TRAIL NEWS

Model Trails:Epics, Ride Centers and more announced in this issue

FALL 2011

Bronze-level ride center Copper Harbor. Photo by Hansi Johnson

I’ve encountered grizzlies in the backcountry of British Columbia, ridden in areas where the only contact with the outside world was

through a satellite radio and pushed myself to the limit trying to make it out of the woods before dark. But when I think of epic adventures, only one experience comes to my mind — an extraordinary ride on an ordinary trail.

The best ride of my life wasn’t on a trail you’d ever read about in a magazine and it certainly wouldn’t appear in anyone’s top-ten list. As far as I know, no one has ever used words like “epic,” or “model” or “pleasant-smelling” to describe this five-mile loop scratched between highways and long-term storage units.

The ride began as just another jaunt on my backyard trails. For some reason, my best biking buddy was riding like a complete spaz. Having accompanied me on almost all of the near-daily rides I’d taken on this wooded singletrack, I felt comfortable laughing when he toppled while trying to clear a three-inch log. After about 10 more uncharacteristic crashes I became slightly annoyed that what should have been a routine spin was turning into a never-ending trek.

When he finally bumbled into our favorite sitting rock, put down his bike and grabbed a hidden bottle of champagne and the engagement ring that accompanied it, the ride officially turned epic.

There are even more opinions about what defines an epic than what constitutes appropriate venues for wearing Spandex (Grocery store? Maybe. Post office? Definitely!) Engineer-types attempt to define the word with rigid parameters, complete with minimum mileage, elevation gain and near-death experiences.

Some people scoff at the use of the word to describe something they could accomplish without breaking a sweat. I’d argue that nearly everyone experiences their first epic on their inaugural mountain bike ride, which often happens on chewed up trails, on shoddy

suspension better suited to a catapult than a mountain bike and under direction by well-meaning friends to hit any obstacle with lots of speed.

Lists of epic rides are as deficient as the definition of the word itself. I know that. You know that. And everyone at IMBA certainly knows it. Some experiences aren’t the world’s to share. They’re yours alone, and are often defined less by the dirt beneath your wheels than by the people you’re with and the dumb luck encountered along the way. Every trail, be it a backyard snoozer or a backcountry slog, carries with it the potential to become the story you tell your grandkids. It only takes a bad break in weather or an unforeseen mechanical to instill a Homeric quality. If IMBA’s list of epic trails were complete, it wouldn’t be a list of trails at all, but of the adventures along the way.

The epic trails and other model riding facilities you’ll find in this issue of IMBA’s Trail

News offer an incredible breadth of experiences. You’ll find flow-sauce, technical suffer-fests, all-day rides that leave you yearning for more and even bike parks where all the metrics that typically define epics come second to the immeasurable enjoyment experienced by the riders. As good as these trails, parks and rides are, they are epic in name only. In the end, each trail is nothing more than a blank canvas until you write the story.

— Kristin Butcher

ANTI-EPICTHE TRAIL IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

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Kristin Butcher (AKA “The Butcher”) contributes regularly to IMBA Trail News and to a host of other publications. She is an alumnae of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program.

ABOUT THE

AUTHOR

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IMBA Trail News Fall 2011, Volume 24, Number 3

IMBA creates, preserves and enhances great mountain biking experiences

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hill Abell, Austin, TXElayna Caldwell, Santa Cruz, CABlair Clark, Ketchum, IDChris Conroy, Golden, COHoward Fischer, Westchester, NYJay Franklin, Powder Springs, GAJames Grover, Matthews, NCAlden Philbrick, Alexandria, VADavid Treinis, Alta, WYRobert Winston, Carlsbad, CADavid Zimberoff, Chicago, IL

STAFFTiffanie Beal, Membership Services Coordinator, tiffanie.beal@imba.comJason Bertolacci, Marketing/Database Manager, jason.bertolacci@imba.comChris Bernhardt, Director of Consulting Services, chris.bernhardt@imba.comTony Boone, Trail Specialist, tony.boone@imba.comTerry Breheny, Events Manager, terry.breheny@imba.com Richard Cook, Development Director, rich.cook@imba.comJenn Dice, Government Affairs Director, jenn@imba.comTammy Donahugh, Trail Specialist, tammy@imba.comRich Edwards, Trail Solutions Manager, rich@imba.comMark Eller, Communications Director, markeller@imba.comJeremy Fancher, Attorney, jeremy.fancher@imba.comKatherine Fuller, Communications Specialist, katherine.fuller@imba.comSallie Hoefer, Member and Constituent Rep, sallie.hoefer@imba.comDan Hudson, Trail Specialist, dan.hudson@imba.comDavid Janowiec, Team IMBA Manager, david.janowiec@imba.comHansi Johnson, Midwest Regional Director, hansi.johnson@imba.comRod Judd, Membership Manager, rod.judd@imba.comChris Kehmeier, Trail Specialist, chris.kehmeier@imba.comLeslie Kehmeier, Trail Specialist, leslie.kehmeier@imba.comWendy Kerr, Development Manager, wendy.kerr@imba.comKristy Kibler, Government Affairs Coordinator, kristy@imba.com Joey Klein, Trail Specialist, joey@imba.comAshley Korenblat, PLI Director, ashley.korenblat@imba.comAnna Laxague, Pacific Regional Director, anna.laxague@imba.comChris Leman, Trail Specialist, chris.leman@imba.comFrank Maguire, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, frank.maguire@imba.comStephen Mullins, Trail Specialist, stephen.mullins@imba.comTim Peck, Finance Director, tim.peck@imba.comRachael Raven, Canada Communications/Trail Care Crew, rachael.raven@imba.comKerri Salazar, Operations Manager, kerri.salazar@imba.comTom Sauret, Southeast/SORBARegional Director, tom.sauret@imba.comRyan Schutz, Affiliate Programs/Rocky Mountain Region, ryan.schutz@imba.comRandy Spangler, Trail Specialist, randy.spangler@imba.comMike Van Abel, Executive Director, mike@imba.comTom Ward, IMBA CA Policy Advisor, tom@imba.comJason Wells, Trail Specialist, jason.wells@imba.comShane Wilson, Trail Specialist, shane.wilson@imba.comLora Woolner, Canada Director, lora@imba.com

SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREWSJake Carsten and Jenny Abraham, jakeandjenny@imba.com Morgan and Steve Lommele, steveandmorgan@imba.com

Designed by Sugar Design, Inc. Images and stories available for re-use by permission only.

IMBA PO Box 711 Boulder, CO 80306 USAph 303-545-9011 fax 303-545-9026 info@imba.com

aturday, Oct. 1, marked the eighth celebration of Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day. Recognized across the globe, more than 230 event organizers registered — including rides in

Australia, Canada, Italy (see photo), Malaysia, Mexico and South Africa. This year’s edition was dedicated to the White House

“Let’s Move Outside!” initiative; IMBA encouraged participating riders of all ages to take the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) pledge.

Another new feature in 2011 saw participants posting photos and videos to IMBA’s Facebook page (facebook.com/IMBAonFB), qualifying them to win great prizes. Grand prizewinners Adele Kofler (VA) and Steph Dorney (PA) received new Specialized kids bikes. Specialized and Trek Bicycle dealers also supported the event by encouraging local bike retailers to host events, joining the traditional ranks of IMBA-affiliated chapters and clubs, as well as Trips for Kids chapters and Boy Scouts of America troops.

IMBA enjoyed event support from diverse partners, including the National Park Service (NPS). NPS units hosting rides this year included Golden Gate, Delaware Water Gap, Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

The bicycle industry provided event sponsorship from CLIF Kid, Shimano, Specialized and Trek. Other partners included Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), and the Children and Nature Network.

KIDS DAYSUCCESSFUL 8TH EDITION

OF ANNUAL YOUTH RIDE

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SANTA FE TO HOST 2012 IMBA WORLD MOUNTAIN BIKING SUMMIT

Santa Fe, New Mexico, will host the 2012 IMBA World Summit. The gathering will be held Oct. 10-13, with pre-conference activities on 10-8 and 10-9.

“We’re thrilled to hold our next world summit in Santa Fe,” said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “The city offers vibrant culture, top-shelf food and more. But more importantly to our crowd there’s also a fantastic array of mountain bike trails in and around the city. We’re holding the event in prime riding season, and our very successful local IMBA Chapter, the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, will do a fantastic job helping us prepare for the event.”

IMBA’s World Summits draw hundreds of

enthusiasts, advocates, and leaders of local and regional mountain bike organizations from throughout the world. IMBA topics will include strategies for building top-shelf bicycling facilities, balancing recreation and land conservation, developing mountain bike tourism and attracting youth and other new riders to IMBA’s global network of more than 600 chapters, clubs and bike patrols.

Sponsorship inquires should be directed to Development Director Rich Cook: rich.cook@imba.com.

CONSERVATION ALLIANCE AWARDS $20K GRANT TO IMBA

The Conservation Alliance recently awarded a $20,000 grant to help IMBA permanently protect

high-quality lands in Colorado’s White River National Forest

through federal designations that are companions to

Wilderness protections, and to use the protocol developed to create

this legislation to protect additional acreage

surrounding Wilderness areas throughout the country. “We’re very appreciative of the Conservation Alliance’s investment — IMBA is committed to finding bike-friendly solutions that will expand the amount of public lands that receive enduring protection,” said Mike Van Abel, IMBA’s executive director.

Peter Metcalf is the CEO and president of Black Diamond Equipment, and a longtime leader of the Conservation Alliance. According to Metcalf, the grant sends, “A powerful message to the mountain bikers and conservationists everywhere to say that there is nothing inimical about those two designations. For that matter they should go hand and hand.”

“I couldn’t agree more with Peter’s sentiment,” said Van Abel. “IMBA members highly value land conservation, clean water and clean air. Our activity brings us closer to nature and fosters a desire to protect the places we ride. That’s why IMBA continually looks for partnership

opportunities, like our continuing work with the Outdoor Alliance that helps us connect with like-minded groups.”

IMBA ON HAND AS SECRETARY SALAZAR VISITS MOAB

The mountain bike Mecca of Moab, Utah, recently hosted U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar who stopped to speak to a diverse crowd about outdoor recreation, conservation and energy development. Members of IMBA’s Government Affairs team attended the public meeting, held at the Moab Adventure Center.

Salazar answered questions from the crowd after making a few opening statements. During the discussion he emphasized the economic value of outdoor recreation, noting that the sector remains a bright spot in an otherwise tough economy. He went on to say that the current administration sees a great opportunity for job development in areas that embrace outdoor recreation. Recent IMBA projects — including large-scale trail builds at Minnesota’s Cuyuna Lakes and Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake — provide strong examples of mountain biking’s positive impacts on local economies.

