Club Notes

IMBA Trail News
Volume 17, Number 4
Autumn 2004

Northeast

For the third straight year, the Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol provided volunteer support at the 24 Hours of Allamuchy race in Stanhope, New Jersey. In appreciation, the promoter made a donation to the group. The Delaware patrol is part of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol.

IMBA's partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is paying dividends in central Pennsylvania. Because a test trail constructed at the Raystown Lake Project in 2003 was successful, additional funding was recently given for an environmental assessment and construction of 15 to 30 miles of new trail. Construction is set to begin in mid-2005.

The Valley Mountain Bikers of Lehigh, Pennsylvania, are adding new singletrack to the Riverside Park Trail System. Theyšve also completed more than half of the Bear Creek trailbuilding project, which will hopefully be done before winter. For more info visit www.bikevmb.com

The New England Mountain Bike Association's (NEMBA) 2004 Harpoon MTB Adventure Series generated more than $4,600 in donations to local parks and helped add 135 new members, with the final fall festival yet to come. This year NEMBA held 77 trailwork days in 35 parks as part of their trailbuilding series with Merlin, Cannondale and Rocky Mountain Bicycles.

Finally, as we move into October, therešs just one thing left to say: Go Red Sox! (Special insertion from IMBA masochists.)

Southeast

Florida mountain bike leaders Bill Klausmeyer ( ) on the Atlantic Coast and Wes Eubank ( ) on the Gulf Coast seek assistance from the statešs 2,573,848 riders. The aftermath of a hurricane-filled 2004 left the Floridašs trails a spaghetti bowl of blow downs. Email Bill or Wes for trail clean-up days in your area.

On a much sunnier note, the US Forest Service approved the 32-mile Forks Area Trail System (FATS) in South Carolina. How did this singletrack dream become reality? IMBA South Carolina rep Bill Victor said it took a combination of persistence, organization and a forward-thinking land management agency. łWhen eight miles of singletrack disappeared in a š96 timber cut, we wanted to know why,˛ Victor stated.

łWhen we asked how to replace the trails, the Forest Service told us to prove ourselves. So we founded a SORBA Chapter, then we fostered a partnership with South Carolina State Parks to design and build the trails at Hickory Knob and Baker Creek State Parks, and finally we went back to the Forest Service with a plan.˛

Thanks to permission from district ranger Beth LeMaster and planner Glenn Kansanback, the plan became a six loop, destination trail system highlighting the steep slopes and deep stream valleys of this area. IMBA Trail Specialist Rich Edwards, who helped with the design said, łCommunication and patience resulted in a joint vision to provide a fantastic recreational opportunity in a working forest.˛

Midwest

The future looks bright for Indiana mountain bikers. The Indiana Bicycle Coalition and the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association received approval from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)to build shared-use mountain bike trails on more than 2,000 acres in Brown County and Versailles state parks. Improved mountain bike access in Indianapolis was the goal of an Urban Hot Spots campaign hosted by IMBA and the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) September 7-12 (more details on page 4 of this issue.) For more information and volunteer opportunities visit: www.bicycleindiana.org or www.hmba.org

Thanks to the Cowtown Area Mountain Biking Association (CAMBA) legal freeriding is becoming a reality near Fort Worth, Texas. Local BMX, cross-country riders and freeriding hucksters opened two fun and exciting singletrack loops in Z-Boaz Park. One loop includes a dirt jumping area and the other features a mix of log crossings, drops and man-made stunts. The work at Z- Boaz Park is CAMBAšs first partnership with the City of Fort Worth and more is on tap. Info: www.cowtownmtb.org

Hey riders, it ainšt all cornfields in Iowa. The Central Iowa Trail Association is working with the Iowa DNR to build singletrack and a freeriding area in the new Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park south of Des Moines. The club also launched the Central Iowa Trail Patrol to educate and assist trail users at city, county and state parks in and around Des Moines. For more info visit www.centraliowatrails. org or call Ryan Hanser at 515-229-3737.

Rockies

As the summer light fades and the air turns crisp (how poetic), mountain bikers in the Rockies can be found celebrating the autumnal shift at new riding destinations. Whether itšs big hit, bump nš air technical challenges or buttery smooth singletrack that gets your beanie twirling, it was a great summer for new trails in the West. Some highlights:

Idahošs Tamarack Resort is closer to becoming a major mountain bike destination. This summer, IMBA Trail Solutions honcho Joey Klein added an aggressive XC/freeride trail, dubbed łLa Culebra Loca,˛ to complement the resortšs existing network of XC trails and jump/challenge parks.

IMBA and the state of New Mexico recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve trail opportunities. Governor Bill Richardson and land managers are embracing the benefits of mountain biking to tourism.

The Breckenridge Freeride Park opened in August, bringing North Shore-style stunts and terrain to the Colorado mountain town. The project was a collaborative effort between the town of Breckenridge, IMBA and the local club Freeriders United.

An IMBA Trail Solutions Project underway this fall will double the trail network on BLM land near Goosebury Mesa in Southern Utah.

Got Rocky Mountain News? Send it on to

Pacific

Perhaps we should change the name of the Pacific column to the Wilderness column. Herešs the latest:

IMBA testified September 7 in front of a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee on the Mt. Hood Wilderness bill proposed by Oregon Senator Wyden. IMBA board member Chris Distefano stated that IMBA supports the protection of roadless areas and the proposed Hood Peddlers Demonstration Experimental Area, which would designate three areas to be managed like Wilderness, but allow mountain bikers. However, the 200-plus miles of trails that would be lost with this Wilderness designation needs to be addressed. The open dialogue, the incredible work of IMBA clubs, and the process in Oregon has been encouraging.

In California U.S. Senator Boxeršs statewide Wilderness bill hasnšt moved in 2004. However, the Wilderness bill proposed by U.S. Representative Mike Thompson along the north coast still threatens to close 150 miles of trails to bicycles. Thompsonšs staff has listened to IMBAšs concerns and is continuing discussions.

A łWild Sky˛ Wilderness bill in Washington has been introduced, and the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club has voted to remain neutral because of certain accommodations to bicycling.

Idaho could lose 80 miles of trail around Ketchum the Boulder and White Cloud Mountains with a Wilderness proposal that U.S. Representative Mike Simpson has initiated, but not yet introduced.

The World

IMBAšs doing so much work internationally, we may need to add another column to this newsletter! A few highlights:

IMBAšs office in Canada is 100 percent go. The braintrust behind the effort, Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, are focused on revamping the countries rep network. Mark and Lora are the main IMBA contacts for Canadian issues. You can email them at

Mark and Lora recently presented advanced trailbuilding techniques at the North Shore World Mountain Bike Conference in Vancouver to more than 150 attendees.

Being the jack-of-all-trades that they are, Mark and Lora operated a booth at the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) show in Toronto. BTAC awarded $5,000 to support the IMBA Canada office. NORCO also joined IMBA Canada as an Above & Beyond corporate member.

IMBA advocacy manager Dan Vardamis presented an economic benefits seminar to the Yukon Tourism Agency and Whitehorse city government this summer. Whitehorse and the entire Yukon Territory has amazing trails and potential to be a major mountain biking destination. Thanks to Air North (www.flyairnorth.com) for sponsoring the trip.

IMBA UK is hosting the first IMBA Members Weekend November 12-14 in Buxton in the Peak District. The weekend will feature advocacy and trailbuilding sessions, riding, picnics and beer. Sound like a good time? Visit www.imba-uk.com for more info.

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	Club Notes IMBA Trail News Volume 17, Number 4 Autumn 2004 Northeast For the third straight year, the Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol provided volunteer support at the 24 Hours of Allamuchy race in Stanhope, New Jersey. In appreciation, the promoter made a donation to the group. The Delaware patrol is part of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol. IMBA's partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is paying dividends in central Pennsylvania. Because a test trail constructed at the Raystown Lake Project in 2003 was successful, additional funding was recently given for an environmental assessment and construction of 15 to 30 miles of new trail. Construction is set to begin in mid-2005. The Valley Mountain Bikers of Lehigh, Pennsylvania, are adding new singletrack to the Riverside Park Trail System. Theyšve also completed more than half of the Bear Creek trailbuilding project, which will hopefully be done before winter. For more info visit www.bikevmb.com The New England Mountain Bike Association's (NEMBA) 2004 Harpoon MTB Adventure Series generated more than $4,600 in donations to local parks and helped add 135 new members, with the final fall festival yet to come. This year NEMBA held 77 trailwork days in 35 parks as part of their trailbuilding series with Merlin, Cannondale and Rocky Mountain Bicycles. Finally, as we move into October, therešs just one thing left to say: Go Red Sox! (Special insertion from IMBA masochists.) Southeast Florida mountain bike leaders Bill Klausmeyer ( ) on the Atlantic Coast and Wes Eubank ( ) on the Gulf Coast seek assistance from the statešs 2,573,848 riders. The aftermath of a hurricane-filled 2004 left the Floridašs trails a spaghetti bowl of blow downs. Email Bill or Wes for trail clean-up days in your area. On a much sunnier note, the US Forest Service approved the 32-mile Forks Area Trail System (FATS) in South Carolina. How did this singletrack dream become reality? IMBA South Carolina rep Bill Victor said it took a combination of persistence, organization and a forward-thinking land management agency. łWhen eight miles of singletrack disappeared in a š96 timber cut, we wanted to know why,˛ Victor stated. łWhen we asked how to replace the trails, the Forest Service told us to prove ourselves. So we founded a SORBA Chapter, then we fostered a partnership with South Carolina State Parks to design and build the trails at Hickory Knob and Baker Creek State Parks, and finally we went back to the Forest Service with a plan.˛ Thanks to permission from district ranger Beth LeMaster and planner Glenn Kansanback, the plan became a six loop, destination trail system highlighting the steep slopes and deep stream valleys of this area. IMBA Trail Specialist Rich Edwards, who helped with the design said, łCommunication and patience resulted in a joint vision to provide a fantastic recreational opportunity in a working forest.˛ Midwest The future looks bright for Indiana mountain bikers. The Indiana Bicycle Coalition and the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association received approval from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)to build shared-use mountain bike trails on more than 2,000 acres in Brown County and Versailles state parks. Improved mountain bike access in Indianapolis was the goal of an Urban Hot Spots campaign hosted by IMBA and the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) September 7-12 (more details on page 4 of this issue.) For more information and volunteer opportunities visit: www.bicycleindiana.org or www.hmba.org Thanks to the Cowtown Area Mountain Biking Association (CAMBA) legal freeriding is becoming a reality near Fort Worth, Texas. Local BMX, cross-country riders and freeriding hucksters opened two fun and exciting singletrack loops in Z-Boaz Park. One loop includes a dirt jumping area and the other features a mix of log crossings, drops and man-made stunts. The work at Z- Boaz Park is CAMBAšs first partnership with the City of Fort Worth and more is on tap. Info: www.cowtownmtb.org Hey riders, it ainšt all cornfields in Iowa. The Central Iowa Trail Association is working with the Iowa DNR to build singletrack and a freeriding area in the new Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park south of Des Moines. The club also launched the Central Iowa Trail Patrol to educate and assist trail users at city, county and state parks in and around Des Moines. For more info visit www.centraliowatrails. org or call Ryan Hanser at 515-229-3737. Rockies As the summer light fades and the air turns crisp (how poetic), mountain bikers in the Rockies can be found celebrating the autumnal shift at new riding destinations. Whether itšs big hit, bump nš air technical challenges or buttery smooth singletrack that gets your beanie twirling, it was a great summer for new trails in the West. Some highlights: Idahošs Tamarack Resort is closer to becoming a major mountain bike destination. This summer, IMBA Trail Solutions honcho Joey Klein added an aggressive XC/freeride trail, dubbed łLa Culebra Loca,˛ to complement the resortšs existing network of XC trails and jump/challenge parks. IMBA and the state of New Mexico recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve trail opportunities. Governor Bill Richardson and land managers are embracing the benefits of mountain biking to tourism. The Breckenridge Freeride Park opened in August, bringing North Shore-style stunts and terrain to the Colorado mountain town. The project was a collaborative effort between the town of Breckenridge, IMBA and the local club Freeriders United. An IMBA Trail Solutions Project underway this fall will double the trail network on BLM land near Goosebury Mesa in Southern Utah. Got Rocky Mountain News? Send it on to Pacific Perhaps we should change the name of the Pacific column to the Wilderness column. Herešs the latest: IMBA testified September 7 in front of a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee on the Mt. Hood Wilderness bill proposed by Oregon Senator Wyden. IMBA board member Chris Distefano stated that IMBA supports the protection of roadless areas and the proposed Hood Peddlers Demonstration Experimental Area, which would designate three areas to be managed like Wilderness, but allow mountain bikers. However, the 200-plus miles of trails that would be lost with this Wilderness designation needs to be addressed. The open dialogue, the incredible work of IMBA clubs, and the process in Oregon has been encouraging. In California U.S. Senator Boxeršs statewide Wilderness bill hasnšt moved in 2004. However, the Wilderness bill proposed by U.S. Representative Mike Thompson along the north coast still threatens to close 150 miles of trails to bicycles. Thompsonšs staff has listened to IMBAšs concerns and is continuing discussions. A łWild Sky˛ Wilderness bill in Washington has been introduced, and the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club has voted to remain neutral because of certain accommodations to bicycling. Idaho could lose 80 miles of trail around Ketchum the Boulder and White Cloud Mountains with a Wilderness proposal that U.S. Representative Mike Simpson has initiated, but not yet introduced. The World IMBAšs doing so much work internationally, we may need to add another column to this newsletter! A few highlights: IMBAšs office in Canada is 100 percent go. The braintrust behind the effort, Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, are focused on revamping the countries rep network. Mark and Lora are the main IMBA contacts for Canadian issues. You can email them at Mark and Lora recently presented advanced trailbuilding techniques at the North Shore World Mountain Bike Conference in Vancouver to more than 150 attendees. Being the jack-of-all-trades that they are, Mark and Lora operated a booth at the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) show in Toronto. BTAC awarded $5,000 to support the IMBA Canada office. NORCO also joined IMBA Canada as an Above & Beyond corporate member. IMBA advocacy manager Dan Vardamis presented an economic benefits seminar to the Yukon Tourism Agency and Whitehorse city government this summer. Whitehorse and the entire Yukon Territory has amazing trails and potential to be a major mountain biking destination. Thanks to Air North (www.flyairnorth.com) for sponsoring the trip. IMBA UK is hosting the first IMBA Members Weekend November 12-14 in Buxton in the Peak District. The weekend will feature advocacy and trailbuilding sessions, riding, picnics and beer. Sound like a good time? Visit www.imba-uk.com for more info.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright