Local influence
Redhead is one of six trail systems that inspired the branding “Ride the Range” - a marketing campaign to encourage MTB’ers and outdoor enthusiasts to visit the Cuyuna, Mesabi, and Vermillion Ranges. If you boast that you Ride the Range, you’ve ridden at least a couple of these system: Redhead, Cuyuna, Tioga, Giants Ridge, Hidden Valley, or the Mesabi Trail. Of course, we encourage you try all of them!
Each trail system has an “Ambassador” or a local influencer who help tell the story at Ride the Range. Redhead’s Ambassador is Matthias Norenberg - AKA Guy Thompson. Keep your eye on social media for Guy’s adventures at Redhead, in the Chisholm area, and everywhere he travels for MTB or outdoor adventure - he’s got stories to tell!
Name: Matthias Norenberg (aka Guy Thompson)
Age: 43
Preferred bikes: Specialized and Transition for mountain biking, Trek road cycle
Favorite trail system: Redhead Mountain Bike Park
Favorite local restaurant: Sammy’s Pizza in Hibbing
Why I ride: Growing up, Matthias looked at the ore mining dumps surrounding Hibbing and vividly recalls being 13 years old and thinking how cool it would be to mountain bike on trails amongst all the small mountains of leftover rock. He reunited with his number one past time of mountain biking in 2023 and enjoys the peace and serenity of the sport in addition to sharing his passion with others. Matthias bikes to reconnect and recenter. He volunteers at Redhead MTB Park in any way possible. You will often see him riding, maintaining, and up keeping any trail needing T.L.C., specifically the western portion of the South Rim trail. He volunteers on this trail through IROC’s Adopt-a-Trail Program and he calls this venture his own little piece of a mountain. He has ridden the Barr trail at Pikes Peak in Colorado, numerous other Minnesota MTB trails, and UP Michigan trails. He plans to continue finding new biking adventures around the country and promoting others to get outdoors.
Fun fact: Matthias‘s son challenged him to create a YouTube channel showcasing his biking and other fun gallivants. He aspires to surpass his son’s subscriber and view numbers. His YouTube channel has been a fun and unique bonding opportunity with his son. You can follow him on YouTube at @akaGuyThompson