Club News: Northeast

IMBA Trail News
Volume 13, Number 5
Winter 2000

Vermont's Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation dug more than 100 trenches and chopped down numerous trees in an attempt to close the Phenn Basin trail in the Mad River Valley. This outraged both mountain bike advocates and environmentalists who felt the closure could have been enacted through less environmentally destructive methods. Public outcry reached such a level that the Department went back to Phenn Basin, filled in the trenches, removed the downed trees, and issued a formal apology. They are currently working with local mountain bike advocates to establish a sustainable trail system in the area. More info: e-mail VT State Rep Gary Kessler ( ).

For the tenth year running, the Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers (CLIMB) are taking part in a blood drive for the Long Island Blood Service. Put your cycling fitness to good use by giving blood Dec. 30th (800-933-BLOOD).

Also helping out in their community, Southeast Massachusetts NEMBA and Cape Cod NEMBA are hosting Ride for Toys events to get new toys into the hands of needy kids. The benefit rides will take place at the Blue Hills Reservation in December (www.nemba.org).

Jersey Off-Road Bicycling Association's Lewis Morris Chapter has proposed to include offroad bicycling in the updated Master Plan for Morristown Hollow National Historical Park, and are making presentations to other user groups to garner support. This park abuts Lewis Morris Park, which also has plans to include mountain biking.