IMBA Canada Gets Rolling

IMBA Trail News
Volume 18, Number 2
Summer 2005

Membership, momentum rising north of the border

It's not difficult to get Richard Juryn, organizer of the Northshore Credit Union World Mountain Bike Festival and Conference, to say nice things about IMBA Canada. "The IMBA formula is a proven success. With great people like Mark and Lora [Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, IMBA's full-time Canadian staff] steering the ship, I expect to see a string of successes in the near future," says Juryn. "There's a point of critical mass that will allow IMBA Canada to really have an impact on the national riding scene - we're not there yet, but things are headed in the right direction."

After opening a full-time office last summer, IMBA Canada has seen membership rise steadily, and has organized dozens of advocacy and trailbuilding campaigns across the nation.

Building Momentum in Ottawa

Canada's capital city is home to two important resources: the national legislature and the Gatineau Forest's network of trails. In April, IMBA Canada visited Ottawa to work on strategies for partnering with federal agencies, and to ride the Gatineau. Following an inspiring IMBA slideshow at the Ottawa Public Library, the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) was literally formed overnight, and has since grown to more than 80 members. Dominique Laroque, the IMBA Canada rep in the capital city describes the IMBA Canada visit as energizing riders with a "pure alchemy reaction."

In May, OMBA presented the city of Kanata with a proposal to legalize unofficial trails in one of the prime riding locations in the Ottawa area, the South March Highlands. OMBA representatives have also met with the Director of the Gatineau Park to discuss ways for the National Capital Commission and IMBA Canada to work together.

No Shortage of Work

Like its sibling south of the border, IMBA Canada is funded through a combination of membership, paid trail-consulting contracts and corporate sponsorship.

Since opening in Collingwood last September, the Canadian office has been flooded with work - including 17 paid contracts. Highlights of the fee-based programs have included a mountain bike trail system in King Township, the Scenic Caves multi-use trail in Ontario, and Trailbuilding Schools for land managers in provinces from Alberta to Québec.

Another sign of IMBA Canada's health is that corporate support continues to improve. Leading companies include the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, Kona Bicycles, Outdoor Gear Canada, Norco Products and Rocky Mountain Bicycles.

Grassroots Network Expanding

The number of Canadian IMBA-affiliated clubs and bike shops has more than doubled since the Canadian office opened. There are now 11 field Reps and the goal is to have at least one in each province by 2006.

Kip Keylock, a veteran rep from Calgary, stresses the need to reach out to the new generation of riders. "We need to encourage IMBA clubs to bring youthful members into the fold. One benefit of youth is the desire to learn new ways and then put it into action quickly. Our gang in Calgary has provided good resources for all types of riders, and that has kept young people involved."

"We need volunteer leaders," agrees Laroque. "If IMBA Canada is going to succeed - and I know it can - we're going to have to teach each other to take leadership roles." IMBA Canada is working hard to bring in new members, improve its resources and garner even more corporate support. Canada is home to some of the best trails and most innovative riders on the planet - it deserves to have one of the best advocacy organizations as well.

To learn more, visit the new IMBA Canada website at www.imba.com/canada

Success at the South Surrey Bike Park

A few years ago, British Columbia's Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest was home to an unauthorized network of trails, leading to tension between riders and land managers. The situation was worsening, until responsible riders formed the Surrey Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts (SORCE) and came up with a plan. The results included sustainable trails and a new bike park that land managers could live with. SORCE has now raised $10,700 for ongoing improvements to South Surrey Bike Park's terrain, and the city has kicked in $65,000. The result: happy riders and a peaceful forest.

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	IMBA Canada Gets Rolling IMBA Trail News Volume 18, Number 2 Summer 2005 Membership, momentum rising north of the border It's not difficult to get Richard Juryn, organizer of the Northshore Credit Union World Mountain Bike Festival and Conference, to say nice things about IMBA Canada. "The IMBA formula is a proven success. With great people like Mark and Lora [Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, IMBA's full-time Canadian staff] steering the ship, I expect to see a string of successes in the near future," says Juryn. "There's a point of critical mass that will allow IMBA Canada to really have an impact on the national riding scene - we're not there yet, but things are headed in the right direction." After opening a full-time office last summer, IMBA Canada has seen membership rise steadily, and has organized dozens of advocacy and trailbuilding campaigns across the nation. Building Momentum in Ottawa Canada's capital city is home to two important resources: the national legislature and the Gatineau Forest's network of trails. In April, IMBA Canada visited Ottawa to work on strategies for partnering with federal agencies, and to ride the Gatineau. Following an inspiring IMBA slideshow at the Ottawa Public Library, the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) was literally formed overnight, and has since grown to more than 80 members. Dominique Laroque, the IMBA Canada rep in the capital city describes the IMBA Canada visit as energizing riders with a "pure alchemy reaction." In May, OMBA presented the city of Kanata with a proposal to legalize unofficial trails in one of the prime riding locations in the Ottawa area, the South March Highlands. OMBA representatives have also met with the Director of the Gatineau Park to discuss ways for the National Capital Commission and IMBA Canada to work together. No Shortage of Work Like its sibling south of the border, IMBA Canada is funded through a combination of membership, paid trail-consulting contracts and corporate sponsorship. Since opening in Collingwood last September, the Canadian office has been flooded with work - including 17 paid contracts. Highlights of the fee-based programs have included a mountain bike trail system in King Township, the Scenic Caves multi-use trail in Ontario, and Trailbuilding Schools for land managers in provinces from Alberta to Québec. Another sign of IMBA Canada's health is that corporate support continues to improve. Leading companies include the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, Kona Bicycles, Outdoor Gear Canada, Norco Products and Rocky Mountain Bicycles. Grassroots Network Expanding The number of Canadian IMBA-affiliated clubs and bike shops has more than doubled since the Canadian office opened. There are now 11 field Reps and the goal is to have at least one in each province by 2006. Kip Keylock, a veteran rep from Calgary, stresses the need to reach out to the new generation of riders. "We need to encourage IMBA clubs to bring youthful members into the fold. One benefit of youth is the desire to learn new ways and then put it into action quickly. Our gang in Calgary has provided good resources for all types of riders, and that has kept young people involved." "We need volunteer leaders," agrees Laroque. "If IMBA Canada is going to succeed - and I know it can - we're going to have to teach each other to take leadership roles." IMBA Canada is working hard to bring in new members, improve its resources and garner even more corporate support. Canada is home to some of the best trails and most innovative riders on the planet - it deserves to have one of the best advocacy organizations as well. To learn more, visit the new IMBA Canada website at www.imba.com/canada Success at the South Surrey Bike Park A few years ago, British Columbia's Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest was home to an unauthorized network of trails, leading to tension between riders and land managers. The situation was worsening, until responsible riders formed the Surrey Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts (SORCE) and came up with a plan. The results included sustainable trails and a new bike park that land managers could live with. SORCE has now raised $10,700 for ongoing improvements to South Surrey Bike Park's terrain, and the city has kicked in $65,000. The result: happy riders and a peaceful forest.


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