Club Notes

IMBA Trail News
Volume 18, Number 1
Spring 2005

Northeast

Congrats to Hardy Avery of the Stowe Mountain Bike Club for being recognized by the American Trails National Trail Awards. Hardy got the nod for developing trail networks in Vermont's Sterling Valley and Putnam State Forest and sponsoring two IMBA Trailbuilding Schools.

The Kingdom Trails Association in Vermont continues developing the most extensive singletrack trail system in the northeast. Next on tap is a downhill/freeride trail at Burke Mountain ski area. The association recently received a NEMBA Trail Grant to help purchase tools to build the challenging 1.5- mile trail that descends 1,300 feet and incorporates natural features and challenges.

Since 2000, the Saratoga Mountain Bike Association (NY) has been working to preserve 540 acres of land - full of trails - owned by a local paper company. They've put in hundreds of hours building and improving the trail system, and now are seeking to protect an additional 140 acres of abutting land. Their ultimate goal is to acquire the land in a fashion similar to what the New England Mountain Bike Association has done with Vietnam. Learn more at www.saratogamtb.org.

In Lake Placid, New York, mountain bikers are working to reverse a decision to end mountain biking at Whiteface Mountain, site of Olympic alpine ski races in 1980. Local rider Mike Scheur is organizing a campaign to convince officials to reconsider. Contact Mike at .

Southeast

In Florida, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) and the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails are opening a new campground at the popular Santos trailhead. OMBA and Santos managers have also started work on IMBA Trail Solutions recommendations for improving trail flow and defining beginner and advanced areas.

A new SORBA chapter is forming in Nashville, Tennessee. Comprised of the former Lock4 Trailblazers and other activists, the new club will be named SORBA Mid Tenn. Trail projects include Montgomery Bell State Park and Long Hunter State Park as well has partnershipbuilding at Fall Creek Falls State Park and Big South Fork National Recreation Area.

Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich has proposed a $75,000 grant to MORE, the Mid Atlantic region's largest mountain bike club, to help the group continue developing and improving trails in Maryland. "The funds will help us create new trails for all to enjoy," said MORE President Eric von Eckartsberg. If approved by the General Assembly, money could become available in July.

Forsythe County, Georgia and The Roswell/Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization (a SORBA chapter) have teamed to build sweet cross country and freeriding trails. They hosted a grand opening for the new Central Park Mountain Bike Trail and Freeride Park in late March. SORBA has also spawned a cool new freeride chapter called the SORBA Freeride Alliance (SoFA). Details: rambo-mtb.org.

Midwest

The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) is converting relationships into the first authorized mountain biking trails in Minnesota State Parks. In partnership with Minnesota DNR, approximately 15 miles of singletrack are slated for Camden State Park. This year MORC will also finish a seven-mile trail at Inver Grove Heights - the first trail for mountain biking built in Minnesota using RTP grant money.

Bike Texas' Trail Doctors have designed a five-mile singletrack traversing rugged terrain near Possum Kingdom Lake in Caddo, Texas with numerous lake vistas and plenty of elevation gain. Mechanized construction is expected to start in late 2005.

The Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr) has recruited a little Hollywood muscle. A film with Keneau Reeves and Sandra Bullock has slowed trail development, but Warner Brothers has helped on large-scale removal of invasive plant species. Removing invasive plants is a key part of CAMBr's process when maintaining and building new trail.

Trailwork is proceeding at Indiana's Versailles State Park thanks to the teamwork of the Indiana Bicycle Coalition, the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, and the Cincinnati Off Road Alliance.

In Jefferson City, Missouri, the Capitol City Cycling Club just completed another two miles of new trail bringing the total to 14 miles of twisting, tight singletrack. The new trail boasts lakeside views, technical rock features, and a scattering of large oak trees.

Rockies

Just six months after IMBA and the state of New Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding, the state is fast becoming one of the most pro-mountain biking forces in the West. New Mexico State Parks is appointing a trails coordinator to oversee construction of 100 miles of new singletrack in multiple state parks over the next few years. Bottom line: it's a great time to be a mountain biker in the Land of Enchantment.

Another New Mexico success story comes from the capitol city of Albuquerque. When a City Council resolution that would restrict bike access loomed, IMBA-affiliate FooMTB (www.foomtb.org) organized letter writing and phone campaigns in a successful grassroots effort to retain bike access. For more info, contact hardworking IMBA New Mexico field representative Dave Halliburton at .

IMBA Utah field rep Ryan Miller has implemented a program for racers to earn competition points by doing trailwork. Get in touch with him at .

Sometimes an access threat can be a good thing when it spurs mountain bikers into action. Riders around Denver, Colorado have always enjoyed great trail access in nearby Jefferson County, but a recent bike ban in a local park prompted a town hall meeting attended by more than 200 Front Range mountain bikers, led by Bicycle Colorado and IMBA. Riders are hoping the meeting will kick-off the formation of a much-needed advocacy club in the area.

