Dear Members,

It is with great regret that I am announcing the cancellation of the NTN Twin Peaks run this coming Saturday.  As of yesterday, Memorial Day, we had eight pre-registrations, normally I would be in the 40+ range.  The goal of the race has always been to raise money for the NTN’s single-track mission.  With expenses usually running $500, it does not take a CPA to realize that we would have been doing the opposite.

There were some minor delays in getting our flyers and online registration up and running this year but I think the main culprit is the late spring and the later noon start time.  I will be reviewing all of these items with the board and hope to have a path forward for a sustainable and reinvigorated race for next year.

Kind Regards,

Michael Sauer // NTN Twin Peaks Race Director

The Noquemanon Trail Network will host their Annual Meeting at Lakeview Arena Citizen’s Forum Room on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 6:30pm.

The (NTN) Noquemanon Trail Network is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 non-profit  organization dedicated to the acquisition and preservation of non motorized trails. The primary users of the trails include: cross country skiers, mountain bikers, runners, hikers, equestrians and paddlers.  The member supported network receives no governmental support and relies on memberships and charitable donations to do it work.

A brief overview of the state of the organization will be followed by a regular board meeting. Refreshments will be served.  The meeting is open to the public.

For more information on the NTN call 906.235.6861.

The NTN Twin Peaks Trail Run is set for Saturday June 1st, 2013 this year. Both the 1/2 marathon and 5K races start at high noon at the South Marquette Trailhead located off or HWY 553. . This is the fourth year for the Twin Peaks Challenge and the event continues to grow and evolve.

The grassroots race is as unique as it is challenging. Tibetan prayer flags fly above the starting line and each one of the summits that the half marathoners climb has a cowbell that must be rung to avoid disqualification. If you are new to trail running or would like something a little less challenging then consider the 5KM course and its traverse along the Carp River Valley. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the half marathon and 5KM Runs. As usual, low cost, minimal SWAG, maximum elevation.

Online Registration

Online Registration closes Thursday, May 30th at 9AM. Day of registration available from 9AM to 10:30AM. Packet pickup will be at the trail Saturday morning 9AM through 11:30AM.

Register Online

Join us Saturday, April 27th for a celebration of mountain biking Marquette style.

Bike Raffle

2013 Giant Simple 3 Cruiser

$10 tickets available at the door

Raffle Winner Will be Announced at Blackrocks

As we start the New Year in 2013 I would like to take a final chance to say THANK YOU to all the businesses that supported the singletrack mission in 2012:

First we got significant grants from the following:
CCI Foundation
Marquette Country Conven. and Visitors Bureau
Plum Creek Foundation
Marquette Community Foundation
Midway Rental and Sales

The following also joined as business patrons:
Advanced Center for Orthopedics
Bell Financial
Blackrocks Brewery
Border Grill
Casa Calabria
Cedar Motor Inn
Citizens Bank
Classic Auto Collision
Donkkers
Down Wind Sports
Fassbender Funeral Home
Fraco Inc.
Getz’s
Graybill & Mead
Holiday Inn
Holmsewn
Integrated Wellness Chiropractic
Johnson’s Printing Service
Lakeshore Bike
Landmark Inn
Mommaerts Mahaney Financial
North Oak Manufacturing
Pioneer Surgical
Quick Stop Bike Shop
River Valley Bank
Signs Unlimited
Sports Rack
Stang Family Eyecare
Stucko’s
Utopia Tanning
Vango’s
White’s Party Store

Please give them your business and let them know you appreciate their support of our trails.

Trail User Policy

A goal of the NTN is to give every non-motorized user of our trails the best possible outdoor experience.  To this end we believe that different types of users should be separated wherever possible.  Accordingly, we as a Board have designated usage on various trails consistent with the terrain and member needs.

At this time we are unable to completely separate snow bikes, skiers, snowshoes, dogs, and traditional skiers, so we need to share different portions of the trails.  Future trail segments to allow for separate users will be developed as money for construction and landowner permission occur.  While we work towards this goal, we ask that all users be respectful and considerate of others users and that current trail use designations be honored.  Please remember that we will achieve our mission of building an integrated extensive trail system and strengthen the non-motorized voice and perception in the community much faster with cooperation and consideration.

Dear Singletrack Supporter,

With our first snowfall of the season in the books, our trail building season is nearing the end.  The singletrack committee is proud of what we were able to accomplish this year:

~We kept 2 crews in the woods building trail all summer; one on the south trails and one on the new north trail system.  Each crew was led by a volunteer who was typically putting in 30+ hours of week.   They also had paid trail workers putting in 20-50 hours per week.  The NTN has paid almost $20,000 in wages for our workers this year and the results show in the new trail that has been built: 4 trails on the south side (Porkie Pine Pass and Down Dogger near the trailhead and West Greywalls and Freak’n Nature back on the Red Loop) and 2 trails on the north side ( Collinsville Cut/Collinsville and the almost complete Blue Heron Bluffs trail).

