News Briefs

IMBA Trail News
Volume 16, Number 1
Spring 2003

Attend an IMBA Epic in 2003

Since 1999 IMBA has named 24 trails as IMBA Epic Rides. This year we add four more to that list. We'll honor each one with a two-day celebration and you're invited! Day one is trailwork, day two the Epic Ride. Participants camp near the trailhead, share meals, riding stories and ideas. The events are co-hosted by local mountain bike clubs and IMBA. To register visit imba.com. The 2003 IMBA Epic Rides selections are:

Alafia River, Brandon, Florida, March 15-16
Henry Coe Epic, Morgan Hill, California, May 3-4
Mansfield Epic, Alliston, Ontario, June 14 -15
The Nan Epic, North Conway, New Hampshire, Sept. 6-7

The 2003 IMBA Epic Rides program is sponsored by Bike Magazine and Santa Cruz Bicycles. Host clubs are the Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers (Florida), Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers (California), Middle Aged Mountain Bikers of Ontario and White Mountains Chapter of the New England Mountain Bicycling Association (New Hampshire).

Introducing IMBA Trail Solutions

IMBA's newest resource for land managers and trail stewards is the IMBA Trail Solutions Program. This program builds on the success of IMBA's Trail Care Crew by providing in-depth professional trail design, construction, and consulting services in a flexible, fee-based format. Joey Klein and Rich Edwards, veteran IMBA trail experts, have been busy leading this program since its Fall '02 launch. Notable projects include the development of an awesome new trail system at Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain State Park in partnership with trailbuilding honch Tony Boone of Arrowhead Trails; planning of a cutting-edge trail network at Idaho's unique new Tamarack Resort; new trail construction at Lick Fork Recreation Area in South Carolina, and trail consulting at Hunter's Creek County Park near Buffalo, New York. For more information on contracting with IMBA Trail Solutions, email Rich Edwards, program coordinator, at .

IMBA Strengthens D.C. Leadership

To ensure that the federal public land interests of mountain bikers are protected and advanced, IMBA has hired a respected Washington, D.C. law firm to represent our organization and sport in the nation's capital. Smith Dawson & Andrews (SDA) will help IMBA push its legislative agenda and work with federal agencies to build new trails and preserve access. SDA will also help guide IMBA's work on Wilderness proposals and National Park Service policies. Three SDA attorneys, including avid mountain biker Kirk Bailey, will work with IMBA. SDA's list of clients includes the city of Eugene, Oregon, San Francisco International Airport and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. SDA works regularly with the federal agencies and congressional committees that manage public land and trails. Financial support for this effort is provided by two important IMBA fundraising initiatives, the National Leadership Fund and Legal Defense Fund. "This is a milestone in IMBA's growth," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "Having strong and steady representation in D.C. increases IMBA's effectiveness. Mountain bikers will appreciate the outcomes: more and better trails."

Fruita Singletrack Update

The Grand Junction, Colorado, regional office of the Bureau of Land Management is creating a draft management plan for the North Fruita Desert. Within the area of jurisdiction of this plan are many popular mountain biking trails, including the Edge Loop that was designated an IMBA Epic in 2000. IMBA and local advocates are working with the BLM to shape a management plan that preserves mountain biking experiences. The plan also addresses a host of issues including motorized use and the impacts of increased camping. The North Fruita Desert Draft Management Plan has not been released yet. When the draft plan is released, IMBA will summarize the potential impacts of the plan and provide action steps. Visit imba.com for more info.

Rave Reviews in Reno

It was an IMBA love-fest on Valentine's Day weekend at IMBA's first Advanced Trailbuilding School in Reno, NV. The school followed a successful Western Trailbuilders Association Conference. IMBA Trail Specialists Rich Edwards and Joey Klein teamed with Trail Care Crew members Scott Linnenburger and Aaryn Kay to teach the two-day school, attended by 60 land managers, plus professional and volunteer trailbuilders from the U.S. and Canada. In addition to trailbuilding techniques, the class examined solutions for many management issues including unauthorized trail construction, liability, user conflict and shrinking budgets. After an intensive classroom session, the group headed outside for hands-on workshops on layout, construction, reclamation and technical trail features. Keith Dawley, Inyo (CA) National Forest Trails Supervisor, summed up the workshop: "It was nice to see mountain bikers, trailbuilders and land managers all get together and exchange ideas in such a positive manner. I came away with some new good ideas for building, maintaining and managing trails."

NMBP Conference in Texas

IMBA is proud to announce that the first NMBP Regional Instructor Conference will be held April 19-20 in south central Texas. South Central Regional Representative John Southrey is organizing the event, which will be held at Flat Creek Crossing Ranch, located one hour west of Austin. Patrollers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas will attend the event where they will be trained and certified as official NMBP Instructors. Conference topics will include how to form partnerships with land managers, recruiting and training volunteer patrollers, and improving patrol effectiveness. Similar events will take place this year throughout the U.S. To learn more about IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol program, or to view a complete list of NMBP units, regional reps, regional training events, and certified patrol instructors, visit imba.com.

Help NEMBA Save Trails at 'Nam

The IMBA affiliate New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) is leading an ambitious, unprecedented fundraising campaign to protect a 47-acre parcel from development at New England's popular 'Nam riding area. NEMBA has until October 31, 2003, to $205,000 to acquire the land and guarantee permanent mountain biker access to some of the region's best technical trail riding near the headwaters of the Upper Charles River in Milford, Massachusetts. If successful, NEMBA will complete the largest U.S. land acquisition, to date, orchestrated solely by a mountain bike advocacy group. The land is under imminent threat of development, and NEMBA is working with local and state agencies and groups to protect as much of this area as possible. The goal is to create a permanent conservation easement guaranteeing mountain bike access. IMBA is contributing $3,000 to the campaign to inspire out-of-state contributions. To support this important land acquisition please visit www.nemba.org.

Sprockids

IMBA Sprockids has launched an exciting relationship with the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA). Sprockids educational director Doug Detwiller and the CCA have created the CCA Sprockids National Introduction to Cycling Program based on the highly successful IMBA Sprockids curriculum. This unique program will introduce thousands of Canadian youth to the adventure of mountain biking. Kids will learn cycling skills, goal-setting, problem-solving, respect for others and environmental responsibility. "This program represents a monumental step for establishing mountain biking as a mainstream youth sport," said Detwiller. "This project is a template for a national youth cycling program that should be implemented in countries worldwide. I am extremely proud that Canada has chosen IMBA Sprockids to be the core component." The program will be piloted during the 2003 cycling season at five Canadian National Cycling Centers.

