Help Save Bike Access to the Continental Divide Trail When it comes to the longest trails in the country, mountain bikes haven't been welcome. Congress banned bicycles from the Appalachian Trail before our sport evolved, and access to the Pacific Crest Trail was eliminated in 1988, before mountain bike advocacy had fully developed. With nearly 5,000 miles of iconic trail off-limits on either coast, mountain bikers have had to look to the Rocky Mountains for their taste of epic, backcountry riding. The 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) is truly a unique resource for the mountain biking community. Running the spine of the Rockies from Canada to Mexico, the CDNST is largely open to bikes in non-Wilderness areas. But now that appears to be in danger as well. Take Action! Bike access to the country's longest shared-use trail is now in jeopardy. The Forest Service just released a draft rule that would encourage land managers to kick bikes off existing routes, and not include us on future segments. Your voice is needed to help preserve our access! Send Comments File formal comments with the Forest Service. IMBA's simple form makes it easy. Spread the Word Rally your friends and ask them to echo your support for bike access on this outstanding trail. We need thousands of comments to hold out hope for continued access. Help Maintain the CDNST If you live or play near the CDNST, consider organizing or attending trailwork days to help build and maintain this magnificent trail. Donate The IMBA Legal Fund needs your financial support to preserve singletrack. The Forest Service's deadline for comments is Monday, August 13. Four Ways You Can Save Trails Send Comments File formal comments with the Forest Service using IMBA's simple form. Spread the Word We need thousands of comments to hold out hope for continued access. Help the CDNST If you live or play near the CDNST, consider organizing or attending trailwork days. Donate The IMBA Legal Fund needs your financial support to preserve singletrack. Additional Information The Forest Service suggests prohibiting mountain biking where our use is currently allowed on the CDNST. The proposed policy also singles out bicycling as an undesirable use that should be subject to additional scrutiny and restrictions. These include a burden of proof that bicycling "would not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the CDNST," which the Forest Service deems to be hiking and horse travel. IMBA believes that the Forest Service directive should not discriminate against bicycling on the CDNST. This is our chance to ask the Forest Service to include bicycling as a central focus and purpose for the trail. The CDNST is a public trail and potential uses should be considered equally. It is unfair to discriminate against bicycling when scientific research has shown its impacts to be similar to hiking and less than equestrian use. With 40 million participants, mountain biking is the second most popular trail activity in the country (Outdoor Industry Foundation, 2007). This large constituency helps lobby for public lands funding and donates nearly one million volunteer hours each year to trail construction and maintenance. Mountain bikers can be valuable partner for the CDNST by helping build and maintain trail, and by lobbying for its completion. IMBA is not asking for access to the entire CDNST and respects the ban on bicycling in existing Wilderness areas. Some non-Wilderness sections may be suitable as hiking and/or horse-only, but along the 3,100 miles there is room enough for multiple uses in most areas. Unfortunately, the newly proposed Forest Service directives specifically target only motorized and bicycle travel, even though bicycling is a quiet, low-impact, human-powered activity and science has shown the impacts of mountain bicycling to be similar to hiking and far less than horse or OHV use. The IMBA / Forest Service Memorandum of Understanding states mountain bicycling should be managed distinctly from motorized travel. It also says mountain bicycling is appropriate in areas listed as "primitive" on the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum. These areas comprise a significant percentage of the CDNST. ******************************************************************************************* Join Team IMBA at 24 Hours of Moab Mark Oct. 13-14 on your calendar and get ready to ride. IMBA has reserved Team IMBA entries in one of the nation's premier endurance events. It's hammering for a cause: you and your teammates be raising money for the IMBA Trailbuilding Fund. We’ll support your squad all the way with training, nutritional help, travel and planning arrangements, as well as complete race and mechanical support at Camp IMBA. Write Patti Bonnet for details. Successful Legal Appeal Protects Bike Access in Southern California Forests The most extensive appeal in IMBA's 19-year history has culminated in an agreement that will maintain widespread bicycle access in four National Forest units in Southern California. Hundreds of trail miles were at stake in the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino forests. Attention Ford Pinto Drivers Tired of that knocking and ticking under the hood? As an IMBA member you could be sporting a brand new Subaru, and saving up to $3,300 as part of the IMBA Subaru VIP program. While you're hugging the curves you can smile about the fact that the folks at Subaru donated an additional $125 to IMBA's trailbuilding efforts. Know someone who might be in the market for new wheels later this year? Remind them to join IMBA soon -- only members in good standing for six months are eligible. Outdoor Industry Looking for a Few Good Kids Nominations are being taken for the third class of Outdoor Idols. The Outdoor Industry Foundation (OIF) needs your help in identifying today's young stars and role models. This program raises the visibility of exceptional youth athletes who are motivating their peers and elevating the profile of their sports. OIF will unveil the 2007 summer class of Outdoor Idols at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market this August. IMBA and NPS Enter Third Year of Partnership Three years after entering a partnership agreement with the National Park Service (NPS), opportunities for mountain biking in NPS units are steadily improving. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews will visit nine park units in 2007. Support the IMBA Trailbuilding Fund Great trails define our riding experiences and IMBA has become a world-renowned leader in trailbuilding. But quality trails are expensive—more than $2.50 per foot. We need your help make those trails a reality. ****************************************************************************** February 2007 eNews Join IMBA at the National Bike Summit: March 13-16 IMBA is proud to be a leading sponsor of the 2007 League of American Bicyclists' National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. The Summit, held annually, is the premier bicycle advocacy event in our nation's capital and truly a highlight for advocates. You'll meet hundreds of passionate cyclists and walk the halls of Congress, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Thanks to a generous grant from Bikes Belong, IMBA has scholarship money to help clubs or representatives with limited resources. Sea to Sky Study Reveals Economic Impact of Mountain Biking Mountain bike trails in the Sea to Sky region of British Columbia generated an impressive $10.3 million (CAD) in visitor spending last summer, according to a study conducted by the Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA) in partnership with the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA). That figure jumps to $38 million (CAD) when the Whistler Bike Park and Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival are included in the analysis. The study also includes participation numbers and other statistics of use to mountain bike advocates on the lookout for economic success stories. A pdf of the study is available online. December Record Month for IMBA Thanks to more than 3,100 dedicated riders and generous donors, December raised more money than any month on record. It also commemorates surpassing our goal of $50,000 contributions to IMBA’s Annual Fund (and riders are still donating). With this momentum, IMBA will be tackling our simple, yet ambitious, goals for 2007: Unite the mountain bike movement and strengthen our collective voice Provide truly world-class riding experiences and model trail systems Protect natural lands while allowing mountain biking Subaru Extends Support for Trail Care Crew Program Subaru of America, Inc. recently announced that it has extended its support of the acclaimed Trail Care Crew through 2009. Launched in 1997, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has led more than 1,000 trail projects, trained more than 50,000 people in sustainable trailbuilding techniques and logged nearly one million miles of coast-to-coast travel in Subaru vehicles. Western Spirit to Boost IMBA Membership Ranks Former IMBA president, Ashley Korenblat, has extended a generous offer to help bolster IMBA’s membership.Sign up for a Western Spirit cycling trip by March 31st, and they will upgrade your IMBA membership to the Fat Tire Friend level, and outfit you with an IMBA jersey (a $155 value). Western Spirit runs trips throughout the US from March to October. If you’d like to unwind on a mellow cruise, check out the Grand Staircase in central Utah. Or if you’re hankering for a major challenge, test your mettle on 5 days of singletrack above 10,000 feet on the Colorado Trail. Either way, the truck carries the gear, the guides do the cooking, and the beer will be cold. Contact Western Spirit at 800-845-2453. IMBA Seeks Development Director IMBA seeks a personable, entrepreneurial and skilled professional with proven success designing and executing a full range of philanthropic fundraising strategies to lead our development efforts. The Development Director is based at IMBA's national office in Boulder, Colorado, and is responsible for executing fundraising plans and leading the development team to secure contributed income from individuals, foundations and corporations. More information available online. ************************************************************************************* January 2007 eNews Annual Fund Nears Goal, Dollars Still Rolling In IMBA’s Annual Fund is a mere 5% short of its goal to kick off our work in 2007. Please , Stan, check the bottom of your hydration pack for coins or take a small collection at the trailhead to make your Annual Fund donation. We’re very close to being able to focus on these simple, yet ambitious, goals: Unite the mountain bike movement and strengthen our collective voice Provide truly world-class riding experiences and model trail systems Protect natural lands while allowing mountain biking You can securely donate online: go.imba.com/AnnualFund. Even a handful of small donations can help close the final $2,000 gap. IMBA Annual Fund Achieved: $47,848.00 Goal: $50,000.00 Join Us in Washington for the National Bike Summit, March 13-16 IMBA is proud to be a leading sponsor of the 2007 League of American Bicyclists' National Bike Summit (March 13-16) in Washington, D.C. The Summit, held annually, is the premier bicycle advocacy event in our nation's capital and truly a highlight for advocates. You'll meet hundreds of passionate cyclists and walk the halls of Congress, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. IMBA's increased involvement will unite mountain and road cyclists to lobby as a unified front to preserve trails, trail funding and more. IMBA Summit participants will travel with the rest of their state delegations to congressional meetings and represent mountain bike issues. IMBA Report Card Garners International Attention Print and online news sources around the globe have reported on the 2006 IMBA Report Card. This year's report hails Scotland and Oregon as the top of the mountain biking class, while raising concerns about British Columbia and Montana. Universities Recognize Mountain Bike as Brilliant Invention The faculties of the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles, have jointly ranked the invention of the mountain bike as one of “25 brilliant California ideas that are shaping the future.” The rankings, featured in the university and alumni magazines of UCLA and UC Berkeley, place the invention of the mountain bike as one of 25 “transformative” and “brilliant” California ideas “that were either created or took off in the past 25 years.” Other citations in this exclusive compilation include the discovery of the structure of the early universe, pioneering stem cell research, the invention of the iPod, the development of the Internet search engine, and the development of computer-generated imagery. More information here. Crew Visits Hawaii to Eye Mountain Bike Potential in National Park The dramatic and ever-changing volcanic landscape at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park draws thousands of visitors each year. Thanks to IMBA's 2005 Memorandum of Understanding with the National Park Service, Hawaii Volcanoes was of 12 visits IMBA made in 2006 to National Parks throughout the country. Slideshow and video here. Supplemental Accident Insurance Available to IMBA Members You may have read the recent news stories about Danelle Ballengee, a mountain biking and adventure racing legend who suffered a bad accident while training in Utah, and was rescued with assistance from her faithful dog Taz. In situations like this, supplemental accident insurance can offer an extra measure of financial protection. Read more about the benefits available to IMBA members through Adventure Advocates. ************************************************************************************************* IMBA Singletrack News: November 2006 Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day a Global Success Now in its third year, IMBA's Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day program continues to improve and expand. In 2006, the day was celebrated in locations as diverse as Japan, Italy and Mexico. More than 100 groups registered their rides on IMBA's website for the 2006 edition of the annual celebration. Once again, IMBA corporate supporter Schwinn will donate kids bikes to two lucky participating groups. IMBA Clubs Celebrate National Public Lands Day IMBA-affiliated clubs participated in the IMBA/BOB Trailers Trailwork Challenge on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 30. BOB Trailers encouraged IMBA club involvement by donating an IBEX suspension trailer to help celebrate the events. This year's winning club is the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBR), whose event drew 30 volunteers. The group worked on a segment of new trail that will form the final link of a 30-mile singletrack outer loop at Palos Forest Preserve. Rate Your Riding With the 2006 Report Card The 2006 IMBA Report Card is just around the corner and we're calling on riders to submit commentary and grades for their home regions. The deadline for voting is Nov. 3. New Study Examines Mountain Biking Impacts A newly published study in the summer 2006 Journal of Park and Recreation Administration (Volume 24, Number 12) takes a close look at the environmental impacts of mountain biking. Researchers measured trail