FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAMBA Completes Connection of Singletrack Bike Trail from Hayward to Cable

Historic trail initiative creates longest trail of its kind in the Midwest

CABLE, WIS. - The Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) is pleased to announce the completion of a continuous singletrack mountain bike trail from Hayward to Cable, Wis. Construction on the final two-mile segment connecting recently built or existing trails now links the renowned silent sports communities of Hayward, Seeley, and Cable. With this accomplishment there is now a total of 44 miles of interconnected singletrack trails between Hayward and Cable. It should be noted that there are an additional 40 miles of singletrack and upwards of 300 miles of mountain bike routes throughout the region. This accomplishment elevates the CAMBA trail network to a singular position among destination trail systems in the Midwest.

Long known for its extensive six-cluster system of off-road mountain bike routes and trails based in the communities of Cable, Delta, Drummond, Hayward, Namakagon, and Seeley, the development of the original CAMBA trails in 1993 immediately thrust the Chequamegon Area of Northwest Wisconsin to the forefront of the outdoor recreation community in the upper Midwest. Much has changed over the past 20 years including the addition of another trail cluster near Bayfield at Mt. Ashwabay. Most significant was the launch of a singletrack trail development initiative in 1999 that saw the first construction this popular trail type at Telemark Resort and subsequently on the Bayfield County Forest in Cable and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Namakagon. This first wave of singletrack trails ultimately netted over 20 miles of new singletrack trails.

By 2006 CAMBA agreed that it was time to turn its attention to the Hayward area, which while possessing the largest population base of the region, lacked any singletrack trails. The next three years saw the development of the Hatchery Creek Trail, nine miles of trail looping north to Mosquito Brook Road and back. Construction moved forward with the development of the

Makwa Trail, 12 miles, that runs point to point from Mosquito Brook Road to County Highway OO.

Interspersed among these projects were trail construction efforts in Namakagon that enhanced that trail cluster with another 16 miles of great singletrack, ranging from some of the most difficult riding in the state to some of the sweetest easy-riding flowing trails in the CAMBA system.

CAMBA’s final leg from Seeley to Cable commenced in August 2010 with the beginning of the Seeley Pass Trail, 5.2 miles from County Highway OO to the north. Next up was the construction of a five-mile trail embracing a newer “flow trail” design from CAMBA’s Ojibwe Trail near Cable and working to the south, leaving only a two-mile segment of trail to complete the final link in this multi-community-connecting series of trails.

Work began this summer on June 3 to construct that final link. Now completed, the CAMBA trail system can boast the only interconnected system of this length anywhere in the Midwest. Mountain bikers have long found the Chequamegon Area an appealing destination due to the multitude of ride options, providing many days of riding on a diverse variety of trails.

On the whole the Cable to Hayward singletrack is rated intermediate and accessible to most riders. CAMBA intends to make some improvements to the Ojibwe Trail to bring it more in line with the remaining trails in that regard. In addition to every day riding, CAMBA’s long distance singletrack trails have already provided the route for the recent Mt. Borah Epic – 30-mile singletrack race.

CAMBA is not done developing trails, however, as efforts now shift to completing a connecting trail from Cable to Namakagon. In addition, an enthusiastic and ambitious effort is underway at Mt. Ashwabay to create up to 25 miles of singletrack trail.

CAMBA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and its efforts are supported by members from around the region, business sponsors and advertisers, and through the generous donations of individuals and local events and organizations.