Club News: Southeast

IMBA Trail News
Volume 13, Number 5
Winter 2000

Florida's diverse 151-unit state park system, was named America's Best at the National Recreation and Park Association annual congress. It's no coincidence that many Florida State Parks have great mountain bike trails, and the opportunities are growing. Tampa's SWAMP has been granted permission to build mountain bike trails in the 6,000-acre Alfia River State Park.

Before there were IMBA Epics there was North Florida's IDIDARIDE! The 6th annual 50-mile fun ride takes place Jan. 20. Info: www.suwanneebike.org.

In Marietta, GA, local bike shop Free-Flite Bicycles has donated $2,750 to SORBA's Tool Grant Fund. Said owner Dan Thornton, "I hope this donation serves as a signal to other bike dealers. We all need to recognize the contribution SORBA has made to bicycling in our area."

In Woodstock, GA, construction has begun on a second 4-mile loop at the Blankets Creek Trail System.

SORBA continues to fight the possible closure of the Mountaintown Creek Trail due to a potential Wilderness designation that's being pushed by the Forest Watch organization. While SORBA may support Wilderness protection for much of the area proposed for protection, it is challenging FW's assertion that run-off into streams from mountain bike trail use is similar to run-off from clear cutting. SORBA says FW has yet to produce any scientific proof that this is the case.

A major trails expansion and renovation is underway in Frankfort, KY's Fort Hill area. A new downhill race course is under construction and races will be held in the near future thanks to the sweat equity of local and regional mountain bikers.