Annual Give Thanks Thread 05'

[gopherhockey]

Has one of these been started yet?

If not, here goes. A place to give thanks to... well.. anyone or anything that you want.

Feel free to single people out if you like, or be general... doesn't even have to be completely bike related if you have a personal thanks to share.

I'll post up a few more specific thanks that I have soon. Just wanted to get this started with a more general thanks to all those who have contributed their time or money to MORC in 2005... especially all of you who come out to trailwork - getting dirty so we can all ride!

More soon.

[TML]

A big thanks to God and mother nature for the simple things, like dirt and rock. :)

[socrates]

Has one of these been started yet?

If not, here goes. A place to give thanks to... well.. anyone or anything that you want.

Feel free to single people out if you like, or be general... doesn't even have to be completely bike related if you have a personal thanks to share.

I'll post up a few more specific thanks that I have soon. Just wanted to get this started with a more general thanks to all those who have contributed their time or money to MORC in 2005... especially all of you who come out to trailwork - getting dirty so we can all ride!

More soon.

How warm this fall has been......it's been a great riding season!

Oh and the new Klein John is going to GIVE me :)

[gopherhockey]

One thing I've been thankful for lately has been the gang doing night group rides. You guys really got me back into mountain biking this fall... I had put way more road miles in this year. I now consider the best time of the year to ride as fall night riding. Its always a good ride, plus a lot of laughs, treats and post ride company.

Thanks guys!

[waitabit]

I'll give thanx to Erik Noren for his generousity, volunteering valuable time and resources to build a custom frame for a lucky MORC member who didn't even show up at the Summit.:shocked:

[tedsti]

I am thankful for one of mankinds biggest inventions, the wheel. Put two of them together and you have good times I tell you, good times.

Beyond that, family and friends and the people of MORC who inspire me to ride more and build more. I just can't say enough about the people here.

[jjrsds]

Thankful for my endless summer biking this year. For being able to still ride to work and to lazy to buy a car yet. To all workers that put time into a trail, building, maintaining, planning, design and the endless work of getting permission from land managers. To everyone that I have met and ridden with this summer or did trail work with, thank you for just enjoying time outside and making it more fun by being there. Thanks for the trip to Fruita, just getting there was a grand adventure with memories that will last. For the people (Shad, Kurt, and Cousin Jay) that made me a better rider this year. James Ford for the ride on pavement but the ones mostly off. TML for showing up and making it just more fun even when he didn't bring homebrew. Mara for taking nighttime walks with me in the woods, desert or MPLS and having an appreciation for 12 year old Scotch. All the local bicycle shops for the support given to MORC and the local bike scene.

Thanks to all members of MORC for helping the sport grow in the state of Minnesota.

[syntaxjunkie]

First and foremost, for being alive. Always a good thing, when one considers the alternative.

For MORC members, who do more than you have to do in order to keep our sport going and growing. The best part of the Summit for me (aside from my conversation with Jim) was getting to meet people I've only known on the web site. I hope to meet and ride with a lot more of you.

For Doug Larsen, Scott Shore, Ted Olson, Danny Glassic and Nicki McCracken, who volunteer their design talents to create the best newsletters, posters, t-shirts and logos that MORC has ever seen. They have bailed me out on so many occasions it has ceased to be funny. Extra dose of thankfulness for Nicki, who's still my wife in spite of the aforementioned bailing.

And for Scott Thayer, perhaps the hardest working person in MORC, although many vie for that title. He's got so much energy and enthusiasm, it's almost enough to get me to give clean living a try. Almost. He is a rock star in every sense of the word.

[bakkeb]

I'm thankful that after 2 back surgeries, I can still ride my mtbike. :banana: I'm also very thankful that we have such great trails so close to my house, and the great people of MORC that do the trail building that I know (but wish) I cannot help with. I big shout out to those trail builders!:jumpy: Oh, and to the person who invented beer.:etard:

[Burke]

He is a rock star in every sense of the word.
I'm trying to figure out what you're buttering me up for. I suspect it's a bigger chunk of the 2006 budget. :)

As an organization, we've got a lot to be thankful for. The commitment of our leaders and members past, who got their foot in the door and created our early successes. For our current leaders and members who continue to give above and beyond to make it all happen. And looking ahead, I'm thankful that there will be more leaders and members to carry the torch when it's time for this round to step away.

