News Briefs

IMBA Trail News
Volume 18, Number 1
Spring 2005

World Mountain Bike Conference

The North Shore Credit Union World Mountain Bike Conference on Sustainability will occur June 1 - 3, 2005, in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Join IMBA and other mountain biking leaders for three days of education, networking and discussion covering the environmental, social and economic issues surrounding mountain biking. The conference will bring environmental professionals, legal experts, veteran land managers, IMBA staff and other mountain biking leaders to Vancouver's North Shore - the birthplace of freeriding. Topics will include: tourism and economic development, risk management, public safety and liability, and sustainable trails and communities. There will also be guided rides on the North Shore and a behind-the-scenes tour of Whistler's trails and bike park. The event is sponsored in part by IMBA Canada. For details on price, location, schedule, sessions, speakers and other activities, visit www.nsmbfc.com/conference.

IMBA's Federal Partnerships Report

IMBA staff just completed a 24-page, full color newsletter highlighting the work IMBA did with federal land agencies in 2004. IMBA's Federal Partnerships Report captures Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits, success stories, tangible project accomplishments, and online resources for the USACE, BLM, USFS and RTCA. A copy of IMBA's partnership agreement with each agency is also in this valuable advocacy handout. Use this handout as an advocacy tool when working with your local land management agency. It demonstrates that mountain bikers are professional and accountable. The printed partnership agreements can open doors at the local level and shows managers how IMBA works with their counterparts in Washington, D.C. Consider giving one to your local land managers. To get a free copy (plus postage) of the IMBA Federal Partnerships Report visit imba.com.

Philadelphia Patrol Hosts Poker Run

The Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol hosted the First Annual Wissahickon Poker Run on April 16 in Philadelphia. In a park that continues to experience classic user conflicts, the Poker Run was the first ever large public mountain bike event. The goodwill created by the Patrol is a significant reason why the park permitted and partnered on this event. The National Mountain Bike Patrol provides assistance, information, and emergency medical care to mountain bikers and other trail users. To learn more or find a Patrol near you, visit imba.com/nmbp.

Trail Solutions Digs Into Third Year

Trail Solutions, IMBA's professional trail consulting program, is ramping up for another busy year of designing and constructing sweet singletrack for mountain bikers everywhere. Spreading the trail love from Maine to California and Idaho to Florida, the Trail Solutions team's lofty goal is to provide the best trail product in the country, allowing you to ride further and more often. 2004 highlights included planning BLM trail systems outside Phoenix, Arizona and St. George, Utah; consulting with Wisconsin DNR near Fond du Lac; developing trails at both Tamarack Resort and Silver Mountain Resort in Idaho; sustainability retrofits for the Santos trails outside Ocala, Florida; guidance for Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia; and new trail construction in multiple locations outside Washington, D.C. To bring Trail Solutions to your area, contact Scott Linnenburger at .

Singletrack Update Launches

As part of our plan to improve communication with IMBA members and mountain bikers everywhere, IMBA has launched a monthly eNewsletter "Singletrack Update." This eNewsletter gives the latest news about new trails near you, success stories, advocacy issues and membership and merchandise special offers. To sign up email .

IMBA Trail Grants Available

In 2005, a variety of IMBA cash grants are available to groups seeking to jump-start their trail improvement projects. Visit imba.com/resources/grants for details.

Kona/IMBA Freeriding Grants

Clubs looking to develop technical riding will again benefit from a grant program focused on building challenging trails. IMBA-affiliated groups in North America can apply for seven $1,000 awards to support the development of freeriding, downhilling, and dirt jumping projects. Funding for the program comes from Kona and the Kona/IMBA Bowling Party, an annual Las Vegas fundraiser held during Interbike. Kona has been a leading IMBA corporate supporter since '94. The application deadline is May 1, 2005.

NORBA/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants

Now in its seventh year, NORBA/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants fund projects that create or improve trails used for mountain bike racing. The $500 grants can also be used to improve trails for race training and recreational riding, but race courses receive the highest consideration. Applicants must be current members of IMBA as well as NORBA members or race promoters. The program is administered through a partnership between IMBA and NORBA and funded by NORBA members through an optional land access checkbox on NORBA license applications and renewal forms. Applications are due by June 1, 2005.

IMBA/CLIF Bar Trail Preservation Grants

IMBA-affiliated clubs are invited to apply for $500 cash grants to support trail restoration and preservation work. Projects must promote environmental education and inspire conservation in the mountain biking community. Forty grants totaling $20,000 have been distributed since the IMBA/CLIF Bar Trail Preservation Grants program was established in 2001. The application deadline is July 1, 2005.

Support the IMBA Legal Defense Fund

Thanks to the unwavering support of members like you, IMBA has led the fight against unfair trail access restrictions for the past 17 years. We've created innovative trail management solutions, supported the crucial work of local volunteers, and acted as a diplomatic force preserving mountain bikers' rightful access to trails. Sadly, those who oppose mountain biking still pressure public agencies to restrict our sport. Sometimes the precise, powerful voice of top-notch attorneys is the only way to effectively counter unwarranted accusations that "mountain bikers are killing the forest!"

But this work is also expensive, and we need your help. Stay tuned to your mailbox for IMBA's Legal Defense Fund campaign. When you receive our letter, please return your donation as soon as possible. Or donate online at imba.com. Contributors of $30 or more will receive a limited edition "Free the Trail" t-shirt.

Our goal is simple: use the power and clarity of the law to define and defend mountain biker's rights. We want our sport to be understood, respected, and treated fairly by government officials at all levels. Thanks!

