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COPPER HARBOR -- It was a beautiful afternoon to go for a ride, which is what many people did after attending the first-ever Great Lakes Mountain Bike Summit in Copper Harbor on Friday.

The event brought together mountain biking enthusiasts from across the Midwest and a few representatives from larger organizations, including the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).  Everyone got to share their experiences with trail development and the challenges and successes that go along with it.

"I’m always inspired when we gather together with the volunteer leaders,” said IMBA President and Executive Director Mike Van Abel.  “These people are so motivated; they care deeply about public land and they're passionate about the sport of mountain biking."

The summit was scheduled to coincide with the second annual “Ride the Keweenaw” weekend.

The group hit the Copper Harbor Trails first, which earned IMBA's coveted "epic ride" status in 2009.

"It’s just kind of a celebration of the trails in the area,” says Copper Harbor Trails Club President Aaron Rogers.  “We have over 100 miles of single track between Michigan Tech, Maasto Hiihto, Swedetown and the Copper Harbor Trails."

The biking fun continues throughout the weekend.  There will be group rides and clinics held at a number of different locations from Houghton to Copper Harbor.  All of those events are free and open to the public.