Not your average train ride, Pine Mountain is dropping insane trails, Nico Vink deploys 20 years of freeride wisdom, and loads more. LET'S SEND IT 👇
1308 words of pure stoke.
Read time: 5 min 26 seconds.
Photo of the Day
Bet the passengers didn’t expect that when they booked tickets for a “scenic train ride”.
Carson Storch delivering the goods as always.
📷 Brian Nevins behind the lens.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Two videos, two wildly different vibes, but one thing in common: they’ll make you wanna grab your bike and get out there.
Pick your poison, but whatever you do - don’t hit pause!
▶️ Option 1: Same Ride, Different Day
Stuck in a time loop? Ride it out.
Kona Factory’s Hannah Simms wakes up living every rider’s dream.
The same perfect trail day, over and over, aboard the all-new Hei Hei.
Add Georgios Kouzis to the mix, and it’s full gas, full fun, and full-on proof that repetition isn’t always a bad thing.
Filmed at Mākara Peak in Wellington, NZ. No marmots were harmed.
⏰ Watch time - 1 min 43 sec
▶️ Option 2: Level 2 Protection
If Nico Vink built armor, you know it’s not for casual cruises.
20+ years of freeride wisdom packed into 232 seconds.
Ride hard. Stay humble. Try to keep up with Vink.
⏰ Watch time - 3 min 52 sec
Send of the Day
Sam’s riding is smoother than a jazz sax solo.
Pine Mountain Resort in Michigan Is Doubling Down on Summer MTB Trails
PC: Steve Veihl
Mention Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and mountain bikers instantly think of Copper Harbor and Marquette.
But Pine Mountain Resort, tucked a bit south of those heavy-hitters, is eyeing a seat at the table as the region’s next great MTB destination.
Historically a ski and golf haven, Pine Mountain Resort recently shifted gears, adding mountain biking to its summer menu.
The question is: Can it compete with Copper Harbor’s gnarly, rock-laden climbs or Marquette’s buttery singletrack?
Well, Pine Mountain is betting on it.
And they’ve got some shiny new trails to prove it.
A Resort’s Secret Past
PC: Dickinson Trail Network
For most of its life, Pine Mountain focused on snow-covered slopes and winter sports, and let’s be honest - Michigan’s UP isn’t exactly known for its long, hot summers.
But, in 2022, Pine Mountain’s ownership changed hands, and with it, a new strategy to diversify.
Enter mountain biking.
“We were basically the new kids on the block,” says Chad Susott, president of the Dickinson Trail Network (DTN). “And let’s just say, the old guard wasn’t too keen on the idea of mountain biking. But we eventually got our shot, and it’s been full throttle ever since.”
PC: Dickinson Trail Network
DTN has already made a name for itself in the area, having built 20 miles of trail in Michigan’s wilds.
And with the resort’s new owners, StorieCo, giving the green light, it was game on.
The result was four miles of new trail on Pine Mountain property, plus another two miles adjacent to the resort on county land.
It's been a game-changer for the local riding scene.
Shaping the Terrain
PC: Steve Veihl
Trail designer Steve Veihl, of Iron Goat Trail Construction, was brought on to make sure the new trails weren’t just another collection of mediocre berms.
“We’ve got a lot of hills here, but very little exposed bedrock,” Veihl says. “What we do have are rocks—lots of rocks—and soil with just the right clay mix for holding berms but still draining well.”
That’s the sweet spot for building trails.
Add in a sprinkling of technical hand-built trails mixed with machine-built flow sections, and you’ve got the recipe for a progressive trail system.
Veihl also created trails that range from blue-level features to some spicy black diamonds.
It’s about progression, with local riders now pushing their limits.
As Veihl puts it, “We’ve got something for everyone, from the first-timers to the gnarly senders.”
2024: A Sneak Peek at Success
PC: Steve Veihl
The 2024 season was Pine Mountain's first real attempt at making mountain biking a part of their summer offerings, and it didn’t disappoint.
They even brought in a shuttle trailer (because let’s face it, that ski lift wasn’t gonna cut it for bikes).
Local bike shops pitched in, renting bikes and offering repairs.
And according to the resort’s manager, Janet Novak, it was a hit. “The feedback from guests was overwhelmingly positive,” she says.
In fact, people started seeing Pine Mountain as a legit destination in itself, not just a pit stop on the way to Copper Harbor or Marquette.
Riders were stoked on the new trails, the top-notch facilities, and the sheer beauty of the UP landscape.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
PC: Dickinson Trail Network
Pine Mountain’s not hitting the brakes anytime soon.
They’ve teamed up with Loam Pass and are getting their chairlift ready to shuttle bikes to the top.
And let’s not forget the Pine Mountain 500 in August 2025 - a race that’ll have you questioning your life choices while you pedal like your existence depends on it.
“We’ve got the trails, the lift, the events - well, Pine Mountain might just become Michigan’s next MTB hot spot - and the locals will be riding with more pride than they’ve ever had holding a golf club.”
The Verdict?
PC: Dickinson Trail Network.
Pine Mountain Resort is doubling down on its MTB future.
With its lush, varied trails, stunning UP scenery, and the potential for more to come, this up-and-coming park is definitely one to watch.
So, if you’re looking for a fresh, less-crowded MTB destination that’s packing punchy climbs, flowy descents, and just enough technical spice, Pine Mountain might just be the hidden gem Michigan’s been waiting for.
Dream Rides ❤️
Fresh RAW just dropped - and it’s looking mean in the new Accursed Ochre finish.
Inspired by MASON rider shredding the richly hued dirt of The Accursed Race, this frame brings serious heat.
Now updated with a UDH-ready steel frame, it’s tougher, sleeker, and ready to go full send.
We wanna see it! Shoot us an email at editorial@thesenditdaily.com, and maybe your ride will be the next superstar.
Trail of the Day
Sidewinder - Kingdom Trails
Sidewinder is Kingdom Trails’ iconic rollercoaster, zigzagging through a steep gulley with brake-skipping turns, legendary G-forces, and the kind of speed that makes your tires sing.
The approach might lull you into a false sense of chill, but don’t get too comfy.
Once it drops in, it’s full commitment and zero room for hesitation.
Ride it right, and you’ll be grinning all the way to the climb back up.
Laugh of the Day
A 360, but let’s get a second opinion on the whiplash 😂
That’s all for this today folks. We hope everyone gets some saddle time out there. See you all tomorrow! 🤙
For the ❤️ of two wheels.
We write The Send It Daily Monday - Friday (we’re out riding on the weekends). We do not proofread our material before sending and did not get A’s in English.
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