Bozeman, MT:  Building for the Future

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders encourage new initiatives in Montana

Bozeman, MT is known for it's dog friendly community. At this trailwork day there were as many dogs as people.
After constructing the new trail, the first two riders agreed the new contoured reroute was much more fun than the old fall-line doubletrack trail that was deeply eroded and too steep to ride uphill.
At the end of the day the group proudly posed atop the retaining wall of their new switchback.
A full day of trailwork on Saturday didn't slow down the group ride on Sunday which went to Emerald and Heather Lakes.

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust teamed with Stark Raven Cycles and Strong Frames to bring Nat and Rachael Lopes of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew to Bozeman, Montana. It was a weekend of education, planning for the future and fun for local mountain bikers and local trail specialists.

Local mountain bikers came together for the first brainstorming session on plans to start a mountain biking club. With Nat and Rachael's guidance, the group came up with key issues that face the local mountain bikers and goals for the future that a formalized club may be able to tackle:

• Developing a voice for mountain bikers on local trail issues;
• Educating riders on trail etiquette to help improve relations with other trail users;
• Hosting group rides as a way to have fun and show newcomers to the sport the local trails.

With the enthusiasm and energy that came from the club meeting, locals and out-of-towners showed their support of trails by attending IMBA's sustainable trailbuilding school. Volunteers came out to Leverage Canyon to put their new knowledge to practice. All the hard work added up to over 125 volunteer hours, 600-feet of new trail and a switchback. The group worked an unusually long day in the field and were rewarded with good grub at a barbeque hosted by Stark Raven Cycles and Strong Frames.