Team IMBA Participants Raised Over $80,000 for Mountain Bike Trails in 2009
For Immediate Release 12-9-09
Contact Mark Eller
IMBA Communications Director
markeller@imba.com
303-545-9011
Congratulations to the 87 members of Team IMBA 2009, who together raised a total of $84,937 for mountain biking. Led by title sponsor GT Bicycles, the Team IMBA fundraising program allows mountain bikers to raise funds for local and national trailbuilding projects by doing what they love to do most -- riding their bikes.
The 2009 participants collected nearly $50,000 in donations, and with the help of a generous challenge grant from SRAM they sent nearly $60,000 to local mountain bike clubs and more than $20,000 for IMBA trailbuilding projects. Custom team jerseys gave Team IMBA an unmistakable presence at every event and provided a great reward for joining the cause. Participants also earned great prizes from GT and in-kind sponsors like Cascade Huts, Camelbak, Ergon, Boulder Performance Network, CLIF bar, Ryders Eyewear, Smartwool, Epic Rides.com, Goneriding.com and Better Ride.
Top Club Recipients
The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition pulled in $19,804 for new trail construction on the Massanutten Western Slope, as well as pump track construction at Hillandale City Park. At the Massanutten Hoo-Ha race, in Virginia, Team IMBA participants raised $26,853 for four different clubs. "The Team IMBA tent was the center of the universe," said volunteer team captain, Marshall Hammond. Perks included a pre-ride lap with pro racers (and Team IMBA members) Jeremiah Bishop and Sue Haywood, plus a food stop on the race course, a coupon for a 20 minute massage after the race, hot meals and mechanical assistance from a local bike shop and GT Bicycles. Hammond was awarded a new GT Marathon Pro for his contributions to this incredibly successful event.
The San Francisco Urban Riders earned $13,012 to realign a defunct social trail system into revamped shared-use trails, and to create a large bike skills facility. Entire SFUR club meetings were devoted to supporting the fundraising efforts of their seven team members racing at the Sea Otter Classic. Club member Peter Durham won a GT Carbon Pro mountain bike as the top individual fundraiser for the entire year.
The Colorado Mountain Bike Association netted $6,853 to design and build black-diamond trails in the cross-country oriented Buffalo Creek trail system. Team members rode both the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo, in Arizona, and the Firecracker 50, in Colorado, to raise money for COMBA’s important work on the Front Range.
Check out photos of these and other Team IMBA 2009 events.
Sponsorship Opportunities for 2010
IMBA is now accepting applications for Team IMBA corporate sponsorship in 2010. For more information please contact Wendy Kerr at 303-545-9011 ext 113.