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IMBA BOARD ADDS THREE NEW MEMBERS

IMBA’s Board of Directors recently added three new members. With Hill Abel, Jay Franklin and Chris Kegel stepping off the board — each having served for many years — the group now numbers nine. “Hill, Jay and Chris lent vast experience and wisdom,” says chairman Robert Winston. “They will be sorely missed, but we’re lucky to have some excellent new leaders arriving at the same time.” The recent additions are Howard Fischer (Westchester, NY), Jim Grover (Matthews, NC) and Alden Philbrick (Alexandria, VA). Brief biographies for all of IMBA’s board members can be found at imba.com/about.

NEW SUBARU/IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW HITS THE ROAD

The sixteenth couple to roam the nation with the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has begun a two-year tour. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Jake Carsten and Jenny Abraham will live out of a Subaru Outback while leading trail work sessions, meeting with land managers and working with IMBA-affiliated chapters and clubs.

The Trail Care Crew program, supported by Subaru since its inception in 1997, remains one of IMBA’s most popular and successful initiatives. Jake and Jenny replaced Chris and Leslie Kehmeier, both of whom have joined IMBA’s Trail Solutions team. Jake and Jenny both bring extensive training and mountain biking backgrounds to the crew. They love educating and empowering mountain bikers,

from teaching sustainable trailbuilding and advocacy techniques to improving riding skills. Together they founded the company Dirt Dojo to leverage their individual level-two instructor certifications from IMIC (International Mountainbike Instructor Certification). The couple also has extensive experience as small business owners, master trainers and project managers. Jake is a board member to Project LOOP, a non-profit enterprise focused on providing educational and career experience opportunities to high school kids.

Follow their adventures at imba.com/blog.

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MORE THAN 60 IMBA AFFILIATES MOVE TO CHAPTER STATUS, STAFF POSITION ADDED

IMBA’s Chapter Program was recently bolstered by the addition of a new staff

position. Tiffanie Beal now serves as the

Chapter and Services

Coordinator, helping provide

top-rate service to IMBA’s members. Beal joins a Chapter services team that includes Interactive Marketing and Database Manager Manager Jason Bertolacci, Membership Manager Rod Judd and Member and Constituent Coordinator Sallie Hoefer. Additionally, chapters receive graphic design services from Sugar Design.

“It’s gratifying to see the demand for Chapter services grow so rapidly,” said Mike Van Abel, IMBA’s executive director. “This new staff position will help our grassroots clubs as they convert to Chapter status, strengthening our affiliate network.”

Benefits for IMBA

Chapters include membership processing, database management, graphic design/communications support and constituent relationship manager (CRM) tools. The Chapter Program Service Coordinator works directly with local clubs who are transitioning into the IMBA Chapter program by assisting them with their integration into the IMBA database and providing training sessions on the use of the CRM tools.

Chapters enjoy a strong presence on IMBA’s website, including listings for volunteer workdays and other events in the Teaming for Trails web pages (imba.com/teaming). Other benefits from this program include incentives from CLIF Bar, Wilderness Trail Bikes and CST Tires, plus special pricing on outdoor gear from Promotive.com.

Currently 58 IMBA Chapters operate in the United States, and several IMBA clubs are preparing to enter the program. Recent additions to the Chapter Program include:

• Capitol Off Road Pathfinders

• Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association

• Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association

• Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores

• Greensboro Fat Tire Society

• Hoosier Mountain Bike Association

• Los Alamos Singletrack

Association• Mid-Michigan Mountain

Bike Association• Mount Wilson Bicycling

Association• Nantahala Area SORBA• Northern Michigan

Mountain Bike Association• Potawatomi Mountain Bike

Association • Rogue Valley Mountain

Bike Association• Santa Barbara Mountain

Bike Trail Volunteers• Southeast Georgia SORBA• Southern Nevada

Mountain Bike Association• West Michigan Mountain

Bike Association• Wood River Bicycle

Coalition

Chapter development is coordinated by IMBA’s Regional Directors. These IMBA staffers operate in distinct territories — currently the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Additionally, volunteer-led Regional Leadership Advisory Councils coordinate regional efforts and expand IMBA’s reach by working closely with the Regional Directors.

Learn more by visiting imba.com/chapter-program.

LEGISLATION ESTABLISHES MOUNTAIN BIKING AT SKI AREAS

Many ski resorts in the U.S. operate under permits issued by the USDA Forest Service. The law authorizing those permits only references snow sports, which has

long complicated the status of summer activities, including mountain biking. Not anymore: This fall the Senate followed the House in passing the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act. Sponsored in the Senate by Mark Udall (D-CO), the bill will add mountain biking to the list of activities that are permissible under a ski area permit. “IMBA has consistently offered testimony in support of this legislation,” said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “Once the president signs it into law we expect ski areas will feel better equipped to propose new trails and mountain bike facilities to the Forest Service.” In related news, IMBA recently entered a partnership agreement with the National Ski Area Association to help create more and better mountain bike experiences at resorts.

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ara Arfmann — a second-year law student at the University of the Pacific in California

specializing in sports law — spent her summer working at IMBA as an intern. Under the tutelage of

IMBA in-house council Jeremy Fancher, Sara combed through academic literature concerning recreational event waivers across the U.S. and created a guiding document for IMBA clubs and Chapters (available at imba.com/resources/waivers).

