IMBA Urban Hot Spots Program Focuses on Ottawa
For Immediate Release
09-24-04
Contact: Dominique Larocque
613-820-1919
Contact: Aaryn Kay
International Mountain Bicycling Association
303-545-9011
IMBA's efforts in Canada focus on Ottawa, Ontario September 28 - October 2, 2004 with an Urban Hot Spots campaign aimed to create more and better trail opportunities for Canada's Capital city.
Ottawa is home to more than a million people and has some excellent riding opportunities; however, the city is lacking a cohesive mountain bike trails community. Bringing together land managers, local trail users, the bike industry, bike retailers, and the International Mountain Bicycling Association is a major step towards building that community.
Preserving trail access near cities is one of the most difficult challenges facing IMBA and mountain bikers. As urban areas continue to expand and open space dwindles, it's becoming increasingly difficult for trail enthusiasts to find convenient places to enjoy the outdoors. The IMBA Urban Hot Spots program concentrates on addressing this problem in a handful of cities each year.
With the launch of the new Canadian IMBA office, IMBA's work in Canada is gaining momentum. This Urban Hot Spot campaign in the National Capital will set the stage for continued progress throughout Canada. In the last month, IMBA's Canadian office coordinators, Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, have worked throughout Canada, presenting at the World Mountain Bike Conference in Vancouver, BC, teaching Trailbuilding in East Gwillimbury, ON, building technical trail features at the Bruce Peninsula Mountain Bike Adventure Park, networking at the BTAC show, and this week, tackling urban issues in Ottawa.
IMBA invites bicyclists and the public to attend one or more of the following events during the Ottawa IMBA Urban Hot Spot campaign. The events are a great opportunity to learn about trailbuilding, trail access and other issues that impact outdoor recreation. It's also a chance to meet IMBA's Canadian staff and get involved with your local club. These events celebrate the spirit of mountain biking and focus on constructive trail management solutions that benefit all Ottawa outdoor enthusiasts.
Schedule Of Events
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Around the World with IMBA slideshow
Come mingle with fellow riders and trail users and learn about IMBA's work
around the world. IMBA's Lora Woolner and Mark Schmidt will present a
fun and exciting slideshow about riding and travel adventures in the U.S.,
Italy, Wales, Australia, and beyond.
Mountain Equipment Co-op
366 Richmond Road, Ottawa
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
7:00 - 10:00 p.m. IMBA Trailbuilding School (theory)
Learn how to build sustainable and fun singletrack.
The school includes three hours of classroom instruction. Topics include
designing a contour trail, controlling water flow, building effective trail
structures, and routine trail maintenance.
All Saints Lutheran Church
1061 Pinecrest Road, Ottawa
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
9:00 a.m. - IMBA Trailbuilding School (practical)
The fieldwork will be hands-on trailbuilding, so come prepared. You'll
probably be most comfortable in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Wear
sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat. If
you have any trailbuilding tools--pulaskis, McLeods, rakes, picks, hoes,
shovels--please bring them, too.
LaRocca XC MTB School
www.creative-wheel.com
