Fall 2013 Model Trails Announcement

2013 FA L L

S W E N L I A TR

Model Trails

New Epics, Ride Centers, Flow and Gateway Trails The return of “Long live long rides!�

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Bronze-level Ride Center Helena, Montana. Photo by Leslie Kehmeier.

Long Live Long Rides!

Mountain bikers need better access to long-distance trails

IMBA

has been fortunate to work with some crackerjack advertising agencies over the years.

One our most memorable campaigns was titled “Long live long rides.” Engineered

by TDA Advertising, the spots featured lighthearted images, like a dog food bowl so overflowing that Fido could survive while his miscreant owner went for a weekend-long ride.

The campaign launched in 2001 and was replaced a few years later, but we still get requests for bumper stickers, T-shirts and other gear featuring the “Long live long rides” tagline. Why? Most mountain bikers don’t often get a chance to disappear into the woods for days, even weeks, at a time. It might only happen once or twice in your entire riding career — but you’ll remember your longest rides for the rest of your life.

IMBA believes that mountain bikers need better access to long-distance trails, and that a concerted advocacy effort will help bring more and better opportunities for this kind of treasured riding experience. We are bringing back the “Long live long rides” tagline to rally support, and we have already begun the policy work to support our initiative.

If you are wondering what’s on the table, I’ll be specific. The National Scenic and Historic Trails system offers unrealized opportunities for non-motorized recreation. (With the exception of the Appalachian Trail — see the sidebar below.) The Pacific Crest Trail currently offers no bicycle access. IMBA has already begun advocating for a change in this policy. Not for sections of the PCT that are protected as Wilderness, but in places where mountain biking would be compatible with other uses.

The revamped “Long live long rides” campaign will not focused solely on National Scenic and Historic Trails. We are interested in developing other possibilities for multi-hour and multi-day rides wherever we find them. North Dakota’s Maah Daah Hey trail is a good example of a multi-day ride that faces pressing advocacy challenges due to threats from oil and gas development.

IMBA and its chapters’ efforts to create and protect bike access in the National Scenic and Historic Trail system will undoubtedly draw attention, and not all of it will be positive. Earlier this fall, a U.S. Forest Service office in Colorado withdrew a decision that would have allowed mountain biking on a yet-to-be-built segment on the Continental Divide Trail.

National groups filled appeals protesting the plans for shared-use status — the Forest Service office pulled their pro-bike decision and has yet to publish their revised version.

It was interesting to watch the reaction when an alliance of national and local hiking groups recently stated, “Some trails aren’t meant to be shared,” and launched an online petition claiming that mountain biking is not an appropriate activity for National Scenic and Historic Trails. They were reacting to an IMBA fundraising appeal that pointed to the work I’ve described above. Many of the resulting comments, perhaps even the majority of them, posted online were supportive of increased access for mountain bikers, though plenty of people spoke up for the notion that mountain bikers should not be granted any new access.

IMBA does not believe that mountain bikers need access to every inch of every long-distance trail. We are hopeful that we can work with hikers, equestrians and other stakeholders to see what possibilities can be identified for improved bike access. We are eager to help, and have much to offer, with volunteer stewardship efforts on these trails. I am utterly convinced that mountain bikers can share trails with other users, and that trail experiences are enriched by a diversity of outdoor enthusiasts who work together to enjoy and protect common resources.

Long live long rides!

— Mike Van Abel, IMBA Executive Director CAN YOU DO THAT?

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Mountain biking on National Scenic and Historic Trails — can you even do that? Some groups have argued that these trails were created specifically for hiking, but only the Appalachian Trail was expressly given a primary use as a footpath in the law. The original 1968 version of the National Trails System Act explicitly states that the trails should, “provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population.” In a 1983 amendment, bicycling was specifically mentioned as an acceptable use in the National Trails System.

IMBA Trail News | U.S. Edition Fall 2013, Volume 26, Number 2

IMBA creates, preserves and enhances great mountain biking experiences Board of Directors Elayna Caldwell (Chicago, IL), Vice Chair of the Board Mike Cachat (Ontario, CA) Chris Conroy (Golden, CO) Howard Fischer (Armonk, NY) Jim Grover (Matthews, NC) Kent McNeill (Bellevue, NE) Alden Philbrick (Alexandria, VA) Luther Propst (Tucson, AZ) David Treinis (Alta, WY) Robert Winston (Carlsbad, CA), Chair of the Board David Zimberoff (Chicago, IL) DEPARTMENT AND REGION DIRECTORS Jason Bertolacci, Colo./Wyo. Region Director, jason.bertolacci@imba.com Chris Bernhardt, Director of Consulting Services, chris.bernhardt@imba.com Richard Cook, Development Director, rich.cook@imba.com Mark Eller, Communications Director, markeller@imba.com Jeremy Fancher, Interim Policy Director, jeremy.fancher@imba.com Hansi Johnson, Midwest Regional Director, hansi.johnson@imba.com Patrick Kell, Southwest Regional Director, Patrick.kell@imba.com Anna Laxague, Pacific Regional Director, anna.laxague@imba.com Frank Maguire, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, frank.maguire@imba.com Tim Peck, Finance Director, tim.peck@imba.com Tom Sauret, Southeast/SORBA Region Director, tom.sauret@imba.com Steve Schneider, South Central Region Director, steve.schneider@imba.com Mike Van Abel, Executive Director, mike@imba.com Tom Ward, N. Calif. Regional Director, tom.ward@imba.com Andy Williamson, Great Lakes Regional Director, andy.williamson@imba.com Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews Jesse Livingston and Lori Reed, jesseandlori@imba.com Designed by Sugar Design, Inc. Images and stories available for re-use by permission only.

