Club Notes

IMBA Trail News
Volume 17, Number 5
Winter 2004

Northeast

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that mountain biking events in the cities 2012 Summer Olympics bid would take place at Fresh Kills landfill. "It's awesome, it's great," said IMBA rep Matt LeBow. "It's a beautiful landscape. This will be the only place in the world where you can go mountain biking all day, hop on a kayak and go kayaking in the afternoon and then go and catch a theater at night in the greatest city in the world." For more on this breaking story visit imba.com

Valley Mountain Bikers from Allentown, Pennsylvania are working to complete the Riverside Park Trail System in Lehigh Valley. The group is also re-launching the Bear Creek trailwork project and could finish the work this season if they get enough volunteers. To help, go to www.bikevmb.com

IMBA and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) submitted a joint letter of comment regarding the Draft White Mountain National Forest Travel Management Plan. While generally favorable to mountain bikers, a number of the proposed rules are overly restrictive and unfairly limit cycling opportunities compared to other user groups. IMBA and NEMBA have offered recommendations for alternate rules that will improve mountain biking and protect this 400,000- acre forest in New Hampshire and Maine. NEMBA has also submitted comments in support of the Roadless Rule that plays an important role in protecting the White Mountains and providing human-powered recreational opportunities.

Southeast

Who wouldn't want 100 miles of singletrack within minutes of home? That's what the Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association's Chattanooga chapter in Tennessee is asking for with its Singletrack Mind Inititative, and the response from decision-makers has been decidedly positive. The club kicked off the initiative with an IMBA Epic Celebration on the nearby Tanasi Trail system, and is looking to build momentum for an active and blisterfilled 2005 trailbuilding season.

The annual Dupont Trail Gathering brought together more than 20 IMBA-affiliated, professional trail contractors to share trailbuilding knowledge, learn new tricks, push some dirt, and put a little more sweat equity into the sweet trails of Dupont State Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. Look for a full report on IMBA's website.

The Durham-Orange Mountain Bike Organization recently completed construction of eight miles of new trail in Little River Regional Park north of Durham, North Carolina. The serpentine network should keep area riders happy and motivated to develop more innovative partnerships.

The Kentucky Mountain Bike Association is working to get more trails in the Louisville area. The group recently received a $25,000 Recrational Trails Program grant, which will be used in Waverly and Otter Creek Parks to build bridge structures, improve trail signs and add other trail enhancements.

Midwest

IMBA was recently honored with a Take Pride in America Award presented by North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. The award is in recognition of IMBA Trailbuilding Schools led by the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew at Turtle River State Park, the Maah Daah Hey Trail and Lake Sakakawea State Park. Take Pride in America is a project that recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers to improve public lands and waters. The hardworking North Dakota IMBA team of Ron and Aileen Luethe accepted the award on IMBA's behalf.

The Barmy Dogs Mountain Bike Patrol (Wisconsin), Minnesota's Backcountry Trail Patrol, the Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Association National Mountain Bike Patrol and the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Patrol combined forces to provide emergency care at the 22nd Annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival in Cable, Wisconsin this September. Plans are already in the works for the National Mountain Bike Patrol's involvement in the 2005 event. For more info visit: www.trailpatrol.org

Cold weather isn't going to keep Cleveland area freeriders from skinny bridges and drop-offs this winter. Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park - featuring 66,000 square feet of ramps, drops and obstacles - recently opened to rave reviews. The Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association assisted with promotion and will be involved in future projects. More info: www.raysmtb.com

Got Midwest news? Send it on to

Rockies

The Bureau of Land Management released the final management plan for the North Fruita Desert in Colorado, home to some of the best mountain biking in the world. For the most part, IMBA is pleased with the outcome. Details on the plan can be found at imba.com/news

Legendary Colorado landmark Pike's Peak is becoming more mountain bike-friendly. Recognizing the potential to cash in on tourism and improve recreation for locals, U.S. Forest Service land managers and other agencies are working with the Friends of Pike's Peak and IMBA-affiliated club Medicine Wheel to re-open the 57-mile shared-use Ring the Peak Trail in 2005.

Also in Colorado Springs, Medicine Wheel club president and IMBA rep Josh Osterhoudt was recently appointed to serve on a BLM Resource Advisory Council, which puts mountain bikers in a great position to shape BLM policy in key Colorado riding areas like the San Luis and Arkansas River valleys.

In Bozeman, the Montana Wilderness Association is working to get bicyclist support for a compromise Wilderness proposal that would close some trails on Forest Service land north of Yellowstone while offering protection from development. The initial proposal was met with disapproval from cyclists in the Big Sky area, but negotiations have resumed.

In New Mexico, the Friends of Otero are working with the BLM near Albuquerque to develop a new trail network northwest of Berna Lillo.

