Riders rode two timed heats, and the winner of each age group won a new bike of their choice. All riders had the option to trade in their current bikes on a new one, thanks to a generous donation of 36 brand new bikes from McClain Cycle and Fitness of Traverse City and Cadillac.

“Several riders that had outgrown their current bikes traded up to more size appropriate models, including one young lady who turned in her strider for a two-wheeler and learned to successfully ride it (no training wheels!) in the parking lot after the competition ended,” Fiebig said.

Due to the generosity of the McClain donation, bikes will be available as loaners next summer, and anyone needing to trade up to a larger bike may be able to do so, depending upon inventory, she added.

Jonathan Zelinski of Folkal Point Trails led the drive on the bike park initiative, designing the course, taking it to city council for initial approval, and gathering volunteers and donations to make it a reality, while putting in hundreds of hours working on the course himself.

The section of the course that opened on Saturday is the beginner, or green section. The course will eventually have three distinct areas for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. Markings will mimic those on ski runs – green for beginners, blue for intermediate, and black for experts. 

The bike park is located in Westerburg Park, across the road from the softball fields at the north end of the park. It is now open to the public, and the rules are clearly posted. Helmets are always required, and riders use the course at their own risk. It’s been designed for safety, but crashes are inevitable, Fiebig said.

CRC would like to thank Jonathan Zelinski and the Zelinski and Donley families for their financial support and manual labor in creating the park; Double Diamond Transport for donating the use of a skid steer…