IMBA Trail News by IMBA

S W E N L I A TR SUMME

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Summer

Trail Building Projects Ramp Up

Get the skinny on new singletrack, bike parks and more

IMBA CROSSWORD

Puzzle

Try our trail-themed puzzle!

It’s summertime, so if you’re not out riding, let’s hope you’re relaxing on a beach. Pleasant enough, but watching the waves could get tedious without an activity to engage your mind. To rescue you from the doldrums, we’ve put together IMBA’s first-ever crossword puzzle. Devoted readers of IMBA Trail News should have no problem deciphering the trailthemed clues. Find a safe spot to rest your beverage, try not to drip sweat or sunblock on the page and get to work. The first three correctly completed puzzles that we receive in the mail will each earn a $50 gift certificate to the IMBA online store. Be sure to include your contact info.

Mail to

IMBA Crossword Contest PO Box 7578 Boulder, CO 80306

IMBA Trail News | U.S. Edition Summer 2012, Volume 25, Number 2

IMBA creates, preserves and enhances great mountain biking experiences Board of Directors Elayna Caldwell, Santa Cruz, CA Chris Conroy, Golden, CO Howard Fischer, Westchester, NY James Grover, Matthews, NC Alden Philbrick, Alexandria, VA David Treinis, Alta, WY Robert Winston, Carlsbad, CA David Zimberoff, Chicago, IL STaff Tiffanie Beal, Chapter and Membership Services, tiffanie.beal@imba.com Jason Bertolacci, Marketing/Database Manager, jason.bertolacci@imba.com Chris Bernhardt, Director of Consulting Services, chris.bernhardt@imba.com Tony Boone, Trail Specialist, tony.boone@imba.com Terry Breheny, Events Manager, terry.breheny@imba.com Marty Caivano, TCC and NMBP Coordinator, marty.calvano@imba.com Aaron Clark, PLI Director, aaron.clark@imba.com Richard Cook, Development Director, rich.cook@imba.com Jenn Dice, Government Affairs Director, jenn@imba.com Tammy Donahugh, Trail Specialist, tammy@imba.com Rich Edwards, Trail Solutions Manager, rich@imba.com Mark Eller, Communications Director, markeller@imba.com Jeremy Fancher, Attorney, jeremy.fancher@imba.com Katherine Fuller, Communications Specialist, katherine.fuller@imba.com Sallie Hoefer, Member and Constituent Rep, sallie.hoefer@imba.com Dan Hudson, Trail Specialist, dan.hudson@imba.com Hansi Johnson, Midwest Regional Director, hansi.johnson@imba.com Rod Judd, Membership Manager, rod.judd@imba.com Chris Kehmeier, Trail Specialist, chris.kehmeier@imba.com Leslie Kehmeier, Mapping Specialist, leslie.kehmeier@imba.com Patrick Kell, Southwest Regional Director, Patrick.kell@imba.com Wendy Kerr, Development Manager, wendy.kerr@imba.com Kristy Kibler, Government Affairs Coordinator, kristy@imba.com Joey Klein, Trail Specialist, joey@imba.com Anna Laxague, Pacific Regional Director, anna.laxague@imba.com Chris Leman, Trail Specialist, chris.leman@imba.com Frank Maguire, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, frank.maguire@imba.com Stephen Mullins, Trail Specialist, stephen.mullins@imba.com Tim Peck, Finance Director, tim.peck@imba.com Rachael Raven, Canada Communications/Trail Care Crew, rachael.raven@imba.com Kerri Salazar, Operations Manager, kerri.salazar@imba.com Tom Sauret, Southeast/SORBARegional Director, tom.sauret@imba.com Jesse Seavers, Member Services Rep, jesse.seavers@imba.com Ryan Schutz, Rocky Mountain Region Director, ryan.schutz@imba.com Randy Spangler, Trail Specialist, randy.spangler@imba.com Mike Van Abel, Executive Director, mike@imba.com Tom Ward, IMBA CA Policy Advisor, tom@imba.com Jason Wells, Trail Specialist, jason.wells@imba.com Andy Williamson, Great Lakes Regional Director, andy.williamson@imba.com Shane Wilson, Trail Specialist, shane.wilson@imba.com Lora Woolner, Canada Director, lora@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