IMBA PO Box 711

Boulder, CO 80306 USA ph 303-545-9011 fax 303-545-9026 info@imba.com

KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST TRAIL NEWS FROM IMBA

WELCOME, NEW IMBA CHAPTERS! ixteen organizations joined the IMBA Chapter Program in the spring 2013 class, bringing the total to 140 chapters. These organizations build and maintain trails, organize rides and contribute to their communities. They also partner with government representatives, land managers and businesses to improve and protect riding areas.

IMBA chapters are closely connected to IMBA, including joint local/ national memberships. Chapter services include close contact with IMBA regional directors, professional marketing and design services, database management and other support from IMBA’s staff.

IMBA welcomes the newest additions to its chapter program: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Blue Mountain Singletrack Trails Club, La Grande, OR Cloud City Wheelers, Leadville, CO Colorado River Area Trail Alliance, Kingman, AZ Del Norte MtB Alliance, El Prado, NM Folsom Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition, Newcastle, CA Groveland Trail Heads, Groveland, CA Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts, Washington, D.C., Area Moab Mountain Bike Association, Moab, UT Mountain Bike Teton Valley, Driggs, ID Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, CA Oahu Mountain Bike Ohana, Honolulu, HI Pocahontas Trails, Slatyfork, WV Richmond Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts, Richmond, VA Salem Area Trail Alliance, Salem, OR Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers, Campbell, CA Winona Area Mountain Bikers, Winona, MN

To find the IMBA chapter nearest you, Visit imba.com/near-you/clubs.

To learn more about the IMBA Chapter Program, Visit imba.com/chapter-program.

Follow us on Facebook at fb.com/ IMBAonFB and on Twitter @IMBA_US. Check out our trail videos at vimeo.com/ IMBAUSA. Sign up for monthly email newsletters, tailored to where you live, at IMBA.com/traillove.

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Region Director Steve Schneider.

U.S. CONGRESS HEARS FROM IMBA ABOUT RECREATION ON PUBLIC LANDS

Mountain biking was front and center before the U.S. Congress this summer at a hearing called “Outdoor Recreation Opportunities on State, Local and Federal Land.” The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation invited citizen testimony to help its members gauge the effectiveness of laws and regulations for how public lands are managed, and to learn how recreation is enhanced or hindered by government laws and regulations.

IMBA, and the four other member organizations that make up the Outdoor Alliance, submitted written testimony. IMBA’s statement addressed several challenges: underfunded land management agencies, uneven or non-existent use of modern recreation management tools and efforts to transfer federal lands to Western states. The letter also detailed factors that enhance recreation access, including protective land designations that allowing for recreation and support local economies, public involvement in land management planning and support for federal funding mechanisms such as the Recreational Trails Program.

IMBA and the mountain

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bike community were represented during live testimony given by Ashley Korenblat, the president of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures and a past IMBA president; and Greg Martin, board member of the Wood River Bicycle Coalition, an IMBA chapter in Sun Valley, Idaho.

RECENT DATA SHOW MOUNTAIN BIKE SALES CLIMBING

Mountain bike sales are climbing fast, according to an analysis by Leisure Trends Group (LTG). In a presentation titled “Hitting Paydirt: How Mountain Biking is Driving Growth in the Bike Industry,” Senior Market Research Manager Jennifer Boldry, Ph. D., told members of the bicycle industry that dollar sales of mountain bikes increased 11 percent from 2011 to 2012, and more recent reporting shows even faster growth — mountain bike sales were up by an impressive 16 percent when measured from July 2012 to July 2013.

The “Hitting Paydirt” information was one of the highlights from IMBA’s annual breakfast for the bicycle industry at the Interbike trade show, held in Las Vegas.

Other notable points from the presentation included: • Mountain bikers are more likely than other types of cyclists to

participate in multiple forms of bicycling • Mountain bikers spend more on bikes and other gear than road cyclists — and those who do both spend the most • On average, IMBA members own four bikes and spend about $1500 on mountain biking annually “IMBA is not an industry trade association, but one of the happy outcomes of our work is that our mission to create, protect and enhance great mountain bike experiences helps drive growth in the bicycle industry,” said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “For years, IMBA has used the line ‘more trails equals more sales’ to rally support from bicycle retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. This year, with LTG’s help, we illustrated that claim with real-world evidence.”