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	News Briefs IMBA Trail News Volume 16, Number 1 Spring 2003 Attend an IMBA Epic in 2003 Since 1999 IMBA has named 24 trails as IMBA Epic Rides. This year we add four more to that list. We'll honor each one with a two-day celebration and you're invited! Day one is trailwork, day two the Epic Ride. Participants camp near the trailhead, share meals, riding stories and ideas. The events are co-hosted by local mountain bike clubs and IMBA. To register visit imba.com. The 2003 IMBA Epic Rides selections are: Alafia River, Brandon, Florida, March 15-16 Henry Coe Epic, Morgan Hill, California, May 3-4 Mansfield Epic, Alliston, Ontario, June 14 -15 The Nan Epic, North Conway, New Hampshire, Sept. 6-7 The 2003 IMBA Epic Rides program is sponsored by Bike Magazine and Santa Cruz Bicycles. Host clubs are the Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers (Florida), Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers (California), Middle Aged Mountain Bikers of Ontario and White Mountains Chapter of the New England Mountain Bicycling Association (New Hampshire). Introducing IMBA Trail Solutions IMBA's newest resource for land managers and trail stewards is the IMBA Trail Solutions Program. This program builds on the success of IMBA's Trail Care Crew by providing in-depth professional trail design, construction, and consulting services in a flexible, fee-based format. Joey Klein and Rich Edwards, veteran IMBA trail experts, have been busy leading this program since its Fall '02 launch. Notable projects include the development of an awesome new trail system at Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain State Park in partnership with trailbuilding honch Tony Boone of Arrowhead Trails; planning of a cutting-edge trail network at Idaho's unique new Tamarack Resort; new trail construction at Lick Fork Recreation Area in South Carolina, and trail consulting at Hunter's Creek County Park near Buffalo, New York. For more information on contracting with IMBA Trail Solutions, email Rich Edwards, program coordinator, at . IMBA Strengthens D.C. Leadership To ensure that the federal public land interests of mountain bikers are protected and advanced, IMBA has hired a respected Washington, D.C. law firm to represent our organization and sport in the nation's capital. Smith Dawson & Andrews (SDA) will help IMBA push its legislative agenda and work with federal agencies to build new trails and preserve access. SDA will also help guide IMBA's work on Wilderness proposals and National Park Service policies. Three SDA attorneys, including avid mountain biker Kirk Bailey, will work with IMBA. SDA's list of clients includes the city of Eugene, Oregon, San Francisco International Airport and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. SDA works regularly with the federal agencies and congressional committees that manage public land and trails. Financial support for this effort is provided by two important IMBA fundraising initiatives, the National Leadership Fund and Legal Defense Fund. "This is a milestone in IMBA's growth," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "Having strong and steady representation in D.C. increases IMBA's effectiveness. Mountain bikers will appreciate the outcomes: more and better trails." Fruita Singletrack Update The Grand Junction, Colorado, regional office of the Bureau of Land Management is creating a draft management plan for the North Fruita Desert. Within the area of jurisdiction of this plan are many popular mountain biking trails, including the Edge Loop that was designated an IMBA Epic in 2000. IMBA and local advocates are working with the BLM to shape a management plan that preserves mountain biking experiences. The plan also addresses a host of issues including motorized use and the impacts of increased camping. The North Fruita Desert Draft Management Plan has not been released yet. When the draft plan is released, IMBA will summarize the potential impacts of the plan and provide action steps. Visit imba.com for more info. Rave Reviews in Reno It was an IMBA love-fest on Valentine's Day weekend at IMBA's first Advanced Trailbuilding School in Reno, NV. The school followed a successful Western Trailbuilders Association Conference. IMBA Trail Specialists Rich Edwards and Joey Klein teamed with Trail Care Crew members Scott Linnenburger and Aaryn Kay to teach the two-day school, attended by 60 land managers, plus professional and volunteer trailbuilders from the U.S. and Canada. In addition to trailbuilding techniques, the class examined solutions for many management issues including unauthorized trail construction, liability, user conflict and shrinking budgets. After an intensive classroom session, the group headed outside for hands-on workshops on layout, construction, reclamation and technical trail features. Keith Dawley, Inyo (CA) National Forest Trails Supervisor, summed up the workshop: "It was nice to see mountain bikers, trailbuilders and land managers all get together and exchange ideas in such a positive manner. I came away with some new good ideas for building, maintaining and managing trails." NMBP Conference in Texas IMBA is proud to announce that the first NMBP Regional Instructor Conference will be held April 19-20 in south central Texas. South Central Regional Representative John Southrey is organizing the event, which will be held at Flat Creek Crossing Ranch, located one hour west of Austin. Patrollers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas will attend the event where they will be trained and certified as official NMBP Instructors. Conference topics will include how to form partnerships with land managers, recruiting and training volunteer patrollers, and improving patrol effectiveness. Similar events will take place this year throughout the U.S. To learn more about IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol program, or to view a complete list of NMBP units, regional reps, regional training events, and certified patrol instructors, visit imba.com. Help NEMBA Save Trails at 'Nam The IMBA affiliate New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) is leading an ambitious, unprecedented fundraising campaign to protect a 47-acre parcel from development at New England's popular 'Nam riding area. NEMBA has until October 31, 2003, to $205,000 to acquire the land and guarantee permanent mountain biker access to some of the region's best technical trail riding near the headwaters of the Upper Charles River in Milford, Massachusetts. If successful, NEMBA will complete the largest U.S. land acquisition, to date, orchestrated solely by a mountain bike advocacy group. The land is under imminent threat of development, and NEMBA is working with local and state agencies and groups to protect as much of this area as possible. The goal is to create a permanent conservation easement guaranteeing mountain bike access. IMBA is contributing $3,000 to the campaign to inspire out-of-state contributions. To support this important land acquisition please visit www.nemba.org. Sprockids IMBA Sprockids has launched an exciting relationship with the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA). Sprockids educational director Doug Detwiller and the CCA have created the CCA Sprockids National Introduction to Cycling Program based on the highly successful IMBA Sprockids curriculum. This unique program will introduce thousands of Canadian youth to the adventure of mountain biking. Kids will learn cycling skills, goal-setting, problem-solving, respect for others and environmental responsibility. "This program represents a monumental step for establishing mountain biking as a mainstream youth sport," said Detwiller. "This project is a template for a national youth cycling program that should be implemented in countries worldwide. I am extremely proud that Canada has chosen IMBA Sprockids to be the core component." The program will be piloted during the 2003 cycling season at five Canadian National Cycling Centers.


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