Pacific

Mountain biking is in jeopardy at Nisene Marks State Park near Santa Cruz, California. An antimountain biking group has filed a lawsuit claiming the original land deed banned biking. In September, the Sacramento Superior Court ruled against mountain biking. California State Parks is considering appealing the decision, a move supported by IMBA, local clubs and bike industry. Stay tuned to imba.com for updates.

California mountain bike advocates Michael Kelley and Jim Chapman were appointed to BLM Resource Advisory Councils for northwest and northeast California, respectively.

NorCAMBA is searching for a new executive director. Visit www.norcamba.org for details.

The NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League is on a roll. Recent highlights include a coach's clinic at Camp Tamarancho and a benefit dinner in San Francisco that raised more than $10,000.

At Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in San Diego County, the San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA) and the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew consulted with land managers regarding the design and implementation of a new 12-mile shared-use trail network.

Recovery efforts continue at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Cleveland National Forest near San Diego where thousands of acres burned in last year's wildfires. SDMBA is working with local land managers to reopen trails and encourage visitors to tread lightly on the delicate but recovering landscape.

The World

IMBA recently completed its first ever international Urban Hot Spot campaign, in Ottawa, Ontario. IMBA Canada coordinators Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner hosted a wellattended Trailbuilding School at Camp Fortune, and visited several bike shops in the Ottawa region. Mark and Lora managed to meet with key representatives from the National Capital Commission. IMBA will return to Ottawa in May to continue working toward improved access for mountain biking in Canada's capital.

Mountain bike groups in Ontario will soon benefit from a new grant program dedicated to improving trails. The program is a partnership between the Ontario Cycling Association and IMBA Canada's office. Three $500 grants will be awarded for trail improvement projects and to encourage Ontario clubs to take a stewardship role in their local trails. More info: www.imba.com/resources/grants

Igor Hoogendoorn was recently named IMBA's southwestern Ontario rep.

Sustainable mountain bike trails in Belfast, Northern Ireland came a step closer with the recent signing of a license agreement between the Forest Service and local Belfast mountain bike club, www.Mtbrider.com. Members of the club have been talking to the Forest Service over the last two years to secure legal access for cyclists, and permission to develop a trail network built to IMBA standards. "This agreement is a sign of better things to come for mountain bikers in Northern Ireland," said mtbrider.com advocate Andy Beavis.

