NMBP's Mission: The NMBP promotes and supports local mountain bike patrollers and groups that inform, assist and educate mountain bikers and other trail users. The fundamental goal of mountain bike patrols is to ensure trail access for mountain bikers. Mountain bike patrols work in cooperation with land managers to meet the specific needs of their local riding area. To find out how to be a patroller in your area, please visit IMBA patrol page here - National Moutainbike Patrol To join IMBA, please visit IMBA membership page here - IMBA Membership Page ********************************************************************************** National Mountain Bike Patrol eNews: December '09 Instructor Certification Course Scheduled for January Treat Yourself to a Holiday Gift! Marin Mountain Bike Patrol Off in the Weeds Thank You for Another Great Year Instructor Certification Course Scheduled for January Due to an overwhelming response to our first instructor certification webinar, held in October, we've set the date for a second certification course. We're expecting registration to fill up quickly, so make sure to sign up soon! Don't forget, the NMBP's instructor certification policies are changing, and eventually, everyone acting as an instructor will have to participate in a webinar session. Current instructors who would like to take advantage of our grandfather clause should complete the online questionnaire before Jan. 1, 2010. Treat Yourself to a Holiday Gift! The NMBP enjoys support from many generous partners, so why not treat yourself to some new gear during this holiday season? Here are some great offers from our corporate supporters Rescue Essentials First Aid gear is available on the Rescue Essentials website at a special discount to NMBP members. Please contact Spencer Powlison. Rocky Mountain Bicycles NMBP Members can purchase complete Rocky Mountain bikes at authorized Rocky Mountain dealers at a 25% discount off of retail. Bicycles will be special-ordered from Rocky Mountain Bicycles through the participating shop. Planet Bike Planet Bike makes a variety of great gear for all of your commuting and riding needs. NMBP members can purchase Planet Bike products at pro-purchase pricing. To receive an order form, please contact Spencer Powlison. First Aid Supplies Plus NMBP members are eligible to purchase first aid gear from First Aid Supplies Plus at a discounted rate. Please contact Spencer Powlison for the coupon code. Turner Bikes Turner Bikes has been providing frames to NMBP members for several years. For more information on how to order a frame, please contact Spencer Powlison. Marin Mountain Bike Patrol Off in the Weeds The Marin Mountain Bike Patrol is well known as a helpful addition to the trails community in California's Bay Area, and they recently showed that their talents aren't limited to patrol activities. Several patrollers joined a group effort to eradicate invasive weeds in the Mount Tamalpais watershed. For more details, check out the Think Blue Marin Blog. Thank You for Another Great Year As 2009 comes to a close, IMBA and the NMBP would like to thank you all for your hard work as some of our most dedicated volunteers. As always, we appreciate your feedback, hours reports, questions, thoughts and ideas. Keep up the great work, and here's to another great year in 2010! 2009 Statistics as of press time: Hours of patrolling: 4,004 Individual hours reports: 822 Current NMBP members: 630 2008 NMBP members: 586 National Mountain Bike Patrol eNews: November '09 18 NMBP Instructors Certified with Webinar NEMBA Patrol in the News Vacationing Florida Patrollers Render Aid Hours Reporting Update 18 NMBP Instructors Certified with Webinar The NMBP's first instructor certification webinar, held in late October, was a great success! A webinar is a distance learning technology often employed by universities and businesses to provide instruction to individuals based in remote places. Throughout the course of a two-hour session, 18 NMBP members were provided with the guidance and resources needed to operate as instructors in their areas. Topics covered included: patroller and instructor expectations, communication, teaching methods and much more. A second instructor certification course is planned for early 2010, so stay tuned for more details, and contact Spencer Powlison with any questions. NEMBA Patrol in the News The New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) Patrol is one of the longest-running organizations in bike patrol history. They recently got some good press in the Georgetown Record, a Massachusetts newspaper. Remember, even if your patrol has been around for awhile, its still a good idea to reach out to your newspapers and magazines to look for opportunities to promote your organization. Talk to the editor of your paper's outdoors or sports section to find out what type of story will work for them. If one of your volunteers wants to take on a leadership role, suggest that they act as the group's public relations officer — they can be responsible for writing releases about the latest patrol news and acting as a liaison with your local media. Vacationing Florida Patrollers Render Aid Three patrollers from the Broward County Parks Mountain Bike Patrol came across an unexpected opportunity to employ their skills while on a riding vacation in Moab, UT. The group came upon a rider suffering from dehydration on the Porcupine Rim trail who was unprepared for the 27 mile, 5,500' decent from the La Sal mountains. He did not carry sufficient food or water, became dehydrated and suffered involuntary muscle spasms in his hands and arms that disabled his riding ability. When the rider exited the trail he was disoriented, had trouble talking, and could not understand simple instructions. Patrol members sat him in an air-conditioned truck, provide him with hydration and cooled him with ice. After about 10 minutes he began to recover, became coherent and asked the Moab sheriff who arrived on scene to cancel the EMS. "As soon as we were told about this rider out on the trail," explains Dave Williams, one of the patrollers, "our training immediately kicked in on what to do." No matter how far you are from home, NMBP skills can always come in handy! Hours Reporting Update Congratulations! We've hit a milestone — NMBP members have now logged over 1,000 patrol reports, amounting to over 8,000 hours of volunteer work since we began recording hours in January, 2008. As 2009 winds down, it's clear that NMBP groups have been busier than ever. Here are our top-5 patrols based on hours logged: 1. 297 hours, San Diego Mountain Bike Association NMBP, California 2. 280 hours, Lawrence Mountain Bike Patrol, Kansas 3. 244 hours, Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists Trail Patrol, New York 4. 199 hours, SORBA Mid-Tennessee 5. 119 hours, SORBA-CSRA, Georgia National Mountain Bike Patrol E-Newsletter: Early Summer 2006 Table of Contents *Middle Tennessee SORBA Holds Successful Training Session *Barmy Dogs Patrol to Host Regional Training Conference June 2-4 *Details About Membership Level Changes *Help Contribute to Ski Patrol Magazine Article *New NMBP Patch Online Middle Tennessee SORBA Holds Successful Training Session On March 25-26, Tennessee mountain bikers gathered at Fall Creek Falls State Park to learn about the NMBP. A full compliment of subjects was discussed during the training session. Much of the training material was modeled after the Patrol Instructors Training Conference held at Gainesville College in Gainesville, Georgia, this past October. The training was sponsored by Middle Tennessee SORBA and had attendees from Chattanooga SORBA and the Big South Fork National Park region. Joe Cross, Dan Hensley and Brian Shoemaker led discussions. Barmy Dogs Patrol to Host Regional Training Conference June 2-4 Coinciding with National Trails Day weekend, The Barmy Dogs Mountain Bike Patrol will host an NMBP Regional Training Conference at Namakagon Town Hall near Cable, Wisconsin. The training will cover all of the basics required by the NMBP, plus backcountry (overnight) patrolling, basic search and rescue operations and instructional techniques for leaders. There will also be a presentation by a local law enforcement officer on methamphetamine lab awareness. For further information or to RSVP, contact Hans Erdman, Mike Randall or Randy Strickland. Details About Membership Level Changes The National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) has changed its membership levels. The basic level is now $50, rather than $35. Being one of IMBA's most committed volunteer programs, it is understandable why some patrollers are concerned about the change in member levels. Rest assured that we are using your membership dollars to advance the patrol program and create greater opportunities for you and your organizations. Help Contribute to Ski Patrol Magazine Article The NMBP has been approached by Ski Patrol Magazine to contribute to their "Improvise and Innovate" section. Do you, or any of your fellow patrollers have stories of making a quick fix on the trail, using your gear to creatively render service or finding a unique solution to a problem? If so, let us know, and we might be able to add them to the piece. Please keep your stories short (100 words or less) and submit them to Spencer Powlison. New NMBP Patch Online A new patch is now available. It is designed to match the new jerseys, which will be in stock shortly. ********************************************************************************** National Mountain Bike Patrol eNews - Spring 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS Powlison Tapped to be NMBP Coordinator New NMBP Sponsors Line Up for 2006 Renew your NMBP/IMBA Membership Funding Available for Patrols Through RTP Program Patroller Input Sought for NMBP Certification Exam Gear Update: Patrol Jacket Now Available in Small, New Patrol Jersey Welcome New North Central Regional Rep Jillian Imilkowski New Online Resource: Mountain Bike Search and Rescue Manual Powlison Tapped to be NMBP Coordinator Spencer Powlison has been selected to manage two of IMBA's most visible field programs: the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and the National Mountain Bike Patrol. He replaces Zach Vanderkooy, who coordinated the NMBP for the past 18 months. Powlison brings intimate knowledge of IMBA's key programs, advocacy experience on Capitol Hill and boundless energy to his new post. His transition into coordinating two of IMBA's most recognizable programs will take place over the spring of 2006. An athlete as well as an advocate, Powlison competes in mountain, road and cyclocross events. He recently represented the USA at the 2006 World Championships for winter triathlon. Look for him this summer at races across the West, and selected Trail Care Crew and National Mountain Bike Patrol events nationwide. Reach him at spencer@imba.com. New NMBP Sponsors Add Great Benefits for Patrollers in 2006 The National Mountain Bike Patrol welcomes Crank Brothers as a new corporate supporter. Crank Brothers joins Planet Bike, Broform.com, Voler Apparel, Sock Guy, Pearl Izumi and McKay Insurance in the list of companies who support the NMBP. All new and renewing patrollers will receive a saddle pack from Planet Bike, as well as below-wholesale pricing on any Planet Bike product. In addition, patrollers are eligible for pro-deal pricing on hundreds of brands of outdoor gear from broform.com. Thanks to Crank Brothers, all patrollers who renew or join at the $75 Big Wheel level or higher in '06 will receive a versatile Multi-19 tool. Get the full list of benefits. Renew Your NMBP/IMBA Membership Today By now you have probably received a notice via email or snail mail that it's time to renew your NMBP/IMBA membership. Please do it! Renewing online helps us save money and time and lets us put more resources into the National Mountain Bike Patrol. Much appreciation and good trail karma goes out to the 150+ patrollers who have already renewed their membership for 2006. Funding Opportunities Abound for Patrols Through RTP Program Many patrol groups have asked IMBA how they can get funds to cover patrol-related expenses. While grassroots fundraising tactics ranging from providing patrol support at events to sponsorships from local bike shops can be effective, one of the best sources of cash is the Federal Recreational Trails (RTP) program. IMBA advocates lobbied hard in 2004 for an increase in allocation of trail-related funds, and were rewarded late last year. Now is the time to go get the money. It all starts with an inquiry to your state RTP coordinator. You can learn more about the RTP Campaign and other grants and funding options from IMBA's online resources. Patroller Input Sought for NMBP Certification Exam IMBA and the NMBP Advisory Committee are working to create a brief, multiple choice certification exam for patrollers to establish a uniform standard of training. The purpose of the exam is not to exclude potential volunteers, but to establish a common base of knowledge for all patrollers. Active patrollers and patrol leaders can submit questions below for consideration to be added to the exam. Every usable question submitted will be entered into a drawing for a free Pearl Izumi Patrol jacket at the end of April. Gear Update: Patrol Jacket Now Available in Small, New Patrol Jersey The popular Pearl Izumi Patrol jacket is now available in size small from the newly revamped Patrol Online store. Stay tuned for a new look patrol jersey in mid-late May. The new garment will be a loose-fitting cut with a bold, elegant design that evokes National Ski Patrol, with prominent use of the universal symbol for assistance: the white cross. Also expect a new heat-transfer patch in May with the same design influence. Welcome New North Central Regional Rep Jillian Imilkowski Jillian Imilkowski has joined the ranks of NMBP reps for the North Central region (ND, SD, MN, WI). You can get in touch with her at:jimilkowski@gmail.com. New Online Resource: Mountain Bike Search and Rescue Manual While search and rescue (SAR) is not a primary or required function of a mountain bike patrol unit, it is a valuable skill that patrollers can use to serve their trail community and promote a positive image of mountain bikers. This manual, submitted by the Backcountry Trail Patrol, is a detailed primer on the ways that mountain bike patrols can execute effective SAR campaigns. Download the PDF. ---- You are receiving this eNewsletter because you are a member or past member of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol. Feel free to forward this eNewsletter to fellow patrollers or interested friends by using the Forward to a Friend button. ----- YOU are the NMBP, and this is your medium to communicate. Have an idea to share or a resource that could benefit other patrollers? We welcome submissions for the NMBP eNewsletter and website. Send them to patrol@imba.com. Patrol eNewsletter - November 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS PATROL NEWS * View the Slideshow from IMBA/SORBA NMBP Instructor Training Conference * Go Get the Money! New RTP Grants Toolkit Available Online * Utah Patrol Hosts NMBP Meeting During Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visit * Welcome New NMBP Southeast Regional Rep Daniel Elzey * Tennessee Patrol Shines in Search and Rescue Incident * Ron Rodriguez Joins NMBP Advisory Committee * Icom Radios Available at Discount to NMBP Members * All NMBP Gear on Sale Nov. 22 - Dec. 12 * Is Your NMBP/IMBA Membership Current? ---- PATROL NEWS View the Slideshow from IMBA/SORBA NMBP Instructor Training Conference More than 25 National Mountain Bike Patrollers (NMBP) from across the southeast gathered for the NMBP Regional Instructor Training Conference on Oct. 8-9 at Gainesville College in Gainesville, Georgia. SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association) hosted the event, which brought patrol leaders together for a weekend of seminars, speakers, networking and riding. Read a full report and view the slideshow: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/news_archive/10_05_success.html -- Go Get the Money! New RTP Grants Toolkit Available Online Congress has authorized $370 million for dirt trails over the next five years. New to the authorization is specific language that sets aside money specifically for "non-law enforcement trail patrols." That's you! This could mean a lot of patrol equipment, trainings, educational materials, events or membership if you go get the money! A national team of IMBA leaders has created an online RTP toolkit. Other patrols and IMBA clubs have gotten hundreds of thousands of dollars through this program and you can too. IMBA RTP online toolkit: http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/rtp_campaign.html 5-Step quick guide to applying for a patrol RTP grant: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/resources/rtp_funding.html -- Utah Patrol Hosts NMBP Meeting During Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visit Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders Nat and Rachael Lopes barely beat the winter snowfall in October at the 11,000-foot elevation of Brian Head, Utah. The aspen trees had already dropped their leaves and last-minute trailwork was in order to prepare for the next year's riding season. Joined by Zach Vanderkooy, National Mountain Bike Patrol coordinator, the Crew worked with the Color Country Cycling Club and the Forest Service to protect some valuable singletrack. Local patrollers also gathered for a planning meeting as part of the event. Bunker Creek Trail, a local favorite, has seen some widening recently from illegal ATV use on the trail. Signage alone had not kept motorized users off the trail, so the Forest Service worked with the Crew to choke in the trail with a fence and thin the corridor of a bridge. Volunteers contributed close to 100 hours of their time to this project and are hopeful it will keep the singletrack single. -- Welcome New NMBP Southeast Regional Rep Daniel Elzey Daniel Elzey, Patrol Director of SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association), is the new Southeast Region NMBP representative. He will be a valuable resource to local patrols on topics ranging from advocacy to training. He can be reached at patrol@sorba.org For a complete list of regional reps, visit http://www.imba.com/nmbp/regions.html -- Tennessee Patrol Shines in Search and Rescue Incident The Big South Fork Patrol participated in a search for a lost 70 year-old hiker last month. Below is an anecdote of the event from patrol leader Joe Cross: "Two rangers and myself were on mountain bikes, covering the trail the hiker was last seen on in just a matter of minutes. We assembled at HQ, got the details from the family, got our radios as we strapped on our helmets, and we were out of there in no time. We found him within the hour. He was fine and reunited with family soon thereafter. He had missed a 90-degree turn on the poorly designed hiking trail, but that is another matter." "The key point is that the Chief Ranger in charge of conducting the search was quite impressed with our effort and with the fact that NPS personnel were using the bikes they have in their fleet with our help. Since I am a member of the NMBP and frequently patrol in the park, I was readily accepted by the staff as someone who could help them with the search. It was all very professionally organized. It was fun, too. The Chief Ranger was going to make a point to tell the park superintendent and the assistant superintendent about the successful bike usage. That has to help our patrol effort." -- Ron Rodriguez Joins NMBP Advisory Committee Ron Rodriguez of Cedar City, UT is the newest member of the NMBP Advisory Committee, a nationwide group of patrol leaders who help guide and grow the NMBP program. Ron leads the Color Country Cycling Club Patrol, which offers patrol services on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land. The group is also the official patrol of the Interbike dirt demo, part of the massive bicycle industry trade show held each fall in Las Vegas. -- Icom Radios Available at Discount to NMBP Members A reminder to all patrollers: Icom radios are available at a discount to current members. For details about the program, check out: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/resources/radio.html -- NMBP Gear Sale Nov. 22 - Dec. 12 A heads-up to all patrollers: NMBP and IMBA gear will be on sale starting Nov. 22. Jerseys, shorts, jackets and other patrol uniform pieces will be discounted up to 40 percent. Quantities are limited, so order early to get the best selection. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/nmmer.html -- Is Your NMBP/IMBA Membership Current? Your NMBP/IMBA membership Expires on: 4/1/2006 Id # 95281 You can renew online at: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/rennmbpimmem.html ---- You are receiving this eNewsletter because you are a member or past member of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol. Feel free to forward this eNewsletter to fellow patrollers or interested friends. ----- YOU are the NMBP, and this is your medium to communicate. Have an idea to share or a resource that could benefit other patrollers? We welcome submissions for the NMBP eNewsletter and website. Send them to patrol@imba.com. Patrol eNewsletter - September/October 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS PATROL NEWS * Sign up Today: IMBA/SORBA NMBP Southeast Training Conference * Western Patrol Meeting Oct. 15-16 in Cedar City, UT * Emergency Medical Scenario: Heat Injuries and Mountain Bikers * IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Confrence Headed to Whistler in 2006 * Sound Off: Join the NMBP Online Forum * Send in Your NMBP Photos * Go Get the Money - Apply for an RTP Grant this Fall * MTB Hall of Famer Thanks National Mountain Bike Patrol * Round Up the Young'uns for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day - Oct. 1 * DVMBP Raises $6500 for Pennsylvania Park * Patrol Success Stories and New Trails Near You * Is Your NMBP/IMBA Membership Current? ---- PATROL NEWS Sign up Today: IMBA/SORBA NMBP Southeast Regional Training Conference The time is now to register for the IMBA/SORBA NMBP Training Conference on Oct. 8-9, 2005, at Gainesville College in Gainesville, Georgia. The event will bring together patrollers from the Southeast and beyond for a weekend of training, networking and sweet Georgia singletrack. Successful participants will have the opportunity to become certified National Mountain Bike Patrol Instructors. Attendees will learn patrol organization and advocacy skills, on-the-trail assistance techniques and gain teaching skills necessary to lead patrol training sessions. Online registration and conference details are at: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/conference.html Current and aspiring patrol leaders, as well as club leaders and land managers will hone their leadership skills and leave the conference ready to start new patrols or enhance existing ones. Any current patroller with an interest in taking their skills to the next level is welcome. The conference fee is $25 and includes 1 1/2 days of education, training materials and food. Please register today! Spots are filling up fast. -- Western Patrol Meeting Oct. 15-16 in Cedar City, UT Join members of the Color Country Cycling Club Patrol, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew of Nat and Rachel Lopes and National Mountain Bike Patrol Coordinator Zach Vanderkooy for a weekend of trailbuilding instruction and patrol networking. In addition to the regular Trail Care Crew activities, a National Mountain Bike Patrol meeting will be held Friday night to talk about how to strengthen patrols in the Southwest and a possible instructor training conference in '06. Come out, grab a tool and get dirty. Details about the visit: Contact Nick Glidden at nglidden@fs.fed.us. More info about the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews: http://www.imba.com/tcc/index.html -- Emergency Medical Scenario: Heat Injuries and Mountain Bikers Do you know how to tell the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Summer may be winding down, but the heat never stops in the fast-paced world of mountain bike patrolling. Check out this new online resource by NMBP Medical Advisor Brian Fukushima, MD. http://www.imba.com/nmbp/resources/heat_injuries.html -- IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Confrence Headed to Whistler in 2006 Mountain biking leaders, patrollers 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 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference is open to the public and will feature advocacy seminars, patrol workshops, trailbuilding, networking, classic Whistler riding, great food, parties and celebrity guest speakers. More info: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/09_05/09_16_imba_summit.html -- Sound Off: Join the NMBP Online Forum All patrollers are encouraged to participate in the NMBP online forum/message board. Registration is easy, and patrollers can post on five different NMBP topics, ranging from wilderness medicine to patrol equipment to advocacy tips and resources. Log on and sound off at: http://www.imba.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi -- Send in Your NMBP Photos We're looking for images of patrollers in action for the NMBP website and future marketing materials. Got sweet shots? Send them to patrol@imba.com. -- Go Get the Money - Apply for an RTP Grant this Fall Congress has authorized $370 million for dirt trails over the next five years. New to the authorization is specific language that sets aside money specifically for "non-law enforcement trail patrols." That's you! This could mean a lot of patrol equipment, trainings, events or membership – if you go get the money! A national team of IMBA leaders will be steering our two-part campaign to 1) make sure that a mountain biker serves on all 50 state's trail committees, and 2) encourage clubs and patrols to apply for grants. For more info visit: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/07_05/07_29_trans_bill.html 5-Step Guide to Applying for an RTP Grant: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/resources/rtp_funding.html -- MTB Hall of Famer Thanks National Mountain Bike Patrol Mountain Bike Hall of Fame member and director of the Chequamegon (Wisconsin) Fat Tire Festival Gary Crandall recognized the National Mountain Bike Patrol and Backcountry Trail Patrol leader Hans Erdman for the contribution that the patrol has made to the festival trhoughout the past ten years. Crandall presented Erdman with a stainless steel sculpture of a mountain biker. The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is one of the largest events on the calendar, attracting more than 3,000 riders and spectators. More info at: http://www.trailpatrol.org http://cheqfattire.com -- Round Up the Young'uns for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day - Oct. 1 It's time to corral America's young riders and take 'em riding! Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day (TAKMBD) is Oct. 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 -- DVMBP Raises $6,500 for Pennsylvania Park The Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol (DVMBP) raised more than $6,500 for the Friends of the Wissahickon as part of a poker run event to benefit the urban Pennsylvania Park. It was the first ever mass mountain bike event in the venue, which has overcome a history of user conflict to embrace mountain biking, largely thanks to the stewardship of the DVMBP. Approximately $800 of the purse will be used to purchase radio equipment through IMBA/NMBP for the Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol. For more info, check out: http://www.pokerrun.jerseyactionriders.org/ -- Patrol Success Stories and New Trails Near You One of the best ways for IMBA to track progress is by the trails that your patrol helped build, re-opened or preserve. If you have an example of creative partnerships, overcoming obstacles and other successful patrol projects please let us know. Your story could be used in a future article in IMBA Trail News, the NMBP eNewsletter or on the IMBA website. It will also and give your patrol some excellent exposure. Use our online form and fill out the applicable questions that best describe your patrol's success story: http://www.imba.com/resources/conservation/new_trail_success.html -- Is Your NMBP/IMBA Membership Current? Your NMBP/IMBA membership Expires on: 4/1/2006 Id # 103048 You can renew online at: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/rennmbpimmem.html ---- You are receiving this eNewsletter because you are a member or past member of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol. Feel free to forward this eNewsletter to fellow patrollers or interested friends. ----- YOU are the NMBP, and this is your medium to communicate. Have an idea to share or a resource that could benefit other patrollers? We welcome submissions for the NMBP eNewsletter and website. Send them to patrol@imba.com. ----- If you'd like to be removed from this list send an email to membership@imba.com with the subject REMOVE. |
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| IMBA Patrol NewsletterIMBA Patrol March 2005 eNewsletter ---- Table of Contents: * UPGRADE YOUR EMERGENCY WILDERNESS MEDICAL TRAINING * PATROL TIP O’ THE MONTH: WINE AND DINE YOUR LAND MANAGERS * NEW PATROL RESOURCE: SAMPLE PATROL HANDOUT * DVMP TO HOST WISSAHICKON POKER RUN * MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – ALL PATROL MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRE APRIL 1 * WELCOME NEW PATROL SPONSORS PLANET BIKE AND KENDA * HOST A PATROL EVENT ON JULY 1 – FOREST SERVICE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION * IMBA’S WILDERNESS STRATEGY * WILDERNESS PROPOSALS IN 23 STATES – GET INVOLVED * CONSERVATION ACTIONS PERFORMED BY MOUNTAIN BIKERS * USE IMBA’S FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS REPORT * $1 MILLION IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES- USE THIS VOLUNTEER CALCULATOR * PATROL EVENTS NEAR YOU ---- UPGRADE YOUR EMERGENCY WILDERNESS MEDICAL TRAINING All Patrollers are required to maintain standard First Aid training, but that’s only the beginning. A good step for a Patroller looking to take his/her emergency medical skills to the next level is to seek a course in backcountry-specific First Aid. The 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course is the standard for outdoor professionals. And if you can’t get enough of improvised traction splints, spinal cord injury assessment, and remote environment neurological emergencies, consider a Wilderness EMT certification. The NMBP recommends the following organizations for advanced First Aid training: Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS: http://www.nols.edu/wmi/ Wilderness Medical Associates: http://www.wildmed.com/ SOLO: http://www.soloschools.com/home.html ---- PATROL TIP O’ THE MONTH: WINE AND DINE YOUR LAND MANAGERS A good relationship with your local land managers is key to the success of any Patrol. Consider inviting the manager of the trails you Patrol to a social event – a ride or a barbeque or a slide show. Keep it fun! And don’t forget the beer. ---- NEW PATROL RESOURCE: SAMPLE PATROL FACT SHEET HANDOUT A simple fact sheet is a great tool for Patrollers to carry on the trail. This sample from the Ohio Mountain Bike Patrol contains all the important elements. Just fold, laminate and carry in your Camelbak as a cheat sheet for emergencies. Key information includes contacts and trailhead addresses to alert emergency squads, basic first aid reminders and tips about trail etiquette. Thanks to the OMBP for sharing. The resource will be posted soon at: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/index.html Does your Patrol have custom resources that would be valuable for other Patrols? Send them to zach@imba.com. ---- DVMP TO HOST WISSAHICKON POKER RUN The Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol is hosting the First Annual Wissahickon Poker Run on April 16 in Philadelphia, PA. This will be the first ever, mass public mountain bike event in a park that continues to experience classic user conflict issues. The goodwill created by the Patrol is a significant reason why the park has permitted and partnered on this event. The Patrol is a powerful advocacy tool for all mountain bikers. Details:http://www.pokerrun.jerseyactionriders.org ---- MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – ALL PATROL MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRE APRIL 1 It’s time to renew your NMBP membership for the 2005 season. Email and snail mail renewal reminders will be arriving in your mailbox soon. If you receive a notice and you have already renewed, please disregard the notice and forgive the infraction. Renew today! Renew online: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/nmmer.html ---- WELCOME NEW PATROL SPONSORS PLANET BIKE AND KENDA Planet Bike and Kenda are supporting the National Mountain Bike Patrol for 2005, and as a result each renewing and new Patroller this year will receive a specially selected Planet Bike/Kenda Patrol Pack. The pack includes a Planet Bike versair mini-pump, luna tire levers/patch kit, and two tubes to use for Patrol sessions. In addition, each renewing Patrol group (not individuals) will receive a Kenda 10-pack of tubes to distribute on the trail. ---- HOST A PATROL EVENT ON JULY 1 – FOREST SERVICE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION The USDA Forest Service will celebrate its 100th anniversary on July 1, 2005. The Forest Service manages 133,000 miles of trail, 155 National Forests, 20 National Grasslands on 191 million acres of public land in 42 states. The Forest Service has partnered with IMBA since 