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	News Briefs IMBA Trail News Volume 18, Number 1 Spring 2005 World Mountain Bike Conference The North Shore Credit Union World Mountain Bike Conference on Sustainability will occur June 1 - 3, 2005, in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Join IMBA and other mountain biking leaders for three days of education, networking and discussion covering the environmental, social and economic issues surrounding mountain biking. The conference will bring environmental professionals, legal experts, veteran land managers, IMBA staff and other mountain biking leaders to Vancouver's North Shore - the birthplace of freeriding. Topics will include: tourism and economic development, risk management, public safety and liability, and sustainable trails and communities. There will also be guided rides on the North Shore and a behind-the-scenes tour of Whistler's trails and bike park. The event is sponsored in part by IMBA Canada. For details on price, location, schedule, sessions, speakers and other activities, visit www.nsmbfc.com/conference. IMBA's Federal Partnerships Report IMBA staff just completed a 24-page, full color newsletter highlighting the work IMBA did with federal land agencies in 2004. IMBA's Federal Partnerships Report captures Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits, success stories, tangible project accomplishments, and online resources for the USACE, BLM, USFS and RTCA. A copy of IMBA's partnership agreement with each agency is also in this valuable advocacy handout. Use this handout as an advocacy tool when working with your local land management agency. It demonstrates that mountain bikers are professional and accountable. The printed partnership agreements can open doors at the local level and shows managers how IMBA works with their counterparts in Washington, D.C. Consider giving one to your local land managers. To get a free copy (plus postage) of the IMBA Federal Partnerships Report visit imba.com. Philadelphia Patrol Hosts Poker Run The Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol hosted the First Annual Wissahickon Poker Run on April 16 in Philadelphia. In a park that continues to experience classic user conflicts, the Poker Run was the first ever large public mountain bike event. The goodwill created by the Patrol is a significant reason why the park permitted and partnered on this event. The National Mountain Bike Patrol provides assistance, information, and emergency medical care to mountain bikers and other trail users. To learn more or find a Patrol near you, visit imba.com/nmbp. Trail Solutions Digs Into Third Year Trail Solutions, IMBA's professional trail consulting program, is ramping up for another busy year of designing and constructing sweet singletrack for mountain bikers everywhere. Spreading the trail love from Maine to California and Idaho to Florida, the Trail Solutions team's lofty goal is to provide the best trail product in the country, allowing you to ride further and more often. 2004 highlights included planning BLM trail systems outside Phoenix, Arizona and St. George, Utah; consulting with Wisconsin DNR near Fond du Lac; developing trails at both Tamarack Resort and Silver Mountain Resort in Idaho; sustainability retrofits for the Santos trails outside Ocala, Florida; guidance for Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia; and new trail construction in multiple locations outside Washington, D.C. To bring Trail Solutions to your area, contact Scott Linnenburger at . Singletrack Update Launches As part of our plan to improve communication with IMBA members and mountain bikers everywhere, IMBA has launched a monthly eNewsletter "Singletrack Update." This eNewsletter gives the latest news about new trails near you, success stories, advocacy issues and membership and merchandise special offers. To sign up email . IMBA Trail Grants Available In 2005, a variety of IMBA cash grants are available to groups seeking to jump-start their trail improvement projects. Visit imba.com/resources/grants for details. Kona/IMBA Freeriding Grants Clubs looking to develop technical riding will again benefit from a grant program focused on building challenging trails. IMBA-affiliated groups in North America can apply for seven $1,000 awards to support the development of freeriding, downhilling, and dirt jumping projects. Funding for the program comes from Kona and the Kona/IMBA Bowling Party, an annual Las Vegas fundraiser held during Interbike. Kona has been a leading IMBA corporate supporter since '94. The application deadline is May 1, 2005. NORBA/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants Now in its seventh year, NORBA/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants fund projects that create or improve trails used for mountain bike racing. The $500 grants can also be used to improve trails for race training and recreational riding, but race courses receive the highest consideration. Applicants must be current members of IMBA as well as NORBA members or race promoters. The program is administered through a partnership between IMBA and NORBA and funded by NORBA members through an optional land access checkbox on NORBA license applications and renewal forms. Applications are due by June 1, 2005. IMBA/CLIF Bar Trail Preservation Grants IMBA-affiliated clubs are invited to apply for $500 cash grants to support trail restoration and preservation work. Projects must promote environmental education and inspire conservation in the mountain biking community. Forty grants totaling $20,000 have been distributed since the IMBA/CLIF Bar Trail Preservation Grants program was established in 2001. The application deadline is July 1, 2005. Support the IMBA Legal Defense Fund Thanks to the unwavering support of members like you, IMBA has led the fight against unfair trail access restrictions for the past 17 years. We've created innovative trail management solutions, supported the crucial work of local volunteers, and acted as a diplomatic force preserving mountain bikers' rightful access to trails. Sadly, those who oppose mountain biking still pressure public agencies to restrict our sport. Sometimes the precise, powerful voice of top-notch attorneys is the only way to effectively counter unwarranted accusations that "mountain bikers are killing the forest!" But this work is also expensive, and we need your help. Stay tuned to your mailbox for IMBA's Legal Defense Fund campaign. When you receive our letter, please return your donation as soon as possible. Or donate online at imba.com. Contributors of $30 or more will receive a limited edition "Free the Trail" t-shirt. Our goal is simple: use the power and clarity of the law to define and defend mountain biker's rights. We want our sport to be understood, respected, and treated fairly by government officials at all levels. Thanks!


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright