Category Archives: Uncategorized

Merry Masher 2022 Course Options

We are working on two options for the Mirror Lake Merry Masher.

First option is a snowmachine-groomed course, using multiuse trails and a loop on Edmonds Lake. This course will depend on how much overflow is on Edmonds:

Merry Masher 2022 Machine Groom Option here:

https://www.trailforks.com/route/merry-masher-2022-machine-groom-option/

The second route is our more-traditional winter XC-style race on snowshoe and snowdog-packed singletrack. We’ll add in these sections if you all can get them packed down. Priority goes to Easy Peasy, Hot Tamale and Raven’s Ridge.

Merry Masher Singletrack Option here:

https://www.trailforks.com/route/merry-masher-2022-singletrack-option/

If it all comes togther we might be able to run both courses together on a longer loop. Our goal is a 6-mile short course and 12-mile long course.

Beach Lake Trail – Alternative I (revised)

Representatives from the Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Rec Board of Supervisors, Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, and the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association stomped around the woods together on Sunday, Nov 20th, in an effort to better understand the needs, wants, and concerns of each user group.

Alternative I (revised), a “Single Bridge” on the portage trail between Beach Lake and the inlet was proposed. This alternative will solve the existing conflict between off-leash dogs and mushers on the Portage Trail (between Beach Lake and the Inlet,) and there will be no loss of mushing trail mileage. It will provide a direct ADA-accessible route to the inlet.

Each group will bring this back to their boards for discussion and further modifications may be made. We are hopeful that this alternative is one that can work for all the interested stakeholders.

Other alternatives may still be considered. Please email CMBRalaska@gmail.com for more information.

Beach Lake Trail Additional Alternatives E & F.

Mushing Only Sign at Beach Lake Park

Connecting Eagle River to the Coast

Chugach Mountain Bike Riders is working with Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Rec to develop a cost-effective design to bring hikers-bikers-dog walkers-skijorers and other non-motorized users around the west side of Beach Lake to the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet.

We are tasked with protecting the existing dog mushing opportunities, while offering an ADA-accessible trail that will be supported by our fiscally conservative community.

The original proposal can be seen at https://cmbralaska.org/2022/11/09/beach-lake-trail-connecting-eagle-river-to-the-coast/

Alternative F keeps all existing mushing trails.

Alternative F: Two Crossing Solution.

Keep all the mushing trail corridors, but move the inner mushing trail away from the lake edge, then add a multiuse trail 25′ back from the lake.  Build a new mushing connection 250′ away from the portage trail between the lake and inlet. Install fencing and gates (or chicanes) to stop casual crossing of the mushing trails.

This Alternative does not give the preferred 100′ separation between uses, and is not a grade separated crossing, but should satisfy all other goals within the grant funding available.

No Changes to Existing Trail Corridors. Upgrade narrow hiking trails to ADA standards

Alternative G: Summer-Only ADA Coastal Access

Upgrade existing social hiking trails to ADA standards

Beach Lake Lodge at the south end of Beach Lake provides barrier-free recreation to ADA standards. The current ADA multiuse trail ends after 1/4 mile where the proposed winter gate is shown on the map.

The mushing trails are open to multiuse in the summer, and while hikers can access the inlet and this trail system through a spider-web of skinny social trails (or bushwhacking through the forest), the inlet is not accessible from the ADA parking lot.

This is a minimal build alternative that does not alter any mushing trail routes, but upgrades existing social hiking trails to ADA standards.

2022 MERRY MASHER WINTER FAT BIKE RACE

Race 1 of 3 of the TREK WINTER FAT BIKE SERIES!

https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/trek-winter-fat-bike-series

We’re going AFTER DARK for the 6th annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race, a fundraiser for the Mirror Lake Singletrack.

About this event

* Registration ends Tues 12-27-22 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*

https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/trek-winter-fat-bike-series

We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the sixth annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race!