Aaron Clark to Direct Public Lands Initiative, New Campaigns Announced MBA welcomes new Public Lands Initiative Director, Aaron Clark, formerly of the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance (SRCA). For nine years, Clark was the recreation campaign director, working on land management plans throughout the Rocky Mountains. Prior to his work with the SRCA, he was a middle school science teacher, and a cycling tour guide in France. Clark will work a full-time schedule, based out of IMBA’s headquarters in Boulder, CO. Outgoing PLI director Ashley Korenblat will return to running Western Spirit, the successful bicycle touring company she founded in Moab, UT. “Ashley has long been a pivotal leader for IMBA,” said Mike Van Abel, the group’s executive director. “Her intelligent and passionate work on the PLI campaign has brought the recreation and conservation communities much closer together.” IMBA recently added six new PLI campaigns to the 40 that were already underway: Mountain Biking in National Parks: IMBA successfully petitioned the National Park Service to make regulatory changes that will streamline the process to open NPS trails to off-road cyclists. Mountain Biking in National Monuments: IMBA is working in several areas across the U.S. to protect public lands and preserve mountain bike access through National Monument designations. Mountain Biking in National Landscape Conservation System Lands: This effort with the Bureau of Land Management will ensure that current and new riding opportunities are secured in areas protected under the National Landscape Conservation System. Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act (NM): This bill will make the entire Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area into Wilderness with carefully drawn boundaries to protect mountain bike trail access. Mount Hood Wilderness Legislation (OR): The Mount Hood mountain bike community lost 100 miles of trail to a Wilderness bill. But, the tide has turned and IMBA is working with the Wilderness community on a new, more bike-friendly proposal. Backcountry Riding in Southern National Forests (CA): The U.S. Forest Service is currently planning for management of their backcountry lands in four major Southern California forests. IMBA is advocating for strategies and land designation that would preserve 3 mountain bike access.

Federal Trails Funding Secured for Two Years

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the federal funding program that supports natural surface trails, has been reauthorized for two years in a bill that the U.S. Congress approved this July. An $85 million program, RTP strongly benefits mountain bikers and funds the development and maintenance of thousands of trail miles. “We are very grateful to our grassroots advocates whose relentless calls and letters elevated the importance of RTP. This has been an extremely long reauthorization process — time and time again, mountain bikers rallied to save RTP,” says Jenn Dice, IMBA Government Affairs Director. “We also would like to thank U.S. Sen. Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Petri for their commitment to the program and seeing it through this difficult process.” RTP has funded iconic mountain bike trail projects across the country, including two IMBA Epics: FATS in North Carolina and Brown County State Park in Indiana. RTP funds were also used in the construction of the just-opened Rockburn Skills Park in Maryland and the Highbridge Bike Park in New York City. IMBA chapters and clubs have become experts in securing RTP grants for trail construction and maintenance.

In a new development, governors and state-level department of transportation offices have the opportunity to opt out of the entire program and return funds collected on behalf of RTP back to other uses (such as roads). For example, a state like Colorado could lose more than $2 million that would have otherwise gone to singletrack, trailheads and other expenditures that benefit mountain bikers. IMBA urges its members to contact their Governors about the importance of RTP funding for trails. Governors must decide by midSeptember, so do not delay. Groups interested in taking advantage of RTP funding to further trail projects should visit imba. com/resources to learn more. National Park Service Announces Expanded Opportunities for Mountain Biking

The National Park Service recently announced changes designed to expand opportunities for mountain biking in parks nationwide. “Bikes are a great way to exercise, get healthy and experience the great outdoors,” said NPS Director

Jonathan B. Jarvis. “This new rule gives park superintendents greater flexibility to determine where bikes can be allowed in a park and additional authority to shut areas where cycling is jeopardizing visitors or park resources.” IMBA and the NPS have held a formal partnership agreement since 2005. The new rule is another step forward in that relationship, providing park staff with a more streamlined administrative process and localized decision making about where the best opportunities for mountain biking exist. “IMBA’s policy is to work with parks that express an interest in developing opportunities for mountain biking,” says Mike Van Abel, the group’s executive director. “We are not interested in trying to insert mountain biking into all national parks or putting bikes on every NPS trail. But we know from experience that well-designed,

sustainable trails can be successfully shared by different types of users.” There are already more than 40 NPS properties that allow mountain biking on dirt roads and trails. Research from the Outdoor Industry Association shows that bicycling is one of the most popular forms of recreation — especially among young people. “At a time when park visitation is declining, and America’s youth is becoming more sedentary, it’s good to see the NPS taking this positive step,” said Van Abel. Some groups have questioned whether mountain biking is compatible with the NPS’ conservation values, but current research shows that the impacts of mountain biking are similar to those caused by hiking. Studies indicate that when it comes to trails, the major issue is not the type of user but the way the trail is designed and built.

IMBA Announces Development of Bike Park Book

Following the success of two previous books about the design, construction and management of mountain bike trails, IMBA has embarked on a new book project. Scheduled for release in 2013, the latest book has the working title Bike Parks: IMBA’s Guide to Creating New-School Riding Facilities. “There’s a clear need for this information,” says IMBA’s Chris Bernhardt. “As the director of IMBA’s professional trail building services, I know that we have been absolutely swamped with inquiries about bike parks, flow trails and other emerging categories of mountain bike facilities. Our organization’s goal is to support great riding experiences — publishing a book will equip mountain bikers, land managers and others to rapidly advance their projects.” The bike parks book will provide practical advice and best practices designed for professional land managers, volunteers and recreation providers of all kinds. As with IMBA’s previous titles, both IMBA staff members and a variety of experts from outside the organization will provide the information. To that end, IMBA seeks well-qualified contributors to write essays on related topics, including: • Establishing the vision for a successful park

• Site selection for small, medium and large bike parks • Understanding liability and risk management issues • Building realistic budgets and timelines • Creating professional renderings, schematics and other vital graphics • The importance of landscaping, signage and amenities • Finding the best soil and construction materials • Designing and building features for all ability levels • Fundraising: How much money will we need? Prospective authors should contact IMBA Communications Director Mark Eller: mark. eller@imba.com. Most writing assignments will be compensated. Submissions will be selected, reviewed and edited by IMBA staff. Youth Mountain Biking Publication Available Now

With the help of a generous grant from Shimano, IMBA has released the first edition of a youth-oriented print publication. Written for middle-school through highschool aged readers — as well as their mountain bike coaches and adult ride leaders — IMBA Trail News

Youth Edition is available for free online. You can also order 15 printed copies at IMBA’s online store, IMBA.com/ catalog, for just $5. The full-color, glossy magazine provides 12 pages loaded with great photos, news stories and features about mountain biking for young riders. Readers will find tips on organizing successful rides, trail building success stories and how to connect with IMBA’s chapters and clubs. The second issue of the youth publication will be published this winter. Big Bear Group and USFS Partner for $120K Project

The trails around Big Bear Lake, CA, enjoy a rich mountain biking heritage. Big Bear has played host to several World Championships and has the potential to become an outstanding riding destination for cyclists of all styles and abilities. Over the past few years, the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation (BBVTF) has grown into a wellknown and well-respected group of multi-use, nonmotorized trail advocates, with the goal of developing a vibrant trail network in partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF).

The current focus of the BBVTF’s work is the Skyline Trail, a planned, 15- to 20mile network of singletrack to be located on a ridge just to the south of the ski resort. The trail will be designed inside a firebreak and will have options to ride short loops or the entire trail. “The Skyline project stands to become a premiere mountain bike trail network in southern California and within the Western states,” says Patrick Kell, IMBA Southwest Region Director. Recently, the BBVTF held a showing of the documentary Pedal Driven to a packed audience. The group presented its work and committed $40,000 in cash and in-kind volunteer time to the project. The USFS committed $80,000 to the project. “Our partnership with the trails foundation is the example of how land stewardship is going to happen in the future,” says District Ranger Scott Tangenberg. “It’s the peoples’ forest; they are here to take care of it. I want to facilitate that and encourage their help.” The work on the Skyline Trail has fostered a positive relationship between the BBVTF and the SBNF that has led to the consideration of the South Shore trail network, including a desire to maximize connectivity of the existing system so it best meets the needs of a variety of trail users. IMBA Trail Solutions will likely be

contracted this summer to begin the planning process of the Skyline Trail. Kell hopes to see construction begin as early as late summer. IMBA-SORBA Enters Partnership With USFS Southern Region

In May 2012, IMBASORBA and the US Forest Service (USFS) Southern Region signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will strengthen an already productive relationship. The MOU states that the USFS is, “interested in providing a variety of mountain bicycling opportunities that are environmentally sensitive, financially sustainable, educational, supportive of local and regional economies and aligned with goals of enhancing quality of life in the communities and public at large.” The document acknowledges that IMBASORBA and its affiliates are the best partners with which to accomplish those goals. “This really is a big deal, not just a feel-good piece of paper,” says IMBASORBA Region Director Tom Sauret. “Both sides realized that our chapters and clubs were competing for mileage, access, grant money and resources to lay trail across the southeast. Riders are strained attempting to maintain unpopular trails in farflung areas while the forest

service is uncertain how to identify the best places to put trails and how to get the most bang for its buck.” The MOU will help address inconsistencies across regional USFS properties that have sometimes stymied IMBASORBA affiliates and their volunteers. Everything from rules about wearing helmets while building trail to requirements for machineuse certification will be clarified and standardized. It will also develop and implement a systematic approach to training and educating volunteers, as well as define the most important qualifications required of a good trail designer and builder. Additionally, the MOU tasks IMBA-SORBA with “defining criteria for evaluating, developing and maintaining excellent/ sustainable mountain bike trails and trail systems that includes user experience, environmental, social and financial aspects.” The requirement to define and prioritize “excellent” mountain bike trails will likely result in a few closures, but Sauret emphasizes that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “The spirit of this partnership is that if unused, unpopular trails get closed, the forest service and IMBASORBA will turn around and develop new trails using our guidelines,” he says. “We might see fewer trails, but we will also see more

excellent trails being built. Existing trails will also be elevated in areas where people live and ride.” Colorado Mountain Bike Association Launches Urban Trails Initiative in Denver

The Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA), a chapter of IMBA based in Denver, has launched an urban trails initiative that will engage Groundwork Denver’s Green Team — paid youth environmentalists who do summer projects — for trail building and maintenance in Denver’s urban core. The idea is to extend COMBA’s work from a generally backcountry setting to the heart of the city, where parks and trails are accessible to a much wider population, especially to residents who might not have the transportation necessary to access the rural trails where most of the area’s riding occurs. COMBA’s vision is twofold: introduce an entirely new audience to mountain biking and stewardship via caring for urban park landscapes; and start a conversation with Denver parks about how natural surface trails are important to the health of green spaces and surrounding communities. COMBA ultimately hopes the initiative will result in the first urban singletrack in Denver. “This all started with the

simple question of ‘Why do we have to get in our cars and drive an hour to ride our mountain bikes when we live in Denver?’” says Jason Bertolacci, COMBA’s president. “I think most of us moved here for the mountain recreation, but natural surface trails aren’t even a part of the conversation in Denver’s parks.” One of the first projects will likely engage the Green Team youth in repairing wooden features at Barnum Bike Park, and cleaning up trash around the area. COMBA volunteers will take the youth out riding using a fleet of 30 high-quality mountain bikes that COMBA plans to acquire and maintain. Having fun while riding a mountain bike is a critical component of the projects. “These are urban youth who have never experienced modern mountain bikes or riding as anything other than transportation,” says Bertolacci. “Kids get excited about bikes. This is just one way to connect them to the land and teach them about stewardship. We’ll be reaching a new audience beyond the diehards who already love bikes and will drive to the backcountry to build new trail.” To complete the projects, COMBA secured a $15,000 grant from REI and is also partnering with BikeDenver, Denver Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA). Groundwork Denver and the NPS RTCA are the primary drivers behind COMBA’s vision. IMBA Will Grow to 100 Chapters Before Year’s End

Currently, 91 IMBA chapters operate in the United States. In September, nine additional mountain bike organizations will join the chapter program, bringing the total to 100. Four of the nine are start-ups, organized to take advantage of IMBA Chapter

Program benefits. The newest chapters, which were integrated June 15, are the following: Sedona Mountain Bike Club (AZ) Cave Creek Bicycle Association (AZ) Jefferson Mountain Bike Association (CA) Grand Mountain Bike Alliance (CO) Southern Maryland Mountain Biking (MD) Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association (MI) Woolly Bike Club (MN) Gallup Trails (NM) Western New York Mountain Bicycling Association (NY) Miami Valley Mountain Bike Association (OH) Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (OH) Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association (UT) Fredericksburg Area Trail Management and User Group (VA) Southern Kettle Moraine Chapter of IMBA (WI) Central Wisconsin Off-Road Cycling Coalition (WI) The groups joining IMBA in September are the following: Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (AL) SHARE Mountain Bike Club (CA) Linn Area Mountain Bike Association (IA) Northeast Indiana Trail Riders Organization (IN) Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association (ID) Kentucky Mountain Bike Association – Louisville (KY) Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (MI) Rust Belt Revival Trail Coalition (OH) Team Dirt (OR)

Mapping the Rattling Creek Epic IMBA’s mapping specialist visits Pennsylvania

IMBA Mapping Specialist Leslie Kehmeier has been busier than a one-armed paper-hanger laying the groundwork for IMBA’s mapping program. Launching this type of venture is no small task, but one that will provide valuable resources for IMBA’s grassroots network in the years to come. In addition to a vast amount of planning and research, Kehmeier has spent time in the field mapping selected trail systems in different regions. During those efforts, she’s had the opportunity to work with local chapters and advocates collecting information, refining techniques and developing the process for acquiring data on the ground. “Our volunteer network will be a key aspect in building a comprehensive trails database. The knowledge they can provide about their local trail systems is invaluable and we look forward to working with them as the mapping program continues to grow,” says Kehmeier. In March, Kehmeier traveled to Lykens, Pennsylvania, home of the Rattling Creek Trails that were designated as an IMBA Epic in 2011. Until recently, this exceptionally well-designed and built trail system has remained largely unknown. Alongside local rider Mike Kuhn and Mid-Atlantic Region Director Frank Maguire, Kehmeier collected GPS data for the entire trail system and facilities, resulting in the map on these pages. In upcoming weeks and months, IMBA will release a small sampling of additional Epics maps. But there’s much more to come with IMBA’s mapping program. For advocacy work, maps provide an effective way to communicate with local land managers and decision makers. Maps can showcase the need to develop trail maintenance plans, inform public comment for protecting trails and help plan routes for future riding opportunities. In the near future, IMBA’s network of chapters, members and supporters will have access to a robust set of GIS and mapping tools to help them create great maps in their own areas and trail systems. Kehmeier will conduct trainings and help our grassroots network create customized maps that suit their local needs. In Lykens, as with many communities, trail systems have proven to be a powerful economic driver. The new Rattling Creek Trails map will be used for more than just a navigational guide. The local city council is leading the charge to develop more trail opportunities in the area, including a rail trail. The map will become a useful tool in future fundraising campaigns and grant cycles and will illustrate the potential for trail opportunities and connections in the area. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a map could be worth thousands of dollars. MAPMAKING IN THE FIELD Mapping a trail system on a mountain bike is a challenge, but if you do it right the results will be worthwhile. Keep in mind the more comprehensive the acquisition effort, the more potential it has to generate different maps. This data I collected for this Rattling Creek map can be spun into other versions that highlight needs like trail maintenance or funding requests. Once in the field, try to be patient — you won’t set any ride-time records while gathering trail data. Be ready for the process to require multiple days, frequent stops and constant backtracking. Be sure to focus on the components of the trail system and its supporting facilities, like trailheads and parking lots. Remember to capture points for notable bike-specific features like rock gardens, switchbacks and ladder bridges. I like to jot down lots of notes in the field that I can refer back to when I’m drafting a map on my computer screen. It’s usually possible to acquire existing map data that covers vegetation, waterways and road systems, so those things shouldn’t be the focus of your field mapping efforts. Consider rounding out your documentation by capturing photos, videos and other materials that you might use to create a memorable, multi-media map for online presentations. When you assemble all the elements you’ll have a map that truly tells a story. — Leslie Kehmeier, IMBA mapping specialist

Cut here and ride there.

Rattling Creek Epic

The Rattling Creek Epic offers flowy trails punctuated with rock gardens, creating classic East Coast riding that rewards bike handling as much as fitness. Trails don’t get more sustainable than the Rocks Ridge section — a 3/4-mile boulder field that’s featured on the IMBA website under the heading “Toughen Your Trail With Rocks.” Unforgiving, yes. But it’s rideable if you’ve got the chops. More info at imba.com/epics.

IMBA’S BEST WORLD SUMMIT NEARS Anticipation is building — join us in Santa Fe!

Anticipation is building as the sixth IMBA World Summit gathering nears. The 2012 edition will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Oct. 10-13. If you attended recent IMBA summits in Whistler, BC; Park City, UT or Augusta, GA you might be surprised to hear that the riding, summit speakers and social events in Santa Fe could top them all. IMBA’s summits bring hundreds of delegates from multiple countries together, from local mountain bike enthusiasts to professional trail builders, land managers, tourism operators and bicycle industry professionals. Darco Cazin, an expert on bicycle-related tourism and founder of Allegra Tourismas, will travel from Switzerland to attend the summit. “It’s the best platform I know of to exchange ideas and network with other developers of great mountain bike experiences,” said Cazin. “I’m looking forward to presenting new information about mountain biking in Europe, and I look forward to getting updates from the global leaders who will attend.” Excitement in the host community is also evident. A recent article in the Santa Fe New Mexican touted the outstanding riding that attendees will have access to during the summit, including the La Tierra and Dale Ball trail systems. The story also quotes the director of sales for the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau, as predicting an economic boost of $500,000 to $1 million from IMBA’s summit.

What’s on Tap? The Santa Fe Convention Center will be the backdrop for all summit events and activities. The summit vendor expo — held in the convention center courtyard — will provide an opportunity to ride demo bikes supplied by IMBA industry partners, including Trek, Specialized and Jamis. Plus, Shimano, SRAM and others expo vendors will provide additional equipment and mechanical support. A day-by-day breakdown looks like this: Tuesday (10-9) • Pre-conference riding field trip to Los Alamos and Ski Pajarito (separate registration). Hosted by Los Alamos Singletrack Association, Los Alamos County and Ski Pajarito. Wednesday (10-10) • Special pre-conference/co-hosted events (separate registration): • Trips for Kids Conference • IMBA Trail Building School • Southwest Trails Conference • Race Promoter Powwow • Vendor expo opens • Group rides (led by Santa Fe Fat Tire Society and Pedal Queens)

Thanks to Our World Summit Sponsors In addition to the strong national support from the Federal Highway Administration and Bikes Belong, additional summit sponsors include Primal Wear, League of American Bicyclists, CLIF Bar, QBP, Sock Guy, Dirt Art, Kona, Santa Cruz Bicycles, BikeFlights.com, Vermeer, Dirt Rag and New Belgium Brewery. Local supporters include the City of Santa Fe, Hutton Broadcasting/SantaFe.com, BTI, REI, Premier Subaru, O’Leary Built Bicycles, Century Bank, Santa Fe Brewing Company, Marble Brewery, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe Spirits and Outside Magazine. Conference accomodations arranged by Hotel Santa Fe and the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza.

How Good are Santa Fe Trails?

• Opening reception Thursday (10-11)

• Summit educational sessions and workshops • Group rides (led by Santa Fe Fat Tire Society and Pedal Queens) • MTB community art celebration and poster session

Friday (10-12)

• Summit educational sessions and workshops • Chapter congress (admission by invitation only) • Expo party, plaza night criterium, followed by special film presentation

Saturday (10-13)

• Epic group ride • Closing BBQ

“We are thrilled to bring the summit to Santa Fe in 2012,” said Mike Van Abel, the group’s executive director. “Santa Fe presents a model of how to enrich a community with top-notch mountain bike facilities. We were impressed by the connectivity from in-town bike paths to nearby trail systems. IMBA’s local chapter, the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, has emerged as an incredibly effective and well-organized group — they have been a great asset as we plan for our best world summit ever.”

