Announcing IMBA Trailbuilding Schools

IMBA Trail News
Volume 12, Number 2
May 1999

IMBA Trails Resource Director Kurt Loheit has been teaching people how to build and maintain trails since our organization formed in 1988. Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders have been doing the same for the last three years across North America and abroad.

While many of these trailbuilding instructional sessions have been informal, half-day sessions, full-day and two-day course offerings have become widespread a response to the growing demand for solid instruction in trailwork techniques. Along the way, IMBA's experts have developed a couple standard trailbuilding courses. These teaching plans blend classroom and on-the-trail sessions with concise written and visual materials. As these courses have taken shape, our trailbuilding pros have been careful to make sure that the lessons can be customized to fit local conditions and needs.

This year IMBA has linked many of our trailbuilding courses by creating IMBA Trailbuilding Schools. We've established a coast-to-coast calendar of course offerings. Our goal is to make it easy and economical for IMBA members, trail advocates, and land managers to learn the latest and most effective techniques of trail design, construction and maintenance.

Specialized Bicycle Components, a long-time Above & Beyond IMBA Corporate supporter, has stepped forward to sponsor this year's Trailbuilding Schools series.

Fourteen IMBA Trailbuilding Schools have been scheduled for '99. A few additional schools may be added. Most (nine) will be taught by Jan & Mike Riter, the husband-wife team who have served as Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew No. 1 since March '97. Joey Klein and Kathy Summers, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew No. 2, will teach three schools. Kurt Loheit, an IMBA founder and veteran trailbuilding expert, will lead at least two schools. Most schools also include a designated land manager seminar, which typically will be held the day before the general trailbuilding school begins. (Ask the local contact for details.)

The first '99 IMBA Trailbuilding School was held in Roanoke, Virginia, April 30-May 1.

First IMBA Trailbuilding School shines

More than 80 people participated in three days of trail construction and maintenance training at the first 1999 IMBA Trailbuilding School, April 30-May 2, in Roanoke, Virginia. Classes were conducted by both Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews: Jan & Mike Riter and Joey Klein & Kathy Summers. A land manager session on Friday attracted 20 government officials. Saturday's general public school drew 22 volunteers, including a couple from Japan. On Monday, IMBA's Trail Care Crews led 40 park planners and land managers on a three-hour clinic at Explore Park that was held in conjunction with the Virginia Governor's Greenways and Trails Conference.

Schools Schedule 1999

Chicago, IL	34855	Amy Andrews
North Liberty, IA	June12-13	Rick Knoke
Golden, CO	June 19-20	Jeff Hampton
Medora, ND	34876	Steve Stelton
Minneapolis, MN	July 10,11	Gary Sjoquist
Park City, UT	July 17-18	Troy Duffen
Wausau, WI	July 17-18	Scott Frey
Ohio	July 24-25	James Buratti
Dundas, Ontario	August 7-8	Ed Zacharewski
New Jersey	October 2-3	Bob Ryan
Grand Junction, CO	October 16-17	Bill Harris
Phoenix, AZ	TBA	Kevin Lockart
Nantahala Outdr Ctr	Nov 13-14	Ken Howle