erosion and other impacts on 31 trails used for mountain biking in the southwestern U.S. The study concludes that, "certain impacts to mountain bike trails, especially width, are comparable or less than hiking or multiple-use trails, and significantly less than impacts to equestrian or off-highway vehicle trails." Comments Needed for BLM and USFS Management Planning You can influence trail policies for the next 15-20 years by getting involved in BLM and USFS land management plan revisions. Many of our country's best trails are on public lands; your comments on plan updates are crucial to preserving and creating trail access. National Public Radio Covers Mountain Biking (Audio Clip) National Public Radio (NPR) recently ran a piece on mountain biking, and they did a great job covering the strides bike advocates have made in partnering with other trail users. You can listen to the clip at the NPR site. IMBA Flicks Available for Download (Video Clips) We've put all the IMBA videos on one easy-to-find web page. From the inspiring tale of a grant-funded downhill trail in South Carolina to the jaw-dropping technical features of A River Runs Through It in Whistler, BC, our videos combine great footage with text descriptions to tell you why these trails matter. Submit a Story to YourMTB.com and Earn Dough for IMBA IMBA corporate member YourMTB.com will donate up to $10 to IMBA whenever you post a photo, story or video to the site during November. All you need to do is head to the IMBA page at YourMTB.com and submit your story. But hurry. This offer is only good through November. Easy Way for Federal Employees to Support IMBA IMBA is proud to be part of the 2006 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which allows federal government employees to donate to selected non-profit groups through voluntary payroll deductions. Look for IMBA (# 0751) in the Sports Charities section of the CFC catalog that was recently distributed to all federal workers. Contributions help IMBA bring out the best in mountain biking. For more info please email Erik Esborg, IMBA’s finance director: erik@imba.com Legal Fund Raises $43K Contributions to the IMBA Legal Fund have topped the $43,000 mark, enabling us to maintain our work in the increasingly important fields of risk management and bike-related liability issues. Special thanks go to Specialized for donating copies of the hardcover book Stumpjumper: 25 Years of Mountain Biking. Contributions of $35 or more earn copies hand-signed mountain bike legend Ned Overend. Please consider making a donation to this vital fund -- legal threats to mountain biking continue to mount. United Kingdom Trail Management Conference Draws Big Turnout IMBA-UK's first national MTB Trail Management conference at Kielder Forest park was so popular that a bigger venue had to be found at the last minute. Even then, the limit of 80 delegates meant that late applications had to be turned away. Topics included a discussion between professional trail managers, including speakers from projects as diverse as the 7Stanes and Pennine Bridleway, and updates on trailbuilding techniques. A free 40-page conference booklet can be obtained by sending an an e-mail to alex.maclennan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Members Receive New Perk on Subaru Purchases As you probably know, IMBA members can save up to $3,300 off the MSRP when buying or leasing a new Subaru in the U.S. Now, for a limited time (October 1 - December 31, 2006), IMBA members who buy through the VIP Program can also receive a Garmin handheld GPS system or $150 L.L. Bean gift certificate. IMBA Seeks Events Coordinator IMBA is looking to hire a full-time events coordinator who will plan and execute events around the country and the world. Based from IMBA's Boulder headquarters, the coordinator will create events to further IMBA's mission and reach new market segments within the general mountain bike community. Other duties include organizing IMBA's presence at trails, attending mountain bike gatherings and managing IMBA's short- and long-term event strategy. Salary is in the low- to mid-30k range, and includes health coverage. *********************************************************************************** Singletrack News - September 2006 Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 30 Get Set to Take a Kid Mountain Biking on Oct. 7 Members Receive New Savings Offer on Subaru Purchases New Team Sought for Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Program Montana Decision Could Set Dangerous Precedent Ohio's Mohican Singletrack Jeopardized by Gas Company Proposal Legal Fund Hits Halfway Mark: Donate Today New Trails: Possum Hollow, MO New Trails: Angler's Ridge, VA (includes video) IMBA UK Plans International Forestry Demonstration Free Trailbuilding DVD Available Prices Drop on Popular IMBA Gear Contribute to IMBA's Mountain Biking Management Book Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 30 National Public Lands Day is the largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands in the U.S. In 2005, nearly 90,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, planted trees and plants, and removed trash and invasive plants. On Saturday, September 30, 2006, IMBA clubs around the nation will particiape in the 13th annual celebration. Register your event and your club could win a BOB trailer. Get Set to Take a Kid Mountain Biking on Oct. 7 IMBA will celebrate the third annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006. This is a great opportunity for you to pass your passion for pedaling on to kids. All clubs and individual members who register for the event are eligible to win great prizes, including bikes donated by Schwinn. Members Receive New Savings Offer on Subaru Purchases Thanks to a generous new offer from Subaru, IMBA members can now purchase buy or lease a new Subaru for two percent less than Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Total savings will range from $1,300-$3,300, depending on model and accessories. Better yet, with each purchase Subaru will donate $100 to IMBA. Taking advantage of the offer is easy. First, you must hold an IMBA membership for six months before you’re eligible. Once that requirement is met, simply send a message to SubaruVIP@imba.com with the following information: 1) Your mrmbership number, and the name of the Subaru dealership you intend to use. If no dealership is requested, Subaru will select the closest participating dealer based on zip code; 2) Subaru will send a confirmation letter to you and the Subaru dealer of your choice. IMBA members are required to present this letter at the dealership; 3) Benefit does not apply if you have already taken delivery of your new Subaru. New Team Sought for Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Program IMBA is looking to hire a full-time, professional two-person team for the highly successful Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program. This position requires a passion for mountain biking, excellent communication skills, a basic knowledge of trailwork and team compatibility. The Crew will travel nearly all year in a 2007 Subaru Outback. The application deadline is Sept. 29, 2006. Montana Decision Could Set Dangerous Precedent A dangerous new Forest Service policy could close hundreds of miles of singletrack in two states. This potentially precedent-setting change must be stopped before it spreads to other states. Act now to preserve mountain bike access to singletrack in backcountry areas. "This could become the largest access issue in five years," warns Jenn Dice, IMBA's government affairs director. This policy would expel mountain bikers from more than 700 miles of singletrack in Montana and Idaho and, if left unchallenged, could set national precedent. Ohio's Mohican Singletrack Jeopardized by Gas Company Proposal A key Ohio mountain bike destination could soon be blemished by widened pipeline corridors and acres of barren well openings, should a Texas-based gas company carry through with a proposed clear cut in November. The timber clearings would damage mature forest and impact 25 miles of freshly built singletrack in Mohican Memorial State Forest, Mohican State Park and Clear Fork Gorge. Legal Fund Hits Halfway Mark The Legal Fund has pushed past the halfway mark, en route to a goal of $60,000. The fund fuels three vital projects: 1)developing risk management and insurance resources; 2) defending ourselves from daily attacks on local trail systems; 3) influencing legislation that determines access for mountain bikers. Please consider making a donation to this essential resource today. New Trails: Possum Hollow, Missouri Missouri State Parks and the Free Trails Bike Club are gearing up to revive the Possum Hollow trail. Currently, the Possum is limping along as a 1-mile loop with considerable erosion damage. The new Possum will be a two-loop, 12-mile snarling beast. The hilly terrain will provide rocky challenges, swoopy Missouri dirt, historic stone bridges and curvy hilltops. Future plans include primitive camping at the trailhead. Email Pete Ozias to get involved. New Trails: Angler's Ridge, Virginia (includes video) With some help from the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program, the small town of Danville, Virginia, has added 12 miles of singletrack. Check out a video to see how they did it. IMBA UK Plans International Forestry Demonstration Stuart Tite of Chase Trails is leading a team which is building a short trail to demonstrate trailbuilding techniques and management at the International Forestry Demonstration to be held Sept. 21-23, near Alcester in Warwickshire. Free tickets are available for members willing to represent IMBA for a session on the IMBA stand, or to assist with the trailbuild. Contact imba@branchline.demon.co.uk to book a ticket. Free Trailbuilding DVD Available The U.S. Forest Service has created a 40-minute DVD that features video and graphics to teach the basics of trail design and construction. Titled "Building Mountain Bike Trails: Sustainable Singletrack," the DVD is a helpful companion the IMBA trailbuilding book, "Trail Solutions: IMBA’s Guide To Building Sweet Singletrack." The DVD was produced by the Missoula Technology and Development Center in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreation Trails Program. Free copies of the DVD can be ordered from the FHWA’s Recreation Trails Program website. Addresses outside the U.S. are limited to one copy. ******************************************************************************************* IMBA Singletrack News: June 2006 VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED OKLAHOMA LAWSUIT SETTLED DEFEND MOUNTAIN BIKING: SUPPORT IMBA'S LEGAL FUND ALERT: PROTECT MONTANA SINGLETRACK RIDING THE WAVE OF GRANT MONEY - with video SCOTLAND TOURISM SITE OFFERS MTB RESOURCES - with video TRAIL CARE CREW MAKES HEADLINES IN UTAH MANAGE YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED A grant from Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) will help IMBA implement a new program, the Volunteer Stewardship Challenge. Mountain bikers log thousands of hours performing service work each year, but until now IMBA has lacked the resources to compile accurate metrics of this volunteer work. The Challenge will create pathways for clubs and patrol units to record their service projects, and provide material support for volunteer efforts. Please submit your best high-resolution photos of volunteer trailwork for publication in the upcoming issue of IMBA Trail News! Photo attachments up to 20 mgs can be e-mailed to markeller@imba.com. OKLAHOMA LAWSUIT SETTLED A much-watched lawsuit against the Oklahoma Earthbike Fellowship (OEF) has been settled. An injured rider sued the mountain biking club in 2005, claiming the volunteer group failed to properly maintain a trail bridge on the popular Bluff Creek Trail near Oklahoma City. "While we would have preferred a court victory, we are pleased with the outcome," said OEF vice president Steve Ashmore. Exact details of the settlement have yet to be announced. Read a January IMBA story about the case. DEFEND MOUNTAIN BIKING: SUPPORT IMBA'S LEGAL FUND Our goal is simple: Use the clarity of the law and the power of IMBA’s 35,000 members to defend mountain bikers’ rights. Please donate now or read more about the Legal Fund to help support three crucial areas of IMBA’s work: Spearheading the development of risk management resources Defending against daily attacks on local trail systems Influencing legislation that determines access for mountain bikers ALERT: PROTECT MONTANA SINGLETRACK Mountain bicyclists are facing significantly reduced access in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana. Following a possible new regional policy, the Forest Service is recommending that at least 275 miles of singletrack in nine roadless areas be made off-limits to bicycles. Many of these trails are epic, destination-worthy routes that have been ridden for nearly 20 years. Read more about the potentially precedent-setting decision in Montana. RIDING THE WAVE OF GRANT MONEY - with video In late March, mountain bikers gathered in Clarks Hill, South Carolina, for the grand opening of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS). More than 100 people attended, hoping to ride the first 17 miles of what will eventually be a 33-mile trail system, including the exciting new Brown Wave trail (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the video). SCOTLAND TOURISM SITE OFFERS MTB RESOURCES- with video The Scottish Tourism folks are setting the pace for promoting mountain bike tourism. No wonder they earned top marks in the 2005 IMBA Report Card. Check out a fun video on the VisitScotland.com website. TRAIL CARE CREW MAKES HEADLINES IN UTAH Mountain biker recruits helpers to groom trails By Santanu Chakraborty, Deseret Morning News Ryan Miller is an avid mountain biker, and he wants to keep the sport as ethical as it is exhilarating. Read the rest of the Morning News story about the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew's exploits in the Beehive State. ****************************************************************************** SINGLETRACK NEWS: MAY 2006 * INTERNATIONAL FIELD TO GATHER IN WHISTLER * STUDY EXAMNES TRAIL IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS * HELP UPDATE EPIC RIDES PROGRAM * ALERT: RTCA TRAILS PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT * NEW BENEFITS: ACCIDENT INSURANCE AND PRO DEALS * IMBA SEEKS BOARD NOMINATIONS * INTERNATIONAL FIELD TO GATHER IN WHISTLER With close to 300 delegates already enrolled, the 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference (June 20-23 in Whistler, BC) is shaping up to be the premier mountain bike event of the year. Attendees from Australia to Sri Lanka have signed on for the three-day program, which includes seminars on mountain bike tourism, risk management, environmental sustainabilty and a variety of subjects that will shape the future of the sport. Representatives from more than a dozen nations will be on hand, including: Australia Belgium Canada Chile Nepal Netherlands Scotland South Africa Sri Lanka Switzerland Trinidad United Kingdom United States New speakers and topics were recently added to the program. Visit the Summit/Conference website to learn more. * STUDY EXAMNES TRAIL IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS A newly completed