It’s gonna be a PARTY! Light up your rides, as we’re going after dark on a mix of flowy singletrack, a bit of nice wide doubletrack, a couple of great hill climbs, and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak.

You will have the option of one or two 5+ mile laps. You must complete the race in the 2-hour time limit.

The LONGER (2 lap) race will earn points towards the 3-race Trek Winter Bike Series:

  1. Wed Dec 28th 7pm Merry Masher at Mirror Lake
  2. Sat Feb 4th 11am Icy River Rampage at Eagle River Nature Center
  3. Wed Mar 1st 7pm Blue Booty Blitz at APU

If you’re not racing, you are welcome to come out and cheer!

Thanks to Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage for sponsoring this year’s race.

This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.

When: Wednesday, December 28th. Bib Pick-Up 6pm. Race Start 7pm. Course Closes 9pm.

Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.

Cost: $45. ($5 for the untimed youth 1/2 lap ride.)

https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/trek-winter-fat-bike-series


CMBR is hiring!

Executive Director

Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR)

Chugiak-Eagle River, Alaska

15-20 hours per week (0.5 FTE)

Salary: $26k/year (0.5 FTE)

Chugach Mountain Bike Riders has grown from four people with a dream of building mountain bike trails and a $400 budget in 2015, to the leading trail organization in Chugiak-Eagle River with a 2022 budget of over $400k. This all-volunteer organization is looking for an outgoing and dedicated Executive Director with excellent people skills to enable our volunteers to continue building our local mountain bike trails and community.

Volunteer Coordination

Supporting our volunteer-led organization is priority one. This Executive Director will support the volunteer secretary and treasurer to ensure that CMBR is compliant with local, state, and federal permits, bookkeeping, tax reporting, etc. The ED will work with and support CMBR kids youth MTB club volunteers, volunteer race directors, and volunteer trail crews.

Advocacy and Lobbying

This Executive Director will proactively develop relationships with local, state, and federal elected representatives and agencies, as well as tribal governments, native corporations, local businesses, and land owners. The ED will attend and promote CMBR at local community councils, Park and Recreation meetings, and develop coalitions with other nonprofit organizations.

Fundraising and Donor Stewardship

This Executive Director will be an experienced and successful grant writer, able to manage grant projects and grant reporting. The ED will actively fundraise locally and nationally, and develop and oversee our donor stewardship program.

Project Management

Furthermore, this ED must be experienced with MTB trail building and able to shepherd CMBR trail projects through public process, fundraising, permitting, bidding, implementation, and reporting. Our current priorities include the MTB singletrack trails at Mirror Lake and the Chugiak-Eagle River Greenbelt Trails connecting Eagle River to Eklutna through Beach Lake and Mirror Lake parks.

Communications and Promotion

The Executive Director will oversee promotion, communication, and design, and advocate for CMBR on social media, email, websites, traditional mail, posters, and other means as necessary.

Other Duties as required.

CMBR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Submit resume and cover letter by September 30, 2022 to andrew@CMBRalaska.org

2022 Muddy Masher Downcountry MTB Race

Need an excuse to ride the NEW TRAILS at Mirror Lake? Check out Ben’s Bike Playground? Join us for the MUDDY MASHER mountain bike race!

About this event

* Registration ends Sat 09-10-22 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*

We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the first annual Mirror Lake MUDDY Masher DOWNCOUNTRY bike race!

What does downcountry mean? Welp, it’s your standard multi-lap XC MTB race with the new downhill lines in the loop. These are all rollable, but should put a little excitement into your flow! (as well as some climbs to get your heart racing.)

This is not a cyclocross race. 2.2″ width tires minimum to protect the trails.

The race course is dependent on conditions, but expect a short course (6+ miles) and a long course (12+ mile) options that can be finished within the 2-hour time limit. There will be a youth single-lap race starting at the same time.

This event fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.

When: Sunday, Sept 11th. Bib Pick-Up 2pm. Race Start 3pm.

Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.

Cost: $35 adults/$15 youth