Indiana is quietly becoming a mountain bike mecca for riders east of the Mississippi River. In keeping with its reputation, bikers are invited to come to the Hoosier Outdoor Experience and learn how to ride a mountain bike, so they can take advantage of Indiana’s highly acclaimed off-road trails.

“Contrary to what the name implies, mountain biking does not have to involve mountains or traversing incredibly difficult terrain,” said Steve Morris, director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Outdoor Recreation. “A well-designed trail will carry you smoothly through many of Indiana’s favorite natural places.”

At the Hoosier Outdoor Experience, Sept. 26-27, the Hoosier Mountain Bike Assoc. (HMBA) will provide bikes for participants to ride on a short skills course including logs, ramps, rocks and more. Instructors will be on the course to help riders.

“We hope to teach some of the skills needed to enjoy Indiana’s mountain bike trails, so more Hoosiers can get out and enjoy our state’s great mountain bike trails,” said Paul Arlinghaus, vice president of HMBA.

Indiana was recently recognized by Bike magazine for having some of the finest mountain bike opportunities in the country.
The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is a first of its kind, family-friendly event. Unlike traditional trade shows, visitors will be able to enjoy hands-on experiences in a wide range of outdoor activities, such as fly fishing, target shooting, archery, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, camping and much more.

The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is being presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation with sponsorship support from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Ball Brothers Foundation, WXIN-Fox 59, Indianapolis and numerous other sponsors.

Parking, admission, activities, demonstrations and seminars are free to the public, but online registration is required. To register, go to www.in.gov/dnr/5009.htm and click on the yellow “Registration” icon. Event updates can be found at www.in.gov/dnr/5009.htm or on Facebook and Twitter.

Canoe park bandit apprehended

Indiana Conservation officers arrested Bruce E. Rudd 31, of Waveland, Ind., on Aug. 16 shortly after 1 p.m. near Marshal. Officer Max Winchell set up surveillance on the Sugar Valley Canoe Rental parking area and observed Rudd enter two separate vehicles and take items from them.

Rudd has been charged with two counts of theft, class D felony, one count of possession of stolen property, class D felony, possession of marijuana w/prior conviction, class D felony and driving while suspended w/prior conviction, class A misdemeanor.

Customers of Sugar Valley Canoe Rental reported their vehicles had been broken into and various items stolen in recent weeks. Approximately 15 separate thefts were reported. More charges may be filed as the investigation continues. Some of the items stolen in recent weeks have been recovered.

Rudd was taken to the Parke County Jail and appeared in court Aug. 17. The sheriff’s office took initial reports of the break-ins and assisted in the investigation.

Spring Mill photo contest

Spring Mill State Park is accepting entries for its annual amateur photo contest. Photos must have been taken within the boundaries of the park or Cave River Valley State Natural Area. The park will accept entries until Aug. 31.

All entries must be accompanied by an official entry form, available online at www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2420.htm or by calling 812-849-4129. Photographs must comply with all contest rules to be eligible for judging; rules are listed on the entry form.

For the first time, photographs taken by children will be judged separately from the adult entries. A child may enter up to two photographs. Adults may enter up to three photographs, but only one per category. The categories are cultural features, natural features, and people and activities.

ISDA sponsoring photo contest

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has announced its 2009 Photo Contest. Winners will have their photographs framed and featured in the ISDA Photo Gallery exhibit at a venue to be announced in the fall.

“Agriculture has an important story to tell both in the role it plays in our state’s economy and in the contribution it makes to the landscape and culture of rural Indiana,” said Anne Hazlett, ISDA director. “These photos are an important tool for putting a face on that story.”

Because of the overwhelming response in 2008, the contest has been expanded to the following categories: Conservation on the Land; Water Uses and Impacts; Faces of Conservation & Agriculture; On the Farm; and Indiana Agritourism.

All contest submissions will be considered for future ISDA publications, websites and newsletters. To download the entry form, go the ISDA website and click “2009 Photo Contest.”

The general public, ISDA staff and partners are all encouraged to submit images for consideration. Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish. Applicants may only submit each photo once and it should be accompanied by a completed entry form.

Photos should be submitted in TIFF (preferred) or JPG format at a resolution of 300 dpi. All images and entry forms must be submitted electronically to photo contest@isda.in.gov or mailed in on CD to: ISDA Photo Contest, 101 W Ohio St., Suite 1200, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Entries must be received by Sept. 30 (postmarked by Sept. 25).

The ISDA will determine each entry’s appropriate contest category upon receipt. Entries may be utilized in upcoming ISDA publications, Web pages, newsletters and the like. Winning photos will be framed and featured in the ISDA Photo Gallery at a venue to be announced.

‘Survivor,’ Brown County style

Competition styled after the “Survivor” television show will be held for the third straight year at Brown County State Park. Teams of four are invited to test their skills on Sept. 6.

The contest starts at 1 p.m. at the park’s Nature Center and will consist of timed events involving fire-making, fishing, a treasure hunt and nut/fruit hunting. Teams should consist of one member between ages 12-16, a woman older than 20 years of age and two other individuals.

Teams should assemble at the Nature Center by noon, and the top four teams will have an elimination round announced later in the day. Entry fee is $5 per team.

Advance registration by calling 812-988-5240 is encouraged. Regular weekend gate fees of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will apply.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.