1988, and has worked closely with many of our affiliated clubs for more than a decade. IMBA’s Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews, National Mountain Bike Patrols and dozens of our affiliated clubs regularly volunteer on National Forest land. The Forest Service understands mountain biking and actively supports shared-use trails. IMBA encourages our 550 affiliated clubs to host a trailwork day or patrol event July 1-3 (Friday – Sunday) at their National Forest or join in existing celebrations to acknowledge all the great Forest Service singletrack riding we have enjoyed for years. To learn more about IMBA’s relationship with the Forest Service visit: http://www.imba.com/resources/agencies/index.html ---- IMBA’S WILDERNESS STRATEGY The blanket ban on bicycling in Wilderness Areas and its effect on future trail access continues to be a focus for IMBA in 2005. IMBA is pursuing a four-part strategy to protect access for mountain bicycling while preserving natural areas. IMBA believes mountain biking, a low-impact, muscle-powered recreation, is an appropriate use of trails on public lands and is consistent with the values of Wilderness land protection which includes recreation in natural landscapes. The first part of IMBA's strategy is to continue to build clout in the U.S. capital where IMBA staff, volunteer advocates and a prominent D.C. law firm are lobbying to influence proposed Wilderness legislation and protect bicycle access. This includes pending Wilderness bills that would close hundreds of miles of singletrack in California, Oregon, Virginia, Idaho and Washington. Mountain bikers are urged to attend IMBA's "24 Hours of D.C." April 6-7 for a targeted lobbying campaign. In 2004, bicycle advocates held 140 face-to-face meetings with government officials during IMBA's lobby day, championing key mountain biking and Wilderness issues. Full story: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/02_05/02_10_wilderness.html ---- WILDERNESS PROPOSALS IN 23 STATES – GET INVOLVED IMBA calls on all clubs, patrols and reps to get involved in their state’s Wilderness negotiations. If you live in one of the 23 states listed, you can’t afford not to be involved. It is essential that IMBA, cycling clubs and individuals speak strongly for mountain biking in the early stages of Wilderness discussions. Through education, outreach, community building, partnerships and media relations, mountain bikers can influence and support appropriate Wilderness bills. 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. To learn how to get involved visit: http://www.imba.com/resources/wilderness/index.html ---- CONSERVATION ACTIONS PERFORMED BY MOUNTAIN BIKERS Mountain bicyclists are truly a conservation-minded group of people. We not only enjoy bicycling on natural landscapes, we also work to protect those landscapes from harmful development. While bicyclists are a diverse group with many different opinions about political affairs, most of us agree that natural places should stay natural. We particularly value places without roads, places with narrow trails, scenic beauty, clean water, and abundant wildlife. We'll work to maintain and even improve those qualities of Earth's natural places. IMBA has created a list of some of the conservation actions performed by mountain bikers across the country and the world. This list is outdated and we need you to send us additional examples of great work you want listed. Add your local accomplishments to the list by emailing jenn@imba.com or gary@imba.com. Details: http://www.imba.com/resources/conservation/actions.html ---- USE IMBA’S FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS REPORT IMBA staff just completed a 24-page, full color newsletter highlighting the work IMBA did with federal land agencies in 2004. IMBA’s Federal Partnerships Report captures 2004 and 2005 Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits, success stories, tangible project accomplishments, and online resources for the USACE, BLM, USFS and RTCA. A copy of IMBA’s partnership agreement with each agency is also in this valuable advocacy handout. Use this handout as an advocacy tool when working with your local land management agency. It demonstrates that mountain bikers are professional and accountable. The printed partnership agreements can open doors at the local level and shows managers how IMBA works with their counterparts in Washington, D.C. Consider giving a copy to your local land managers. To get a free copy (plus postage) of the IMBA Federal Partnerships Report visit: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/immer.html ---- $1 MILLION IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES- USE THIS INTERNET CALCULATOR Congratulations to IMBA-affiliated club Trails4All (http://www.trails4all.org) and their executive director Jim Meyer for reaching the $1 million mark in volunteer trailwork around Orange County, California. Trails4All includes equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. Since 1997, Trails4All has helped their strategic partners and public agencies organize more than 14,500 volunteers to work on more than 475 countywide trail projects by sharing and maximizing resources such as tools, materials and experienced personnel. All together their volunteers have logged more than 68,500 volunteer hours totaling more than $1 million worth of volunteer services. Trails4All used an internet calculator to put a monetary value on their volunteer work and leverage the figure as an advocacy tool. IMBA encourages other clubs to use this great resource to quantify your club’s trailwork: http://www.independentsector.org/programs/research/volunteer_time.html ---- PATROL EVENTS NEAR YOU Diamond Peaks Patrol Meeting, Fort Collins - March 23 More info: Rick Hufnagel teleman@frii.com Michigan Mountain Bike Patrol Training - April 8-9 More info: Bill Rushford otr072474@yahoo.com Midwest Mountain Bike Summit, St. Louis - April 8-10 More info: http://www.gorctrails.com/summit ---- Zach Vanderkooy National Mountain Bike Patrol Coordinator Membership/Product Sales International Mountain Bicycling Association PO Box 7578 Boulder CO 80306 ph: 303-545-9011 x113, fax 303-545-9026 email: zach@imba.com, web: http://www.imba.com What would we do without trails? IMBA Patrol February 2005 eNewsletter ----- * WELCOME NEW PATROL COORDINATOR ZACH VANDERKOOY * SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW 2005 SCHEDULE * REGISTER ASAP - IMBA'S 24 HOURS OF WASHINGTON, D.C. - APRIL 6-7 * PLANET BIKE AND KENDA STEP UP FOR THE BIIKE PATROL * BIKE PATROL BAGGIES COMING SOON * MIDWEST SINGLETRACK ADVOCACY SUMMIT HEADING TO ST. LOUIS APRIL 8-10 * MICHIGAN HOSTS PATROL TRAINING WEEKEND APRIL 8-9 * POST YOUR PATROL TRAINING EVENTS HERE * USE IMBA'S FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS REPORT * IMBA 2005 EPIC NOMINATIONS OPEN * IMBA 2005 MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE - SEND US YOUR IDEAS * SEND US YOUR MOU'S * SEND US YOUR RTP APPLICATIONS * REGISTER VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS WITH TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA * GPS YOUR TRAILS AND HELP YOUR LAND MANAGER * SAVE THESE DATES * IMBA SEEKS 2006 SUMMIT LOCATION * 2005 CALENDARS STILL AVAILABLE - FREE SHIPPING! * RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM ANNUAL AWARD NOMINATIONS * HOST A COMMUNITY TRAILS MEETING WITH NPS, RIVERS AND TRAILS STAFF * MARYLAND GOVERNOR PROPOSES $75,000 GRANT TO MORE ---- WELCOME NEW PATROL COORDINATOR ZACH VANDERKOOY Dear Patrollers, After two and a half years with IMBA, I am leaving to pursue one of my lifelong dreams and try to run my own business. I am going to open a bike shop in North Boulder! Am I crazy, you might ask? Quite possibly, but life is all about taking risks, so with any luck the next time you pass through Boulder you'll have a cool, new shop to visit. Zach Vanderkooy will be your new NMBP coordinator. Zach has been with IMBA since 2003 and is very excited to work with Patrollers to improve the program. In addition to the Bike Patrol, he'll continue to manage IMBA's online store and product program. He's a certified Wilderness First Responder with a background in outdoor education and an avid telemark and nordic skier, mountaineer, and aspiring backcountry chef. On the bike, Zach is a serious amateur racer with a focus on cyclocross. A lifelong bicycle commuter, he is also involved in local alternative transportation advocacy groups. It has been a pleasure working with you over the past year and I wish you all the best of luck in the future. You are in good hands with Zach. Zach can be reached at: zach@imba.com You can reach me for a couple more weeks at: brandon@imba.com Sincerely, Brandon Dwight ---- SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW 2005 SCHEDULE The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is crankin' again in 2005 thanks to on-going sponsorship from Subaru of America (http://www.outdoorlife.subaru.com). Two teams of trail experts will travel year-round throughout North America and beyond, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated clubs and members to improve mountain biking opportunities. Save the dates for when they will be near you! 2005 schedule: http://www.imba.com/tcc/schedule ---- REGISTER ASAP: IMBA'S 24 HOURS OF WASHINGTON, D.C. - APRIL 6-7 -- Register now so we can schedule your state meetings 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 Congress that mountain biking deserves their support. The fun begins with a party Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. If you are planning to attend, please register right away. IMBA needs plenty of lead-time to schedule your meetings. IMBA members from states with pending Wilderness proposals (CA, OR, ID, WV, VA, NH, and others) are encouraged to attend to help preserve continued bike access. Full story: http://www.imba.com/resources/washington_dc/24_hours_dc.html ---- PLANET BIKE AND KENDA STEP UP FOR THE BIKE PATROL IMBA is delighted to announce that Planet Bike and Kenda have signed sponsorship agreements with the National Mountain Bike Patrol. The two companies have teamed up to create a unique product package that will be distributed to all renewing patrollers in 2005. The package will include a Planet Bike mini-pump, tire levers and two Kenda tubes. Planet Bike will also offer a significant discount on their entire product line to all current patrollers throughout the year. Stay tuned for details. Don't forget, all Patrol memberships expire April 1, so get a head start and renew today! Membership info: http://www.imba.com/nmbp/membership.html ---- BIKE PATROL BAGGIES COMING SOON To meet popular demand for more casual and less revealing bike wear, we are excited to announce that custom embroidered baggie shorts will be available exclusively to Patrollers for the '05 season. Look for them in late March. For all you traditionalists, don't worry, the same Lycra patrol shorts will continue to be sold in the IMBA store. http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/immer.html ---- MIDWEST SINGLETRACK ADVOCACY SUMMIT HEADING TO ST. LOUIS APRIL 8-10 This year's Midwest Singletrack Advocacy Summit will be held April 8-10 just 20 minutes west of St. Louis, Missouri. The event draws trailbuilders and mountain bike advocates from 14 states throughout the Midwest for three days of training and fun. Friday's seminars, group discussions and trail demonstrations are topped off with a Saturday bike festival and Sunday race. To learn more and register visit: http://www.earthriders.org/ ---- MICHIGAN HOSTS PATROL TRAINING WEEKEND APRIL 8-9 The Michigan Mountain Bike Patrol is hosting a training weekend April 8-9 at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. Out of state patrollers are welcome to attend for a $20 fee (cost of CPR and first-aid materials). Training both days will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., lunch will be provided. Weather permitting, plan to ride both days. Camping is available at Pontiac Lake for $7 per day plus park entrance fees. Some couch surfing may be available from local patrollers. Please RSVP to Bill Rushford, MMBP Co-Director at otr072474@yahoo.com. Please also indicate what medical training you need (yearly CPR renewal and/or three year first-aid) and include any patrol training topic ideas. ---- POST YOUR PATROL TRAINING EVENTS HERE If your patrol is scheduling a training event, send it to zach@imba.com and we will post in our monthly eNewsletter. ---- USE IMBA'S FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS REPORT IMBA staff just completed a 24-page, full color newsletter highlighting the work IMBA did with federal land agencies in 2004. IMBA's Federal Partnerships Report captures 2004 and 2005 Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits, success stories, tangible project accomplishments, and online resources for the USACE, BLM, USFS and RTCA. A copy of IMBA's partnership agreement with each agency is also in this valuable advocacy handout. Use this handout as an advocacy tool when working with your local land management agency. It demonstrates that mountain bikers are professional and accountable. The printed partnership agreements can open doors at the local level and shows managers how IMBA works with their counterparts in Washington, D.C. Consider giving a copy to your local land managers. To get a free copy (plus postage) of the IMBA Federal Partnerships Report visit: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/immer.html ---- IMBA 2005 EPIC NOMINATIONS OPEN Think your trail is worthy of