There are a lot of great things going on at Bradbury Mountain these days. There are lots of new multi-use trails including some fantastic single-track, increased usage, loads of volunteer hours and enthusiasm, races and events and more... all making this a remarkable example of how a state park is really serving its community and the mountain biking community is giving back.

Much of this is due to the good work being done by the park manager Mick Rogers. Rogers has a request for mountain bikers this week. He's hoping bikers will come show some support and ride the trails this Thursday. Here's why:

"This Thursday, people from the commissioner's office are coming to
visit Bradbury along with hopefully some press. Although I know
how much the use has increased due to mountain bikes, they usually
show up during a weekday in the middle of the day and see very few
bikers. They are going to be here between 10:00 and 11:00 so if
you know anyone who would like to ride that day and show up at the
park at that time, it would be great. It isn't very often that
they show up and I am quite sure that although Bradbury is still a
great place to hike with the family, the mountain bike community
made us a destination park (the only one in the state). I am sure
that we will visit our new shower building also and I will
highlight the volunteer efforts of the groups and our adopt-a-trail
program."

Rogers also says he wants to emphasize how mountain biking has changed the park "both in users and in the tremendous amount of volunteer hours and donations we have had from bikers over the years."

I'll be writing more later about other exciting developments at the park, including an update on the project to extend the trail from Bradbury to Pineland, the new Web site (www.bradburymountain.com) and the Bradbury Twelve endurance relay race in September.

For now, though, pass the word and show support on Thursday. What better excuse to duck out of the office for an important "meeting"?