Trotwood-Madison vs. Winton Woods
.jpg)
2009-10 UD men's basketball
Pyramid Hill lights up
Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > July > 01 > Entry
Kevin Riley: Go mountain biking
When you tell someone around here you’re going mountain biking, they assume you’re going out of town.
When you tell them, no, you’re going mountain biking in Dayton, you get a funny look.
But it can be done here — and in a big way.
Watch a video where I prove it.
Five Rivers MetroParks has for almost two years been operating a remarkable mountain biking area at Huffman MetroPark. A tour of the trails, which are on more than 100 acres, provides an exhilarating bike ride and showcases the larger regional effort to use natural resources to create an attractive community.
The MetroParks Mountain Biking Area, called MoMBA for short, has 8.3 miles of trails with different degrees of difficulty. It cost about $150,000 to build, and some 60 volunteers helped with the project.
With MetroParks’ Greg Brumitt leading the way, I found myself shooting along narrow trails, splashing through creeks and making hairpin turns as I tried to gain speed to begin a short climb. Brumitt knew I was on a mountain biking trail for the first time, so he shouted advice as we rolled through the sunlight-speckled woods, warning me on tough turns and big bumps that were coming up.
He also had this bit of counsel: focus on where you want to go, not what you want to avoid. If you stare at that big tree, you’ll hit it.
(I didn’t hit any trees, and, while Brumitt doesn’t claim to be a philosopher, he may have developed a useful metaphor for approaching life in general.)
Six different trails offer riders at all skill levels a chance to enjoy MoMBA. Kids are welcome. The easier trails are a good way to start, and the park district has a number of programs for beginners. The more difficult trails, with changing elevations and narrow paths between trees, give riders a chance to test their skills and get a demanding workout.
When you’re on the trails — just minutes from downtown off State Route 4 — you’re surrounded by nature, and you don’t have to make the commitment of a long trip. From start to finish, my ride — which was a little muddy, a lot of fun and a great workout — took just a couple of hours.
MetroParks’ MoMBA also fits into a bigger strategy for Dayton. Recreation opportunities are key to attracting and retaining companies, which are especially interested in drawing young, talented people. MetroParks has been part of efforts to recruit people to Wright-Patterson from other Air Force bases as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission process.
Our region has opportunities around its rivers and other natural resources, and we have already invested in bike trails and preservation of land. Brumitt and others, including MetroParks Executive Director Charlie Shoemaker, want Dayton to have a reputation as one of the Midwest’s best outdoor recreation centers.
So the mountain biking trails, plans for a whitewater area and the new backpacking trail in Germantown and Twin Valley MetroParks are part of building Dayton’s image.
Image-building takes time. But at least one outsider is impressed.
Chris Bernhardt was formerly with the International Mountain Bike Association and now works for a Portland, Oregon-based consulting company that specializes in bike trails. He worked with MetroParks on MoMBA.
“The community’s vision to provide close-in, active recreation is impressive,” he said. “It’s going to pay off in attracting people.” Bernhardt noted that many communities have bike trail systems and mostly along the rivers, as we do. Fewer communities have mountain biking trails.
Dayton’s opportunity is the integration of the two systems — something almost no community has, he said.
On August 14, regional cycling advocates are holding the first Miami Valley Cycling Summit. Brumitt believes that Dayton is moving toward becoming a bike-friendly, more active community. His unscientific way of measuring progress: he sees more bicycle “roof racks” on cars every day.
And he believes Dayton will eventually be seen as a hot spot for outdoor recreation. Our parks, trails, rivers and other outdoor amenities give us a chance to stand out.
