momommomemomenmomentmomentumomentum .02

momommomemomenmomentmomentumomentum

[Short for momentum] is the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.

[Mother] refers to mother nature.

Brief period of time when nothing else matters but the trail in front of you.

[Mo] is an experience.

mentum

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Momentum, also referred to as “mo,” is a mountain bike publication that documents single-track mountain bike trails across Michigan by naturally photographing various segments throughout the trail with the intent of accurately portraying single-track mountain bike trails for what they truly are.

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(previous photo) 4mile road. Cannonsburg State Game Area.(left) one way marker. Luton Park.

MountainBike

Trails

Cannonsburg State Game Area4 Mile Rd. and Dursum Ave.

Cannonsburg, MI 49317

Luton Park5860 Kies St., Rockford, MI 49341

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CannonsburgState Game Area

SGA

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CannonsburgState Game AreaCannonsburg State Game Area is one of the most popular mountain bike trail systems in the Grand Rapids Area. The trail offers riders with a fast, flowing, single track through beautiful Michigan forest. The trail is a little sandy in sections due to the amount of people riding during the summer months because, come September, the trail is closed until spring because of hunting.

The Cannonsburg SGA trail is only a 7.5 mile trail but don’t be fooled by the length, because the trail has lots of steep, long uphills that will leave even the best of riders gasping for air. But what comes with big, steep uphills are long, steep downhill sections that leave you wishing for more. The SGA trail offers easy to intermedi-ate terrain and may not be recommended for beginner riders.

(section .03) grunt climbLocated on section .03, the grunt climb is exactly as it sounds. It may not be the steepest climb on the SGA but it’s definetly the longest climb that will leave any rider wheezing for air.

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7.5miles

(section .04) single-track clearingWhile riding the SGA loop you will come across numerous clearings such as this one. They are usually very hardpacked, giving you the opportunity to fly or to catch your breath for the trail to come.

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CannonsburgState Game AreaSection .01An excellent warm-up section consisting of good flowing single-track across moderatly level terrain. Great section to pedal hard and cruise.

Section .02Section .02 has both the longest downhill and the longest uphill segments. The section is very fast and covers the most elevation, so save your strength on the downhills because there are some nasty climbs that will leave you breathless.

Section .03The longest of the 4 sections, Section .03 covers the largest variety of terrian. From steep, fast downhills to long, gradual uphills, this section has it all.

Section .04This is the shortest section at the State Game Area as well as the fastest. The section curves through tight trees and tall grass, providing hard-packed single track that allows you to go as fast as your body permits.

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WildlifeConservation

AreaThe Cannonsburg State Game Area is made up of around 1,347 acres and is situated in Cannonsburg Township. The SGA is managed by the Michigan DNR and the WMMBA (West Michigan Mountain Bike Asso-ciation). The area is a dedicated wildlife conservation area and is open to hunting, biking, hiking, cross-country sking, and snowshoeing. Since the SGA is open to hunting, the trails are closed from September 15 through January 31.

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(section .01) uprooted treeThe SGA takes you deep into the backwoods of Cannonsburg Township where you will feel like you are hours from civilization when in reality you are only a few miles from the East Beltline.

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Section .01CreekThe creek is the first obstacle you will encounter on the SGA, but don’t be intimidated by the looks. The creek is never deeper than a few inches and there is cement and rock on either side for traction. So, when you approach the creek, maintain your speed, keep your weight back and your eyes forward, and everything will be just fine.

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get wet

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section .o1 Speed Check

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(section .01) trail markerThe SGA is a very well-marked trail system if you know what you are looking for. Keep your eyes out for these little, white arrow markers and you will be all set for a nice, stress-free ride.

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section .02screamerThis is the longest downhill segment at the SGA. It’s fast, hard-packed, and rutted out until the bottom where it levels out extremely fast into what some call the “sand pit.” Don’t lose all your speed here because you will soon experience the grinder.

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grindern. a long uphill climb

section .02 The Climblong • steep • roots and rocks • dusty when dry • painful • keep pedaling

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flow

fasterfaster

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section .03 The Descent

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looserocksand

(section .03) the descentThis is definitely the most technical segment at the SGA. It’s a quick, narrow descent down to a small creek crossing. The descent is littered with loose rock, large roots, and sand. So, when you approach the descent, take your time, know your surroundings, and attack with confidence.

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section .03 Creek Crossing

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section .03 Creek Crossing

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heads up

section .04 Big RingFastest section at the SGA. Be prepared to pedal hard and ride fast.

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Luton Park

L

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(Kies Road) old barnKeep your eyes peeled while riding Luton Park or else you will miss beautiful structures like this barn that give you a glimpse into the areas rich farming history.

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Luton Park is a Kent County Park in Rockford, Michigan. Luton is the first designated mountain bike trail system at a Kent County Park. It was built by local volunteers over a 3-year period. The 10-mile trail system took volunteers over 1500 hours to build. The current trail design utilizes International Mountain Biking Association trail building techniques to minimize erosion and user con-flicts. The park’s stacked loop system is built on 285 acres. Bike riders, hikers, trail runners and snowshower’s can do as little as 1.5 miles or as many as 10 miles without repeating a section.

Luton Park is open all year long from dawn to dusk. No night riding at this time. The trails are closed to hunting, making this a great place to ride and hike in the fall.

LutonPark

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.9miles orange2.7miles black

1.6miles red .9miles green

1.1miles yellow1.8miles blue

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orange Rock GardenLuton is full of fun, technical segments like the rock garden where riders can experience technical obstacles that can be enjoyed by any type of rider, from beginner to advance.

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rock garden

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orange loop to blue connector

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CreekCrossingblue connector to black loop

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blue Leasure LoopAlso known as the connector or the leasure loop, the blue loop is a 1.8-mile loop that connects all the loops together. This loop is very flat and has no technical sections.

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blueconnector

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black Most Difficult LoopThe black loop is considered the most difficult loop at Luton and it’s also the longest. The black loop contains quick, fast descents, tight trees, man-made obstacles, and short, steep climbs.

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black Features

(black loop) featuresThese two features add a nice thrill to the black loop and are easily managed by any type of rider.

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flow

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red Bomb v. to ride with disregard of personal safety

The red loop is notorious for quick, steep descents through tight trees, so be prepared to go fast, but know that when there is a down-hill, there will always be an uphill.

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pristine

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ride fast

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fasterfasterfaster

green loop

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green PrairieThe green loop weaves in and out of the woods and grassy prairie giving you a diverse single-track that seems to be all downhill, allowing for maximum speeds without the worry of running into any trees.

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(yellow loop) long, steep climbsThe yellow loop is the last loop at Luton and consists of lots of long, steep hills and quick, fast descents.

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killer climbs

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mentum

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Hi, my name is Nate DeHaan.

I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I have been mountain biking since I was 12 years old. I have biked all across Michigan and numerous states around the country, but still I love the trails that West Michigan has to offer. This is why I have decided to create Momentum, so I could share with all my fellow mountain bikers the secrets to all my favorite trails in West Michigan. I designed Momentum in a way that is natural and free-flowing by photographing sections and features that I think are unique to that trail system and by giving explanations and pointers along the way.

Mountain biking is a beautiful sport that is physically challenging and emotionally sat-isfying because it lets you escape from your everyday life and onto our pristine, West Michigan mountain biking trails. I hope that those of you who read Momentum will, like me, fall in love with the sport and the trails here. I also hope that all of you will do everything you can to help preserve our environment, so that our future generations can also enjoy the same trails that we ride today.

Design, writing, and photography by Nate DeHaan.

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER616.308.9997

nrdehaan@gmail.comnatedehaan.com