The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Debuts

IMBA's Ultimate Adventure

March 1997

IMBA has begun what is surely the most ambitious project weve ever attempted. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, which debuted March 14 at the Cactus Cup in Arizona, is sending a two-person team of trail maintenance and management experts around the United States for nine months in a Subaru Outback Wagon. The crew will become IMBAs traveling ambassadors, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers, IMBA-affiliated clubs and dealers, and putting forward the best possible image for the sport of mountain biking.

For IMBA, this is a dream come true the realization of our "Johnny Appleseed of Mountain Biking" project. For IMBA members and mountain bikers everywhere, the Crew is a potent dream: Imagine having the freedom (and financial and logistical support) to travel for nine consecutive months in a versatile, comfortable, new car, finding great trails from coast to coast, inspiring good work on trails, and seeing the United States as few have...or ever will.

IMBA has selected Mike and Jan Riter of Conyers, Georgia, to serve as the inaugural Trail Care Crew. Mike, 35, was the chief of trail maintenance at the Olympic mountain bike course in Conyers, which is located inside the Georgia International Horse Park. His wife Jan, 30, is one of Georgias top expert racers and an experienced trailworker, too. For the last five years, Mike and Jan have been enthusiastic members and volunteers for the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), IMBAs Georgia affiliate.

Mike and Jan began their work March 1 with a 10-day training session at IMBAs new offices in Boulder, Colorado. Their first field appearance comes March 14-16 at the Specialized Cactus Cup in Scottsdale, Arizona. By the time the first year is complete in November, Mike and Jan will have visited at least 40 states, maybe more.

One of the Crews principal roles is inspiring volunteer trailwork. This fits with IMBA's 20-20-20 Vision, which calls for mountain bikers to join their local club (typically, $20 per year), join IMBA (also $20), and devote (at least) 20 hours per year to volunteer trail projects. A typical stop for the Crew will include a Saturday morning trailwork session, where land managers, volunteers and the Crew will gather at a trailhead to begin a half-day project. The Crew will have a chance up front to describe IMBAs work and to share some of the techniques that are being used successfully by other land managers and trail maintenance crews across the country and beyond. After a few hours of good work, the session will conclude. The Trail Care Crew will provide the hosting land managers with key IMBA materials on trail maintenance and management, and all trailwork participants will receive free stuff donated by IMBA Industry members.

When the Crew leaves the trailhead parking lot bound for the next destination, everyone should feel great...if a bit tired. Land manager will have learned new trail maintenance and management strategies, volunteers will have that rosy glow that follows satisfying trailwork efforts, and the Crew will have inspired yet another group to do more to keep trails open and in good condition for everyone, especially mountain bikers.

This scenario should repeat itself day after day, week after week, month after month, all year. Actually, day after day isnt quite right, because realistically, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will lead only two (or maybe three) trailwork sessions a week. Much of their remaining time will be spent riding, exploring, talking with folks, and gathering information about trails, clubs, and agencies that IMBA can use.

So look for a white Subaru Outback with IMBA and Subaru logos on the side at a trailhead near you. If you meet the Crew, introduce yourself. Mike and Jan will relish the chance to talk with mountain bikers, particularly those who are connected with IMBA. (And please, take a few photos of the Crew and send them to IMBA Trail News. Well be following the adventures of the Crew and chronicling them on these pages, as well as on our Web site (www.imba.com) and Subarus (www.outdoorlife.subaru.com).

IMBA is grateful for Subaru's support of this important project and its new commitment as an IMBA member.

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	The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Debuts IMBA's Ultimate Adventure March 1997 IMBA has begun what is surely the most ambitious project weve ever attempted. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, which debuted March 14 at the Cactus Cup in Arizona, is sending a two-person team of trail maintenance and management experts around the United States for nine months in a Subaru Outback Wagon. The crew will become IMBAs traveling ambassadors, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers, IMBA-affiliated clubs and dealers, and putting forward the best possible image for the sport of mountain biking. For IMBA, this is a dream come true the realization of our "Johnny Appleseed of Mountain Biking" project. For IMBA members and mountain bikers everywhere, the Crew is a potent dream: Imagine having the freedom (and financial and logistical support) to travel for nine consecutive months in a versatile, comfortable, new car, finding great trails from coast to coast, inspiring good work on trails, and seeing the United States as few have...or ever will. IMBA has selected Mike and Jan Riter of Conyers, Georgia, to serve as the inaugural Trail Care Crew. Mike, 35, was the chief of trail maintenance at the Olympic mountain bike course in Conyers, which is located inside the Georgia International Horse Park. His wife Jan, 30, is one of Georgias top expert racers and an experienced trailworker, too. For the last five years, Mike and Jan have been enthusiastic members and volunteers for the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), IMBAs Georgia affiliate. Mike and Jan began their work March 1 with a 10-day training session at IMBAs new offices in Boulder, Colorado. Their first field appearance comes March 14-16 at the Specialized Cactus Cup in Scottsdale, Arizona. By the time the first year is complete in November, Mike and Jan will have visited at least 40 states, maybe more. One of the Crews principal roles is inspiring volunteer trailwork. This fits with IMBA's 20-20-20 Vision, which calls for mountain bikers to join their local club (typically, $20 per year), join IMBA (also $20), and devote (at least) 20 hours per year to volunteer trail projects. A typical stop for the Crew will include a Saturday morning trailwork session, where land managers, volunteers and the Crew will gather at a trailhead to begin a half-day project. The Crew will have a chance up front to describe IMBAs work and to share some of the techniques that are being used successfully by other land managers and trail maintenance crews across the country and beyond. After a few hours of good work, the session will conclude. The Trail Care Crew will provide the hosting land managers with key IMBA materials on trail maintenance and management, and all trailwork participants will receive free stuff donated by IMBA Industry members. When the Crew leaves the trailhead parking lot bound for the next destination, everyone should feel great...if a bit tired. Land manager will have learned new trail maintenance and management strategies, volunteers will have that rosy glow that follows satisfying trailwork efforts, and the Crew will have inspired yet another group to do more to keep trails open and in good condition for everyone, especially mountain bikers. This scenario should repeat itself day after day, week after week, month after month, all year. Actually, day after day isnt quite right, because realistically, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will lead only two (or maybe three) trailwork sessions a week. Much of their remaining time will be spent riding, exploring, talking with folks, and gathering information about trails, clubs, and agencies that IMBA can use. So look for a white Subaru Outback with IMBA and Subaru logos on the side at a trailhead near you. If you meet the Crew, introduce yourself. Mike and Jan will relish the chance to talk with mountain bikers, particularly those who are connected with IMBA. (And please, take a few photos of the Crew and send them to IMBA Trail News. Well be following the adventures of the Crew and chronicling them on these pages, as well as on our Web site (www.imba.com) and Subarus (www.outdoorlife.subaru.com). IMBA is grateful for Subaru's support of this important project and its new commitment as an IMBA member.


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