“It’s hard to differentiate yourself with a mall,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns, Dayton Creative Class Initiative, Economy, Kevin Riley, Sports and Recreation, Transportation
Comments
By Calvin
July 3, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to know what our parks levy increase went for with the recent increase. That was where they didn’t ask for a renewal but bundled a large increase with renewing the old amount so that it was an either-or situation. That and Human Services and Sinclair all did the same thing. Remember when you pay your tax bill.By ParkLover
July 3, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this
I think the outdoor recreation opportunities in this area are pretty outstanding! I’ve not done much in the actual Dayton jurisdiction but I love the MetroParks I have visited, and I can also speak to the quality of the Centerville/WashTwp Park District’s facilities. When people think Dayton they usually think of an urban (former) manufacturing city, but there’s a lot more going on if you just take a look outside. :)By Dan T
July 3, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this
I used to fish Huffman all the time with my Dad. Good times. Now that I’m older I would like to go back and checkout the Mountain Bike trail. Hopefully I can handle!! Really hurt my self bad at Alum Creek in Columbus. I like John Bryan’s trails more my speed now that I’m older.By Mike Vandeman
July 4, 2009 12:29 AM | Link to this
“It’s going to pay off in attracting people.” What nonsense! What good is it to drive out hikers and equestrians, and replace them with mountain bikers, who don’t care a whit about protecting the natural environment? That’s not progress!By Inform Mike
July 4, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this
Mike V. this is a bike only trail. It does not displace anyone as this was an empty woods with no other trails. Don’t bash it until you know what it is about.By Sean Hensley
July 4, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
As to Mr. Vandeman’s comment, who is driving out hikers and equestrians? These trails were constructed on new land, with great emphasis placed on conservation of the natural resources. Hikers have the TVT in Germantown, and the equestrians have Carriage Hill and Sugarcreek Reserve. Also, the equestrians have the greatest environmental impact on the trails and the ecosystems that the use. Many of the mountain bikers are also hikers, paddlers, equestrians and conservationists. One should know their facts before characterizing all mountain bikers as people who don’t care about the environment.By Mark
July 4, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
The MOMBA trails are good, but the Ceasars Creek trail system is waaaaay better. Those trails are commonly know as the best trails in the state.By Doug
July 4, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this
i need to get out and ride. hmmmm maybee i can next weekendBy Phil
July 4, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
Agree with Mark. In fact, I would rank Ceasars Creek comparable to Tsali mountain bike trails in NC (I think). Not for beginners though. MOMBA is perfect for that and it’s also better maintained. I think Mark V. sounds ‘old school’ and lost in sauce when it comes to understanding the young and what it takes to attract them. All the young and educated I grew up with have left Ohio for places that had better recreational and occupational opportunity. Hiking isn’t enough and horseback riding is too expensive and time consuming.By DonB
July 5, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
In my opinion, the Metropark System is the (unappreciated) crown jewel of the Dayton area. I moved here from Georgia 2 years ago and I was not expecting to find ANY outdoor recreation in this area. The variety of services and events provided by the Metroparks is outstanding. And when you add in the amount of hours donated by by enthusiastic volunteers, it makes this park system a bargain in my book. The local officials should be pointing to the Metroparks as an example of what is RIGHT in this area.By BSN
July 5, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
MetroParks has 120-130 miles of trail dedicated to hiking, around 20 to equestrians trails and just 8 to mountain biking. Pretty balanced.By Karen WH
July 5, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this
We are so fortunate to have the MetroParks which creates a variety of opportunities for folks to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. The Parks are an investment in quality of life and they are a bargain because of their extensive volunteer program which educates folks on how to conserve, protect and maintain our natural resources. The trails at MoMBA offer challenging yet fun riding and we need more trails like that. As a retiree, I would probably move elsewhere were it not for the MetroParks and the great outdoor community which they cultivate and deliver.By Dave p
July 5, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this
Yet another article involving cycling that illecits uninformed responses like Mike V’s. I recently completed a mtb race that had sections of the race on horse trails. Some of the poorest trails I have ever seen. What Greg and crew is doing is to be commended. Sustainable trails that have somthing for everyone. I too prefer caesers creek as far as challenging mtb riding goes but, you can’t put a price on trail access, especially within Dayton proper. As a whole the Five Rivers metro parks are an amazing thing to have.By MTN Biker
July 5, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this
Phil, Have you ever ridden Tsali? Ceasar Creek is no where near what Tsali is. Mark, Go ride Mohican, or Lake Hope.By Nigal
July 6, 2009 5:05 AM | Link to this
MoMBA is great! I was amazed at the engineering of the trails and how well laid out they are. Dayton is getting a national reputation for outdoors activities and parks and a great deal of that reputation is because of the Five Rivers MPs.By Terry
July 6, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
Listen to the Avett Brothers!!!By Matt C.
July 6, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this
Mike V., We here in Dayton, OH are honored to have someone such as yourself who is famous for hating mountain biking comment on our trails. We must have done something right. :-)