To call out a few by name, I'd like to give recognition and thanks to some of our big time financial contributors:
- QBP and its employees for stepping up huge with a $16,667 check and $3,333 in membership for a total of $20,000 towards the Murphy-Hanrehan trail project.
- Will Hoeg, coming in with 4 figures of love showing support for Wirth. Will, you rock.
- The Docktors (sp?), with the annual 4 figure contribution. A simple thanks is no where near enough.
- Dale Gundberg, not only does he work the Ditch Witch like a madman, he brings it with his bank book as well. Dale, you're a champion among men.
- Gary Sjoquist, bicycle advocate by trade, bicycle advocate by his actions. Thanks for the donation, Gary.
- Jim McCarvill, Leading the QBP fundraising charge. Take it easy on log ride next time.
- The hundreds of you I don't have the details on that support the cause. Without you, we cease to function.

Our sponsors that bring it with cash, product, and volunteer time (alphabetically):
- Erik's Bike Shop, partnering to put on the Spring Cup, volunteer t-shirts, advertising, product donations
- Freewheel Bike Shop, Film fest '05, Kevin, Tyler, Mike, thanks!
- Habanero's, 24 Hours of Afton, 'nuff said!
- Jagwire, cash, product, advertising: the trifecta.
- Peace Coffee, Andy, thanks for the sweet hookups.
- Penn Cycle, Afton sponsorship, on the clock volunteers, Thursday night races, the rest I'm forgetting.
- PressReady, Doug Larsen, YES! You have no idea how much smoother things run with you in the equation.
- REI, $5,000 cash grant this year, facilities donation for board meetings, partnering on Trail Day.
- Salsa Cycles, product donations, great times at the Summit, ice races in '06!
(with apologies to sponsors not mentioned)

Land Managers (how did I forget this the first time around):
- Ramsey County, keys to the park, a huge vote of confidence!
- Dakota County, Lebanon Hills, and a volunteer recognition award, truly set the ball in motion
- City of Bloomington, fantastic support, and financial backing. Thanks Randy Q.!
- City of Inver Grove Heights, Salem Hills/Harmon Park, whatever you're wanting to call it, we're extremely happy to have this relationship with you.
- City of Burnsville, Terrace Oaks is short but sweet. Looking forward to great things in '06.
- Three Rivers Park District, as a matter of fact, we are interested in improving mountain bike trails in 3 of your parks.
- Minneapolis Park Board, we appreciate the chance to prove ourselves with the Wirth pilot project. Can't wait for the next phase.
- Afton Alps, John Reents is a true champion among men. The nicest guy you'll ever meet. Look for huge things out of Afton in the coming years.
- Minnesota DNR, Courtland, thanks for the pilot projects at Camden and Cuyuna. We're going to make the most of them.
- Steeplechase, XC, DH, and more. This is going to be a sweet getaway for those of us in the cities. RASC, well done.
- Buck Hill, Don McClure, you were a pleasure to work with. It's a shame to see the days of racing at Buck behind us. Thanks for the memories!

And the glue that holds it all togther, the volunteers:
- Tim Wegner, How many miles and hours have you put in advocating for mountain biking around the state? I'm not sure I want to know...
- Don Youngdahl, we knew you wouldn't be silent when you left the board.
- Bob Shepherd, MORC's volunteer of the year for a reason!
- The MOCA Crew, yes, all of you. Shawn got the award, but you guys are all volunteers of the year.
- Charles Youel, "Hi, my name is Charles, your logo sucks." It's been nothing but a pleasure since.
- Adam Buck, Freeride/DH anyone? Spirit, Steeplechase, you name it, he seems to be there.
- John Lundell, webmaster, Lebanon dirt boss/trail steward, husband of a mean popcorn baller (so I hear).
- Jeff Gude, perennial board member/secretary/voice of reason
- Eric Lealos, best film fest. EVER. and twins!
- Graphic Designers, I am continually amazed by the high quality materials that have been produced gratis. Outstanding!
- You, Thanks for cutting me some slack in not remembering to mention you by name. MORC has received support from so many visible, and behind the scenes individuals, it's really amazing.

To wrap it up, I'm really grateful to be involved in an organization that's so eager to have fun, and get their hands dirty trying to get it done. It's been a pleasure, and things are only getting better.

