MARQUETTE, Mich, (WZMQ) – Tuesday night, bike shops in Marquette partnered with Rippling River Resort and Embers Credit Union to have a fundraiser for the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN).
The money is meant to help keep the trails groomed for fat-tire biking through the winter.
The fundraiser included a nighttime bike ride and after party, with a raffle and prizes provided by Marquette bike shops.
Rippling River Resort hosted the fundraiser and donated two dollars for every beer purchased.
Downwind Sports Co-Owner and Event Organizer Todd King said Marquette’s winter biking community has come a long way and he hopes to see it keep growing.
“When we started this fundraiser a little over twelve years ago, it was just a bunch of guys that got together and raise some money to give to the NTN now it’s actually grown to where all the bike shops are present,” said King, “we want to see the sport grow, we want to see NTN grow, we want to see more people visit Marquette and enjoy our trails.”
This year an anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations.
Organizers say they hope to continue holding the fundraisers in years to come.