2006 Toronto Urban Hot Spot Schedule of Events

Preserving trail access near cities is one of the most difficult challenges facing IMBA and mountain bikers. As urban areas continue to expand and open space dwindles, it's becoming increasingly difficult for trail enthusiasts to find convenient places to enjoy the outdoors. The yearlong 2006 Urban Hot Spot campaign will concentrate on addressing this problem in the Greater Toronto Area.

In addition to the following public events, IMBA Canada staff will team with local advocates to conduct a series of meetings with land managers, community leaders and other conservation and recreation groups. These meetings will produce plans for enhancing Toronto's trail system for all trail users.

The 2006 Urban Hot Spot campaign is hosted by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the City of Toronto, sponsored by the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC), and supported by Norco Performance Bikes.

Feb. 11 - Toronto Stewardship Forum

March 3-5 - Toronto International Bike Show

March 24 - Toronto Urban Hot Spot Launch

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) invite bicyclists and the public to attend the official launch event of the 2006 Toronto Urban Hot Spot campaign, Friday March 24, from 7-9pm. The evening will include short presentations from BTAC and the City of Toronto, refreshments, draw prizes, and an inspirational slideshow by IMBA Canada's Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner. IMBA and BTAC affiliated retailer, Sport Swap, will host the festivities at their 2063 Yonge Street location.

April 8/9 - Trail Crew Leader Training

IMBA Canada and the City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, are hosting a Trail Crew Leader Training workshop to train leaders for volunteer trailwork sessions on Toronto's trail networks this summer and fall (and beyond!). The workshop is open to everyone (even if you're working in other areas), and will cover classroom and field instruction on: basics of sustainable trail construction, site assessment and project selection, crew leader responsibilities, tools and safety, managing and motivating a volunteer crew, recruiting and keeping volunteers, and hands-on trailwork. Registration is FREE and open to all. Attendance at an IMBA Basic Trailbuilding School is an asset. Please register, as space is limited.
Contact Trisha Kaplan-Freed for more details, or to register: (416) 338-5053 or

May to September - Toronto Trail Ambassadors Program

Two Trail Ambassadors will work on the trails this summer, promoting responsible use of un-paved natural surface trails, completing inventories of existing trail systems, monitoring and reporting on the condition of specific trails, leading and participating in sustainable trail maintenance workshops, and delivering outreach and educational events to trail users and interested members of the public. If you see them, be sure to introduce yourself! To request the Trail Ambassadors for your trail-related events, contact Sean Wheldrake: (416) 392-1143 or

May to October - Trail Work Sessions

Join other mountain bikers and trail enthusiasts for ongoing work on the trails - including trail assessments, improvements, site-line clearing, repairs, and discussions related to current trail issues. Crew Leaders will be trained at the April 8/9 IMBA Trail Crew Leader Training. More details to come!
Contact Trisha Kaplan-Freed: (416) 338-5053 or

May 29 to June 11 - Toronto Bike Week 2006

The 17th annual celebration of bicycle culture features events for cyclists of every stripe, from family-friendly group rides to fast-paced racing. More details to come: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikeweek/bikeweek_2006.htm

June 3/4 - Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew at Albion Hills Conservation Area

Join Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders Nat and Rachael Lopes to work on the trails at Albion Hills Conservation Area. This 2-day IMBA Trailbuilding School will include both classroom instruction and hands-on trailwork, and will help make the trails race-ready for the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice.
Contact Trail Care Crew Coordinator, Spencer Powlison, for details and to register:

July (July 5) - Second Annual Ride/Run the Don and BBQ Event

Take part in the second annual Ride/Run the Don event! Join Norco Factory Team Riders for a group ride on the trails, followed by a BBQ.
Contact Trisha Kaplan-Freed ( ) or Neil Mackinnon ( ) for more info.

July (July 9) - Don Valley "Build to Ride" Day

Get down and dirty and give back to the trails! If you ride, hike, or run in the Don, here's a chance show some love to the trails we all enjoy. This 1-day project is hosted by the City of Toronto, and will be led by IMBA Canada trail specialists. Date and location to be determined.
Contact Trisha Kaplan-Freed for more details, or to register: (416) 338-5053 or

Sept. 16/17 - IMBA Sustainable Trails Workshop

Want to learn more about trails? IMBA Canada trail specialists Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner and the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, are hosting this 2-day IMBA Trailbuilding School. Participants will learn the art and science behind building and maintaining sustainable trails. This workshop is FREE and open to everyone! Location to be determined.
Contact Trisha Kaplan-Freed for more details, or to register: (416) 338-5053 or

Oct. 7 - Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

IMBA will celebrate the third annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006. This is a great opportunity for you to pass your passion for pedaling on to kids! Take your kids for a ride, or find out how to plan your own 'Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day' event: http://www.imba.com/resources/kids/index.html

More events and details will be posted on www.imba.com/canada and www.toronto.ca/trails as they become available. Stay tuned!

For more information on the IMBA Hot Spots program, contact IMBA Canada:

IMBA Canada - PO Box 404 - Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z7
705.441.6901