~We bought a 2nd mini excavator and a canycom tracked hauler.  Mechanizing our operations has really pushed the envelope on what we can build as all the retaining walls, berms and benches that have been built show.  The NTN invested almost $25,000 in new equipment and maintenance this year.

~We began the process of permanently securing and developing our main trailhead on Hwy 553.  While our plan to purchase outright the property did not come to fruition, we have continued to work with the city and have a plan in place that we feel will result in a first class trail head facility- hopefully soon.

All this trail work has required our committee members to keep hopping to raise the money that keeps it going.  We’re busy year round with events including multiple races that utilize our trail system.  We’ve also been very lucky to get support from several of our business sponsors to host events including Blackrocks Brewery, Lakeshore Bike, Downwind Sports, Quickstop Bike Shop, the Ore Dock Brewery and Getz’s.

2012 set the bar pretty high for what we can accomplish.  In 2013 we want to keep the momentum going, and if possible even top it.  To do that we need the continued support of the trail community.  Please help us in any and every way that you can:  buy a singletrack membership, make a donation to the trail fund, attend a fund raiser, compete or volunteer in one of the races or show up for a work bee.  But most importantly keep using the trails and telling people how important the trails are to you.

Thanks for your support and enjoy your winter (buy a snowbike).

Sincerely,

The NTN Singletrack Committee

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Join us for a Halloween celebration on Sunday, October 28th at Ore Dock Brewery!

1:30 PM Cruiser Ride from Ore Doc Brewery to some spooky places in Marquette
3:00 start of Halloween Bash at Ore Doc Brewery

Entry – Adults $10 with Costume & $15 without costume
Groms/Kids are Welcome (free entry)
All proceeds go towards creating local singletrack

Live Music by Frank an Da Beanz
Free Swag Giveaway
Eats – Pizza

Forestville Work Bee set for Saturday

October 20th at 9 am.
Crews are planning painting setting some tile and adding some decor to the building.  Join us for a couple hours.  We have outside work to be completed as well.

Down Wind Sports Club Night
October 23rd from 6-9 pm.
Early bird membership discounts and Snowball tickets.

The Noquemanon Trail Network Plans 8th Annual Snowball Benefit

A night of winter celebration!  Make your holiday party the NTN Snow-Ball this year, featuring outstanding food, silent/live auction items, excellent music and friends.

Friday, December 7, 2012 at the Marquette Regional History Center from 7:00 pm-11:00 pm join us in celebrating the snow…..and imagine at the same time you’re contributing to the great trails in our community.

New this year, NTN will be posting auction items to bid on pre-event at www.biddingowl.com/ntn.  Some examples of silent auction items that will be for bid include lodging packages at private cabins, dining certificates from the great restaurants in our community and of course, great gear from Sports Rack, Down Wind Sports, Lakeshore Bike and Quick Stop Bike Shop.

Tickets are available at the Sports Rack, Downwind Sports or NTN Board members, as well as at the door. Tickets are $60 per person or $100 per couple.  Tickets come with drink coupons and a commemorative glass.

The Noquemanon Trail Network is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes development of integrated, multi-use, non-motorized trails.  For more information on the NTN, log onto www.noquetrails.org.

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While you’ve been hiking, biking, swimming and enjoying our beautiful UP summer, a lot of improvements have been underway at the Forestville Trailhead. The big news is a second bathroom has been installed. We now have a water fountain, a door that has a window to avoid inadvertent collisions and some other interior alterations.

Our goal before opening for the ski season is to give the interior a fresh coat of paint and create some Nordic décor. We’re looking for donations to brighten up our building.

1. Old race bibs
2. Old skis
3. Old snowshoes
4. Framed Noquemanon Ski Marathon Posters
5. Race medals
6. Nordic artwork
7. Rugs

• The decorating volunteers are looking for help painting. Paint, brushes, rollers and ladders will be supplied.

• Rather be outdoors? We have trees to trim, brush to lop, signs to install and wood to stack.

Call or e-mail Nikki Dewald at 235-6861 or noquenetwork@gmail.com for more information.

Do you have any rustic furniture to donate/purchase? We’d like to upgrade our couch and chairs.

Join our first Trailhead work bee on Saturday Oct 20^th from 9 am until you have to go. Any amount of help is welcome and needed.