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	Club Notes IMBA Trail News Volume 17, Number 5 Winter 2004 Northeast New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that mountain biking events in the cities 2012 Summer Olympics bid would take place at Fresh Kills landfill. "It's awesome, it's great," said IMBA rep Matt LeBow. "It's a beautiful landscape. This will be the only place in the world where you can go mountain biking all day, hop on a kayak and go kayaking in the afternoon and then go and catch a theater at night in the greatest city in the world." For more on this breaking story visit imba.com Valley Mountain Bikers from Allentown, Pennsylvania are working to complete the Riverside Park Trail System in Lehigh Valley. The group is also re-launching the Bear Creek trailwork project and could finish the work this season if they get enough volunteers. To help, go to www.bikevmb.com IMBA and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) submitted a joint letter of comment regarding the Draft White Mountain National Forest Travel Management Plan. While generally favorable to mountain bikers, a number of the proposed rules are overly restrictive and unfairly limit cycling opportunities compared to other user groups. IMBA and NEMBA have offered recommendations for alternate rules that will improve mountain biking and protect this 400,000- acre forest in New Hampshire and Maine. NEMBA has also submitted comments in support of the Roadless Rule that plays an important role in protecting the White Mountains and providing human-powered recreational opportunities. Southeast Who wouldn't want 100 miles of singletrack within minutes of home? That's what the Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association's Chattanooga chapter in Tennessee is asking for with its Singletrack Mind Inititative, and the response from decision-makers has been decidedly positive. The club kicked off the initiative with an IMBA Epic Celebration on the nearby Tanasi Trail system, and is looking to build momentum for an active and blisterfilled 2005 trailbuilding season. The annual Dupont Trail Gathering brought together more than 20 IMBA-affiliated, professional trail contractors to share trailbuilding knowledge, learn new tricks, push some dirt, and put a little more sweat equity into the sweet trails of Dupont State Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. Look for a full report on IMBA's website. The Durham-Orange Mountain Bike Organization recently completed construction of eight miles of new trail in Little River Regional Park north of Durham, North Carolina. The serpentine network should keep area riders happy and motivated to develop more innovative partnerships. The Kentucky Mountain Bike Association is working to get more trails in the Louisville area. The group recently received a $25,000 Recrational Trails Program grant, which will be used in Waverly and Otter Creek Parks to build bridge structures, improve trail signs and add other trail enhancements. Midwest IMBA was recently honored with a Take Pride in America Award presented by North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. The award is in recognition of IMBA Trailbuilding Schools led by the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew at Turtle River State Park, the Maah Daah Hey Trail and Lake Sakakawea State Park. Take Pride in America is a project that recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers to improve public lands and waters. The hardworking North Dakota IMBA team of Ron and Aileen Luethe accepted the award on IMBA's behalf. The Barmy Dogs Mountain Bike Patrol (Wisconsin), Minnesota's Backcountry Trail Patrol, the Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Association National Mountain Bike Patrol and the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Patrol combined forces to provide emergency care at the 22nd Annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival in Cable, Wisconsin this September. Plans are already in the works for the National Mountain Bike Patrol's involvement in the 2005 event. For more info visit: www.trailpatrol.org Cold weather isn't going to keep Cleveland area freeriders from skinny bridges and drop-offs this winter. Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park - featuring 66,000 square feet of ramps, drops and obstacles - recently opened to rave reviews. The Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association assisted with promotion and will be involved in future projects. More info: www.raysmtb.com Got Midwest news? Send it on to Rockies The Bureau of Land Management released the final management plan for the North Fruita Desert in Colorado, home to some of the best mountain biking in the world. For the most part, IMBA is pleased with the outcome. Details on the plan can be found at imba.com/news Legendary Colorado landmark Pike's Peak is becoming more mountain bike-friendly. Recognizing the potential to cash in on tourism and improve recreation for locals, U.S. Forest Service land managers and other agencies are working with the Friends of Pike's Peak and IMBA-affiliated club Medicine Wheel to re-open the 57-mile shared-use Ring the Peak Trail in 2005. Also in Colorado Springs, Medicine Wheel club president and IMBA rep Josh Osterhoudt was recently appointed to serve on a BLM Resource Advisory Council, which puts mountain bikers in a great position to shape BLM policy in key Colorado riding areas like the San Luis and Arkansas River valleys. In Bozeman, the Montana Wilderness Association is working to get bicyclist support for a compromise Wilderness proposal that would close some trails on Forest Service land north of Yellowstone while offering protection from development. The initial proposal was met with disapproval from cyclists in the Big Sky area, but negotiations have resumed. In New Mexico, the Friends of Otero are working with the BLM near Albuquerque to develop a new trail network northwest of Berna Lillo. Pacific Mountain biking is in jeopardy at Nisene Marks State Park near Santa Cruz, California. An antimountain biking group has filed a lawsuit claiming the original land deed banned biking. In September, the Sacramento Superior Court ruled against mountain biking. California State Parks is considering appealing the decision, a move supported by IMBA, local clubs and bike industry. Stay tuned to imba.com for updates. California mountain bike advocates Michael Kelley and Jim Chapman were appointed to BLM Resource Advisory Councils for northwest and northeast California, respectively. NorCAMBA is searching for a new executive director. Visit www.norcamba.org for details. The NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League is on a roll. Recent highlights include a coach's clinic at Camp Tamarancho and a benefit dinner in San Francisco that raised more than $10,000. At Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in San Diego County, the San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA) and the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew consulted with land managers regarding the design and implementation of a new 12-mile shared-use trail network. Recovery efforts continue at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Cleveland National Forest near San Diego where thousands of acres burned in last year's wildfires. SDMBA is working with local land managers to reopen trails and encourage visitors to tread lightly on the delicate but recovering landscape. The World IMBA recently completed its first ever international Urban Hot Spot campaign, in Ottawa, Ontario. IMBA Canada coordinators Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner hosted a wellattended Trailbuilding School at Camp Fortune, and visited several bike shops in the Ottawa region. Mark and Lora managed to meet with key representatives from the National Capital Commission. IMBA will return to Ottawa in May to continue working toward improved access for mountain biking in Canada's capital. Mountain bike groups in Ontario will soon benefit from a new grant program dedicated to improving trails. The program is a partnership between the Ontario Cycling Association and IMBA Canada's office. Three $500 grants will be awarded for trail improvement projects and to encourage Ontario clubs to take a stewardship role in their local trails. More info: www.imba.com/resources/grants Igor Hoogendoorn was recently named IMBA's southwestern Ontario rep. Sustainable mountain bike trails in Belfast, Northern Ireland came a step closer with the recent signing of a license agreement between the Forest Service and local Belfast mountain bike club, www.Mtbrider.com. Members of the club have been talking to the Forest Service over the last two years to secure legal access for cyclists, and permission to develop a trail network built to IMBA standards. "This agreement is a sign of better things to come for mountain bikers in Northern Ireland," said mtbrider.com advocate Andy Beavis.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright