Mountain Biking Industry Honored With U.S. BLM Department Of The Interior Awards - September 2, 1992

Five mountain biking industry representatives and individuals received national appreciation awards at a Bureau of Land Management-(BLM) sponsored Celebration of Partnerships Symposium held last week in Durango, Colorado. The symposium coincided with the 10th Annual National Off-road Bicycle Championship Races.

At the awards banquet Frank Bracken, Deputy Secretary for the U.s. Department of the Interior, presented "Enjoy Outdoors America" awards to: Rodale Press; Specialized Bicycle Components; International Mountain Bike Association; and Al Farrell and Ed Zink for their distinguished support of BLM's mountain biking program.

The two-day symposium began with several different mountain bike rides to familiarize participants with the variety of trails in southwestern Colorado. The second day was a business meeting where the group discussed ways to increase the number and quality of biking trails on the 270 million acres of BLM-managed lands throughout the western states and Alaska. Other subjects included innovative ways to find an use partnerships; rating the difficulty of trails; gaining access through private lands; BLM's multiple use management policy; and suggestions for future projects.

"We are particularly pleased with the many partner who are working with us to attain a common goal of establishing a quality mountain biking system of trails on public lands," said Bob Moore, BLM State Director in Colorado. "The success of this effort will be a series of trails designed for mountain biking enthusiasts from the novice to the more experience rider."

For more information about BLM's nationwide mountain biking program, contact the Colorado State Office (CO-930), 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215; 303-239-3733.