THE PUSH TO make Marquette Mountain a mountain bikers’ destination in the summertime is starting a little more slowly than expected.
So far, according to general manager Andrew Farron, each of the sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday has been attracting about 10-15 riders. The capacity for each session is about 30.
What the bikers get is several shuttle rides to the top of the mountain, and from there, they ride trails to the bottom. It can be fast and exhilarating. The cost per session: $29
Some of the local bikers have said that’s too much–they can ride plenty of other trails around Marquette County, free of charge.
Farron doesn’t disagree. “They’re absolutely right. We’ve got awesome trails,” he says. “But what we’re catering to here are the gravity riders. It’s a big descent at higher speeds.”
More broadly, what Farron is trying to do is transform the Mountain into a place where all local bikers gather for food, drinks, riding, and socializing. On Thursdays, they’ll be offering discounted prices on “burgers and beer,” along with timed races.
“This place until now has been dead every summer,” Farron says. “We’re trying to change that.”
He’s right. It has been dead. Whether they succeed in changing that…well, we’ll just have to wait and see.
YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN it on Facebook–the “Because Marquette” campaign started by local social media maven Amber Johnston.
It wasn’t intended as a campaign. It was just a well-designed, catchy poster that suddenly went viral.
“We were just trying to help people answer the question that we’re often asked–why do you live up there?” Johnston explains.
Yeah, it’s cold, it’s snowy and it’s buggy but…..Because Marquette. Simple as that.
Now “Because Marquette” has morphed into a little business. Johnston plans on producing apparel, cards and posters, and promoting events under the “Because Marquette” banner. Along with a heavy environmental theme–preserving the lakes, the trails, the wilderness.
But exactly where this campaign will lead her, Johnston admits she has no idea. She’s just riding the wave.
DEMOCRACY ON DISPLAY.
That’s what you’ll see and hear at the City Commission chambers tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, 6:30-8:30 pm. The League of Women Voters is sponsoring it.
Nine candidates making their pitch as they vie for two open spots on the City Commission. Nine. That’s a lot. That’s a healthy sign in a city that is undergoing rapid change. No apathy here.
The candidates are young and old, female and male, experienced veterans and relative newcomers, all bursting with enthusiasm.
This’ll be our opportunity to see them all together talking about development, the environment, the shoreline, the budget, housing, the future.
The primary election on August 6th will whittle the field of nine down to four. Then, in November, we’ll elect our two new commissioners.