With previous IMBA summits held in Whistler, Park City and other outstanding riding locations, the bar has been set quite high. Is Santa Fe up to the challenge? Here’s how our friends at Dirt Rag magazine summarized the local offerings: After years of planning and countless volunteer hours the City of Santa Fe recently opened La Tierra Trails, a 1,500acre recreation site with more than 25 miles of multi-use trails. Located within biking distance of downtown, the new complex incorporates clear signage, interconnected loops to vary a ride’s length, separate singletrack terrain and stunning views. The family-friendly area also provides hiking and equestrian terrain, plus a purpose-built BMX area. The Dale Ball Trail System uses a similar interconnected trail strategy that provides more than 30 miles of singletrack trail, with multiple trailheads and a wide variety of terrain and challenges accessible from the city limits. The Dale Ball system is a model for forward thinking land conservation in an urbanwilderness interface. The newly created La Piedra Trail is a link connecting the northern Dale Ball trails with the extensive trail system in the Santa Fe National Forest, including the towering Winsor Trail. The three-mile connector makes it possible to ride from the Plaza in the heart of Santa Fe to the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains high above the city. The city’s in-town trails system is growing and includes an extension to the Chamisa Trail, connecting with the Santa Fe Rail Trail. The newly paved portion turns to dirt after the city limits and goes for 12.5 miles to the city of Lamy. This is a popular out-and-back ride for locals and visitors alike. The Caja del Rio area is covered in twisting single- and double-track running through a field of extinct volcanoes. From the expansive views at La Bajada escarpment to Rio Grande overlooks there is more to explore here than any one trip can hold.

REGISTER TODAY Visit imba.com/world-summit to find registrations rates, including a 10-percent discount for IMBA members. All delegates get two breakfasts, three lunches and a dinner, plus the opening and closing barbeques. There will be plenty of beverages available, including choice offerings from local micro-brewers. Summit sessions, facilitated networking events, group rides and social activities are included in the standard delegate package. Register at imba.com/world-summit 11

Support the Trail Building Fund Because trail fairies don’t exist

t’s a sad fact of mountain biking: There are no trail fairies. If we want more and better trails, we have to ask for them, design them and build them ourselves. We also have to fund them, and that’s where the IMBA Trail Building Fund comes into play. It’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow — a reserve of cash set aside to seed great trail projects all across the U.S. It’s likely that a trail you ride, perhaps several trails in your region, were touched by Trail Building Fund money. IMBA chapters and clubs are pros at turning a small grant into sweet singletrack, beautiful jumps or handcrafted wooden features (keep reading for some of those stories), but they need your help to keep the dream alive. Please contribute to the 2012 Trail Building Fund drive. IMBA is a non-profit organization, so the $10, $35, $50

Photo by Bob Allen Images

or even $250 dollars you give today goes directly to building a national network of sustainable trails. As a thank you, we will send you a gift of your choice—like the classic, Long Live Long Rides t-shirt—only available when you give to the Trail Building Fund. Visit imba.com/tbf today! Trail Building Fund Success Stories IMBA’s Trail Building Fund is a reserve of cash that provides the spark for trail projects across the United States. In recent years, IMBA’s professional region directors have helped deploy the funds in their territories, choosing strategic partnerships where Trail Building Fund money can leverage much bigger funding mechanisms, including the federally based Recreational Trails Program. In this way, a modest investment of $5,000 to $10,000 from the IMBA Trail Building Fund can grow into trail projects costing $50,000 to $100,000, or more. Here are just a few of the success stories from the past year. Rockburn Branch Bike Park, Elkridge, MD Located between the major metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., the Rockburn Branch Skills Park opened this summer. The park includes a pump track and three downhill lines: one for beginners, one for intermediate riders and one for more advanced skill sets. In 2011, after two years of discussions between the IMBA-affiliated club MORE and Howard County, MidAtlantic Region Director Frank Maguire deployed Trail Building Fund money to jump-start the project. “An important 12

expenditure was creating professionally produced graphics,” says Maguire. “Rather than just a long report, the images helped both the public and potential partners understand exactly what was being proposed.” Trail Building Fund money was also used to leverage a donation from Clif Bar and to complete the park’s pump track. In turn, other major donors, including REI, Diamondback and a private donor each provided $10,000 toward the project. The Trail Building Fund contributed a total of $10,000 to the project’s estimated $150,000 price tag. Duluth Traverse, Duluth, MN In IMBA’s Upper Midwest region, a proposed 100-mile trail system is becoming a reality thanks to the relentless efforts of Region Director Hansi Johnson and our local IMBA chapter, the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS). The Duluth Traverse, a 40-mile segment representing the first phase of the project, has been planned and is shovel ready thanks to an investment of Trail Building Fund money. The city of Duluth was awarded a $250,000 Parks and Trails Legacy grant from the Department of Natural Resources to be used for the Duluth Traverse project. COGGS will also receive $100,000 annually from the city of Duluth’s Park

project. The conceptual plan not only illustrated how the park would look, but also its impact and value. The designs were then used to help obtain additional funding, including money from Specialized. The pump park is 17,000 square feet and cost about $45,000 total. It includes a traditional pump track, a pump park, a loop for the smallest kids on push-bikes and a nearby BMX track. Future expansion plans include dirt jumps and singletrack trails. Local riders are also working toward providing skills clinics at the pump park. Currently, there is no mountain bike club in Truckee. Following the success of the pump park, which has energized the locals, Laxague is working with those involved to form an IMBA chapter, which will allow the group to organize under the IMBA banner and leverage the additional funds, resources and guidance that come with it. Coldwater Mountain, Anniston, AL IMBA’s signature trail project for 2012, the singletrack system at Coldwater Mountain, required an unprecedented Photo by Leslie Kehmeier

Photo by Danny Kern

Fund until the Duluth Traverse project is completed. “It’s my goal to make Duluth the premier trail city in the nation,” Mayor Don Ness said. “Paved trails, hiking trails, ski trails and singletrack bike trails are all critical elements of our trail system. We’re going to have three, world-class cross-city trail systems that not only connect neighborhoods, but also encourage a more active lifestyle.” Truckee Pump Park, Truckee, CA In 2011, local riders in Truckee, CA, sought help from Pacific Region Director Anna Laxague with their idea to build a pump park. In order to help win the support of the Truckee Donner Recreation and Parks District, Laxague directed $2,000 of Trail Building Fund money to bring in a professional trail specialist for consultation, feasibility studies and professional graphic designs of the proposed

effort from the team of professional trail builders who make up IMBA’s Trail Solutions staff. Sensing the potential to create a major new riding area in the Southeast, IMBA-SORBA Region Director Tom Sauret used Trail Building Fund money to unlock funding from the Recreational Trails Program and the State of Alabama. The result is a destination-worthy riding area that’s slated to reach 60 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails. Here’s how one local rider expressed his appreciation: “I live in Anniston, near the new Coldwater Mountain trails. I just wanted to take a moment to let your organization know what a great job you did in building [the initial] trail. I had the pleasure of riding it for the first time last week and can’t wait to get back. I have been out of biking for about 15 years and am so excited to have something of this caliber at my disposal and so close to home. The trail is top-notch and insanely fun to ride, and our local economy will surely benefit from its presence. Please pass this along to any and all involved.”

SUBARU REWARDS IMBA MEMBERS WITH HASSLEFREE VIP PURCHASES Subaru’s VIP Program allows IMBA individual/family members 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

GET UP!

Left: Mid-Atlantic Region Director Frank Maguire, his son Eionn and TCCers Steve and Morgan jump for joy. Right: Meet new TCC leaders Jessie and Lori.

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Regional Directors Pilot Subaru Outbacks

t this mid-point of 2012, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews have already visited 30 communities, spreading trail knowledge and showing off their specially equipped Outbacks. In June, for example, they worked their magic on Eugene, Oregon, a town that has only 5 miles of singletrack trail within the city limits open to bikes. The visit brought together the local IMBA club, the city and several land managers, resulting in a trail at Bloomberg Park that will allow the mountain bikers to demonstrate their stewardship. The crew also gave their “Better Living Through Trails” presentation, which helped local business owners and politicians see the economic benefits of adding a shared-use trail system in their town. As with most visits, the inspiration lasted long after the crew’s taillights faded away. Adding to the 15-year legacy of the Subaru-powered Trail Care Crew program, IMBA now has five members of the Regional Director program driving Outbacks. They use the cars for their extensive travels in support of IMBA’s mission on the ground level, encouraging clubs

to grow into full IMBA Chapters and developing regional trail opportunities. Region directors meet with local governments and land managers to help keep trails open and build new ones. They help mountain bike clubs find money for their projects, unite trail lovers divided by user conflict into communities with common goals and bring whole cities together in support of trail systems. Like the crews, regional directors rack up thousands of miles every year in their Outbacks. They get high-fives from passing mountain bikers and answer questions ranging from “What’s the IMBA?” to detailed inquires about public land policy while they fill their tanks at gas stations. It’s not unusual to return from a ride and find mountain bikers posing for photos in front of a parked IMBA Outback. There’s no denying that people love the combination of Subaru and IMBA.

Corporate and destination Members These supporters provide essential funding to fuel IMBA’s work

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

Jamis Bicycles / G. Joannou Cycle Life Time Fitness Maxxis International/CST Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop Moots Cycles Native Eyewear Niner Bikes Park Tool Pedros Performance Bicycle, Inc. Primal Wear Quality Bicycle Products Recreational Equipment Inc. Sock Guy The North Face Thule Western Spirit Cycling Yakima

U.S Corporate Members A to Z Big thanks so all of our current corporate supporters.

Above and Beyond Supporters Companies in this group go beyond their annual membership dues with support for IMBA programs and initiatives. Advanced Sports International/Fuji Bicycle Sport Shop Bicycle Technologies International Bicycling / Mountain Bike Magazine Bike Magazine Bikes Belong Coalition Camelbak Clif Bar Dirt Rag Magazine Diamondback Bicycles / Raleigh USA FOX Racing Shox Interbike

3Point5 – Promotive A’me Grips Adventure Advocates Adventuremaps Adventure Travel Trade Association Adventuremaps, Inc. Airborne Bicycles Alchemist Threadworks All Terra Ecotrails Alpenglow Vacation Rentals Alpine Indoor, LLC. Alyeska Resort Anasazi Trails, Inc. Anthem Branding Apex Ex Adventure Trips Arbutus Images Avid4 Adventure, Inc. B.O.B. Trailers, Inc. Backcountry.com Bellfree Contractors Inc. Bent Creek Lodge Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau Bicycle Colorado Big Agnes Big Bear Lake Camplands Bike Solutions Bikeflights.com Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Boulder Bike Tours Boulder Business Products Cane Creek Cycling Components Canyons Resort Cascade Huts Catalyst Communication, Inc. Cateye Center For Outdoor Experience Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival City Cycle Club Ride COG Wild Mountain Bike Tours Colorado Backcountry Biker Competitive Cyclist Country Inn Deerwood Crested Butte Mountain Resort Cycle Path & Paddle Cycle Therapy CycleSport.com

Cycling Camp San Diego Cycling Sports Group Cygolite Deer Valley Resort DeFeet International Desert Sports Deuter USA Diversion en Montaña Downeast Bicycle Specialists DT Swiss, Inc DuVine Adventures Eastern Mountain Sports Easton Bell Sports, Inc. Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles Epic Rides, Inc. Ergon USA Excel Sports Boulder Explore Biltmore Estate Eyedentity Graphics Falcon Guides Fat Tire Guides Finish Line Technologies Focus Bicycles Gates Carbon Drive Giant Bicycles Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce GO-Adventures Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Association Green Guru Gear GU Energy Labs Highlands & Islands Adventures Hampton Inn & Suites – Oxford, AL Hans Johnsen Company Hawley Company Hayes Bicycle Group Helena Montana Tourism Business Improvement District Hidden Hollow Cabins Hilride Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Oxford, AL Honey Stinger Hot Tomato Café & Pizzeria Howell At The Moon Productions Hyatt Escala Lodge Hydrapak, LLC iBert, Inc. Idaho Resort Rentals Llc Innovations in Cycling, Inc. J&B Importers Jans Mountain Outfitters Jarvso Bergscykel Park Jenson USA Kenda USA Keystone Resort Killington Resort Kirkwood Mountain Resort Kona Mountain Bikes L.H. Thomson Company Long Cane Trails, LLC MapMyFitness Marin Bikes California Marquette County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Michelin North America Midwest Cycling Mountain Flyer Mountain Gear Mountain Khakis MountainBikeSkills.com Mountain Khakis Mt. Borah Designs Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-A-Way MyBikeNet.com

National Bicycle Dealers Assn National Parks Service RTCA National Ski Areas Association New Belgium Brewery Nuun and Company Optic Nerve Oregon Adventures Osprey Packs, Inc Outdoor Industry Association Paceline Products Inc Park City Lodging Pearl Izumi Pedal America Pedal Nation Events Pivot Ccyles Planet Bike Platypus Hydration Product Architects, Inc. (Polar Bottle) Professional Trailbuilders Association Proforma Bishop Graphics ProGold Lubricants Pura Vida Ride Red Agave Resort RedHouseMedia Rentcycle.com Rentcycle Resource Revival Ritchey Design Inc. Runtastic Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge San Juan Hut Systems Santa Cruz Bicycles SBS - Seattle Bike Supply Scott USA Sea Otter Classic Seaside Naturally Second Ascent Shenandoah Mountain Touring SIDI America Singletracks.com Smith Optics Spectrum Trail Design Strider Sports International, Inc. Sugarboo Farms Sustainable Travel International Sutter Equipment Company Teton Mountain Bike Tours Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association The Clymb Thudbuster Seatposts Trail Dynamics TrailArts TrailFu.com (Totalsquare, LLC) Travel Oregon Triumph Books Turner Suspension Bicycles, Inc. Two Knobby Tires USA Cycling, Inc. Vail Associates, Inc. Voler Team Apparel White Pine Touring Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) Winter Park Resort Yeti Cycles

FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Hellman Family Foundation Mark Reynolds Memorial Bike Fund Michael And Eleanor Pinkert Foundation Ron and Stacey Gutfleish Foundation Wheeler Foundation 9

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