IMBA Epics Expand in 2000: More Events and Trailwork
For Immediate Release
March 2000
Contact:
303-545-9011
| IMBA Epics Schedule 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian, California | May 16-17 | |
| 2 | Garda, Italy | May 25-26 | |
| 3 | Virginia City, Nevada | June 3-4 | |
| 4 | Hot Springs, Arkansas | June 13-14 | |
| 5 | Northeast Kingdom, Vermont | June 27-28 | |
| 6 | Vancouver, British Columbia | August 7-8 | |
| 7 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | October 14-15 | |
| 8 | Patagonia, Arizona | October 28-29 | |
IMBA Epics Philosophy
The IMBA Epics program is designed to celebrate the spirit of adventure mountain biking. Long challenging rides inspire mountain bikers everywhere, and help motivate off-road cyclists to participate in the essential effort - advocacy and trailwork - that makes those rides possible. The mission of the Epics program is to increase IMBA's membership, grow the sport of mountain biking, and to involve more riders in creating and sustaining riding opportunities.
Epic Event Format for 2000
Each Epic event location is selected with several purposes and constraints in mind. The route needs to be challenging, able to sustain additional traffic, legally accessible to mountain bikes, fun, scenic, and of course epic. The trail's designation as an IMBA Epic must be supported by the local land manager and the local IMBA affiliate club. The actual event will take place over the course of two days, in most cases a weekend.
Trailwork
The first day will be highlighted by a morning trailwork session. When possible this trailwork will be led by one of the professional Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews. If this is not an option, we will enlist local advocates as session leaders. The trailwork will focus on a section of the actual Epic route.
The Epic
The second day of the epic celebration features a guided ride on the newly designated trail. Riders select one of several groups based on their desired pace. Each group will include local riders, an IMBA staffer, a sponsor representative and a celebrity. Groups will typically complete the guided ride in 4-6 hours. An abbreviated ride or "bail-out" option will also be available for those interested in a less demanding adventure. To minimize impact on the trails we will limit the rides to 50 riders. Participants will be required to pre-register prior to the day of the event. All pre-registration will be handled by IMBA. Preference will be given to riders who are willing to commit to both days, the trailwork and the guided ride.
IMBA Epics Booklet
Riders who can't attend Epic celebrations are encouraged to try Epic Trails on their own. We are producing a resource booklet that describes the program and each of the 12 Epics trails (1999 & 2000 designations). The ride descriptions include maps, ride profiles, contact information, history, information about local access issues and photos of the ride.
