The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails were nominated for a national cycling award by PeopleForBikes.
Launched in 1999 as Bikes Belong, PeopleForBikes includes both an industry coalition of bicycling suppliers and retailers, as well as a charitable foundation.
People for Bikes announced advocacy award nominations for the Next Generation Award, Leadership Award and Places for Bikes Award. Nominees all played a role in furthering the industry this year, including standouts like the 'Recycle A Bicycle" program in New York, and Indianapolis, Indiana Mayor Greg Ballard, for his program "Rebuildindy," as well as the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails in Minnesota.
Cuyuna was nominated for Places for Bikes Award category, celebrating cities, communities, states, and counties that are working hard to create more safe places for people to ride. People for Bikes reported when safe places to ride are created, more people get back on their bikes and great things occur in those communities.
People for Bikes commented the key reason for Cuyuna's selection was their new mountain bike trails, noting the best mountain bike trail systems (with the broadest appeal) offer nearby or connected access to paved trails that lead to economic growth (tourism).
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"This nomination is the fruition of a 30 year plan," said Aaron W. Hautala, president of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew. "We need to go back three decades to the beginning of the original leadership group of Cuyuna area residents who attended Blandin Community Training.
"These leaders came out of this training with the unified vision to evolve the remnants of the Cuyuna area iron mines into a world class destination for outdoor recreation. Leaders such as Barb Grove, Jenny Smith, Bill Bedard, John Schaubach, Dan Cruser, as well as the late Jerome Poland were original pioneers with a vision to pursue the success we enjoy in Crow Wing County today.
"The good news is, we've only just begun."
Hautala said the Cuyuna trails currently have about one day of cycling without repeating a trail. The master vision for trails lays out three full days of riding without repeating a trail.
"If anyone thinks its good now, just wait," Hautala said.
Places for Bikes Award nominees include:
• Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta.
• Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Indianapolis.
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• Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails.
• Riverside Drive, Memphis, Tenn.
The award winner will be announced on Sept. 11 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas at the Interbike International Bicycle Expo, the largest bicycle industry trade show in North America. Representatives from the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew plan to be in attendance.