study, "Assessing and Understanding Trail Degradation: Results from Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area," by Dr. Jeffrey L. Marion of Virginia Tech University adds fresh information to help trail enthusiasts understand and manage trail impacts. Dr. Marion quantifies the trail impacts of different user groups and offers objective guidance on sustainable trail design, construction, maintenance and management. He cites more than 70 sources, providing an up-to-date catalog of recreation ecology, and describes IMBA's Trail Solutions as one of "the best available trail maintenance references." * HELP UPDATE EPIC RIDES PROGRAM Are you a fan of IMBA's Epic Rides Program? It's one of our most popular resources, but some of the information has fallen out of date. IMBA hopes to address re-routes and recent access issues as we update our ride descriptions. If you're interested in sprucing up the ride description, contributing photos or logging GPS coordinates, please send an email to markeller@imba.com. * ALERT: RTCA TRAILS PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT An important trails program, the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), is facing significant funding cuts in next year's federal budget. RTCA supports 300 projects around the country each year, helping create nearly 700 miles of trail and preserving more than 61,000 acres of open space. RTCA is very supportive of mountain biking and partnered specifically with IMBA on eight projects in 2005 in Alaska, Maine, Tennessee and Vermont. To help save RTCA, IMBA is requesting that Congress appropriate $10.1 million in their Interior Appropriations bill. This amount will restore RTCA's effectiveness by compensating for several years of flat and decreased funding. We're very close to gaining the necessary support for this proposal, but your help is needed to ensure Congress approves the $10.1 million budget. * NEW BENEFITS: ACCIDENT INSURANCE AND PRO DEALS We've teamed with Adventure Advocates to offer IMBA members Accident Insurance. You can buy 24/7 coverage for accidents while you're mountain biking, or participating nearly any activity. While protecting yourself, you'll also protect trails as Adventure Advocates will donate a portion of the revenue to IMBA. Pro Deals: be on the lookout for your catalog from SportStart Pro Sales. IMBA members get significant discounts on gear, even outside the bike industry * IMBA SEEKS BOARD NOMINATIONS IMBA is looking for a few good people to serve on its Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee seeks individuals who are passionate about the activity of mountain biking and have the unique skills and insight that will help us guide IMBA and grow mountain bike access worldwide. If you know someone who fits the job description, or you believe you are that person, please forward a résumé and the completed application form by May 30, 2006, to Executive Director Mike Van Abel: mike@imba.com ******************************************************************************* IMBA Singletrack News: April 2006 * TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND THE IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE * EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIKE VAN ABEL VISITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS * IMBA ISRAEL MOVING FORWARD WITH NATIONAL BIKE TRAIL PROJECT * IMBA BENEFITS WHEN U.S. MEMBERS PURCHASE NEW SUBARUS AT DEALER COST * 2006 SUGOI DIRT SERIES PREPARES FOR ACTION IN U.S. AND CANADA * COMMENT PERIOD FOR RTCA HAS BEEN EXTENDED * GETTING BACK TO SINGLETRACK IN UTAH * NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS TWO MONTHS AWAY * MOUNTAIN BIKING GROWING IN ARKANSAS: WOOOOO, PIG, SOOIE! * FOX IMBA HEROES PROGRAM HONORS NEW JERSEY'S JAY JONES -- * TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND THE IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE 5) Sample the International Flavor. When else will you share stories,learn about trails and talk riding with a collection of global mountain bikers? 4) Learn From Experts. Check out the newest management and trail techniques: seminar and presentation topics include risk management, conservation, shared-use communities, trail construction and more. 3) Get Looney. Join the world's largest "Looney" social ride with the Whistler Off Road Bicycling Association), attend a local BBQ, dine at a gala banquet with trials rider Ryan Leech and see the World Mountain Bike Film Festival. 2) Save Your Dough. The event website has a message board for room shares and other ways to help make this an economical trip — it might be the cheapest way to visit Whistler this summer. 1) Ride, Ride, Ride. Soak in some of the best riding on the planet, from family-friendly paths to epic cross country and world-famous freeriding at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference * EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIKE VAN ABEL VISITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS Executive Director Mike Van Abel recently returned from a productive trip to Europe. Visiting the Netherlands, Ireland, England and Scotland over 11 days, Van Abel concluded, "I saw the broadest spectrum of mountain bike access, from the superb trail resources in Scotland to the nascent advocacy scene in Ireland, all in a small geographical area." The trip was motivated by an invitation from the Netherlands Bicycle Touring Association (NTFU) to present IMBA's approach to trails stewardship and advocacy at their annual Mountain Bike Conference. Mountain Bike Ireland and Irish Cycling Netherlands MTB Scotland and 7Stanes UK Home Site * IMBA ISRAEL MOVING FORWARD WITH NATIONAL BIKE TRAIL PROJECT A national bike trail project (Shvil Yisrael B'Ofanayim) in Israel is progressing. With a MOU agreement drafted this winter, it appears that the trail will run the length of Israel, from the Golan in the north to Eilat in the south. IMBA Israel will coordinate volunteer participation from several IMBA-affiliated clubs. Carmel MTB Club Cyclenix MTB Club Samson Riders MTB Club * IMBA BENEFITS WHEN U.S. MEMBERS PURCHASE NEW SUBARUS AT DEALER COST IMBA's decade-long relationship with Subaru of America provides members in the U.S. with a great opportunity: purchase a new car through our Subaru VIP program and you'll pay dealer invoice cost. Not only that, IMBA receives a donation from Subaru on every purchase — we've received more than $100,000 from the program over the past 5 years. You must be an IMBA member in good standing for 6 months to participate. Subaru Purchase Program * 2006 SUGOI DIRT SERIES PREPARES FOR ACTION IN U.S. AND CANADA With a full schedule of 15 camps across Western Canada and the U.S., the Whistler-based Sugoi Dirt Series is back for its sixth season of world-class mountain bike instruction. In 2006, they will add hundreds more people to the 2000 who have already taken the program and seen huge improvements in their mountain bike skills, confidence, and general fun on the bike. The camps cater to riders from beginner to advanced, and can serve as an inspiring introduction to the sport, a systematic exposure to freeride essentials, or a way to polish intermediate or advanced skills. While the Series remains focused on women’s instruction, two of the camps, one at Whistler and another at Mike Wiegele's Heli Skiing in Blue River, BC, are co-ed. Sugoi Dirt Series * COMMENT PERIOD FOR RTCA HAS BEEN EXTENDED IMBA is asking American members and clubs to step up and help save a small, but very important federal program, the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), a division of the National Park Service. The commentary period has been extended to May 30: please contact your Congressional representatives, and consider forwarding this email to other trail users. The Bush administration's proposed $500,000 program cut for 2007 is unwise and will hurt our nation's trails. Instead, IMBA hopes to see a budget of $10.1 million for RTCA, a suitable remedy for years of flat funding. RTCA Comments * GETTING BACK TO SINGLETRACK IN UTAH Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew members Nat and Rachel Lopes, along with IMBA National Mountain Bike Coordinator Zach Vanderkooy, visited Utah's Brian Head Resort to help protect valuable trails being overrun by ATV use. Once true singletrack, four-wheeled vehicles have widened the Bunker Creek Trail, deteriorating both the trail and experience. Working with the Forest Service and Color Country Bicycle Club, nearly 100 volunteer hours were donated to install several features to prevent wider vehicles from accessing the trail. Read more in Nat and Rachel's wrap-up: Crew Visits Brian Head * NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS TWO MONTHS AWAY Once again, IMBA will partner with the American Hiking Society (AHS) to promote National Trails Day in the United States on June 3, 2006. This year’s theme, "Experience Your Outdoors," speaks to all Americans and encourages them to get outside, get active, and experience the wonders of trails in their own communities and throughout the country. Don't forget to register your event. National Trails Day * MOUNTAIN BIKING GROWING IN ARKANSAS: WOOOOO, PIG, SOOIE! Mountain bikers in the Natural State (yep, that's the official state nickname) are celebrating the completion of more than 12 new miles of singletrack at the Syllamo Trail System, bringing the total to 50 miles of awesome riding. In the Ouachita Mountains, approval has come in for a new trail system around Lake Ouachita. The Hot Springs Bicycle Association is working to bring new trails to some of the more than 500 miles of shoreline and other spectacular terrain, eventually connecting to the Ouachita Trail and the Womble trail. To check out more of the progress in Arkansas, visit the OzarkOff-Road Cyclists here: Ozark Off-Road Cyclists * FOX IMBA HEROES PROGRAM HONORS NEW JERSEY'S JAY JONES In 2006, five superstars of dirt will be selected by IMBA staff for the FOX/IMBA Heroes program. All FOX/IMBA Heroes will receive a new FOX Racing Shox fork of their choice, and an assortment of gear and clothing, courtesy of FOX. The first honoree is New Jersey's Jay Jones. A hero to mountain bikers in the Garden State, Jay Jones has tirelessly worked to ensure New Jersey riders have great places to turn the cranks. Jay served as part of the Jersey-Off Road Biking Association (JORBA) leadership during its recent reformation, led the local IMBA-affiliated club, Jersey Action Riders (JAR) since 1997, co-founded the Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol in 2000, and has served as an IMBA representative for southern New Jersey since 2000. On top of all this, Jay has spent thousands of hours supporting mountain biking and protecting trail access in the Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia. ****************************************************************************** Stop Budget Cuts in The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Call On Your Member of Congress Today to Ask for Full Funding of $10.1 Million for RTCA IMBA is asking its members and clubs to step up and help save a small, but very important federal program, the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), a division of the National Park Service. Please make a phone call to your Congressional representatives today, and consider forwarding this email to other trail users. The Bush administration's proposed $500,000 program cut for 2007 is unwise and will hurt our nation's trails. Instead, IMBA hopes to see a budget of $10.1 million for RTCA, a suitable remedy for years of flat funding. What Does RTCA Do? The RTCA program is a technical assistance program of the National Park Service. RTCA yields enormous conservation and recreation benefits to communities by fostering partnerships between federal, state and local interests. The resulting cooperative efforts restore rivers and wildlife habitat, develop trail and greenway networks, preserve open space and revitalize communities. All of which contributes to improved quality of life and better recreation for Americans. On average, the RTCA tackles 300 projects a year and partners protect nearly 700 miles of rivers, create more than 1,300 miles of trails, and conserve more than 61,000 acres of open space each year. RTCA Funding Status The President's 2007 budget calls for a program cut of $500,000, which would reduce overall funding for the program to $7.7 million. If the administration-proposed FY 2007 funding level were to be enacted, it would be a severe cut to this valuable program, put many of the projects presently underway at risk, and would result in a loss of staff and likely closure of field offices. IMBA is part of the Rivers and Trails Coalition which strongly opposes the Administration's proposed cut and calls for a program budget increase to $10.1 million for RTCA in fiscal year 2007. RTCA is not a program that should be cut by any amount, and in fact, requires almost $2 million increase to remedy the program's continued erosion, compensate for losses due to inflation, and enable the program to respond to growing needs and opportunities in communities throughout the country. How to Take Action: To call your Member of Congress, use the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 To locate your Congressional leader online, visit: U.S. House of Representatives at http://www.house.gov/ U.S. Senate at http://www.senate.gov/ What to Say: * Ask for the congressional staffer that works on public lands issues or on the Interior Appropriations Bill. * Tell them who you are, your address, phone number and if you work with an affiliated bike club or trails organization. Leave a message if you get voice mail. * Thank them for their time and tell them you are calling about increasing the budget for a program of the National Park Service called Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance. * Ask that they support the budget at $10.1 million and reject the Administrations proposal to cut the program by $500,000 (for a total of $7.7 million). (RTCA's budget is in the Interior Appropriations bill.) * Site specific trail projects that RTCA works on in your state (Click here to review a list of 2005 project examples to use from your state.) * Tell them this program has remained flat funded for several years and another cut will mean many more community trails projects won't get their assistance. * Personalize your message. If you are familiar with some of the RTCA projects in your state, let the staffer know what they mean to you and why trails are important to your areas. If you get exceptionally positive feedback from an congressional staffer, send a report of your call to IMBA's Jenn Dice jenn@imba.com Thank you for your time in helping restore funding for this very important program. __ To remove yourself from this list, send a message to info@imba.com with the subject REMOVE. ***************************************************************************************** IMBA Singletrack eNews - March 2006 * NATIONAL PARKS PARTNERSHIP: TRAIL CARE CREW VISITS UNDERWAY * IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE OFFERS EARLY BIRD SPECIALS * SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW SCHEDULE FOR 2006 NOW ONLINE * CONTRIBUTE TO IMBA'S MOUNTAIN BIKE MANAGEMENT BOOK * BIKE PATROLS CREATING GOOD PRESS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS * IMBA SEEKS MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR IN BOULDER, CO * ACCELARADE, ACCEL GEL AND ENDUROX R4 PROGRAM FOR IMBA MEMBERS * JOIN OR RENEW WITH IMBA: MEMBERSHIPS BEGIN AT JUST $25 * NATIONAL PARKS PARTNERSHIP: TRAIL CARE CREW VISITS UNDERWAY The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews have begun on-the-ground implementation of IMBA's formal agreement with the National Park Service. The Crews will be building relationships at 12 NPS units in 2006, and have already visited Big Bend National Park (TX), Saguaro National Park (AZ) and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (CA). Whiskeytown slideshow: http://www.imba.com/tcc/2006/redding_ca.html Saguaro slideshow -- including a new video clip: http://www.imba.com/tcc/2006/saguaro_np.html * IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE OFFERS EARLY BIRD SPECIALS The IMBA Summit and World Mountain Bike Conference (Whistler, BC, June 20-23, 2006) promises to be the largest single gathering of mountain bike advocates ever. Register before March 31 and you'll save $100 per registrant. Other great Early Bird specials include a chance to register three people and pay for two, a free one-day pass for the Whistler Bike Park and automatic entry for the Whistler Drive & Ride Vacation Package giveaway. Get the full details on Early Bird registration and prizes here: http://www.worldmountainbikeconference.com/register.asp * SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW SCHEDULE FOR 2006 NOW ONLINE The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Schedule for 2006 is available online. Now beginning its tenth year, the program is more popular than ever. Most Trail Care Crew visits last four days, allowing us to assess local trails, strengthen partnerships with local clubs and land managers, host an evening event at a bike shop or other location, conduct a two-day trailbuilding School, and squeeze in a ride with the locals. http://www.imba.com/tcc/schedule.html * CONTRIBUTE TO IMBA'S MOUNTAIN BIKE MANAGEMENT BOOK IMBA seeks contributions to our forthcoming book focused on strategies and techniques for managing mountain biking trails and facilities. Here's your chance to share research papers, success stories and other resources with mountain bikers around the world. We're looking for model trail management plans, trail user surveys, partnership agreements, adopt-a-trail agreements, trail standards, trail maintenance plans, and more. Contact project director Pete Webber by sending a message to pete@imba.com * BIKE PATROLS CREATING GOOD PRESS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS The National Mountain Bike Patrol program continues to receive accolades from land managers and the press. Recently, the National Park Service applauded the assistance of 100 volunteer mountain bike patrollers who help monitor California's Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. http://www.imba.com/news/mtb_news_wire/01_31_06_santa_monica_nra.html * IMBA SEEKS MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR IN BOULDER, CO IMBA seeks a motivated full-time Member Service Coordinator to efficiently provide top-rate customer service to IMBA's members. http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/02_06/02_28_member_services.html * ACCELARADE, ACCEL GEL AND ENDUROX R4 PROGRAM FOR IMBA MEMBERS IMBA members can now save 25% on all orders placed at Accelerade's website. Free shipping is available for orders over $50, and Accelerade contributes 5% of all sales to IMBA. Details here: http://www.imba.com/membership/benefits_indiv.html * JOIN OR RENEW WITH IMBA: MEMBERSHIPS BEGIN AT JUST $25 http://www.imba.com/membership/index.html ************************************************************************************ IMBA Singletrack Update - February 2006 In this update: -- * NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PILOT PROGRAMS GAIN STEAM, MEDIA ATTENTION * IRISH RIDERS RALLY FOR TRAIL ACCESS * HAVE LAWSUITS AFFECTED YOUR TRAILS? * IMBA AND SPECIALIZED KICK-START 2006 "CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN" * NEW STUDY POINTS TO NEED FOR URBAN FREERIDE AREAS * CLASSIC TRAILBUILDING BOOK REVAMPED * JOIN OR RENEW WITH IMBA: MEMBERSHIPS BEGIN AT JUST $25 -- * NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PILOT PROGRAMS GAIN STEAM, MEDIA ATTENTION IMBA's partnership agreement with the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has advanced to the point where pilot mountain biking programs in NPS units are underway. National and regional media outlets are picking up on the story. A few critical voices have surfaced, but most of the attention has been positive; here's a good example from Michigan's Grand Rapids Press: http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1138369529292 520.xml&coll=6 * IRISH RIDERS RALLY FOR TRAIL ACCESS Irish riders have rallied after Coillte, the Irish state forestry service, recently decided to enact bylaws to prevent mountain biking on much of its land. The decision spurred the formation of a number of new IMBA affiliations in Ireland to fight the ban. In Jamuary, the clubs announced the formation of Mountain Biking Ireland. http://www.irishcycling.com/2004/news/art_1501.shtml * HAVE LAWSUITS AFFECTED YOUR TRAILS? Has there been a trail-related lawsuit in your area? IMBA is looking for details on mountain biking lawsuits both past and present. Even if the case was settled out of court, we'd like to hear about it. Send details to pete@imba.com. Read about an Oklahoma club's litigation woes here: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_26_oef_lawsuit.html * IMBA AND SPECIALIZED KICK-START 2006 "CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN" IMBA and Specialized, close partners since IMBA's founding in 1988, are pleased to announce a new "California Campaign" initiative, and the opening of a California IMBA office underwritten by Specialized. Staffing the office will be Tom Ward, formerly the California State Parks Recreation Manager. Ward worked in the California State Parks system for 16 years, experience that will help him identify new mountain bike trails throughout the state. Read more: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_30_california.html * NEW STUDY POINTS TO NEED FOR URBAN FREERIDE AREAS A 2006 report released by the Outdoor Industry Association says that outdoor enthusiasts increasingly seek activities that can be done close to home. "The outdoor industry and policy makers must expand focus to include frontcountry and urban recreation areas," reads the OIA release. IMBA couldn't agree more. Read an article about urban freeride parks, published in Parks and Recreation magazine, that outlines IMBA's advice: http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=3477 IMBA's comprehensive freeriding resource pages can be found here: http://www.imba.com/resources/freeriding/index.html * CLASSIC TRAILBUILDING BOOK REVAMPED Trail docents will be excited to hear that the second edition of "Lightly on the Land The SCA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual" is now available at IMBA's online store: http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/lotl.html * JOIN OR RENEW WITH IMBA: MEMBERSHIPS BEGIN AT JUST $25 http://www.imba.com/membership/index.html -- Like this IMBA eNewsletter? If so, forward it to a friend. ******************************************************************************* IMBA Singletrack Update - January 2006 In this update: 1. IMBA NEWS * TWELVE MOUNTAIN BIKE PROJECTS IN NATIONAL PARKS PLANNED FOR 2006 * IMBA MEETS WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR IN SO-CAL * 2005 REPORT CARD SPOTLIGHTS VIRGINIA, SCOTLAND * IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE WEBSITE GOES LIVE * IMBA SEEKS TRAIL CARE CREW/BIKE PATROL COORDINATOR * NEW TRAIL CARE CREW READIES FOR THE ROAD * FORMER IMBA STAFFER BRANDON DWIGHT DOCUMENTS 'CROSS ACTION 2. REGIONAL REPORTS * VIEW A NEW SLIDESHOW OF IMBA'S AUSTRALIAN EXCURSION * SORBA CHATTANOOGA RECEIVES PROPS FROM FOREST SERVICE 3. IMBA STORE * GET SUPER RADICAL IN A FREERIDE JERSEY * NEW RIDE TO LIVE MUGS AVAILABLE * NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: PROTECT TRAILS BY SUPPORTING IMBA'S ANNUAL FUND -- 1. IMBA NEWS * TWELVE MOUNTAIN BIKE PROJECTS IN NATIONAL PARKS PLANNED FOR 2006 "IMBA couldn't be more excited to help the National Park Service with developing appropriate bike opportunities at a dozen parks this year," says Executive Director Mike Van Abel. In 2006, IMBA will help facilitate mountain bike pilot programs at Big Bend National Park (Texas), Fort Dupont National Park (Washington, DC) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio). Additionally, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits have been proposed for as many as nine park units. Read more: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_04_imba_nps_projects.html * IMBA MEETS WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR IN SO-CAL Interior Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett made time to discuss a variety of issues related to mountain biking when she visited the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area over New Year's weekend. Scarlett, who helps manage one of every five acres of land in the United States, met with NPS Superintendent Woody Smeck, IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel, Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) President Jeff Klinger, and Chris Orr, president of the Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers (SBMBTV). The group had planned to ride together, but opted for a tour of Giant Bicycles because of a rare rainy day in So-Cal. A big thanks to Take Pride in America Shari and Chris Boyer and Giant for supporting her visit. * 2005 REPORT CARD SPOTLIGHTS VIRGINIA, SCOTLAND The 2005 IMBA Report Card cites Virginia and Scotland as outstanding examples for the mountain bike community to emulate. Virginia received an "A," the highest grade in the 2005 U.S. report. Factors included epic backcountry riding, a network of dedicated bike advocates and the innovative negotiating approach that bike advocates used to deal with possible trail closures. The Scots earned high praise for the government-sponsored Seven Stanes Project - riding centers with outstanding trails - as well as unmatched scenery. Find out how your state, province or nation fared: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/12_05/12_16_report_card.html * IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE WEBSITE GOES LIVE Whistler, Ho! Mountain bike enthusiasts, advocates and industry leaders will gather in British Columbia on June 20-23 for the IMBA Summit and World Mountain Bike Conference. Registration for seminars and lecture tracks begins later this month. Attendees will also frolic on Whistler's mind-blowing trails and enjoy special parties and events. For registration info and program updates, visit: http://worldmountainbikeconference.com/ * IMBA SEEKS TRAIL CARE CREW/BIKE PATROL COORDINATOR IMBA is looking for a fulltime professional to coordinate our field programs, specifically the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and National Mountain Bike Patrol program. The successful candidate will have excellent organizational, communications and interpersonal skills. For a complete list of duties and benefits, visit: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_04_tcc_nmbp.html * NEW TRAIL CARE CREW READIES FOR THE ROAD Ryan Schutz and Kristin Butcher, the newest members of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, are preparing for an epic road trip. The pair will spend a good deal of 2006 touring the United States in a Subaru Outback, carrying out the highly successful educational and advocacy work for which the Trail Care Crews are known. Ryan and Kristin hale from Deerfield Beach, Florida. They are co-founders of Club Mud, one of IMBA's most active clubs. Learn more about the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews: http://www.imba.com/tcc/index.html * FORMER IMBA STAFFER BRANDON DWIGHT DOCUMENTS 'CROSS ACTION Cyclocross is the original venue for off-road bicycling. Lately, former IMBA staffer Brandon Dwight has been mixing it up with the Euros and penning entertaining articles about the Belgian racing (and beer-drinking) scene for VeloNews.com. Read his latest essay here: http://velonews.com/diaries/rider/articles/9336.0.html 2. REGIONAL REPORTS * VIEW A NEW SLIDESHOW OF IMBA'S AUSTRALIAN EXCURSION Joey Klein, IMBA's ambassador to the mountain biking world, recently wrapped up a five-week tour of Australia. Klein racked up some impressive numbers: - Visited 7 out of 8 territories - Met more than 500 land managers - Rode with 20 local bike clubs - Gave 26 presentations - Conducted 5 Trailbuilding Schools - Inspected 28 mountain bike sites - Built 1.6 kilometers of new trail - Flagged 4.5 kilometers of trail for future projects Check out fresh images and read more here: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_03_australia.html * SORBA-CHATTANOOGA RECEIVES PROPS FROM FOREST SERVICE The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association was recently recognized by the USDA Forest Service for its volunteer contributions. Representatives from SORBA's Chattanooga chapter, which is active in the volunteer program of the Ocoee/Hiwassee District of Cherokee National Forest, accepted a "Certificate of Appreciation" from Cherokee National Forest Supervisor H. Thomas Speaks, Jr. The district itself was awarded top honors among all ranger districts in the 13-state USFS Southern Region for its 2005 volunteer program. Read more about SORBA-Chattanooga's innovative advocacy programs here: http://sorbachattanooga.org/index.php?source=advocacy 3. IMBA STORE * GET SUPER RADICAL IN AN IMBA FREERIDE JERSEY Whatever your favorite flavor of technical challenge on the bike is, enjoy the ride with the IMBA freeride jersey ($60). The long-sleeve, baggy style accommodates body armor, and the lightweight fabric offers a relaxed fit for ultimate comfort on any trail. The balanced, simple design features the IMBA logo on the chest and the speak, build, respect and ride icons on the back. This limited edition is highlighted in "ride" brown. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imredfrje.html * NEW "RIDE TO LIVE" MUGS AVAILABLE Our new stainless steel tumbler keeps your pre-ride brew hot. An easy to hold gripper and spill-proof suction lid makes this ergonomic mug ($15) a perfect travel accoutrement. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imrtolitrmug.html * NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: PROTECT TRAILS BY SUPPORTING IMBA'S ANNUAL FUND Looking to start 2006 on an positive note? Consider making a resolution to help protect trails. Get involved with a local advocacy movement, volunteer for a trail building day, or help strengthen IMBA's Annual Fund with a donation. We're close to hitting our goal of $50k, but we're not there yet. Visit the Annual Fund web page for more information: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/dotoimanfu.html ********************************************************************************************* IMBA and NPS Announce Twelve Mountain Bike Projects for 2006 IMBA Contact: Mark Eller Communications Specialist markeller@imba.org 303-545-9011 ext.115 NPS Contact: David Barna Press Chief david_barna@nps.org 202.208.6843 The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the National Park Service (NPS) are excited to announce 12 partnership projects for 2006, including three pilot programs. In May, 2005 the two organizations signed a partnership agreement to bring mountain bikers and park officials together for on-the-ground teamwork and to develop models for future collaboration. The programs outlined below, three pilot projects and nine Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew trail visits, are the first tangible results of the partnership. Three Pilot Programs Unveiled The pilot mountain bike programs will be carried out in Big Bend National Park (Texas), Fort Dupont National Park (Washington, DC) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio). Each of the three programs is unique, but all will involve substantial study of the recreational benefits and potential impacts that mountain biking can bring to national park units. Big Bend National Park (Texas): John King, Big Bend's superintendent, says his park is close to initiating an Environmental Assessment study, a necessary first step toward creating opportunities for singletrack riding in the 801,000-acre park. "I expect that we'll be able to start the study in a matter of weeks," says King. "First, we'll find out if mountain biking is appropriate for Big Bend. If the results of the study are favorable, we'll move forward with a rule-making procedure that would open the way for mountain biking in non-Wilderness areas." Jeff Renfrow, a local mountain bike advocate with the Big Bend Trails Alliance, is excited about the prospect of working with park staff and IMBA. "We are especially honored to be a part of a process that we hope will lead to the creation of additional mountain biking opportunities in the national park system," says Renfrow. Fort Dupont National Park (Washington, DC): Fort Dupont provides a unique opportunity for singletrack mountain bicycling inside the Beltway with eight miles of existing trails open to biking. However, the trails are in need of repair to make them more environmentally sound. "National Capital Parks-East is very excited about the opportunity to work with IMBA and its local affiliate, the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts," says Superintendent Gayle Hazelwood. "The assessment of the hiking and biking trails within the Fort Circle Parks will greatly assist our park with the goals of improving both trail sustainability and visitor access and enjoyment of the trail system." Dan Hudson, for Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), added: "The Fort Circle Trail is a great resource for trail users on the east side of town. There are segments where erosion has become a concern. MORE is excited to help repair and protect this valuable resource." Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio): "We are keenly interested in examining mountain bicycling as a possible component of our next trail management plan revision," says Bill Carroll, deputy superintendent at Cuyahoga. While the timetable for establishing a pilot mountain bicycling program in Cuyahoga is still in development, local bike advocates are hopeful that preliminary studies will be approved. "The park is only 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland, and is no more than an hour and a half from more than 4 million residents of northeast Ohio. This has the potential to produce one of the best trail systems in Ohio and a destination for the entire region," says Mike Farley, of the IMBA-affiliated Cleveland Area Mountain Bicycling Association. Nine Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visits Proposed In addition to the three pilot programs, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews hope to visit as many as nine National Park units in 2006. The Trail Care Crews will provide expert advice on trail etiquette and rider education, managing mountain bikes, trailbuilding and trail repair. The Crews will work with local mountain bike clubs, other trail user groups, community leaders and park staff to foster communication and collaboration. Visits have been proposed for these parks: * Big South Fork National Recreation Area (Tennessee) * Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (Minnesota) * Saguaro National Park (Arizona) * Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, Cochran Shoals Unit (Georgia) * Homestead National Monument of America (Nebraska) * Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (Tennessee) * Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (California) * Mammoth Caves National Park (Kentucky) * Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii) "According to a recent survey, a majority of Americans want to see more opportunities for active recreation in national parks, including bicycling," says IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "IMBA couldn't be more excited to help the National Park Service with developing appropriate bike opportunities at a dozen parks next year." Read the Outdoor Industry Association study, conducted by Leisure Trends, here: 40 National Parks Units Already Offer Mountain Bike Access More than 40 NPS units already provide mountain bikers with the opportunity to explore their parks on dirt roads and trails. Visit for a list of parks with mountain biking and additional information on IMBA's partnership with the NPS. Bringing mountain bicycling to national park units that do not already have bicycle access will not happen overnight. New riding opportunities (including the IMBA/NPS pilot programs) require detailed study by park officials, as well as special rule-making procedures for each park. Also, land that is protected as Wilderness, as well as proposed Wilderness, will not be considered for these mountain bicycling programs. ***************************************************************************************** IMBA Singletrack Update - December 2005 In this update: 1. IMBA NEWS * NEW JERSEY REBOUNDS IN 2005 IMBA REPORT CARD * CAPILANO COLLEGE TO OFFER "MOUNTAIN BIKE OPERATIONS" CERTIFICATE * INSPIRATIONAL CYCLIST OVERCOMES ADDICTION, DISABILITY * TAKE A 10-MINUTE MOUNTAIN BIKE SURVEY * VIEW THE WORLD-RECORD MTB JUMP * READ DIRT RAG'S "10 YEARS GONE" AND A TRIBUTE TO GNURPS 2. REGIONAL REPORTS * NORTH DAKOTA SIGNS MOU, CREATING IMBA'S THIRD STATE PARTNERSHIP * DESERT BLOOM: WESTERN TRAIL CARE CREW VISITS VERNAL, UT * FALL FOLIAGE: EASTERN TRAIL CARE CREW IN RUTLAND, VT * INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: IMBA'S JOEY KLEIN TRAVELS THE OUTBACK 3. IMBA STORE * THE YEAR IN PICTURES: 2006 IMBA CALENDAR * CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMBA ANNUAL FUND (AND GET THE CALENDAR) * HOT DEALS AT THE IMBA WINTER SALE * ONLINE BOOKSTORE FEATURES NEW "STONEWORK" TITLE -- 1. IMBA NEWS * NEW JERSEY REBOUNDS IN 2005 IMBA REPORT CARD A sneak preview of the 2005 IMBA Report Card (coming next week) reveals that New Jersey improves to a solid "C," bringing the Garden State out of last year's celler-dweller position. IMBA State Rep Jay Jones reports, "After entering 2005 with the lowest grade, New Jersey mountain bike advocates made a significant effort to improve the promotion of our many successes." Stay tuned to imba.com this month to learn how your state fares in the latest report. View last year's report here: http://www.imba.com/news/trail_news/17_5/itn_17_5_reportcard.html#us * CAPILANO COLLEGE TO OFFER "MOUNTAIN BIKE OPERATIONS" CERTIFICATE Capilano College (Sunshine Coast Campus) in British Columbia, Canada, will offer a "Mountain Bike Operations" Certificate program in September, 2006. The program is a full-time, eight-month program (26 credits) and covers courses in tourism, risk management, event planning, first aid, mountain bike skill development, trail design and trail building. http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/home.html * INSPIRATIONAL CYCLIST OVERCOMES ADDICTION, DISABILITY Check out the Denver Post's story about Rex Patrick, a recovering addict who lost a leg, but found two-wheeled salvation and eventual won gold medals in mountain biking at the Paralympics. http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3192728 * TAKE A 10-MINUTE MOUNTAIN BIKE SURVEY Researchers at the University of Colorado, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Padua in Italy want to know about you and your mountain biking. The survey will help IMBA show land managers what kinds of riding experiences riders enjoy. One IMBA staffer completed all the forms in five minutes, but don't attempt that pace unless you're an expert survey taker. http://bike.colorado.edu/ * VIEW THE WORLD-RECORD MTB JUMP You'll be cleared for launch after you view images of Nathan Rennie's mega-jump world record in the Painted Desert, South Australia. http://www.cyclingnews.com/mtbphotos.php?id=photos/2005/news/nov05/rennie_ju mp/gallery-rennie_jump * READ DIRT RAG'S "10 YEARS GONE" AND A TRIBUTE TO GNUPS "I saw the best riders of my generation destroyed by madness." So opens Stuart Schrader's poignant story for Dirt Rag magazine about the longstanding ban on biking in South Mountain Reservation, in northern New Jersey. http://www.imba.com/news/mtb_news_wire/10_05_ten_years_gone.html Also from Dirt Rag, check out Phillip Keyes' "Gnurps: Mountain Bike Environmentalist Pioneer," a tribute to former IMBA staffer Gary Sprung. http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=720&category=departments 2. REGIONAL REPORTS * NORTH DAKOTA SIGNS MOU, CREATING IMBA'S THIRD STATE PARTNERSHIP In November, The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPR) and IMBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement. The North Dakota MOU is similar to productive partnerships IMBA has established in Virginia and New Mexico. Doug Prchal, Director of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, commented: "We share similar goals and philosophies for providing multi-use trails for the public's enjoyment, using sustainable trail design and construction techniques." View a .pdf of the agreement: http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/Acrobat/imba.pdf * DESERT BLOOM: WESTERN TRAIL CARE CREW VISITS VERNAL, UT Nat and Rachael Lopes, the Western Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, spent a perfect September weekend working with BLM's Recreation Specialist, Dan Gilfillan, riding local trails, assessing sustainability, teaching methods of trailbuilding and user management, and helping Vernal take the next step in enhancing their trail system. View a slideshow here: http://www.imba.com/tcc/2005/vernal_ut.html * FALL FOLIAGE: EASTERN TRAIL CARE CREW IN RUTLAND, VT The Eastern Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew - AKA Chris Bernhardt and Jill Van Winkle - conducted an IMBA Trailbuilding School and helped organize a cleanup event at Rutland, Vermont's Pine Hill Park. Check out a slideshow and learn how the popular trail system was improved and expanded: http://www.imba.com/tcc/2005/rutland_vt.html * INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: IMBA'S JOEY KLEIN TRAVELS THE OUTBACK Ace trailbuilder and mountain bike advocate Joey Klein recently concluded a six-week tour of Australia. Riding opportunities in Oz are increasing at breakneck pace. View a slideshow here: http://www.imba.com/international/slideshows/oz_index.html 3. IMBA STORE * THE YEAR IN PICTURES: 2006 IMBA CALENDAR With images from mountain bike photography legends like Sterling Lorence, Bob Allen and John Gibson, this year's edition of an IMBA classic may be the best ever. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/20imca2.html * CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMBA ANNUAL FUND AND GET THE CALENDAR IMBA's number one priority in 2006 is spearheading the mountain bike movement. Your year-end gift of $30, $50, $100 - or more, if possible - will help us do more for riders in 2006 than ever before. Contributors of $30 or more will receive the 2006 calendar. http://store.yahoo.com/imba/dotoimanfu.html * HOT DEALS AT IMBA'S WINTER SALE You'll find a wide selection of gear on sale at our online store. Hurry - the sale ends Dec. 11. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/immer.html * ONLINE BOOKSTORE FEATURES NEW "STONEWORK" TITLE Stonework is one of the most important skills a trailbuilder can have. That's why IMBA is offering this unique new book focused on working with rocks. We've checked out lots of books about stonework, and most of them have limited relevance to trailbuilding. They focus primarily on stone walls, landscaping projects and using mortar to hold the stones in place. But "The Art and Craft of Stonescaping" by David Reed focuses on dry-stacked stonework - no mortar here dude! This is a key difference and is a big reason why we recommend this book. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imbabookstore.html -- Like this IMBA eNewsletter? If so, forward it to a friend. -- If you'd like to be removed from this list send an email to membership@imba.com with the subject REMOVE. ************************************************************************************** IMBA Singletrack Update - November 2005 In this update: 1. IMBA NATIONAL NEWS * MEET THE 2005 TAKE A KID MOUNTAIN BIKING DAY WINNERS * TRAIL SOLUTIONS FIGHTS TRYPTOPHAN, TRAVELS TO OZ * 29 STATES NEED LEADERS TO HARVEST RTP DOLLARS * BIKE PATROL CONFERENCE A HIT * REMEMBER TO THANK LAND MANAGERS 2. REGIONAL REPORTS * ACTION ALERT: HELP PRESERVE BIKE ACCESS IN WV * SAN DIEGO REGAINS A LOST TRAIL * JERSEY ACTION RIDERS OPEN NEW TRAIL IN PINELANDS * SEATTLE SKILLS PARK OPENS * SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKING GROWING EXPONENTIALLY 3. THE IMBA STORE * 2006 IMBA CALENDARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE * CHECK OUT IMBA'S GIFT E-CERTIFICATES * FALL BACK INTO MEMBERSHIP -- 1. IMBA NATIONAL NEWS * MEET THE 2005 TAKE A KID MOUNTAIN BIKING DAY WINNERS Congratulations to all the clubs who organized events for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day! Nationwide, over 70 clubs organized events for thousands of young riders. Look for a special photo gallery to appear in the next issue of IMBA Trail News. Three of the events earn special prizes: California's Redding Mountain Biking Club will receive three junior-sized mountain bikes from Schwinn. The Redding event drew 62 kids and 55 adults for a 5-mile ride on the Sacramento Trail. Local bike shops donated prizes and the club handed out temporary tattoos with RMBC logo. Read more here: http://www.reddingmountainbiking.com/takeakidmountainbiking2005.html Trips for Kids Detroit organized a fun ride for kids at the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency's IMPACT Center. They will receive a $100 certificate for the IMBA online store. Visit them here: www.tripsforkidsdetroit.org The event organized by Mexico's Xinte Mountain Bike Club also earns a $100 certificate. The Xinte ride was featured in Reforma, one of the nation's leading newspapers. Photos from Xinte's event can be viewed here: http://www.xinte.com/galerias/gallerytakmbd2005.html * TRAIL SOLUTIONS FIGHTS TRYPTOPHAN, TRAVELS TO OZ Neither turkey comas nor winter weather will slow the remarkable progress that IMBA's fee-based Trail Solutions program is enjoying this fall. Construction on a mountain bike-specific trail system in NorCal's King Range is in full swing. Other projects this season include work in