IMBA HIRES REGION DIRECTOR FOR SOUTHCENTRAL STATES

Steve Schneider has joined IMBA as the region director for the South-Central states.

Schneider joins seven other region directors on IMBA’s team — these full-time mountain bike advocates work in distinct territories across the U.S. to improve and expand mountain bike opportunities. Schneider is based in Bentonville,

Arkansas. The IMBA South Central region includes Louisiana, southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas.

IMBA’s region directors work closely with IMBA chapters — a revenue sharing relationship between IMBA and its chapters help pay for regional positions.

Schneider will also partner with bike shops and manufacturers in his territory, and will coordinate with local, state and federal agencies to create new mountain bike facilities.

“Steve is a perfect fit to match the high caliber talent of current IMBA staff,” said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “There is tremendous knowledge and passion in Northwest Arkansas that has made the area a mountain biking destination, and Steve is ready to expand those opportunities across the region.”

CITIES IN VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY PLANNING IMBA RIDE CENTERS

The power of an IMBA Ride Center designation has grown so much that two major cities—Richmond, Va., and Louisville, Ky.,—have launched public campaigns to earn Ride Center designations in the next few years.

In Virginia, the Richmond Area Ride Center is the first legacy project for Richmond 2015, the organization overseeing the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.

Governor Bob McDonnell announced in July that a public-private partnership between the state of Virginia and Dominion Resources has put up the first $100,000 needed to transform Pocahontas State Park and the James River Park System into a national mountain biking destination.

More than 20 miles of mountain bike trails, including bike-optimized flow trails and a beginneroriented gateway trail, will be added to the 20 miles currently available in Pocahontas State Park.

The effort is being backed by several local groups, including the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, an IMBA chapter. In addition, Paralyzed Veterans of America will partner with IMBA and the local rehabilitation community to determine area needs in developing accessible trails.

The cost of the project is estimated at $800,000, but according to a study done by Mangum Economic Consulting, Inc., the Ride

Center would annually increase economic activity in Chesterfield County by $2.7 million and by $4.5 million in Virginia. It is also estimated to generate 31 new jobs in Chesterfield and 51 in the state.

Six hundred miles to the west, the Louisville contingent of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association—KyMBA Louisville, an IMBA chapter—is hard at work on a goal to add bike parks and 100 miles of natural surface trails. The chapter hopes to turn the area into the country’s first urban IMBA Ride Center by utilizing existing parks and green space to ensure that quality singletrack is available to area residents without any need for car travel.

KyMBA Louisville received a $20,000 grant from the IMBA Trail Building Fund in 2012 to develop the project master plan. The goal is to create a coherent trail system that provides riding opportunities for several styles and abilities of mountain bikers. Some parks might offer flow trails specifically for beginners, while others would emphasize technical, gravity-fed trails for more advanced riders.

One of the new anchor facilities is well on its way to becoming a reality. The Parklands of Floyds Fork, a new park being developed by 21st Century Parks, Inc. in southeast Louisville, announced the final phase of park construction on July 3. This $30-million phase will provide access to more than 2,000 acres of new public parks that

will include many miles of new mountain bike trails and a 120-acre bike park and skills development area.

KENTUCKY IMBA CHAPTER BECOMES OFFICIAL CARETAKER OF NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

The Kentucky Mountain Bike Association (SWKyMBA), an IMBA chapter, recently signed an agreement with Mammoth Cave National Park establishing its members as the primary caretakers of the newly built, 8-mile, Big Hollow Trail. The agreement states that SWKyMBA will volunteer to maintain and repair the trail, since the park no longer has funding or staff to care for its 80-mile system of trails.

“Our members are excited to be part of the Big Hollow Trail, the first professionally built mountain bike and hike trail built in a national park,” said SWKyMBA Chairman Chip Winger, who signed the agreement.

“This is a momentous occasion not just for mountain bikers, but for hikers and trail runners alike who will also enjoy the use of the trail. Our chapter appreciates the trust that Superintendent [Sarah] Craighead has bestowed upon our organization to become the stewards of Big Hollow Trail.”

IMBA-BUILT COLDWATER MOUNTAIN TRAIL SYSTEM IN ALABAMA DESIGNATED A NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan Jarvis announced the designation of 28 new National Recreation Trails (NRT) in May of this year, including the Coldwater Mountain Trail System in Anniston, Ala. This designation marks the first time an IMBAdesigned and constructed project has been adopted into thee National Trails System. There are more than 1,200 NRTs, accounting for more than 15,000 miles of trail.

IMBA Trail Solutions oversees trail design and construction for the Coldwater Mountain project . Trail Solutions first visited the site three years ago and expects to stay for three to four years more to build up to 75 miles of mountainbike-specific trails, a bike park, and at least three trailheads. There are currently 25 miles of trail open on the 4,000-acre property.

The National Trails System is the network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968.

These trails provide for outdoor recreation needs, promote the enjoyment, appreciation, and preservation of open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources, and encourage public access and citizen involvement.

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IMBA INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM PASSES 100-INSTRUCTOR MARK

IMBA’s new Instructor Certification Program (ICP), launched by professional mountain bikers Shaums March and Tammy Donahugh in February 2013, has already certified more than 100 basic mountain bike skills instructors across the U.S., Canada and Japan. Each new instructor participated in a 3-day course and practical exam resulting in certification to teach basic mountain bike skills including body position, braking, shifting, climbing, cornering and more.

The IMBA ICP offers professional

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training and certification for individuals who want to document their abilities to lead group rides and/ or teach mountain bike skills clinics. Many of the instructors plan to start their own guide businesses or teach riding skills professionally in their communities.

IMBA formed the ICP after purchasing the rights to the International Mountain Bike Instructor Certification program from March, a two-time masters world champion in downhill racing. IMBA is building on proven, successful methods nearly two decades in development and aims to establish a global standard for mountain bike skills instructor

training. Learn more and see the rest of the 2013 course schedule at imba. com/icp.

SUBARU VIP PURCHASE PROGRAM FOR IMBA MEMBERS

Are you an IMBA member and in the market for a new car?

We can help! If you have been a member for at least six months, you can save up to $3,300 off MSRP on a new Subaru purchase or lease. All models—including the new XV Crosstrek and BRZ coupe—are included.

It’s a simple program; all you have to do is choose a Subaru dealer, then contact IMBA to receive

a letter confirming your membership. With each vehicle purchased through the VIP program, Subaru of America will make a contribution to IMBA’s trail building and mountain bike access efforts. Check out the details at imba.com/ subaru-vip.

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ICP leader Shaums March.

MODEL TRAILS 2013 CELEBRATING THE YEAR’S BEST RIDES

ach year, IMBA recognizes outstanding mountain bike trails and locations with the Model Trail awards. The goal of this program — which encompasses Epics, Flow Trails, Gateway Trails and Ride Centers — is to inspire and inform, so we all have more great places to ride.

The good news is that the plan seems to be working. Each year, we add new rides to the IMBA Model Trails roster. The announcement garners solid media attention for the winners, and inspires the unsuccessful candidates to step up their games in hopes of earning future accolades.

So, what’s the bad news? Not enough riders get the chance to experience a Model Trail. What would it mean to your community if there was an IMBA Ride Center within easy riding distance? Would you enjoy taking an afternoon ride on a near-to-town Epic trail? How about a quick Flow Trail session after work?

We can’t think of anything better. That’s IMBA’s goal — putting more of these facilities in places where everyone can experience the best the sport has to offer. It’s starting to happen, especially in places where IMBA Region Directors can coax along the best new opportunities (that’s why we’re adding more RDs and new regions as fast as we can). Learn more by visiting imba.com/model-trails.

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Ride Center Awards

The Ride Center designation represents IMBA’s recognition of large-scale mountain bike destinations that offer a wide range of great trails for every riding style. Ride Centers not only invite you to plan a multi-day trip with your full quiver of mountain bikes and the whole family, they take care of you both on and off the trail by being places where mountain bikers are welcomed.

BURNS LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA BRONZE LEVEL Burns Lake, a town of only 2,500 people in northern British Columbia, is Canada’s first IMBA Ride Center and an amazing riding destination. Since 2006, the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association has been working with trail professionals to build more than 25 miles (40 km) of singletrack, 12 miles 20 (km) of downhill trails and four bike parks. The signature downhill trail—When Pigs Fly—contains more than 100 berms, tabletops and other features, plus it’s easily accessible via one of the many shuttles run by the local bike shop. Riders wanting to go the distance can easily create multi-hour trail rides on Boer Mountain. The options radiate from Kager Lake, which has several free campsites, including RV facilities and tent sites right on the lake.

COLDWATER MOUNTAIN, ALABAMA, USA BRONZE LEVEL Sandwiched halfway between the major metropolitan areas of Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta, Ga., is the small town and big trail dreams of Anniston, Ala., and its 4,000-acre property, Coldwater Mountain. More than 25 miles of trails have already been built, with up to 75 miles scheduled in the next five years. The Coldwater trails will soon be accessible by a short ride from downtown Anniston, which itself can be reached by Amtrak train. The mountain offers everything a rider could wish for: Explore red-dirt trails in a backcountry setting, shuttle the gravity runs and style out the optional technical lines. There are also scenic, entry-level trails that will stoke a novice rider’s fire.

HELENA, MONTANA, USA BRONZE LEVEL Montana’s “Queen City” offers a modern day gold rush for mountain bikers. More than 70 miles of singletrack await you, including routes accessible from town, free shuttles and access to the iconic Continental Divide Trail. For short rides, try Mt. Ascension and the climb and descent from Eagle Scout to Entertainment trail. Rodney Ridge, Wakina Ridge or Mt. Helena are great options if you have a few hours to pedal. Higher up, the MacDonald Pass

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2012 Model Trails, continued

portion of the Continental Divide Trail yields a beautiful backcountry experience. Further afield is the Trout Creek Canyon-Beartrap Gulch loop, where you can navigate steep limestone canyons and commune with the footprints of large, furry mammals. Helena offers a vibrant cycling scene and bike lanes throughout town, meaning you can easily enjoy a car-free mountain biking vacation.

RYCHLEBSKÉ STEZKY, ČERNÁ VODA, CZECH REPUBLIC BRONZE LEVEL The rural countryside region of the Czech Republic known as Moravia is covered in rolling green hills and quaint little villages. It is there in one of the smallest towns, Černá Voda, that you will find Rychleby Trails and its frontman, Pavel Hornik, who is both the town’s mayor and master trail builder. The system Hornik created features nearly 37 miles (60 kilometers) of all-weather, sustainable trails that follow streams, pass by an old castle, wind through meadows and eventually climb over 1541 feet (470 meters) to a mountaintop overlooking Černá Voda. From there you can choose from a number of rocky descents or soar down on a buttery-smooth flow trail.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO, USA BRONZE LEVEL “Bike Town USA” is now a bronze Ride Center, boasting more than 500 miles of classic Colorado mountain bike trails. The demanding routes on Emerald Mountain and Buffalo Pass are as inspiring as any high-altitude rides you’ll ever tackle, while lift-accessed riding at Steamboat Ski Area offers ample opportunity to find your flow. The Routt County Riders—an IMBA Chapter—keeps the trails in great shape with outstanding volunteer efforts. Steamboat’s newly developed bike park has more than 2,000 feet of vertical and a full complement of purpose-built features.

Several trails traverse the mountains from top to bottom with stunning views into the valley, with many more scheduled to be built early next summer.

Go Ride!

Top: Rychlebské Stezky, Černá Vvoda, Czech Republic Bottom: Steamboat Springs Right: Cooper’s Gap Far Right: Villa Romantica

2013

Epics

With the addition of new Model Trail classifications in recent years, IMBA has returned the Epics to the original intent of the designation—demanding, singletrack adventures in a natural setting. The 2013 class of Epics celebrates true backcountry riding experiences that are technically and physically challenging, more than 80 percent singletrack and at least 20 miles in length. All of theses Epics offer amazing opportunities to interact with the natural world. Existing Epics that meet this criteria will retain Epic status. We have also created an IMBA Epics Hall of Fame to recognize the rides we have honored in the past but no longer meet the new criteria. Visit imba. com/model-trails/epics to see the revised lists.

COOPER’S GAP ROTHROCK STATE FOREST, PENNSYLVANIA One of Rothrock State Forest’s best playgrounds, this 27-mile ride features extended downhills, flowy technical sections, narrow singletrack, ample solitude and views of the Kishacoquillas Valley. Multiple trail options means it’s easy to ride all day—and potentially to get lost— but you’re never too far from the road in case you need to bail from your adventure.

VILLA ROMANTICA DAVOS, SWITZERLAND This 27-mile (45 kilometer) ride takes you across Sound-of-Music landscapes. Mostly singletrack, you’ll ride through alpine meadows, forested valleys and idyllic farmland. It all begins with a trip up the lift in Davos to the top of Jakobshorn Peak. From there, you’ll descend into the valley where you can enjoy free, fresh milk from a dairy farm and sample local cheeses. Pick up speed on a flow trail through the valley before climbing gently to Rinerhorn Mountain. From there, descend into the village of Monstein and visit its brewery, which claims to be the highest in the Alps. The final bit of trail—the “Villa Romantica” segment—delivers you to Filisur, where a cappuccino and a train ride back to Davos awaits.

OLALLIE RIDGE SISTERS, OREGON This is the burly, backcountry brother of the nearby McKenzie River Trail. The Olallie Ridge Loop is a full helping of Epic, with 20 demanding miles on 100-percent singletrack. The trail serves up endless backcountry adventure with narrow trail segments that plunge into tight switchbacks, creating more than 4,000 feet of climbing to shred your legs. However there’s also more than 5,000 feet of descending to reward your efforts, and a chance to check out impressive rock walls built decades ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

PARK CITY EPIC PARK CITY, UTAH It’s no secret that we adore Park City — the area remains IMBA’s only gold-level Ride Center. This Epic ride serves up 26 miles of singletrack-intensive riding. Begin with a 10-mile climb up Armstrong—a one-way trail—topping out at 9,884 feet. The descent on the Wasatch Crest trail will soothe your legs and your soul, with 360-degree views of the mountainous, alpine landscape. The ride finishes off in the pine trees as you traverse the Canyons ski resort area. If 26 miles isn’t enough, several trails intersect this ride, providing multiple options to extend your day.

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2013

Flow Trails

Trail Love

Upper Right: Coldsprings Flow Left: Candyland Bottom Right: Flow Motion

As the sport of mountain biking has evolved over the past decades, it has driven the development of a new style of trail with features and concepts that push the limits of traditional singletrack. An increasing number of public land agencies, ski areas and communities now embrace the importance of trails built specifically for mountain bikes—trails that flow. Flow trails are what you make them: leisurely rides with your kids where beginners can roll over dirt features and bypass technical ones, or an exploration of skills and airtime for fast, talented riders who want to turn the trail into the ultimate playground.

CANDYLAND DULUTH, MINNESOTA Candyland provides a beginner-friendly, lift-accessed downhill trail on Spirit Mountain—an area quickly becoming the epicenter of gravity riding in the upper Midwest. The initial rollers and berms are mellow, but gradually get larger as you descend. Keep your speed in check and you’ll enjoy a casual ride to the bottom, or stay off the brakes and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take flight.

COLDSPRINGS FLOW COLDWATER MOUNTAIN, ALABAMA Revel in the full complement of gravity riding, from cambered and rollable features to tabletops where airtime is readily attainable. Coldsprings Flow is a fun and friendly trail that doesn’t bring excessive heat, making it perfect for the eager rider looking to add new style or skills to their repertoire.

FLOW MOTION SANDY RIDGE, OREGON Flow Motion is the newest trail in the Sandy Ridge Trail System and is entered and exited via the main access road for easy return trips to the top. It’s all about flow with an endless succession of berms and rollers through a lush, rainforest-like landscape. Flow Motion connects to the bottom of Follow the Leader, Sandy’s iconic doubleblack diamond trail, meaning it can provide either a reprieve or a chance to pick up speed after navigating burly singletrack.

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2013

Gateway Trails

Gateway Trails put standout mountain biking facilities in places where lots of people can experience the joy of knobby tires. This trail building style is designed to deliver an enjoyable experience for beginner- to intermediatelevel riders — you won’t find big jumps or intimidating obstacles. Gateway Trails are family friendly, positioned close to population centers and offer natural surfaces with moderate grades to create a widely accessible introduction to mountain biking.

“As a professional trail builder, it’s always exciting to build adrenaline-charged trails with lots of places to catch big air or gnarly rock gardens that put riders to the test. But developing ‘Gateway Trails’ that are intended to introduce new riders the sport, help support local businesses and promote family outdoor recreation is ultimately the most significant contribution a trail builder can make.”

— Ed Sutton, owner of Trail Dynamics BIG HOLLOW MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK, KENTUCKY The 8-mile Big Hollow Trail highlights the aboveground treasures of Mammoth Cave, winding through gorgeous rock outcroppings and stream crossings. The trail was designed for the entire family, with subtle grades, an open corridor and a few challenging alternate lines for the adventurous. Adjacent to the new trail is the Maple Springs Campground, adding additional value and opportunity for visitors to the park. In a unique twist, the Southwest Kentucky Mountain Bike Association signed an agreement with Mammoth Cave to be the official caretaker group of the trail, taking pressure off a park with neither the manpower nor resources to care for all of its trails.

BLUEBERRY LAKE MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT Five miles of new trail with gentle undulations, sweeping turns and flowing lines beckon newbie mountain bikers at the 48-acre Blueberry Lake.

In addition to the main trail, the Leonard’s Loop and Flying Squirrel trails offer added value for more advanced riders. The lake itself is a great place to visit, allowing swimming, trout fishing, non-motorized boating and wild berry picking. The partnership among Mad River Riders, the Vermont Mountain Bike Association and the U.S. Forest Service that produced these trails has created a valuable asset for the surrounding communities.

Ride and Protect

Blueberry Lake.

Photo by Adam Coppola 11

Congratulations Kids, Moms and Families

On Saturday, Oct. 5, more than 15,000 kids, families and volunteers celebrated the 10th edition of IMBA’s Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. Ten different nations hosted rides, and they ranged in size from 5 to 500 young riders. Of course, we did not do it alone — IMBA chapters and other local groups partnered with local, state and federal land managers to host the events, as well as Boys/Girls Clubs, Trips for Kids and YMCA affiliates.

IMBA received generous sponsor support from CLIF Kid, Specialized and Yakima. Thanks to our partners, two lucky winners were randomly selected from our Facebook promotion. Congratulations to Lisa K. from Hopewell Junction, NY, and Elvin C. from Chicago, IL. Each won a Specialized bicycle and a Yakima SwingDaddy hitch rack.

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Phased and Confused The Subaru/IMBA TCCers Adjust to the Road

djusting to the vagabond Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew lifestyle has come to us in phases. We started with the “sink or swim” phase—the weeks and months during which we were trained and sent out in the IMBA Subaru to take the country by storm. Actually, it might be better to call it the “swim or swim” phase, since there was no time to sink!

In the honeymoon phase, everything starts to fall into place. A crew couple’s training comes full circle and they grow confident, energetic and shrouded in an invincible veil of TCC knowledge. Apparently there’s also a third and final phase known as “TCC Mondays,” when crews enter a zombie-like state at the conclusion of each weekend-long visit.

As we close out our first TCC year, we feel blissfully stuck in the honeymoon phase and regularly joke, “We could do this forever!” Previous crews have warned us, however, that life on the road can’t be sustained indefinitely.

We owe our rosy optimism and positive outlook to the amazing IMBA chapters and affiliates that we get to visit each weekend. Here are a few shout outs (in no particular order) to just a few of the groups that have made our time on the road so special: • Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew: Cuyuna played host to our first visit. The entire community radiates an infectious, welcoming vibe, and it’s easy to make true mountain biker friends. We never got bored hanging out with the Cuyuna folks, and call them up every time we pass through the area.

• Sonoran Desert Mountain Bikers: This visit was right after our month-long winter break and, to be honest, we were feeling a bit rusty. Thankfully, SDMB made us feel comfortable again via great social events and the funloving attitudes of its members. The planned trail project was unfortunately scrapped due to a corridor issue, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit. SDMB seamlessly switched to maintenance mode and we went to work improving an existing trail. It was this easy-going atmosphere and lots of laughs that ranked SDMB as one of our favorite memories.

• Kitsap/North Kitsap Trails Association: Kitsap will go down in history as one of the best TCC weekend parties, ever. The guys in Port Gamble (WA) put together a social at the Slippery Pig Brewery to honor the weekend, featuring fun, music, food and plentiful beverages. The local Subaru dealership even sent out showroom cars to park with our beloved Suby during the festivities. We partied the night away and made awesome new friends in the process.

• Top Of Michigan Mountain Bike Association: TOMMBA hosted one of the most creative fundraisers we’ve had the privilege of attending. It featured two live bands, a BBQ dinner and a silent auction with amazing items.

The atmosphere was extremely fun, and the money raised went toward the purchase of new trail building tools.

TOMMBA marketed the heck out of this event, creating a huge turnout, and generating a big fundraising success.

• Idyllwild Cycling: Our Trail Building School attendance broke 50 people for the first time, and nearly half of the attendees were young riders. In Idyllwild, the high school cycling team is a composite of students from various schools. Their excitement was infectious and set the stage for them to partner with the U.S. Forest Service to do community service trail building and maintenance. We will never forget the parents SUBARU REWARDS IMBA MEMBERS WITH wearing T-shirts reading: “Why didn’t they have HASSLE-FREE VIP PURCHASES this when we were kids?”

Subaru’s VIP Program allows IMBA individual/family members Each TCC visit is successful in its own way. Whether a new trail gets built, a new idea gets planted or new people get converted to mountain biking, there’s always magic. Maybe some day we will get phased out — but not yet!

and IMBA member clubs to purchase or lease any new Subaru saving $1,300-$3,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, without haggling. Visit imba.com/tcc for details.

SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW SPONSORS

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CORPORATE MEMBERS THESE SUPPORTERS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL FUNDING TO FUEL IMBA’S WORK To find out how your company can become a champion for trails and the sport of mountain biking, contact development@imba.com

Above and Beyond Supporters

U.S. CORPORATE MEMBERS AT-LARGE

Companies in this group go beyond their annual membership dues with support for IMBA programs and initiatives.

Big thanks to all of the companies that support IMBA’s work by maintaining their annual memberships. Need to join or renew? Visit imba. com/join for an easy, online signup.

IMBA U.S. Above & Beyond

3Point5/Promotive 4Site Incorporated A’me Grips Adventure Advocates Adventure Travel Trade Association Adventuremaps, Inc. Aero Tech Designs Airborne Bicycle Co. Alchemist Threadworks Alianza Mesoamericana de Ecoturismo Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course All Terra Cyclery / All Terra Ecotrails Alyeska Resort Apex Ex Adventure Trips Avid4 Adventure, Inc. B.O.B. Trailers, Inc Backcountry.com Banks Chiropractic Center, PC Beer & Bike Tours Bell Sports, Inc. Bellfree Contractors Inc. Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau Bicycle Colorado Big Agnes Big Bear Lake Camplands Big Mountain Adventures Bike Fixtation Bike Roar Bike Solutions Bike Tours New York Bikeflights.com Bikeschool and Bikeguiding Zermatt BikeToursDirect LLC Boreale Mountain Biking Boulder Business Products Canyons Resort Cascade Huts Catalyst Communication, Inc. CatEye Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Club Ride Cog Wild Mountain Bike Tours Colorado Backcountry Biker Conference Results CopperHarbor.org Country Inn Deerwood Crested Butte Mountain Resort Cycle Therapy Cycling Sports Group Cygolite DAKINE Deer Valley Resort Desert Sports

Bicycle Sport Shop Bicycle Technologies International Bicycling magazine (Rodale Inc.) Bike magazine Camelbak CLIF Bar Dirt Rag magazine Interbike League of American Bicyclists Leisure Trends Group Life Time Fitness Maxxis International/CST Niner Bikes Osprey Packs People for Bikes Primal Wear Recreational Equipment Inc. The North Face Yakima