The differences in the law of each state means it’s critical to get advice from an attorney licensed in the state where an event will be held before relying on a waiver for legal protection. The guidance in this story comes from a law student — clearly, that’s no substitute for reliable legal advice from a professional! Nonetheless, IMBA is thrilled with the work Arfmann performed this summer — and we’re pretty sure she managed to have a bit of fun here, too.

Q: What do waivers have to do with mountain biking? A: Many IMBA Chapters and clubs use — or are considering using — these contracts to lessen the risk of lawsuits. Waivers can establish an agreement between an event participant and the event organizer stating that the participant releases the organizer from any fault or liability for injuries resulting from participation in the event or the negligence of the organizer and their employees.

Q: Yawn. Why should we care?A: I hope people care because it took a lot of time to research this stuff! Good waivers could really help mitigate legal risks for IMBA’s Chapters and clubs. I’ve read a lot of cases about people suing for crazy reasons and many times a waiver could have helped protect the party being sued.

Q: Are there any real-world examples?A: IMBA’s insurance agency of record, RJF Agencies, recently published the details of an Illinois case where a lawsuit by a volunteer was dismissed based on the basis of a waiver. You often hear people saying that waivers aren’t binding, but there are plenty of examples in case law that disprove that idea.

Q: What are you doing now and how did the experience at IMBA help?A: I’m in my second year of law school and it’s like they say: In the first year they scare you to death, in the second year they work you to death and in the third year they bore you to death. I’m a staff writer for both journals for the McGeorge Law Review and on the executive board for my school’s Sports Law Society. Interning at IMBA gave me a new perspective on how sports law can be a career path.

Q: What kind of bike are you riding most often right now?A: I am proudly riding my cruiser that the whole IMBA staff put together for me before I left Colorado. With everything going on with school I don’t have much free time, but I try to work in a ride at least once a week just to relax and escape reading cases.

Q: What did you learn about the intersection of the law and mountain biking?A: I’ll admit that I had no idea how much regulatory law exists to control where bicycles are and are not allowed. It’s obviously an area that Jeremy Fancher, IMBA’s in-house attorney, knows a lot about. On the fun side, I really enjoyed visiting the new Valmont bike park in Boulder. My version of mountain biking had been really tame trail riding, but Valmont really got me interested in pushing my comfort zone and trying some gravity-oriented stuff.

Q: What surprised you about meeting the IMBA staff?A: Coming off the stress of first-year exams, I was very happy to find a friendly and laid-back atmosphere. IMBA’s staff works hard, but they also take time to chat with a lowly intern and get out for lunchtime rides.

Q: Since you probably didn’t get a big stipend, did you at least score any good IMBA gear?A: You guys gave me awesome socks, which I have proudly been showing off at school. I really appreciated the help putting my bike together — and the going-away cake party was a nice touch. Thanks!

THE JOY OF WAIVERSMEET IMBA LEGAL INTERN SARA ARFMANN

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The Ride Center® designation represents IMBA’s recognition for large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider. Bring your full arsenal of bikes to these destination-worthy areas. From backcountry adventures to shuttle-served gravity trails, and from expert-only to family-friendly, you’ll encounter the best the sport has to offer. IMBA staff selects candidates for Ride Centers recognition on an invitation-only basis.

Park City | Park City, UT | Gold Level

A few years ago, IMBA was on the lookout for an ideal location to host our World Summit mountain bike gathering — we settled on Park City because it offered a successful local mountain bike community, diverse riding opportunities and jaw-dropping natural beauty. That was 2008, and since then Park City has continued expanding and improving its facilities, so much that IMBA enthusiastically awards our highest designation to this amazing destination. How did Park City become a gold-level Ride Center? “It all stems from a commitment to master planning,” says IMBA Regional Director Ryan Schutz. “The sheer miles of trails are fantastic, but what’s really important is that they function as a cohesive network, with signage and trail connections that create a model riding area.” No location better exemplifies the Ride Center ideal of offering great options for any level of rider and any style of riding. From standout beginner-to-intermediate trails; like the Round Valley Trail System and Lost Prospector, to technical challenge and expert-only terrain on Dead Tree and Sweeny’s, the options are expansive. You’ll also find lift-served downhill runs and

top-shelf bike parks. Of course, Park City offers all the lodging and dining options you’d expect from a world-class resort. At the heart of it all, the Mountain Trails Foundation pulls riders into a true mountain bike community and keeps them energized with new projects. It all works together at Park City and that’s what’s pushed them to the gold standard.

Oakridge Area | Oakridge/Westfir, OR | Silver Level

The Oakridge Area Ride Center embodies the notion that the whole can be more than the sum of its parts. “It’s an incredible place to ride — not just because of the gorgeous trails but because the entire community strives for excellence,”says Anna Laxague, IMBA’s Regional Director. Visitors get a palpable sense of the love that Oakridge and Westfir have poured into creating a successful mountain bike destination, with amenities like easily accessible trail maps and smartly designed parking areas contributing to the rider-friendly feel. Of course, none of this happened by accident. “The Oakridge-area communities consciously decided to change from being driven by the timber industry to a recreation economy,” says Laxague. They enlisted the support of political leaders like Congressman Peter Defazio and Senator Ron Wyden — both of whom have been spotted enjoying the trails. Beyond the inspiring backstory, the riding ranges from adventurous trail rides to close-to-town loops, as well as the Diamond Park dirt jumps and pumptrack. “With the addition of more purpose-built trails and stronger options for freeriding, I’m betting they’ll be ready for gold status in short order,” says Laxague.

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POSSIBLE DREAMSIMBA’S MODEL TRAILS PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS

REAL-WORLD SUCCESS STORIES

ardly anybody wants to tackle long, challenging rides in the backcountry these days. Expert-level trails with big drops and technical features can’t be built sustainably. Dirt roads and vanilla bike paths make the best beginner trails. And it would be impossible to create destinations with appeal for every skill level and riding style.

None of these statements are true, but you’ve probably heard similar claims.The best way to refute these wrongheaded ideas is to showcase real-world examples that defy the doubters. That’s why

IMBA offers a Model Trails program. It’s our way of spotlighting places that exemplify what mountain biking looks like when it’s done right. We hope you’ll find inspiration — and a sense of what can be accomplished when you know what to aim for — as you examine the current crop of Model Trails.

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MORE MODEL TRAIL STYLES

FLOW TRAIL: SANDY RIDGE

Flow Trails take mountain bikers on a terrain-induced roller coaster ride with an emphasis on trail features and little need for braking. These Model Trails offer high-banked turns, rolling terrain, copious launch pads and consistent surfaces. Conspicuously absent are abrupt corners or obstacles — as a rider carves back and forth she develops a rhythm, a flow and a gigantic grin.

Located within striking distance of Portland, Oregon, the Sandy Ridge trails offer a flow-based, purpose-built network that offers a variety of fun choices: black-diamond jump lines, rooty-and-rocky trails that challenge skills without killing momentum and gravity-based singletrack spiced with berms and rollers. With more than 2,500 user passes per month, the Sandy Ridge Trail System is quickly becoming Oregon’s most popular mountain bicycle trail network.

GATEWAY TRAIL: ROCKBURN BRANCH PARK

Gateway Trails position standout facilities in places where lots of people can experience the joy of mountain biking. IMBA Trail Solutions, working with the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE), recently designed a new bike skills park in Maryland that exemplifies the category.

Rockburn Branch offers progressive flow-based trails for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders — all located in the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. The design features a 5,000-square-foot pump track, made possible by CLIF Bar’s Meet The Moment program. Special thanks go to CLIF athletes Jeff Lenosky and Marla Streb who joined the October opening festivities and shared their skills with a strong turnout of local riders.

Cuyuna Lakes | Crosby, MN | Bronze Level

When Cuyuna Lakes held a grand opening this summer, mountain bike legend Hans Rey sampled the trails. “They’re among the best I have ridden — super flowy and fun,” reported Rey. “It’s good to see Cuyuna Lakes spearheading this evolution of the sport. I loved the trails and riding; and I’m sure it will do wonders for the local community and beyond,” he said. We couldn’t agree more. In fact, the parking lots at Cuyuna have been jammed every weekend since the opening — business owners in nearby communities are thrilled. With purpose-built trails for beginners, intermediates and experts, riders from across the region are making the pilgrimage to a new Midwest Mecca. “There’s still room to improve,” notes Hansi Johnson, IMBA’s Regional Director. “Plans are already forming to increase the options for gravity-fed trails and advanced technical features — once people got a taste of rides like Bobsled, Screamer and Sand Hog they realized that there’s more we can offer for the long-fork, high-speed crowd.”

Copper Harbor | Keweenaw Peninsula, MI | Bronze Level

Copper Harbor is a true destination area — it’s even more “upper” than Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Unexpectedly, this remote tourism-based town has become home base for an energetic freeride community. The result is a fantastic area that defies stereotypes about Midwest biking. You might think you’d have to travel to the Rockies or the Alps to find a high-bermed, jump-laden line that takes 15 minutes for an expert downhiller to descend, but check out “The Flow” and you’ll see things differently. “There’s so much potential for gravity-based riding,” says IMBA Regional Director Hansi Johnson. “Fortunately, outstanding builders like Aaron Rogers have taken on the challenge of sculpting trails not just for themselves but for beginner and intermediate skill sets too.” Not sure if gravity-assisted riding is your thing? Take a run on Woopidy Woo and try to peel the smile off your face. Shuttles are available during the peak season but if you prefer to earn your turns you can link trails together and pedal back to the top until your legs turn to jelly. Plus, you’ll find a small but welcoming downtown with more than enough bars, eateries and lodging options.

Rockburn Ranch

Sandy Ridge

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Harrisonburg Trails | Harrisonburg, VA | Bronze Level

Anyone who has spent time riding in the southeast knows that the “secret stash” mentality can be hard to overcome. Not in Harrisonburg, where a strong community of riders has long dedicated itself to moving beyond the “You need to know somebody to ride here” ethos. Want to take a novice rider for a spin in the center of town? Head for the Rocktown Trails at Hillendale Park and follow the green loops. Step things up with the blue- and red-blazed trails and you’ll find more gnar than you’d expect in a city park; it’s the embodiment of IMBA’s “stacked loop” approach to providing progressive levels of challenge in a small area. Continue exploring in and around town and you’ll access everything from two full-on Epic trails (the Southern Traverse and Spruce Knob) to jumps and flow trails at Massanutten Resort. Not interested in buying a resort pass? If you’re willing to join the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and log 8 or more hours of volunteer trail building time, you can ride for free. “The leaders in the SVBC and the Shenandoah Bicycle Company have done an excellent job of making friends in high places,” says Frank Maguire, IMBA’s Regional Director. “It’s their political savvy, even more than their trail building skills, that have made Harrisonburg a stand-out location.”

Santos | Ocala, FL | Bronze Level

Santos moves from the Epic category of Model Trails to bronze-level Ride Center recognition. Located about an hour northwest of Orlando, Santos lies within the boundaries of Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Once a hotspot for unauthorized stunts and unapproved trails, it’s grown into an expansive trail system, with flowing singletrack, bombproof structures and a bike skills park with progressive challenges — including opportunities for huge

air at the Vortex freeride area. In addition to drawing the top riders in the region, Santos is the perfect place for beginner or intermediate riders to hone their technical skills. Progressive features let you try the small stuff before moving to the next skill set. All this, plus copious trail riding and convenient camping, bike stores and other amenities make for a great experience.

Each year, IMBA collects online nominations (visit imba.com/epics) for a new crop of Epics®. This year, we’ve returned our focus to challenging backcountry excursions that most people associate with Epic riding. “For many years, the term ‘Epic’ was the only honorific IMBA used, so we started applying it beyond backcountry trails,” explains IMBA Communications Director Mark Eller. “Today, the variety of Model Trail categories provides more options, so it’s a good moment to go back to the original idea of an Epic ride.”

Brown County State Park | Brown County, ID30 miles/5 hours

This is flowing singletrack at its best, built in one of the largest contiguous hardwood forests east of the Mississippi River. The trail designers used every bit of the 600 feet of elevation change available to create five independent loops and three connector trails. Difficulty ranges from a beginner-friendly loop to black diamond fare. Expect to drop into valleys and creek crossings before climbing to overlooks with vistas of the surrounding hills. The hardy clay soil allows for sculpted turns and features — get ready to carve, climb and do it again.

Park City Cuyuna Lakes

Park City Cuyuna Lakes

Kerr Scott Trails | Wilkesboro, NC35 miles/6 hours

The Kerr Scott trails offer lots of options, all of them good. Dark Mountain features more sustained climbs and longer descents than the other trails. The OVT provides a long ribbon of singletrack with little elevation change. Warrior Creek combines sections of rugged trail with long stretches of fast, flowing singletrack. Also at Warrior Creek, the River Trail follows the Yadkin River and allows for a mellow, meandering ride. The Headwaters Loop (still in development) will be the most technically challenging area with copious rock gardens and steep drops.

Rattling Creek Singletrack | Lykens, PA24 miles/4 hours

Flowy trails punctuated with rock gardens create 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, and even if you have to walk a few spots you’ll enjoy the mature hardwood forests and scenic stream valleys. Constant rollers offer fun descents and snappy climbs, with more total elevation change than you’d expect.

Mountain Hero | Carcross, Yukon20 miles/5 hours

Ride from the historic town of Carcross, home to the Carcross-Tagish First Nation who builds and maintains the Montana Mountain trail network. A strenuous climb on old mining roads quickly pays off with stunning alpine views, glimpses of historic mining artifacts and a chance to watch caribou and other wildlife. From the remains of the namesake Mountain Hero mine, hand-built singletrack weaves through the alpine, linking into a century-old pack trail that plunges down to the shores of Nares Lake. Most have a vehicle waiting, but the strongest ride back to Carcross, past the shores of Nares Lake on the scenic Klondike Highway.

W2 Trail | Afan Forest Park, Wales27 miles/6 hours

The amenities created for mountain bikers on this demanding ride include several cafes, parking lots equipped with bike washes, restrooms with showers and a well-stocked bike shop. The singletrack, however, is the real draw of this Epic, with narrow, twisty trails that open into well-crafted jump lines. Great flow and grippy rocks abound, and the trails hold up well to the soaking Welsh climate.

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Mountain Hero

Brown County

Rattling Creek

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THE WAY TO SANTA FE TCC VISITS LEAD TO IMBA’S WORLD SUMMIT

he 2012 IMBA World Summit is slated for Santa Fe, New Mexico — a place with beautiful art, hot chilies and a dedicated group

of passionate mountain biking advocates. But one year before the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society applied to host IMBA’s international gathering, the organization didn’t even exist.

Early in July 2010, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders Steve and Morgan Lommele showed up in New Mexico at the request of the Trails Alliance of Santa Fe, a volunteer organization that builds and maintains non-motorized trails. On Thursday evening of that weekend, Steve and Morgan shared IMBA’s Club Care presentation at the Santa Fe REI store with a large audience of diverse trail users. Bob Ward, the store manager and an avid cyclist from California, decided to attend. “It was perfect timing,” he said. “A week before they showed up, a hiker and a mountain biker got into a fight on a local trail.”

The crew’s professional presence and emphasis on shared-use trails helped to ease tensions that were beginning to boil. Ward was so inspired that he e-mailed all the mountain bikers he knew and invited them to a follow-up meeting.

“I thought we’d have maybe 15 to 20 people, so I set up the chairs in a little circle,” said Ward. “As the meeting time approached, the circle kept getting bigger. Eventually, more than 50 people showed up.”

In just a matter of months, the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society solidified, joined IMBA and began working with its government affairs team on local access issues. They have since emerged as a politically savvy group, helping shape a proposed expansion of the Pecos Wilderness so high-country mountain bike trails won’t be closed.

As an organized club, the Fat Tire Society became formally involved with La Tierra, a park within city limits that includes singletrack, freeriding and a BMX area. In January of 2011, a handful of members of the club went to a public hearing regarding the La Tierra master plan. A local trail building contractor presented plans for several small connector trails, each one with a substantial price tag.