the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina, at Wakefield County Park and Rosaryville State Park in Washington, DC Metro area, and an upcoming IMBA-built freeride park in Florida. Learn more about Trail Solutions here: http://www.imba.com/trailsolutions/index.html Trail Solutions' Joey Klein has clicked his red boots and returned to Australia (for the third time) to help Mountain Bike Australia, Tony Scott and the lads push for more and better riding in Oz. The Klein Down Under Tour will be a seven-week, six-state affair: October 21 - 23, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW October 25 - 30, Perth, WA November 1 - 6, Adelaide, South Australia November 8 - 13, Melbourne and Beechworth, Victoria November 15 - 20, Launceston and Hobart, Tasmania November 22 - 27, Thredbo, NSW November 29 - December 4, Brisbane, Queensland * 29 STATES NEED LEADERS TO HARVEST RTP DOLLARS In case you missed the big news, the 109th Congress has dedicated $370 million to the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The RTP legislation mandates that each state "shall establish a state recreational trail advisory committee that represents both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail users, which shall meet not less often than once per fiscal year." Find out if you live in one of the 29 states that need an RTP leader here: http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/rtp_mtb_rep.html Everything you need to know about harvesting RTP money can be found online on IMBA's RTP Toolkit pages: http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/rtp_campaign.html * BIKE PATROL CONFERENCE A HIT National Mountain Bike Patrollers from across the southeast gathered for the NMBP Regional Instructor Training Conference on Oct. 8-9 at Gainesville College, in Georgia. SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association) hosted the event, which brought patrol leaders together for a weekend of seminars, speakers, networking and riding. Twenty people were certified as National Mountain Bike Patrol Instructors and Daniel Elzey of SORBA was appointed as the Southeast Regional NMBP Representative. View a slideshow here: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/news_archive/10_05_success.html * REMEMBER TO THANK LAND MANAGERS Please join IMBA's fall campaign to thank land managers. IMBA has made it easy to get involved by creating free Thank You post cards. Order them here: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/10_05/10_12_thanks.html -- 2. REGIONAL REPORTS * ACTION ALERT: HELP PRESERVE BIKE ACCESS IN WV West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest will accept public comments on a proposed Forest Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement until Nov. 14. Please write in support of an amended Alternative #2, which would designate Roaring Plains and Cranberry Expansion as non-motorized backcountry recreation managed for multi-use, including bicycles. As many as 118 miles of trails and 25 miles of gated forest roads, including the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek backcountry, could be lost if the planners rely primarily on federal Wilderness guidelines to manage the Monongahela. Learn more here: http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/10_05/10_26_monongahela_nf.html * SAN DIEGO REGAINS A LOST TRAIL San Diego has regained Kelly's Ditch Trail, a connector between William Heise County Park (near the community of Julian) and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. For bikes, the alternative has been a long and dangerous ride on a shoulder-less two-lane road. "Letters from trail users, combined with a change in park staff, helped resolve the issue," says Daniel Greenstadt, IMBA's southern California rep. http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/ * JERSEY ACTION RIDERS OPEN NEW TRAIL IN PINELANDS The Jersey Action Riders work in Wharton State Forest inspired a recent story in the Philadelphia Inquirer: http://www.imba.com/news/mtb_news_wire/10_08_05_pines.html * SEATTLE SKILLS PARK OPENS Colonnade Bike Park, located under the deck of Interstate 5 in Seattle, is open for riding, thanks to the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club. The skills park includes two acres of trails ladden with technical features such as switchbacks, log rides, rock gardens, skinnies, wall-rides and small jumps. Read more here: http://www.imba.com/news/mtb_news_wire/10_14_05_seattle_i5_trail.html * SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKING GROWING "EXPONENTIALLY" "Major changes are on the way at Glentress, the UK’s No. 1 mountain biking centre," according to Richard Moore, a columnist with Scotland's Sunday Herald newspaper. The article continues, "The sport has grown exponentially in the last few years, and Glentress has been at the heart of that ..." Read more here: http://www.sundayherald.com/52539 Learn more about Glentress and Scotland's innovative "7 Stanes" mountain biking center's: http://www.7stanes.gov.uk -- 3. THE IMBA STORE * 2006 IMBA CALENDARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE The 2006 calendars are available and they look great. They're the perfect gift for anyone who likes mountain bikes, epic scenery and knowing how many days are left until the the weekend begins. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/20imca2.html *CHECK OUT IMBA'S GIFT E-CERTIFICATES Available in denominations of $25, $50, or $100, IMBA gift e-certificates work just like cash and can be used for anything on the IMBA store; merchandise, memberships or donations. Provide a friend's email address, and they'll instantly receive a coupon to redeem the credit. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imgice3.html * REMINDER: FALL BACK INTO MEMBERSHIP Has your IMBA membership lapsed, or will it expire soon? Fall is traditionally one of our busiest seasons for membership renewals. Please keep your membership current and help keep trails open to bikes. http://www.imba.com/membership/index.html -- Like this IMBA eNewsletter? If so, forward it to a friend. ***************************************************************************** IMBA Club Update - October 2005 In this update: SAVE THE DATE: *IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE, JUNE 20-23 IN WHISTLER *APPLY FOR A 2006 SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW VISIT *IOWA'S CITA WINS A BOB TRAILER FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS CELEBRATION *NORTH CAROLINA EVENT DRAWS CONGRESSWOMAN FOX *SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE PROGRAM SEEKS A NEW CREW *JOIN IMBA'S NATIONAL FORESTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE *BIKES BELONG GRANT BRINGS $6,000 TO MOAB CLUB *HELP IMBA'S NEW ORLEANS CLUB GET BACK ON ITS FEET *GIVE THANKS TO LAND MANAGERS IN NOVEMBER *RTP CAMPAIGN: 50 MOUNTAIN BIKERS ON 50 STATE TRAIL COMMITTEES -- SAVE THE DATE! *IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE, JUNE 20-23 IN WHISTLER Attention clubs: Start planning now to send a club officer or member to the combined IMBA Summit and World Mountain Bike Conference June 20-23, 2006, in Whistler. The merger of the two conferences creates an unprecedented opportunity for mountain biking advocates, land managers, trailbuilders and the bike industry to come together. It's a great opportunity to meet other club leaders and strategize for the future. http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/09_05/09_16_imba_summit.html *APPLY FOR A 2006 SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW VISIT The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews are planning for another big year in 2006. More than 200 IMBA-affiliated clubs, land management agencies and other trail-user groups applied for a visit last year. Only 70 slots are available, so applicants are urged to contact IMBA as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is Nov. 1, 2005. http://www.imba.com/tcc/visit.html -- *IOWA'S CITA WINS A BOB TRAILER FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS CELEBRATION IMBA clubs across the nation celebrated National Public Lands Day with trailbuilding, clean-up and riding events. Once again, the good folks at BOB Trailers encouraged IMBA club involvement by donating an IBEX suspension trailer to help celebrate the events. Iowa's Central Iowa Trails Association earns the reward with a trail and bridge building event that drew more than 30 volunteers and restored a multi-use trail in Des Moines. http://www.centraliowatrails.org *NORTH CAROLINA EVENT DRAWS CONGRESSWOMAN FOX North Carolina's Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club (BMCC) hosted a highly successful celebration of National Public Lands Day at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. The BMCC Trail Boss, Jim Horton, was recognized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with a plaque and Commander's Coin, presented by U.S. Representative Virginia Fox. The trailbuilding project was the result of a partnership agreement with the Corps and the National Park Service. Read more here: http://brushymtncyclists.tripod.com/ *SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE PROGRAM SEEKS A NEW CREW IMBA is looking to hire a full-time, two-person team for the highly successful Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program. Application deadline is Nov. 11, with a start date in mid-February. This two-year position requires a passion for mountain biking, excellent communication skills, a basic knowledge of trailwork and team compatibility. The Crew will travel the U.S. nearly all year in a Subaru Outback. Send a resume and cover letter to Aaryn Kay: aaryn@imba.com or to IMBA, P.O. Box 711, Boulder, CO 80306. For more information on IMBA and the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Program visit: http://www.imba.com/tcc *JOIN IMBA'S NATIONAL FORESTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Some of the best singletrack in the world is on Forest Service land. IMBA is creating a national advisory committee to champion mountain bike access issues in our nation's forests. The USDA Forest Service manages 191 million acres of land, 133,000 miles of trails, on 155 Nationals Forests and grasslands. Many National Forests are rewriting their trails plans and deciding bike access policies for the next 15 years. Join IMBA's Forest Service Advisory Committee by sending a note to jenn@imba.com. And check out our toolkit for working with the Forest Service: http://www.imba.com/resources/organizing/forest_toolkit.html *BIKES BELONG GRANT BRINGS $6,000 TO MOAB CLUB IMBA encourages its 700 affiliated clubs to apply for a grant from Bikes Belong, the bicycling industry's advocacy arm. The grants are given quarterly. One example: The Moab Trails Alliance will use their $5,000 to help construct the New Spanish Trail/SR 128 Bike Path. This scenic path will appeal to new cyclists and families. It will also provide a safe alternative to the highway for mountain bikers on their way to and from Moab's well-loved singletrack. Learn more here: http://bikesbelong.org/site/page.cfm?PageID=21 *HELP IMBA'S NEW ORLEANS CLUB GET BACK ON ITS FEET Clubs are urged to consider a donation to the New Orleans Metro Area Mountain Bike Organization (NOMAMBO). "Television images can't convey the destruction -- it's pretty overwhelming," said NOMAMBO board member Dan Dickerson. The Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBR) stepped up to the plate with a gift of $100, but more funds are needed to clear the wreckage. Donations can be sent to 159 Gruner Rd., Metairie, LA, 70001. Many local trails and parks need help - visit the club's website for info about upcoming trailbuilding and cleanup events. http://www.nomambo.com/ *GIVE THANKS TO LAND MANAGERS IN NOVEMBER IMBA is using the Thanksgiving holiday season to remind all advocates to thank their local land managers for their tireless work on behalf of trails. For the second year in a row, IMBA reps, clubs and members can receive free thank you postcards to mail to their local land officials. Please take time to give thanks. Request the cards here: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/11_05/10_12_thanks.html *RTP CAMPAIGN: 50 MOUNTAIN BIKERS ON 50 STATE TRAIL COMMITTEES Does your state have a mountain biker on their state trails committee? If you live in one of the following 34 states, the answer is probably "no" : Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming IMBA reps, club leaders and mountain bike advocates to step up and get involved with the state committee that doles out Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants. We've made it easy by designing a new RTP online toolkit that with answer your questions of how to get involved and how to apply for a grant. http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/rtp_campaign.html If your state gains a mountain bike representative, make sure to email jenn@imba.com to update our online list of IMBA advocates on RTP committees! -- Like this IMBA eNewsletter? If so, forward it to a friend. Not a member? Join IMBA today at http://www.imba.com *************************************************************************** IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference Headed to Whistler in 2006 For Immediate Release: September 19, 2005 Contact: Aaryn Kay, IMBA 303-545-9011 x107, aaryn@imba.com -or- Richard Juryn, Shore Events 604-983-2215, richard@shoreevents.com Mountain biking leaders and land managers from around the world will gather June 20-23, 2006, in Whistler, British Columbia, for a combined IMBA Summit and World Mountain Bike Conference. The merger of the two conferences creates an unprecedented opportunity for mountain biking advocates, land managers, trailbuilders and the bike industry to come together for education, collaboration and strategic planning for the future of mountain biking and trail access. "The merged conference promises to be the largest single gathering of mountain bike advocates ever," says IMBA executive Mike Van Abel. "Rolling these two events together will result in a better conference which will attract a broader audience of mountain bike enthusiasts. I personally look forward to celebrating and shaping our sport for growth." The 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference is open to the public and will feature advocacy seminars, trailbuilding workshops, networking, classic Whistler riding, great food, parties and celebrity guest speakers. "The opportunity for riders and land managers to come together at one location to discuss the future of mountain biking is a logical and significant step in the development of the sport," said Richard Juryn, event producer. "We look forward to the 2006 at Whistler as a stepping stone for delegates to collaborate toward staging the event farther afield in subsequent years," he added. Open your calendar and block off June 20-23, 2006 for Whistler. Stay tuned to the IMBA website for details in the coming weeks, including a conference agenda, list of speakers, registration details and a few surprises! The International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) bi-annual Summit has been held at various locations since 1996, and the North Shore Mountain Bike Event Society's World Mountain Bike Conference has been hosted in North Vancouver since 2004. Contact Richard Juryn (richard@shoreevents.com) for sponsorship opportunities and Aaryn Kay (aaryn@imba.com) for agenda suggestions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMBA Clubs eNewsletter - September, 2005 Inside this edition: Upcoming Events * Roundup Young Riders for TAKMBD on Oct. 1 * The Great National Public Lands Day Giveaway Now Hear This * Join IMBA's National Advocacy Campaigns * IMBA Wilderness Campaigns Needed in 23 States * File an IMBA Response to Trail and Forest Management Plans * Let's Get More Mountain Bikers Appointed to Trail Committees * Go Get the Money ˆ Apply for an RTP Grant this Fall * Don't Call Us Mechanized! * Preserve Access to National Scenic and Historic Trails IMBA Resources * Get to Know Your State's Recreation and Parks Association * New Advocacy Resources at IMBA.com: - Guide to Working With the U.S. Forest Service - Management Practices for Mountain Bike Trails - National Park Service Resources - New Grant Information - Design an Advocacy Petition * Organize a VIP Ride -- Upcoming Events * Roundup Young Riders for TAKMBD on Oct. 1 It's time to corral America's young riders and take 'em riding! Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day (TAKMBD) is October 1. The events are easy to organize - check out IMBA's three-step process at the link below. There's no minimum number of riders. Be sure to register your event with IMBA to earn prizes - from free bikes to IMBA gear bags worth $100 and $50. Don't forget to bring a digital camera to the ride, as we'll post a photo gallery on our site when the dust settles. http://www.imba.com/resources/kids/index.html * The Great National Public Lands Day Giveaway National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 24, 2005. Register your project on the IMBA website and you'll be eligible to win one of two BOB trailers. Beyond that, volunteers earn a free entry day at any public land site managed by five federal agencies (National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Register with IMBA to win a BOB trailer: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/08_05/08_11_npld.html Register for a free entry to public lands: http://www.npld.com/media/press_releases/05_2004_fee_free.cfm -- Now Hear This * Join IMBA's National Advocacy Campaigns Take a look at what IMBA is working on in Washington, DC (see stories below) and learn how you can plug your area into the mix. Email Jenn Dice, Government Affairs Director, for ideas on tapping into federal programs in your backyard. jenn@imba.com * IMBA Wilderness Campaigns Needed in 23 States Wilderness Proposals are in the works for the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia , Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. If you aren't involved, you risk watching hundreds of miles of trails close in your backyard. Write Jenn Dice at IMBA to find out who to talk to in your state. jenn@imba.com * File an IMBA Response to Trail and Forest Management Plans One of the most important jobs for mountain bike advocates is to offer and record comments about any new trail and forest management plans in your area. These plans can affect bicycle access for 10 to 20 years, so missing the chance to comment can be devastating. IMBA has made it easy by writing 90 percent of what needs to be submitted - you just need to customize the letter for your management agency. To comment on Forest Service plans, click here: http://www.imba.com/resources/organizing/forest_toolkit.html For Bureau of Land Management Plans: http://www.blm.gov/planning For National Park Service Plans: http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov * Let's Get More Mountain Bikers Appointed to Trail Committees Congress has authorized $370 million for dirt trails over the next five years. That could be a lot of new singletrack - if you go get the money! IMBA is shifting focus from our RTP lobby campaign to helping clubs and reps apply for funding. A national team of IMBA leaders will be steering our two-part campaign to 1) make sure that an IMBA person serves on all 50 state's trail committees, and 2) encourage clubs to apply for grants. For more info visit: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/07_05/07_29_trans_bill.html * Don't Call Us Mechanized! Time and time again, we see land managers that designate mountain bikeers as a mechanized user group and needlessly create another layer of management that ultimately hurts bike access. As you know, the natural resource impacts of biking is similar to hiking (http://www.imba.com/resources/science/impact_summary.html) and it is extremely important that we are managed with other silent, human-powered recreation groups. If you know of a land manager who groups bicycles in with motorized users, please email Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice. jenn@imba.com * Preserve Bike Access to National Scenic Trails If a national scenic trail runs through your state, please help IMBA make sure mountain bikers have continued access to these public resources. The most active national trail campaign reloves around the 4,000-mile North Country National Scenic Trail. Without public input, the Forest Service and National Park Service decided to make this a hiking-only trail. IMBA reps and clubs along the route are working to reverse this decision. For more info visit: http://www.imba.com/resources/agencies/nct_04_01.html --- IMBA Resources * Get to Know Your State‚s Recreation and Parks Association IMBA encourages clubs and reps to reach out to local contacts within the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Michigan Mountain Bike Association (MMBA) Executive Director Todd Scott advises, „These parks people are like an extended family. They all seem to know each other. Anything we can do to get adopted by this family reduces the number of hoops we need to jump through to get new trails.‰ To learn more about NRPA, visit http://www.nrpa.org/ * New Advocacy Resources at IMBA.com IMBA wonder-intern Drew Vankat has generated a slew of new advocacy resources. The most comprehensive and beneficial resource is IMBA‚s new „Mountain Bike Advocate's Guide to Planning and the United States Forest Service.‰ Several other resource pages have seen major updates. - The Mountain Bike Advocate's Guide to Planning and the United States Forest Service: http://www.imba.com/resources/organizing/forest_toolkit.html - Mountain Bike Trails: Best Management Practices http://www.imba.com/resources/bike_management/index.html - National Park Service Resources: http://www.imba.com/resources/agencies/nps.html - New Grant Information: http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/index.html - Design an Advocacy Petition; http://www.imba.com/resources/organizing/on_line_petition.html * Organize a VIP Ride We don't have to tell you the power of getting people on bikes but we do want to encourage you to organize a VIP ride of local area decision makers. Whether it is 2 or 20 participants, getting land managers on bikes and teaching people how to ride opens doors quickly. Write Jenn Dice at IMBA for advice on how to host an event. jenn@imba.com ************************************************************************************* ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES * Welcome New Mexico Reps Bill Connelly and Jeni Turgeon * Welcome North Dakota Reps Tyler McKay and Mark Liebig * Happy Trails to North Dakota's Dave Baumgartner and Ohio's Mindy Kuth NOW HEAR THIS * Contributions Wanted for IMBA's Annual Freeride Issue * Upcoming Trail Care Crew Visits * Stay on Top of Proposed Wilderness * New Mountain Bike Statistics * Sept. 24 is National Public Lands Day * Oct. 1 is Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day * Regional Patrol Conference in Georgia: Oct. 8-9 * IMBA Campaign to Support Bike-Friendly VA Wilderness Bill ONLINE RESOURCES * New Trails Training Database GRANTS AND AWARDS * Bikes Belong Grants Available * NORBA/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants Awarded * Kona/IMBA Freeride Grants Awarded PLUS: NEW IMBA GEAR IN THE HIZZLE! ---- ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES Welcome New Mexico Reps In New Mexico, we welcome Jeni Turgeon (jlturge@comcast.net) and Bill Connelly (bill@connelly.com), who will work with rep Dave Halliburton (BigRingRider@aol.com) on New Mexico's mountain biking issues. Jeni will work in central New Mexico, while Dave works in the south and Bill in the North. Welcome North Dakota Reps In North Dakota, give a shout out to new reps Tyler McKay (trail_head26@yahoo.com) and Mark Liebig (liebigs@bis.midco.net) who join Ron Luethe. Ron will focus on Bismarck, while Mark will work in the western half of the state and Tyler will work in the east. Happy Trails to Dave Baumgartner and Mindy Kuth Thanks to North Dakota's Dave Baumgartner and Ohio's Mindy Kuth, for all the work they have done for mountain biking over the years. Best of luck to both of you, and stay in touch with your IMBA family. ---- NOW HEAR THIS Contributions Wanted for IMBA's Annual Freeride Issue The emergence of freeriding has created a set of new challenges for our community, from sustainability practices to risk management concerns. If you've had success (or a failure others could learn from), let us know about it. We'd love to feature your stories in the next issue of IMBA Trail News. Have you found a way to ease land manager's minds? Do you have a design tip that makes freeride trails safer without affecting the excitement factor? Help IMBA pool our knowledge on freeride issues by sending us your ideas. ---- Upcoming Trail Care Crew Visits Here's the schedule for the crews, who continue to patrol the nation in search of trail nirvana. If they make a visit in your neck of the woods, be sure to attend; the Trail Care Crew visits are loads of fun and incredibly useful to singletrack lovers of all stripes. Upcoming Stops: Aug 11 - Aug 14, Waitsfield, VT Aug 11 - Aug 14, Spokane, WA Aug 18 - Aug 21, Sandpoint, ID Aug 18 - Aug 21, Rutland, VT Aug 25 - Aug 28, Great Falls, MT Sept 8 - Sept 11, Whitefish, MT Sept 8 - Sept 11, Waterloo, ON Sept 15 - Sept 18, Boise, ID Sept 15 - Sept 18, Fabius, NY ---- Stay on Top of Proposed Wilderness Bills Is a wilderness proposal coming to your state? The correct answer is "yes" if you live in one of the 23 states listed below. IMBA is already organized in CA, OR, ID, WV, and VA, but mountain bikers in other states need to develop a plan. Wilderness proposals, if adopted, could result in hundreds of miles of trail closures. Contact Jenn Dice (jenn@imba.com) at IMBA today to get involved. Wilderness proposals are on the move in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming. More info at: http://www.imba.com/resources/wilderness/index.html ---- New Mountain Bike Statistics Available Statistics about cycling are useful to have on hand -- reporters love them, and they can also be valuable when you're meeting with land managers. The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) released its most recent figures on cycling in July. The OIA's study is well respected, and it tracks trends in biking as well as a wide range of other outdoor activities. For more information and access to a pdf version of the study, visit http://www.outdoorindustry.org/press.oia.php?news_id=1264 ---- Sept. 24 is National Public Lands Day National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity for cyclists all over the country to get involved in caring for the lands we love, and to meet other trail users who share that love. Mountain bikers need to make sure that we are all involved with the upkeep of these important community resources. Check imba.com for registration information -- registered event will be eligible for prizes. ---- Oct. 1 is Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Here's a great way to pass your passion for cycling and respect for wild places to the next generation: IMBA's National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. The event is supported by a Congressional joint resolution (for the second year in a row), and will take place on Oct. 1. To find out more or to plan a ride, check: http://www.imba.com/resources/kids/index.html ---- Regional Patrol Conference in Georgia: Oct. 8-9 IMBA is pleased to announce a NMBP Regional Training Conference on Oct. 8-9, 2005, in conjunction with the Tumbling Weed Mountain Bike Rumble in Gainesville, Georgia. Hosted by SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association), the event will appeal to both veteran and novice patrollers. All successful participants will become certified National Mountain Bike Patrol Instructors. Other tentative agenda topics to be covered: • Attracting and keeping volunteers • Keeping costs low and fundraising • Patroller training and certification • Liability Primer - What every volunteer patroller should know • Hands-on scenario training • Fun rides and social events Don't miss it. Details to come at http://www.imba.com/nmbp/ ---- IMBA Campaign to Support Bike-Friendly VA Wilderness Bill After in-depth negotiations with the Virginia Wilderness Committee, local IMBA advocates agreed to support a bill to protect lands and trail access in the Jefferson National Forest of southern Virginia. IMBA considers this a milestone for the bicycling and Wilderness, traditionally at odds, and strongly encourages mountain bikers to write their member of Congress and ask that they support this bill. To read more about the campaign, visit: http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/07_05/07_07_virginia.html ---- ONLINE RESOURCES New Trails Training Database Here's a searchable database of training opportunities for trailbuilders nationwide. Events range from Trail Care Crew visits to national symposia. If you're interested in the trailbuilder's art, this is the site for you. http://strawberry.forest.net/trails/event.lasso ---- GRANTS AND AWARDS Bikes Belong Grants Available Bikes Belong grants are another resource mountain biking groups can draw on for support. In evaluating applications, Bikes Belong gives priority to organizations that are directly involved in building coalitions for bicycling by collaborating the efforts of bicycle industry and advocacy groups. Bikes Belong review grant applications quarterly with the next deadline Aug. 29. For more information, visit http://bikesbelong.org/site/page.cfm?PageID=130 ---- NORBA/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants Awarded Ten NORBA (http://www.usacycling.org/mtb/) and IMBA member clubs were chosen to receive $500 each for the preservation and improvement of trails used in races. For information about the winners, see http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/07_05/07_20_norba_grant.html ---- Kona/IMBA Freeride Grants Awarded Thanks to Kona Bicycle Company's (http://www.konaworld.com/) generous support, seven IMBA clubs will receive $1000 cash grants to help create new freeriding, downhilling, and dirt jumping opportunities. Check out the winners at http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/06_05/06_23_kona_winners.html. ---- NEW IMBA GEAR IN THE HIZZLE! IMBA Banners for Sale Check out our 3' X 7' banners -- they're great for promoting group rides, club events and trailwork days. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imbabanner.html IMBA Edition Nema Jewel Baggy Riding Shorts The IMBA Edition Nema Jewel is high-performance riding short that won't attract those awkward lycra-induced stares during your post-ride watering hole sessions. Available in black and blue. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imednejebash.html IMBA Hoody Loose fitting 90/10 pre-shrunk cotton/poly blend with a fleecy inside will keep you styled-out and warm, from the jump park to the dog park. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imbahoody.html IMBA Trailbuilding Book Bundle This bundle includes both the bestselling Trail Solutions: IMBA's Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack and the advanced trail design book, Natural Surface Trails By Design, by Troy Scott Parker. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imtrbobu.html ---- Like this IMBA eNewsletter? If so, forward it to a friend. Not a member? Join IMBA today at http://www.imba.com ---- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMBA Singletrack Update - January 2005 In this update: 1. INTRODUCTION 2. NEW TRAILS NEAR YOU -- Cincinnati, Ohio -- Boone, Iowa -- Tuscaloosa, Alabama -- Nashville, Indiana 3. SUCCESS STORIES OF THE MONTH -- Sri Lanka -- Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MD, VA, DC) 4. IMBA ADVOCACY NEWS -- West Virginia, British Columbia Top 2004 IMBA Report Card -- IMBA 24 Hours of Washington, D.C. -- Calling All Lawyers -- Welcome New IMBA Reps -- Bikes Fly Free with Adventure Travel 5. MEMBERSHIP AND MERCHANDISE -- Donate to the IMBA Annual Fund -- 2005 IMBA Calendar on Sale 1) INTRODUCTION Dear IMBA Member, Happy New Year! In this issue of the IMBA Singletrack Update, we highlight a host of new trails in the midwest and southeastern United States. In light of recent tragic events in Sri Lanka as a result of the December tsunami, we take a look at a link between mountain biking, IMBA and Sri Lanka. Finally, we introduce the IMBA 24 Hours of Washington, D.C. - you're all invited! If you don't want to receive these monthly updates, and would like to be removed from IMBA's email list, simply email membership@imba.com with a subject line REMOVE. Cheers, The IMBA Team ----- 2) NEW TRAILS NEAR YOU EAST FORK TRAIL - CINCINNATI, OHIO Lots of new singletrack is being built near Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Off-Road Association (CORA) is working with Ohio State Parks on a three phase trailbuilding plan that will eventually result in 15-25 miles of new shared-use trails at East Fork State Park. Phase 1 and 2 of the project call for a reroute of an existing, unsustainable trail. This phase will be completed in January and will add 10 miles of new trail. Phase 3 of the plan, which will begin in February, will add an additional 10 to 15 miles and open new areas of the park to bikers and hikers. "The club, with support from the community and park management, has made great strides building a trail system that will be a shining star for Cincinnati," said Robert Brock of CORA. Get involved at: http://www.cora-trails.org SEVEN OAKS MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL - BOONE, IOWA Racing can provide great trails for mountain bikers to enjoy every day. Case in point, the Seven Oaks Mountain Bike Trail near Boone, Iowa. This trail, located on the Seven Oaks Ski Hill, has been used as a race site since the late-1990's, but only offered a couple miles of singletrack. Thanks to the success of a 24 hour race, and the demand for more trail the Irwin's/Toyota of Des Moines Bike Team worked with land managers to expand the trail system. In 2004 this club helped construct approximately four miles of trail with plans to build more than 15 miles more in the next three years. More info: Irwin's Bike Shop, 515-270-8304, or http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Iowa/PRD_167935_4547c rx.aspx LAKE LURLEEN TRAIL - TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA In 2002, Alabama State Park Ranger Mike Storm solicited volunteers to build a new trail at Lake Lurleen Park. The Druid City Bicycle Club responded in mass, building 5.5 miles of sweet new singletrack. The club also got help from the local Sigma Nu fraternity chapter, who cleared an additional 1.5 miles of old, neglected trail. The old trail connects to the new trail to provide mountain bikers a great system in this previously under-utilized park. More info: http://www.druidcity.org VALLEY BRANCH RETREAT - NASHVILLE, INDIANA Valley Branch Retreat is a privately owned facility that has some of the best trails in Indiana. The area features 30 miles of trail through 1,000 acres of forest. The facility was started from the ground-up by avid mountain biker Gary Bartels and his family six years ago. The trail system is very well marked, featuring designated easy (green), intermediate (blue) and expert (black) trails. The area has hosted numerous mountain bike races in the past few years. More info: http://www.valleybranchretreat.com Got a new trail? Let us know: http://www.imba.com/repcenter/communication.html#New ----- 3) SUCCESS STORIES OF THE MONTH COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: ADVOCATE WORKS TO BRING MOUNTAIN BIKING TO SRI LANKA In light of recent tragic events in Sri Lanka as a result of the December tsunami, we wanted to point out a link between mountain biking, IMBA and Sri Lanka. This connection was forged this summer, when Nishanthe Piyasena from Sri Lanka attended the 2004 IMBA Summit in Washington, D.C. Full story: http://www.imba.com/resources/successes/sri_lanka.html MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, D.C.: MORE DESIGNATED 2004 ADVOCACY GROUP ON THE MOVE When IMBA designated the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) the "advocacy group on the move" in the 2004 IMBA Report Card it was based on sheer energy as much as anything. Take Scott Scudamore, the '04 MORE president, for example. There are a lot of words to describe Scott, and meek isn't one of them. Scott exudes the energy of a 14-year-old hopped up on Red Bull. His boisterous, friendly demeanor will wake you from a slumber, and make you want to do something, darn it. Scott is one of many MORE volunteers who have an infectious passion for mountain biking. Full story at: http://www.imba.com/resources/successes/more.html ----- 4) IMBA ADVOCACY NEWS WEST VIRGINIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA TOP 2004 IMBA REPORT CARD For the first time, a state east of the Mississippi River has taken top-honors in the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Report Card. West Virginia received the highest grade in the 2004 edition of IMBA's annual survey of mountain biking. Internationally, British Columbia retained its position from last year as the ultimate global mountain biking location. New Jersey received the lowest grade this year because of crowded trails, strong, anti-mountain biking opponents and trail-user conflicts. Full story and grades: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/12_04/12_13_report_card_04.html IMBA'S 24 HOURS OF WASHINGTON, D.C. IMBA asks mountain bikers everywhere to join the newest 24-hour event - the 24 Hours of Washington, D.C. It's your chance to give something back to the sport. The marathon will take place April 6-7, 2005 in our nation's capital. The goal is simple: raise awareness of access and recreation issues and convince them that mountain biking deserves their support. The fun begins with a party Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. Full story: http://www.imba.com/resources/washington_dc/24_hours_dc.html CALLING ALL LAWYERS IMBA is assembling a list of lawyers who are willing to assist IMBA and our affiliated clubs when professional help is needed. If you are interested in helping and have legal expertise, please contact brandon@imba.com. WELCOME NEW IMBA REPS Please welcome the newest members to IMBA's growing rep network: Ed Bartunek Illinios - Chicago Area edbartunek@cambr.org or edbartunek@msn.com David Baumgartner Eastern North Dakota Representative bmgrtn18@aol.com Erik Gerrits Southern Minnesota Representative erikgerrits@gmail.com Roger Louton Oregon Representative rwleleven@msn.com Mark Hohengasser Central Missouri Representative mtbtrailbuilder@netzero.com For a complete list of IMBA representatives visit: http://www.imba.com/contacts/near_you/state_reps.html BIKES FLY FREE WITH ADVENTURE TRAVEL Don't forget: IMBA members can fly with a bike for free on America West and Frontier Airlines if you book travel through Adventure Travel. Call 800-274-4567 or http://www.atravel1.com. The website also offers tips on how to pack your bike! ----- 5) MEMBERSHIP AND MERCHANDISE DONATE TO THE IMBA ANNUAL FUND IMBA is going on the offensive. Our group's number one priority in 2005 is building new trails. Our immediate goal: raise $50,000 to kick-start our work in 2005. IMBA now has the staff, the expertise and the experience to really make a difference. But what we don't have yet is enough money to build new trails where they are most needed. That's why your gift to IMBA's Annual Fund is so important! Contributors of $30 or more will receive our all-new, full-color 2005 calendar. To make a donation call IMBA at: 888-442-4622 or visit http://www.imba/com 2005 IMBA CALENDAR If you didn't get a calendar this year, or are just not super stoked with the Christmas gift calendar featuring "Kittens of the World," you need to order a 2005 IMBA calendar today! With photos from the Yukon, Greenland, Arizona, the United Kingdom, France, Idaho, Utah, British Columbia and Montana, this year's edition is a cornucopia of visual treats from the best in the business. Size: 13"x13." On sale now! Order yours today by calling 888-442-4622 or online at: http://www.imba.com. ----- Do you like this IMBA e-newsletter? If so, forward it to a friend. Not a member? Join IMBA today at http://www.imba.com ----- If you'd like to be removed from this list send an email to membership@imba.com with the subject REMOVE. ----- End ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMBA summit in Westminster Maryland For Immediate Release 06-10-04 Contact: Pete Webber, IMBA communications director pete@imba.com 303-545-9011 The 2004 IMBA Summit peaked June 7 with a momentous day on Capitol Hill and unmatched energy to fuel mountain biking's future. The gathering attracted mountain biking leaders to the Washington, D.C. region June 4-8 for four days of informative seminars, networking, volunteer training, awesome riding, parties, celebrity guest speakers and political lobbying. Attendees spent a full day on Capitol Hill, meeting with their U.S. representatives, senators and staff to introduce IMBA and key mountain biking issues. The effort builds on IMBA's increased activity and leadership in our nation's capital - the place where key trail management decisions are made. "There's no question this was a groundbreaking event," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "The halls of Congress were crawling with mountain bikers. We led more than 140 face-to-face meetings with government leaders and their staff. Our people were concise, professional and credible advocates for mountain biking. IMBA's network is more talented and motivated than ever. We've got unprecedented momentum." Participants included many of IMBA's volunteer reps, key federal land managers from the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, BLM and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, journalists, and leaders of other cycling and conservation groups. Racing heroes Marla Streb and Ned Overend spoke at the event and urged their congressional delegations to support trails and mountain biking. The Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program was the event's leading sponsor, underwriting its educational components. The Bikes Belong Coalition, Quality Bicycle Products and America Bikes were presenting sponsors. More information about the Summit, including workshop summaries and photos will be posted shortly on the IMBA website. For Immediate Release: October 7, 2003 Contact: Dan Vardamis, IMBA advocacy coordinator dan@imba.com, 303-545-9011 The Best State for Mountain Biking? IMBA Says It's Arizona Arizona and British Columbia, Canada both earned A grades in the 2003 version of IMBA's Report Card, bumping Colorado off the top spot for mountain bike advocacy, trails and riding. In Arizona, stellar trails and urban advocacy combined with the reopening of the Cactus Forest Trail in Saguaro National Park to bring the state to the head of the class. Whether it be the red rocked trails in Sedona, the alpine routes that ring Flagstaff or the ponderosa pine singletrack near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona offers an abundance of fat tire destinations. Perhaps most impressive are the trail systems near Arizona's metropolises, Phoenix and Tucson, which include hundreds of miles of shared-use trails and 35 miles of "competitive tracks," designed for higher speed non-motorized trail use. The key to British Columbia's success is a willingness to embrace evolving styles of riding. While Victoria, Kelowna, Rossland, Nelson and Fernie have world-class cross-country riding, what really separates B.C. from the rest of the planet is freeriding. B.C. is one of the few places where freeriding in all of it's incarnations – super-technical trails, big drops and stunts – is fully embraced. The original stunt trails surrounding Vancouver have been improved, and on some days more than 1,000 riders buy tickets to ride at Whistler Resort. The IMBA Report Card is a tool to let IMBA members and mountain bikers know specifically where we're doing well and where access remains threatened. It's a resource for IMBA advocates to measure progress and focus energy. This is the fifth year of the IMBA Report Card. "The IMBA Report Card rewards progress and new trail developments," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "It would be easy to give the top grade to the same place every year, but we're especially interested in recognizing locales where mountain bike advocacy is fueled by a positive buzz." Internationally, Italy ranked number one for mountain biking, receiving an A- because of outstanding trails, access and culture. Missouri received the people's choice award, because it earned the highest grade in an online poll of IMBA members. For the full version of the 2003 IMBA Report Card, including grades and comments for all 50 states and six countries, visit http://www.imba.com or contact dan@imba.com. -- 2003 IMBA U.S. Mountain Bike Access Report Card Arizona: A West Virginia: A- Idaho: A- South Dakota: A- Colorado: B+ Florida: B+ Utah: B+ Montana: B+ Oregon: B+ Oklahoma: B+ Michigan: B+ Missouri: B+ Wyoming: B North Carolina: B North Dakota: B Virginia: B Kentucky: B New Mexico: B Georgia: B Nevada: B Alaska: B Wisconsin: B New Hampshire: B Arkansas: B Washington: B Massachusetts: B Tennessee: B- South Carolina: B- Ohio: B- Vermont: B- Texas: B- Minnesota: B- Maine: B- Maryland: B- New York: B- Hawaii: C+ Connecticut: C+ Iowa: C+ Mississippi: C+ Pennsylvania: C+ Delaware: C+ California: C+ Illinois: C Kansas: C Nebraska: C Louisiana: C Rhode Island: C Alabama: C New Jersey: C Indiana: D+ 2003 IMBA International Mountain Bike Access Report Card ITALY: A- CANADA: B+ British Columbia: A Yukon: A- Ontario: B+ Alberta: B Quebec: C+ UNITED STATES: B AUSTRALIA: B- ISRAEL: B- UNITED KINGDOM: C+ Scotland: A- Wales: B+ England: C+ Northern Ireland: C- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact your IMBA state rep here! 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