[gopherhockey]

I'm not sure how to follow up Scott's great post... as always showing why he is the man to bring MORC to the next level!

I got's a few more:

Thanks to all past and present board members... its not always an easy job - we wouldn't be here without each and every one of you. A special thank you to past board member Dale Gundberg for his leadership and finance expertise as well as his vision.

I'd like to also single out Bob Shepherd and Ted Wiegandt for taking on the role of Dirt Boss at Lebanon for when my sorry #$)*( is too busy at work to help out. I can always count on you both to be there when a tree falls, or show up for a group ride.

Thanks to everyone who visit the web site and get involved online. Its a fun place to get together.

Thanks to my wife for baking goodies for the crew and for letting me stay out late at night riding around. (ok, maybe she is too eager to get me out of the house.. hmmm... hehe)

Same to everyone else who has brought goodies for the crew... most recently Troy's apple bars and Mr. Ford's hot drinks.

Did I thank the MORC board? I better do it again...

Thanks to the God of all that is safe biking for another safe riding year.

Thanks to Dakota County for giving us the best 80 acres of land one in the south metro could wish for..

Thanks to the sun that decides to go away earlier and earlier in the fall so we can light up the trails in large groups.

Thanks to whomever invented Tivo (DirecTivo specifically).

I'm sure there is more...

[syntaxjunkie]

"Hi, my name is Charles, your logo sucks."

Was I that diplomatic about it?

I told you this guy was a rock star.

[bigwheel]

I have a lot to be thankful for, but will limit this post to just biking stuff.
I am thankful:
1: to be in good enough health to be able to ride.
2: to have a thoughtful wife who doesn't mind me spending lots of time biking and doing trail work.
3: to have a great organization like MORC to provide the places, opportunities and friends to ride with.

[Magic]

For this year, I'm thankful for the following:

- MORC: Without this group of bikers, where would we be.
- Afton and John Reents: Couldn't ask for a better land manager to deal and work with.
- All trail workers: without them, we have no trails.
- Larry Sauber: This man is a dirt moving machine, he is my kind of trail boss.
- The regulars at Afton: You all know who you are.
- John Lundel: For finally showing me how not to change a tire!:banana:
- My family: For letting me do the things in life that mean the most and putting up with me.
- Mother Nature: She is one fine lady.
- Adam Buck: Without his front wheel, the Banshee would still be on the wall in the garage.
- And last but not least: My Mattocks.

[gopherhockey]

- John Lundell: For finally showing me how not to change a tire!:banana: .

You definintely had to be there... ;)

[funky-funky-chicken]

I do have a lot to be thankful for outside of MORC. As for MORC, many before me have stated certainly more clearly and concisly than I could. I do want extend a sincere thank you to all of you who have put in your time as a volunteer. Circumstances prevent me from doing a lot, and I want to thank those of you who are able and who have put in the efforts. Thank you to all of the members of MORC.

[mara]

I'm particularly grateful for all the MOCA volunteers. You've worked in rain, snow, and sleet. You've come out when it has been way too cold or way too hot for reasonable people to be working outside. You've moved rocks too heavy to move and ripped out huge clumps of buckthorn, all by hand. You raked wet leaves off four miles of trail in thirty degree weather. You've given time, sweat, talent, and money. Without your amazing dedication and perseverance, we would not have a Theo trail system. Thank you, everyone who has helped us this year.

[manual63]

I have been thinking about this one for awhile. There is so much to thank, I don't even know where to begin. I will start with MOCA, since that is what really got me a lot more involved in mountain bike advocacy. Tom Anderson, mara, and Shawn Sheely are the best to work with there. Those three got me way into MOCA and on their board, and now I am on the MORC board too.

Everyone rocks, whether you are an advocate, one who donates, trailworker, or rider enjoying the trails.

I want to thank all the shops and companies who donate money to IMBA, MORC, or any other MTB trail advocacy group. Without these donations, we would not be where we are today.

I want to thank whoever designed the One-On frames, because without that geometry, I would not like mountain biking nearly as much as I do now.

And most important, I want to thank all the cool people I got to ride with this year.....especially Team Inbred.....we rock!!

[bobbkr]

I give thanks for:

-Health.
-Great trails in a great metropolitan area.
-For Harmon Park. A trail that my wife (a once avid mountain biker, who now has health problems) can still ride.
-The machine they call the bicycle.
-Friends.