the IMBA Epic designation? Each year IMBA selects a handful of great rides around the world to receive this special honor. Now is the time to nominate your local trail system for a 2005 IMBA Epic celebration. To nominate a trail visit: http://www.imba.com/epics/nominate_epic.html ---- IMBA 2005 MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE - SEND US YOUR IDEAS IMBA Reps did such an outstanding job recruiting new members in 2004 that we are improving the promotion for 2005. In just a few short months, IMBA Reps boosted our roster by close to 300 new members. In 2005, we are considering extending the promotion to clubs and patrols as well. So this leads to the question - what do you want as a reward incentive? Besides a Subaru, what will help you or your club? Email your ideas to our membership manager Scott Gordon (scottgordon@imba.com) by March 1. ---- SEND US YOUR MOU'S IMBA is adding to our online collection of model documents and partnership agreements. If you have a contract, resolution, memorandum of understanding, memorandum of assistance, club bylaws or any other document that could help other clubs, send them in Microsoft Word format to jenn@imba.com. Check out existing model agreements at: http://www.imba.com/resources/organizing/index.html ---- SEND US YOUR RTP APPLICATIONS IMBA is creating a similar collection of RTP applications. More and more clubs are asking for advice on how to apply. If your group has a digital copy of a successful RTP application email it to jenn@imba.com. Check out existing RTP info at: http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/index.html See how the Western New York Mountain Bike Association recently filed their RTP grant in their Jan/Feb 2005 club newsletter at: http://www.wnymba.org/portal.php?h=newsletter ---- REGISTER VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS WITH TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA A great way to get more recognition for your group's volunteer efforts is to register events with Take Pride in America. Take Pride in America is a national partnership that recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve the special legacy all American share - our public lands and waters. IMBA is a proud charter partner of Take Pride in America. Visit: http://www.takepride.gov ----- GPS YOUR TRAILS AND HELP YOUR LAND MANAGER If you or someone in your group has the ability to use a GPS system to map area trails, this could be a great way to help your local land manager. Many land managers lack the financial resources and technology to map their entire network. Map all the trails you love to ride and give a copy to your land manager for future use. They'll greatly appreciate it and you can use it to bring attention to problem areas and potential new trails. ----- SAVE THESE DATES Mark these dates on your 2005 IMBA calendar: - Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits near you (see separate story) - April 6-7: IMBA's 24 Hours of DC (national and local lobby day) - June 4: National Trails Day - Sept. 24: National Public Lands Day - Oct. 1: Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day ----- IMBA SEEKS 2006 SUMMIT LOCATION IMBA is looking for the ideal location for the 2006 Summit. If you would like to learn more about the requirements necessary for hosting the IMBA Summit please visit: http://www.imba.com. Only complete applications will be considered - deadline March 1, 2005. ----- 2005 CALENDARS STILL AVAILABLE - FREE SHIPPING! Thanks to the support of mountain bikers like you, 2004 will go down as one of the most successful years ever for IMBA. We'd like to say thanks by offering one last chance to pick up a 2005 IMBA calendar at a deep discount - and offer you free shipping. Buy one today for only $8, and we'll pick up the mailing costs. Two easy ways to order: 1) Go directly to the sale page: http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/immer.html 2) Call 1-888-442-IMBA (4622) ----- RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM ANNUAL AWARD NOMINATIONS The Coalition for Recreational Trails, a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations of which IMBA is a part, is pleased to announce its 2005 achievement awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The awards will be presented in Washington, D.C. during Great Outdoors Week 2005 (June 6-10). To be considered for an award, the project must be completed and it must have used RTP funds. Award categories include: construction and design; maintenance and rehabilitation; education and communication initiatives; accessibility enhancement; multiple-use management or; environment/wildlife compatibility; and use of youth conservation/service corps. To get a copy of the application email jenn@imba.com. ---- HOST A COMMUNITY TRAILS MEETING WITH NPS, RIVERS AND TRAILS STAFF IMBA and the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (Rivers and Trails) program signed a partnership agreement in 2002 to work together on community trail projects. Rivers and Trails staff help local stakeholders build trail and greenway systems, restore rivers and wildlife habitat, and preserve open space. Rivers and Trails is not a grant program, but they know how to create successful projects. They are professional facilitators and planners and help get all the right people talking to make great things happen for trails. As an IMBA affiliated club, we encourage you get to know your local Rivers and Trails staff. You can host a meeting and bring community groups together to talk about trails planning. Rivers and Trails doesn't work with one recreation or interest group, they specialize in working with all of them and building widespread community support for projects. For a full list of IMBA partnership projects, visit: http://www.imba.com/resources/agencies/rtca.html To find a Rivers and Trails staffer near you visit: http://www.nps.gov/rtca/ ---- MARYLAND GOVERNOR PROPOSES $75,000 GRANT TO MORE Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) unveiled a $75,000 grant to the Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), the region's largest mountain bike club, to help the club continue its work of developing and improving trails in Maryland. A top priority for MORE is to develop trails on so-called "brownfield" sites that will turn distressed land into a resource for healthy outdoor recreation. "We're thrilled and honored to receive this generous grant from the State of Maryland," said MORE President Eric von Eckartsberg. "The grant will help us create new trail systems for all Marylanders to enjoy." If approved by the Maryland General Assembly, funding could become available in July. For the full story visit: http://www.more-mtb.org/story.php?catID=4. ---- |
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