Pacific

California: home to not only some of the best riding in the country, but also the epicenter for every trail access earthquake. On the list of threats - the Northern California Wilderness bill would ban bicycling on more than 170 miles of singletrack, an anti-biking lawsuit and court judgment may shut down Nisene Marks in Santa Cruz, access is restricted at Rancho Palos Verdes in SoCal and downhilling has been banned at Big Bear. IMBA leaders will join with local advocates at the Sea Otter Classic to rally the troops, form a plan and take coordinated action.

IMBA's fee-based Trail Solutions program is busy in the Golden State. The BLM and IMBA will team to develop a purpose-built mountain bike trail system in the King Range National Conservation Area, and IMBA experts are helping Granny Gear Productions improve the course for the 24 Hours of Temecula after fires and floods of recent years.

After a seven-year effort by the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay, the East Bay Regional Park District has opened two singletrack trails to bikes. The Heron Bay/Swallow Bay Trail at Lake Del Valle and the Brandon Trail in Anthony Chabot Park will be open to bikes this spring. See btceb.org for details.

IMBA invites you to attend a fun weekend with the Northern California Mountain Bicycling Association at the NorCAMBA Epic on the Tahoe Rim Trail July 30-31. On Saturday there will be trailwork, fun events, beer and camping. Sunday will feature a group ride. Check norcamba.org for info.

The World

IMBA's 2005 Canadian tour touches down in seven provinces, and features IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, trailwork days, seminars, conferences, tradeshows and more. For details visit imba.com/canada. Dominique Larocque and Steve Kiernan were recently designated National Capital Region and Quebec volunteer field reps for IMBA Canada. Contact:

The Second Annual North Shore World Mountain Bike Conference will be held in North Vancouver, BC, May 31 to June 3, 2005. A team of IMBA Trail Specialists will be presenting. IMBA Canada is an associate sponsor. More info: nsmbfc.com

Joey Klein of IMBA Trail Solutions worked in Israel in early 2005. Mountain biking in Israel is growing rapidly. IMBA's work in Israel focused on building new trails - including singletrack near Jerusalem - and partnerships. Slideshow: imba.com/international

We've created a new international document, "Ten Steps to Enhance IMBA in Countries Outside the U.S." It describes the step-by-step approach to getting mountain bike advocacy and IMBA established around the world. Check it out at imba.com/international.

Good news from Tasmania, Australia where a world-class mountain bike park in Mt. Wellington's forested foothills has received support from the Tasmanian State Government and Glenorchy City Council. Details: www.mtba.asn.au

