IMBA United Kingdom Visit Update

IMBA trailbuilding experts Joey Klein and Rich Edwards meet trailbuilders at Dalbeattie Forest in Dumfriesshire, South West Scotland.
Joey and Rich at Glentress Forest with Jeremy Thompson, the Recreation Manager for the Forestry Commission in the Scottish Borders.
Forestry Commission Senior Press Officer Steve Williams riding with Joey and Rich in Glentress Forest.
Pete Laing tests out a berm in Scotland. Laing is trail designer for the Borders of Scotland.
Trail crews construct a ramp in the Glentress Forest in Scotland.
Sweet singletrack in the Scottish Highlands.

For Immediate Release
08-27-02

Contact: Dan Vardamis

303-545-9011

or

Steve Williams
Communications Branch
Forestry Commission
Tel: 0131 314 6508
Fax: 0131 334 4473
E-mail:

IMBA Trailbuilding experts are spending August and September in the UK building trails and improving mountain biking opportunities. The UK Forestry Commission provided this report and photos from IMBA's current visit to the United Kingdom.

New Trailblazing Agreement For Biking

The Forestry Commission and IMBA have joined forces in a new agreement that will give a boost for mountain biking in Britain.

Both organizations have pledged to work even closer together to promote biking and encourage an overall improvement in the quality and quantity of trails throughout the UK.

IMBA and the Forestry Commission have been working together for a number of years with close synergy resulting in some fantastic forest riding.

Both organizations want to manage unsanctioned trail construction, reduce environmental impact and minimize trail user conflicts. A shared goal is to develop trail designs that are appealing, long lasting and well managed, and which enhance tourism benefits.

Joey Klein and Rich Edwards are currently a quarter of the way through their month visit to Britain:

Joey said:

"What we have seen so far in Dalbeattie and Glentress forests has genuinely and wholeheartedly blown us away. It is cutting edge trail work at its best. It's work like this and the pioneering trail developments in Wales over the past few years that we want to replicate. We believe this joint agreement will pave the way for this.

"Britain already has much to offer the mountain biker and we are keenly anticipating what is around the corner in terms of trail developments. This momentum of trailbuilding will result in more miles of excellent singletrack than back home in Moab. The marriage of IMBA's sustainable trail philosophy with the traditional crafts of stone-pitching like we've witnessed in Scotland creates a challenging trail experience that we hope to re-create in the States."

Part of the new agreement will mean that the Forestry Commission will undertake to promote mountain biking to its staff and to help all forestry managers understand the needs of bikers:

Paddy Harrop, National Recreation Manager for the Forestry Commission believes we are to see great developments to come:

"The development of top quality mountain biking trails on our land began in Wales about six years ago and even then IMBA were playing a part. We've gone from strength to strength with mountain biking and we want to raise the bar even higher. The new agreement will help put biking developments on a firmer footing and we expect to be building more and better trails in the future."

In detail the agreement will mean:

IMBA will:

• Provide expert trail building crews to help FE employees, contractors and volunteers to design, construct, maintain and manage trails for mountain bikers, ramblers, and horse riders
• Work with key cycling organizations to ensure that IMBA's work with FE supports their mission.
• Provide IMBA Affiliated clubs with resources to identify opportunities to design, construct, maintain and manage trails on FE land.
• Appoint a coordinated group of regional representatives who will work closely with FE and IMBA Affiliated clubs to develop and maintain trail systems and related projects.
• Develop a long-term plan to create and support co-branded FE/IMBA Mountain Bike Centres that will strive to provide significant economic tourism benefits for local communities.
• Develop a plan to make mountain bike patrol training available in the UK toward the goal of establishing volunteer (and possibly professional) patrols at FE/IMBA Mountain Bike Centres.
• Work with FE staff and help them increase their understanding of mountain biking, its participants and potential economic tourism benefits.
• Create, in co-operation with our UK regional representatives and FE, written standards for trail development, mountain bike centres and rider conduct on FE land.
• Develop, in co-operation with our UK regional representatives and FE, a public relations plan to inform mountain bikers and the public about our combined efforts with FE.

The Forestry Commission will:

• Continue to promote mountain biking to FE staff and help them to understand the activity, its sustainable management its participants and potential economic tourism benefits.
• Encourage FE staff to create and enhance mountain biking opportunities in the areas they manage.
• Encourage users to follow agreed codes of conduct publicized on site and through printed material.
• Encourage trail users to become involved with IMBA in order to develop and enhance appropriate, sanctioned trail opportunities for all types of mountain biking.
• Encourage clubs to affiliate to IMBA and to volunteer their time to propose, design, construct, maintain and manage trails on FE land.
• Encourage FE staff to work with qualified IMBA Affiliated clubs and members to propose, design, construct, maintain and manage trails for mountain bikers and ramblers.
• Develop a public relations plan to inform FE staff and other land management agencies about the successes of these combined efforts.

Media enquiries

Dan Vardamis
IMBA

303-545-9011

Steve Williams
Communications Branch
Forestry Commission
Tel: 0131 314 6508
Fax: 0131 334 4473