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Deuter USA Dirt Series Mountain Bike Camps Ltd. DirtBaggies Diversion en Montana Downeast Bicycle Specialists DT Swiss, Inc Eastern Mountain Sports ECOS LLC Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles Epic Rides, Inc. Ergon USA, Inc. Excel Sports Boulder Explore Biltmore Estate Eyedentity Graphics, Inc Falcon Guides Feedback Sports LLC Finish Line Technologies Five Rivers Metro Parks Flowline Trail Design Focus Bicycles USA, Inc. FOX Racing Shox Fuji America - Advanced Sports, Inc. Gates Carbon Drive Giant Bicycle, Inc. GoPro Green Guru Gear GU Energy Labs H&I Adventures Hampton Inn & Suites - Oxford, AL Hans Johnsen Company Hawley Company Hayes Bicycle Group Headsweats Hero Kit Hilride Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Oxford, AL Honey Stinger Hot Tomato Cafe & Pizzeria Howell at the Moon Productions Humboldt Underground Bicycle Repair Hyatt Escala Lodge Hydrapak, LLC iBert, Inc. Icebreaker USA ICEdot Idaho Resort Rentals LLC iHelp+ J&B Importers Jamis Bicycles/ G. Joannou Cycle Jans Mountain Outfitters Jenson USA Kali Protectives Kenda USA Keystone Resort Killington Resort Kona Mountain Bikes Life Time Athletic Events Light & Motion Industries Long Cane Trails, LLC MapMyRide Marin Mountain Bikes Marquette County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

ELITE-LEVEL MEMBERS With annual contributions of $100,000 or more, these supporters make a huge difference for everyone who rides a mountain bike.

Mavic, Inc. McBee Strategic Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop Midwest Cycling Mountain Bike America, LLC. Mountain Creek Resort, Inc. MountainBikeSkills.com Mt. Borah Designs MTB Project MTBR.COM Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-a-way National Bicycle Dealers Association - NBDA National Parks Service RTCA Native Eyewear New Belgium Brewery Nuun and Company Optic Nerve Orange Mud Oregon Sports Authority Outdoor Industry Association P. Nutty & Co. Paceline Products Inc Park City Lodging, Inc. Park Tool Pearl Izumi Pedal America Performance Bicycle, Inc. Pivot Cycles Planet Bike Plattekill Mountain Professional TrailBuilders Association Proforma Bishop Graphics ProGold Lubricants Provencia Digestive Health Pura Vida Ride Push Industries Red Agave Resort RedHouseMedia Ritchey Design ROTOR Bike Components USA Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge S&S Trail Services Salsa Cycles Santa Cruz Bicycles Saris Cycling Group SBS - Seattle Bike Supply Scott USA Seaside Naturally Singletracks.com Smith Optics Snow Flower Condominiums and Reservations Sock Guy Specialized Bicycle Components Spectrum Trail Design Stan’s NoTubes Starlight Custom Apparel Strava Inc. Strider Sports International, Inc. Sustainable Travel International Sutter Equipment Company Techno Quest LLC Teton Mountain Bike Tours Texas Mountain Bike Racing Assoc.

The Clymb The Hive The Rock Sports Complex Tools for Trails Trail Dynamics TrailArts Travel Oregon TTL Trails/Bikeparks Construction Two Knobby Tires Unique Trails Vermeer Corporation Visit Knoxville Voler Team Apparel Western Spirit Cycling White Pine Touring Wilderness Trails Ranch Winter Park Resort Xpel Technologies Yeti Cycles Zavod Aliansa ZOIC Clothing

Bell Long-time corporate supporter Bell Helmets steps up to the elite level with the 2013 introduction of Bell Built Grants.

Specialized Specialized supports IMBA’s work in many ways, including providing funding for the Public Lands Initiative, IMBA’s California Region and IMBA Europe.

Trek Trek donates $10 from every full-suspension mountain bike they sell to help fund IMBA’s Trail Building Fund in the U.S. and Canada. Trek is also the official bike of the Subaru/ IMBA Trail Care Crews. That support has led to hundreds of new miles of trails in local communities and new projects worldwide.

SRAM SRAM and the SRAM Cycling Fund helped launch IMBA’s regional and chapter program in 2011 and 2012. The fund currently broadly supports IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative, IMBA Europe and the Urban Bike Park Initiative.

Shimano Shimano has supported IMBA advocacy and communications projects for many years. Currently, Shimano provides elite-level support for IMBA’s Mapping Project, featured on MTBProject.com.

Subaru of America Subaru is the title partner of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program and has been since the program’s inception. During the last 16 years, Trail Care Crews have visited hundreds of clubs and communities delivering the signature IMBA Trail Building School and expanding opportunities for riding in every state.

Subaru also donates $125 to IMBA from each car sold through the Subaru-IMBA VIP Program.

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