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	Club Notes IMBA Trail News Volume 18, Number 1 Spring 2005 Northeast Congrats to Hardy Avery of the Stowe Mountain Bike Club for being recognized by the American Trails National Trail Awards. Hardy got the nod for developing trail networks in Vermont's Sterling Valley and Putnam State Forest and sponsoring two IMBA Trailbuilding Schools. The Kingdom Trails Association in Vermont continues developing the most extensive singletrack trail system in the northeast. Next on tap is a downhill/freeride trail at Burke Mountain ski area. The association recently received a NEMBA Trail Grant to help purchase tools to build the challenging 1.5- mile trail that descends 1,300 feet and incorporates natural features and challenges. Since 2000, the Saratoga Mountain Bike Association (NY) has been working to preserve 540 acres of land - full of trails - owned by a local paper company. They've put in hundreds of hours building and improving the trail system, and now are seeking to protect an additional 140 acres of abutting land. Their ultimate goal is to acquire the land in a fashion similar to what the New England Mountain Bike Association has done with Vietnam. Learn more at www.saratogamtb.org. In Lake Placid, New York, mountain bikers are working to reverse a decision to end mountain biking at Whiteface Mountain, site of Olympic alpine ski races in 1980. Local rider Mike Scheur is organizing a campaign to convince officials to reconsider. Contact Mike at . Southeast In Florida, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) and the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails are opening a new campground at the popular Santos trailhead. OMBA and Santos managers have also started work on IMBA Trail Solutions recommendations for improving trail flow and defining beginner and advanced areas. A new SORBA chapter is forming in Nashville, Tennessee. Comprised of the former Lock4 Trailblazers and other activists, the new club will be named SORBA Mid Tenn. Trail projects include Montgomery Bell State Park and Long Hunter State Park as well has partnershipbuilding at Fall Creek Falls State Park and Big South Fork National Recreation Area. Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich has proposed a $75,000 grant to MORE, the Mid Atlantic region's largest mountain bike club, to help the group continue developing and improving trails in Maryland. "The funds will help us create new trails for all to enjoy," said MORE President Eric von Eckartsberg. If approved by the General Assembly, money could become available in July. Forsythe County, Georgia and The Roswell/Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization (a SORBA chapter) have teamed to build sweet cross country and freeriding trails. They hosted a grand opening for the new Central Park Mountain Bike Trail and Freeride Park in late March. SORBA has also spawned a cool new freeride chapter called the SORBA Freeride Alliance (SoFA). Details: rambo-mtb.org. Midwest The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) is converting relationships into the first authorized mountain biking trails in Minnesota State Parks. In partnership with Minnesota DNR, approximately 15 miles of singletrack are slated for Camden State Park. This year MORC will also finish a seven-mile trail at Inver Grove Heights - the first trail for mountain biking built in Minnesota using RTP grant money. Bike Texas' Trail Doctors have designed a five-mile singletrack traversing rugged terrain near Possum Kingdom Lake in Caddo, Texas with numerous lake vistas and plenty of elevation gain. Mechanized construction is expected to start in late 2005. The Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr) has recruited a little Hollywood muscle. A film with Keneau Reeves and Sandra Bullock has slowed trail development, but Warner Brothers has helped on large-scale removal of invasive plant species. Removing invasive plants is a key part of CAMBr's process when maintaining and building new trail. Trailwork is proceeding at Indiana's Versailles State Park thanks to the teamwork of the Indiana Bicycle Coalition, the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, and the Cincinnati Off Road Alliance. In Jefferson City, Missouri, the Capitol City Cycling Club just completed another two miles of new trail bringing the total to 14 miles of twisting, tight singletrack. The new trail boasts lakeside views, technical rock features, and a scattering of large oak trees. Rockies Just six months after IMBA and the state of New Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding, the state is fast becoming one of the most pro-mountain biking forces in the West. New Mexico State Parks is appointing a trails coordinator to oversee construction of 100 miles of new singletrack in multiple state parks over the next few years. Bottom line: it's a great time to be a mountain biker in the Land of Enchantment. Another New Mexico success story comes from the capitol city of Albuquerque. When a City Council resolution that would restrict bike access loomed, IMBA-affiliate FooMTB (www.foomtb.org) organized letter writing and phone campaigns in a successful grassroots effort to retain bike access. For more info, contact hardworking IMBA New Mexico field representative Dave Halliburton at . IMBA Utah field rep Ryan Miller has implemented a program for racers to earn competition points by doing trailwork. Get in touch with him at . Sometimes an access threat can be a good thing when it spurs mountain bikers into action. Riders around Denver, Colorado have always enjoyed great trail access in nearby Jefferson County, but a recent bike ban in a local park prompted a town hall meeting attended by more than 200 Front Range mountain bikers, led by Bicycle Colorado and IMBA. Riders are hoping the meeting will kick-off the formation of a much-needed advocacy club in the area. Pacific California: home to not only some of the best riding in the country, but also the epicenter for every trail access earthquake. On the list of threats - the Northern California Wilderness bill would ban bicycling on more than 170 miles of singletrack, an anti-biking lawsuit and court judgment may shut down Nisene Marks in Santa Cruz, access is restricted at Rancho Palos Verdes in SoCal and downhilling has been banned at Big Bear. IMBA leaders will join with local advocates at the Sea Otter Classic to rally the troops, form a plan and take coordinated action. IMBA's fee-based Trail Solutions program is busy in the Golden State. The BLM and IMBA will team to develop a purpose-built mountain bike trail system in the King Range National Conservation Area, and IMBA experts are helping Granny Gear Productions improve the course for the 24 Hours of Temecula after fires and floods of recent years. After a seven-year effort by the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay, the East Bay Regional Park District has opened two singletrack trails to bikes. The Heron Bay/Swallow Bay Trail at Lake Del Valle and the Brandon Trail in Anthony Chabot Park will be open to bikes this spring. See btceb.org for details. IMBA invites you to attend a fun weekend with the Northern California Mountain Bicycling Association at the NorCAMBA Epic on the Tahoe Rim Trail July 30-31. On Saturday there will be trailwork, fun events, beer and camping. Sunday will feature a group ride. Check norcamba.org for info. The World IMBA's 2005 Canadian tour touches down in seven provinces, and features IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, trailwork days, seminars, conferences, tradeshows and more. For details visit imba.com/canada. Dominique Larocque and Steve Kiernan were recently designated National Capital Region and Quebec volunteer field reps for IMBA Canada. Contact: The Second Annual North Shore World Mountain Bike Conference will be held in North Vancouver, BC, May 31 to June 3, 2005. A team of IMBA Trail Specialists will be presenting. IMBA Canada is an associate sponsor. More info: nsmbfc.com Joey Klein of IMBA Trail Solutions worked in Israel in early 2005. Mountain biking in Israel is growing rapidly. IMBA's work in Israel focused on building new trails - including singletrack near Jerusalem - and partnerships. Slideshow: imba.com/international We've created a new international document, "Ten Steps to Enhance IMBA in Countries Outside the U.S." It describes the step-by-step approach to getting mountain bike advocacy and IMBA established around the world. Check it out at imba.com/international. Good news from Tasmania, Australia where a world-class mountain bike park in Mt. Wellington's forested foothills has received support from the Tasmanian State Government and Glenorchy City Council. Details: www.mtba.asn.au


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