerous times last summer. The common misconception is that black bears are dangerous. However, they really do not present a threat to our enjoyment of the woods.
From www.bear.org: Black bears have killed 61 people across North America since 1900. Chances of being killed by a domestic
dog, bees, or lightning are vastly greater. Chances of being
murdered are 60,000 times greater. One of the safest places a person
can be is in the woods.
Offensive attacks are very rare and... are generally unprovoked predatory attacks in
remote areas where bears have the least contact with people. Bears
that visit campgrounds, bird feeders, and garbage cans almost never
attack, even though these bears have by far the most contact with
people.
Click the links below for answers to a few common questions...
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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."
