The Mountain Bike Gang that Could

If anyone can handle an uphill climb, TOMMBA can.

By Eric Cox | Aug. 29, 2020

Standing around talking after a 2012 ride, Boyne City cyclist Steve Schnell and some of his friends lamented Northern Michigan’s lack of mountain bike trails. While mountain biking amenities were growing steadily downstate, there seemed to be little advocacy for trail development in the state’s northern reaches.

Schnell and company resolved to fix that, and they set about organizing the Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA), a spirited group of loyal volunteers who recently came a step closer to achieving a long-range goal: building 20 miles of Northern Michigan mountain bike trails by 2020’s end.

That’s an ambitious goal inside an eight-year window, but that hasn’t stopped TOMMBA, which, in cooperation with Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC), recently opened six miles of forested new trail at LTC’s Tanton Family Working Forest Preserve, seven miles east of Petoskey.

TOMMBA can also check another box upon completion of the Tanton Trails. The newest facility represents the group’s most significant northward expansion.

But, that’s just the latest major move by this small but potent organization, which began as a local chapter of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA).

Schnell said at that time, eight years ago, IMBA was actively encouraging local chapter growth across the country. For a fee, the expansion chapters enjoyed nonprofit status under IMBA’s umbrella. But, IMBA then lost its primary sponsor, Subaru, and that led to confusion, prompting TOMMBA’s departure from IMBA in 2016.

Instead of giving up, however, Schnell and others sought a grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation to help them establish their own nonprofit. It worked. With guidance, the group cemented the free-standing TOMMBA organization. That meant, among other things, that all TOMMBA dues and donations could remain in the organization, directly serving local projects.

Throughout the process of developing TOMMBA, Schnell said he and others received excellent cooperation from both IMBA and the Traverse City-based Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association (NMMBA).

“At first, [Northern Michigan] was under NMMBA’s umbrella. We were in their region” Schnell, a founding member of TOMMBA and former president of both TOMMBA and MMBA, said. “We didn’t know much about them, but we knew they were very Traverse City-oriented. Together we worked out how the region was divided up, and everyone was pleased,” Schnell continued. “No one was territorial. Everyone was encouraged to develop their own chapters, and it was just a terrific process to go through.”

With their tax-exempt status certified and their geographic region defined, volunteers flocked to TOMMBA, not just with their money, but with enthusiasm, sweat, thirst for knowledge and a willingness to work hard and stick with it.

Guided by expert trail builders supplied by IMBA, local volunteers first embarked on an enterprising two-pronged plan: 1) Build seven miles of trail at Avalanche Nature Preserve on Boyne City’s south side; and 2) simultaneously construct 7.5 miles of trail at Boyne School Forest, another piece of city property.

“The IMBA Trail Care Crews really got our volunteers excited,” Schnell said, referring to training teams that provided local volunteers with sustainable trail building advice. “For the first time, they could see a clear path forward to building their own trail systems.”

Throughout construction of the Avalanche and Boyne School Forest, as well as TOMMBA trails at Brown’s Creek near East Jordan, Schnell said volunteers kicked in thousands of labor hours and money to match. He estimates TOMMBA’s helpers have logged nearly 8,000 unpaid hours – and that’s just time spent actually building trails.

“We have about 100 volunteers who help us,” said Schnell. “But, we have a core group of about a dozen or so who volunteer practically full-time.”

TOMMBA’s support base was never more evident than during a recent fundraiser for a major trail expansion near Boyne School Forest. Schnell said TOMMBA raised over $200,000 in less than a year.

“That includes a $10,000 grant,” Schnell said. “But the amazing thing is how many smaller donations we had. Two hundred people pitched in, donating between $5 and $5,000 each. That made the average donation like $100. That really illustrates the impact of a broad base of support. Every time we’ve reached out to the public, the response has been overwhelming.”

The organization continues to thrive and strive for its long-range goal of expanding TOMMBA trails into the tip of the mitt. The new Tanton Preserve Trails near Petoskey represent a partial fulfillment of that vision, coveted by Schnell and so many others in the northern lower peninsula.

Another project underway involves a partnership with the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy, which late last year purchased 40 acres adjoining Boyne School Forest where additional trails will be developed.

Like just about everything else regarding TOMMBA, it’s all working out really well. Trails are expanding northward with each passing year, realizing a plan dreamed up eight years ago.

“Our relationships in the Petoskey and Harbor Springs areas are blossoming,” he said. “There’s a lot of interest, and we’re trying to establish a crew of trail building volunteers in the area.”

Expanding TOMMBA trails into more northern areas is happening right before everyone’s eyes. But, TOMMBA’s ultimate goal is to continue building new trails systems in different areas, then connect those systems, forming one large trails matrix.

To learn more about TOMMBA and its trails and volunteer opportunities, visit www.tommba.org.

 

Ride Right Now
Three TOOMBA trails are ready for riders
AVALANCHE – Avalanche Mountain Preserve, 1129 Wilson St., Boyne City, rests on 300 acres of rolling woodland on the community’s south side. These cross-country trails, nine covering eight miles, offer a range of experiences for all levels of mountain bike experience. Hikers and trail runners share these paths and experienced riders say it’s better to ride these trails clockwise. Once the you’ve reached the Lake Charlevoix viewing platform at the top, simply retrace your route, treating the trail as an out-and-back, rather than a loop. Enticing for advanced mountain bikers, Avalanche has some more tricky downhill sections. Its newest segment, Strolling in the Steep, offers only the most experienced riders some very challenging one-way downhill. Groomed each winter for fat biking, these trails and their sometimes steep, sometimes rooty sections can challenge beginners. Lithe, flowy downhill sections make all that climbing worth the effort, however. Those who get bored biking or finish their rides early can stay busy with a nearby archery range and disc golf course. 

BOYNE SCHOOL FOREST – Hog Wild is a popular section of TOMMBA’s Boyne School Forest trails, located between Boyne City and Walloon Lake (1998-1948 Erickson Rd., Boyne City). That section got its name after a local farmer’s escaped animals invaded the trails for a few hours one day, alarming and amusing mountain bikers. Another set of trails offering a range of experiences, Boyne School Forest, which includes four trails in six miles, is popular with locals because of its location and quality. A series of connecting loops for easy navigation, the trails can be ridden clockwise or counter-clockwise and offer three varieties: beginner, intermediate and advanced. A parking lot of Erickson Road offers great, centrally-located access. These trails also enjoy winter grooming for all skill levels of fat-tire biking. Those who don’t feel the Boyne School Forest vibes have an option: Avalanche trails are only 4.4 miles away.

TANTON PRESERVE – TOMMBA’s newest trails offer respite to those seeking mountain bike adventures in the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area. Just seven miles east of Petoskey at 1447 Maxwell Road are trails that were born of the collaboration between TOMMBA and Harbor Springs-based Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC). Tanton’s multi-use, six-mile trail system was built in June, July, and August by Rock Solid Trail Contracting out of Marquette. The two nonprofit entities raised over $200,000 for this trail system, which opened to the public on Aug. 29. Beginner, intermediate and advanced trails wind up the side of what was formerly known as Christmas Mountain, now LTC-owned Tanton Family Working Forest Reserve. Lots of climbing awaits mountain bikers who will enjoy these flowy, sandy trails punctuated by switchbacks and hearty berms. A large parking lot greets visitors who can choose their routes on large, posted maps at the trail system’s entrance.