Award-Winning Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Program Begins Fourth Year

For Immediate Release
February 24, 2000
Contact:
303-545-9011

Boulder, Colorado, USA--Thanks to on-going sponsorship from Subaru of America, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is continuing in 2000. Two-fulltime, professional teams of trail experts will travel throughout North America March through November, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with government officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated clubs and associations to improve mountain biking opportunities. Both crews will also lead a series of at least a dozen IMBA Trailbuilding Schools.

Crews travel in new 2000 Subaru Outbacks provided by Subaru of America -- the company that has been IMBA's leading outside-the-bike-industry sponsor since 1997. In '99, IMBA's two Trail Care Crews led more than 150 trail projects and visited 48 of the 50 states, plus Canada, Switzerland, France, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Joey Klein and Kathy Summers of Montezuma, Colorado, return for their second year as a Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew. Klein and Summers -- both national-class mountain bike adventurers and endurance riders - began their 2000 stint in Great Britain, where they conducted IMBA Trailbuilding Schools in Wales and Scotland. Klein and Summers will spend most of the spring and summer working on trails issues in the Rocky Mountain states and along the west coast.

Jennifer and Richard Edwards of Tucson, Arizona, were selected in early February as IMBA's new traveling Crew. The Edwards are experienced mountain bike guides who have worked at Elk River Touring Center in the mountains of West Virginia. Richard has also served as a guide for Arizona Off-Road Adventures. Both are experienced trailworkers and also have worked in the retail bicycle business.

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews provide regular written and photographic updates on their travels that are posted on IMBA's website (www.imba.com) and on Subaru's website (www.subaru.com). In '98 the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program received the State-of-the-Art Technology award from American Trails at the National Trails Symposium in Tucson, Arizona.

"The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is time-tested as an effective trails program," says IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "Our Trail Care Crews provide a credible, passionate face for IMBA and mountain biking that translates into open trails and better riding. We remain extremely grateful for Subaru of America's support."

For additional information on the Trail Care Crew program, including its 2000 schedule, contact Jon Alegranti at IMBA.

- End -