Club leaders approached the city and offered to construct one of the segments for free with volunteer labor, beginning with another IMBA visit. “I politely

told them I wasn’t going to accept no for an answer,” said Ward. “I met with another council member and explained who we were. I described the power of IMBA and the Trail Care Crew and explained what we could do together, at no cost to the city.”

The council member decided the opportunity was too good to pass up — the contractor’s estimate for the work was $15,000. Chris and Leslie Kehmeier of the Trail Care Crew program flagged 1,500 feet of trail the day before conducting another IMBA Trail Building School. Ward expected the club to build the section over the course of three weekends. Instead, under the Kehmeier’s guidance, 35 volunteers finished all 1,500 feet in just 3 hours.

“Our group hadn’t done many trail builds before the Trail Care Crew came back,” said Ward. “We requested a second visit to keep our momentum going and Chris and Leslie got us really excited about building new trail.”

In June, the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society became an IMBA Chapter. In September, Santa Fe was awarded the IMBA World Summit.

“It’s not a stretch to say that the IMBA Trail Care Crews spawned our club and helped us snag the world summit bid,” said Ward.

SUBARU REWARDS IMBA MEMBERS WITH HASSLE-FREE 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

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IMBA Store and Member BenefitsGEAR, GIFTS AND PERKS FOR OUR SUPPORTERS

IMBA gear, like the turning leaves, adds color and enjoyment to the fall riding season. Better yet, wearing our stuff enhances trails everywhere — store proceeds fuel our work

and help bring you more places to ride. NEXT TIME YOU VISIT THE IMBA ONLINE STORE YOU’LL BE GREETED BY A HOST

OF NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES. FIND US AT IMBA.COM/CATALOG!

Hot New StuffThe latest IMBA gear for those of you who like to be first to the party.

• IMBA premium long-sleeved wool jersey • Western shirts with snap-button style• Skull caps, beanies and trail-running hats by

Headsweats

Holiday Hits & Great GiftsSeasonal items and great gift items for your loved ones.

• Funkalicious bike bell• Baby onesie reading “Save the Trails For Me!”• Stainless steel travel mug

Chick PicksProducts women will love, including women-specific designs and styles.

• “Trail Love” corduroy cap• Topo-line jerseys in red or teal• Superhigh superfly socks

Clearance RackDiscounted items from seasonal sales to closeouts.

• 2010 men’s and women’s jerseys• Stainless steel water bottle• Patch baseball cap

• Every new and renewing IMBA member receives a membership card, stickers, trail etiquette tips, coupons … and now IMBA’s Dirty Video DVD. Check out mountain bike movies and a juicy soundtrack to download and take along on your next ride.

• IMBA works with dozens of affiliated event promoters, and many of them offer special deals for IMBA members. These promoters support responsible use and maintenance of the trails we race and ride. Check out the event calendar at imba.com or facebook.com/IMBAonFB and watch for the IMBA logo at your next local event.

• Buy local and support IMBA. There are hundreds of member bike stores doing great things in their local mountain bike communities. Is your local bike shop supporting your local trails? Visit imba.com/near-you for our Retailer Member directory and go buy some sweet new gear for fall riding.

• Did you know that IMBA members hardly ever get flat tires? IMBA membership brings good karma, so you can leave the patch kit and spare tubes at home. Spread the good vibes by encouraging a friend to go to imba.com/join.

KNOW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

BENEFITS

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For information about how you or your organization can support IMBA please contact Rich Cook, IMBA Development Director, by calling 303-545-9011 x104, or by sending a message to rich.cook@imba.com.

ABOVE AND BEYOND SUPPORTERSA special thanks to our Above and Beyond supporters for significant contributions beyond their annual dues.Bicycle Sport ShopBikes Belong CoalitionCamelBakCLIF BarCST FOX Racing ShoxHucknRoll.comInterbikeLife Time FitnessMoots CyclesNiner BikesPrimal WearQuality Bicycle ProductsRecreational Equipment Inc.Shimano American CorporationSpecialized BicyclesSRAM CorporationSubaru of AmericaThe North FaceTrek Bicycle CorporationWestern Spirit CyclingYakima

IMBA U.S. CORPORATE MEMBERS A-Zimba.com/membership3Point5-PromotiveAdventure AdvocatesAdventure Travel Trade AssociationAirborne BicyclesAlchemist ThreadworksAlchemy GoodsAlpine Indoor, LLCA’me GripsAnadarko Petroleum CorporationAnthem BrandingArbutus ImagesArrowhead TrailsAvid4 Adventure, Inc.Backcountry.comBellfree Contractors Inc.Bent Creek LodgeBentonville Convention & Visitors BureauBicycle ColoradoBicycle Sport ShopBicycle Technologies International - BTIBicycling / Mountain Bike MagazineBig AgnesBig Bear Cabins for RentBig Bear Lake CamplandsBike MagazineBikeflights.comBikes Belong CoalitionBlack Diamond Equipment, Ltd.

BOB TrailersBoulder Bike ToursBoulder Business Products - BBPCamelbakCampagnoloCane Creek Cycling ComponentsCascade HutsCatalyst Communication, Inc.CateyeCenter For Outdoor ExperienceChequamegon Fat Tire FestivalCitizen PicturesCity of LeavenworthClub RideCLIF BarCog Wild Mountain Bike ToursColorado Backcountry BikerCompetitive CyclistCountry Inn DeerwoodCrank BrothersCrested Butte Mountain ResortCrested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of CommerceCST TiresCycleTherapyCycling Sports GroupCygoliteDeFeet InternationalDesert SportsDeuter USADiamondback Bicycles/Raleigh USADirt Rag MagazineDowneast Bicycle SpecialistsDT Swiss, IncEastern Mountain SportsEaston Bell Sports, Inc. (Easton, Bell, Giro, Blackburn)Epic Rides, Inc.Ergon USAExcel Sports BoulderFat Tire Guides, LLCFinish Line TechnologiesFocus Bicycles USAFOX Racing ShoxFuji America-Advanced Sports InternationalFulcrum N.A. LLCGates Carbon DriveGiant BicyclesGilmer County Chamber of CommerceGone Riding, Inc.Green Guru GearGU Energy LabsHans Johnsen CompanyHawley CompanyHayes Bicycle GroupHidden Hollow CabinsHilrideHoney StingerHowell At The Moon ProductionsiBert, Inc.Idaho Resort Rentals LLCInterbikeIT-Clips, LLCHutchinson IndustriesJ&B ImportersJamis Bicycles/G.Joannou CycleJarvso Bergscykel Park-SwedenJenson USAKenda USAKeystone ResortKinetic Koffee CompanyKirkwood Mountain ResortKona Mountain BikesLife Time FitnessLifeboat SolutionsLong Cane Trails, LLCMapMyFitnessMarin Mountain Bikes, Inc.MaverickMaxxis InternationalMechaWear.comMellow Johnny’s Bike Shop

Michelin North AmericaMidwest CyclingMoots CyclesMountain FlyerMountain KhakisMountainBikeSkills.comMt. Borah DesignsMulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-A-WayMyPOV360.comNational Bicycle Dealers AssnNational Parks Service RTCANational Ski Areas AssociationNative EyewearNema InternationalNew Belgium BreweryNiner BikesOregon AdventuresOsprey Packs, IncOutdoor Industry AssociationPaceline Products Inc.Paradigm CyclesPark ToolPedal AmericaPedal Nation EventsPerformance, Inc.Planet BikePrimal WearProfessional Trailbuilders AssociationProforma Bishop GraphicsProGold LubricantsQuality Bicycle ProductsRecreational Equipment Inc.Red Agave ResortRed Cloud Productions, LLCRedHouseMediaReineke ConstructionResource RevivalRitchey Design Inc.S&S Trails ServicesSan Juan Hut SystemSanta Cruz BicyclesSBS-Seattle Bike SupplyScott USASecond AscentShenandoah Mountain TouringShimano American CorporationSIDI AmericaSingle Track LLCSingletrack.comSingletracks.comSmith OpticsSock GuySpadout.comSpecialized BicyclesSRAM CorporationStrider Sports International, Inc.Subaru of AmericaSustainable Travel International-STISutter Equipment CompanySwoboTeton Mountain Bike ToursTeva Deckers Outdoor CorporationTexas Mountain Bike Racing AssociationThe Canyons ResortThe ClymbThe North FaceThudbuster SeatpostsThuleTimberland, Inc.Trail DynamicsTrailArtsTrailFu.com Travel OregonTrek Bicycle CorporationTrek Dirt SeriesTrek TravelTriumph BooksTwo Knobby TiresUSA Cycling, Inc.VelonewsVoler Team ApparelWestern Spirit Cycling

Wheel & SprocketWhite Pine TouringWilderness Trail Bikes (WTB)Winter Park ResortWorld Bicycle ReliefYakimaYeti CyclesZeal OpticsZoic Clothing

IMBA DESTINATIONS Thanks to our growing cadre of IMBA Destination Members who are leading the way in MTB tourism. Learn more at imba.com/destinationsAdventure Travel Trade AssociationAlpine IndoorAvid4 Adventure, Inc.Bentonville Convention & Visitors BureauBig Bear Cabins for RentBig Bear Lake CamplandsBikeflights.comBoulder Bike ToursCascade HutsCenter for Outdoor ExperienceCog Wild Mountain Bike ToursColorado Backcountry BikerCountry Inn DeerwoodCrested Butte Mountain ResortCrested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber Desert SportsDirt Series Mountain Bike Camps Ltd.Fat Tire GuidesGilmer County Chamber of CommerceHidden Hollow CabinsIdaho Resort Rentals Jarvso Bergscykel ParkJoyride 150Keystone ResortKonaWorld TravelsMountainBikeSkills.comMulberry Gap Mt. Bike Get-a-wayNational Ski Areas AssociationOregon AdventuresRed Agave ResortSan Juan Hut SystemsShenandoah Mountain TouringSingletracks.comSustainable Travel International Teton Mountain Bike ToursThe Canyons ResortTransrockies Inc.Travel OregonTrek TravelWestern Spirit CyclingWinter Park Resort

FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS Ruth H. Brown FoundationCLIF Bar Family FoundationConservation AllianceRon and Stacey Gutfleish FoundationHellman FamilyOreg FoundationMark Reynolds Memorial Bike FundMichael And Eleanor Pinkert FoundationRichard E. And Nancy P. Marriott FoundationCynthia and George P. Mitchell FoundationBetsy Mitchell Family FoundationWalton Family Foundation

CORPORATE, DESTINATION AND FOUNDATION MEMBERS THESE CORPORATE MEMBERS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL

FUNDING TO FUEL IMBA’S WORK

PO Box 711 Boulder, Colorado 80306 USA

NON PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 631

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