Rate Your Area's Riding With the 2005 IMBA Report Cards

For Immediate Release
09-16-05
Contact: Mark Eller

303-545-9011

	Voting is Closed! Look for the complete 2005 IMBA Report Card soon!

It's time to grab a red pen and hand out mountain biking grades: Voting for the IMBA Mountain Bike Report Card is underway. IMBA's Report Card presents a letter-grade (A through F) analysis of singletrack riding opportunities, trailbuilding achievements and advocacy issues. The evaluations are done by U.S. State, as well as Canadian Provinces and a nation-by-nation analysis. Be sure to weigh in on the riding near you!

The process begins with voting by IMBA members. Input from club leaders, state reps and IMBA staff also factors into the final grades. At the end of the polling period (Oct. 15), IMBA will tally the results and present them in Trail News, as well as an online report.

In the 2004 report, West Virginia received the highest mark due to boundless riding opportunities, a dedicated network of IMBA-affiliated clubs and strong support among government agencies. New Jersey's often-crowded trails, strong anti-mountain biking opponents and trail-user conflicts put the Garden State at the bottom of the curve. (Cheer up, Jersey-ites: Indiana got the lowest grade in 2003, but rallied by a full letter grade notch the Most Improved category in 2004.)

Internationally, in 2005 British Columbia will be going for a three-peat as the world's ultimate mountain biking destination. Scotland received last year's People's Choice award, but will face stiff competition from around the globe in this year's poll.