As the end of the year comes nearer, it is time to reflect on 2015 and all of the wonderful things that it brought to us.

The year started out with a vision for a mountain bike trail for the consolidated Austin Composite Mountain Bike Team, a vision that was the dream of the late Dr. Richard Schindler and carried forward by Gareth Hataye and Belita Schindler. With a solid core of volunteers and support from the business community the dream became reality, and on Sept 20t, 2015, Austin hosted its first Minnesota State High School Mountain Bike Race. With over 700 racers and spectators in attendance the race was an overwhelming success. With the growth of the Minnesota High School Cycling League, changes will include two full days of racing. Austin will host the first race of 2016, on Sept. 10 and 11. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who spent numerous hours shaping the trail, and also the following businesses that gave support and materials to make this happen.

Thanks to Hormel Foods Corp., Austin Utilities, Austin Builders Supply Inc, Astrup Drug Inc, Pinnacle Private Wealth Group, Austin Area Foundation, Vision2020, Fox Electric, Rydjor Bike Shop, Steve Lawler (Mower SWCD), and the many other donor’s that made this happen.

We look forward to an even better 2016.

Austin Mountain Bike Trail Committee: Scott Aakre, Jon Burkhardt, Pat Edwards, Gareth Hataye, Steve Kime, Tony Mallory, Spencer Salmon and Belita Schindler