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IMBA Singletrack News, July 2006
In this eNewsletter:
2006 IMBA Summit Draws Huge Turnout
Study Offers Statistics on Mountain Biking Participation
Vancouver’s James Brown Selected as FOX/IMBA Hero
Great Divide Mountain Bike Race Underway
Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visits Québéc [French language resource]
Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visits Bend, Oregon
Support the IMBA Legal Defense Fund
New IMBA Woolie Socks and Girle T Now Available
IMBA Summit Draws Huge Turnout
The 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference, held June 20-23 in Whistler, BC, was an enormous success. The event drew an international field of land managers, bike advocates and industry representatives to discuss risk management, sustainable trailbuilding and a host of other topics. Here’s a by-the-numbers breakdown:
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Fourth IMBA Summit
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Second World Mountain Bike Conference
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First combined edition
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17 Nations
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412 delegates
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31 State IMBA Reps
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23 Seminars
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350+ riders in the World's Largest Looney Race, sponsored by the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA)
The complete conference program is available online.
Study Offers Statistics on Mountain Biking Participation
The Outdoor Industry Foundation has released its 2006 Outdoor Recreation Participation Study, one of the few sources available for statistics on the number of people who ride mountain bikes. While the new study shows that recreation is down across the board, and that participation in mountain biking is declining, it also says that bicycling remains the largest category in outdoor recreation, with 3.1 billion outings in 2005. You can dowload the section of the report that specifically addresses cycling, but you'll have to fill out a form first.
Vancouver’s James Brown Selected as FOX/IMBA Hero
James Brown, a dedicated bike advocate and the president of the South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBS), received a Fox/IMBA Hero award at the Whistler Summit. Brown's remarkable record of volunteerism includes countless hours editing the SIMBS bi-monthly newsletter, planning and building the innovative South Ridge Skinny project, and obtaining more than $15,000 in donations for SIMBS. "I’m honored to receive this award," said Brown, who happily received a FOX shock onstage. Brown told the crowd, "The FOX/IMBA Heroes program adds credibility to the hard work of those who are out on the frontlines creating better mountain bicycling recreation." He also commented on the "positive environment and opportunities for sharing knowledge" at the Summit, and wrapped it up by saying, "I'm having a blast in Whistler."
Great Divide Mountain Bike Race Underway
Following the Adventure Cycling Association’s Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, racers in the Great Divide Race are pedaling a stupendous 2,490 miles of remote, mountainous terrain along the spine of the continent to the New Mexico/Mexico border. Making the ride even more impressive is the fact that all riders are entirely self-supported no outside assistance or SAG support of any kind is allowed. The racers' blog entries reveal the full extent of their suffering. Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visits Québéc [French language resource]
Nat and Rachael Lopes visited the Province of Québéc and helped direct some impressive rock amoring of a trail. While the story is in French, you don't have to be a Francophone to enjoy the photos of their handiwork.
Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visits Bend, Oregon
Ryan Schutz and Kristin Butcher recently joined the Central Oregon Trail Alliance for a Spring Fling workday, dedicated to sprucing up a section of the COD trail. A full report reveals that 70 volunteers showed up to rework a hairpin turn and improve trail drainage.
Support the IMBA Legal Defense Fund
Our goal is simple: Use the clarity of the law and the power of IMBA’s 35,000 members to defend mountain bikers’ rights. The Legal Fund helps support three crucial areas of IMBA’s work:
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Spearhead the development of risk management resources
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Defend against daily attacks on local trail systems
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Influence legislation that determines access for mountain bikers
Your donation will help expand and improve our role as mountain biking’s guardian. We’re confident you’ll feel your tax-deductible donation is a savvy investment in the future of our sport, please contribute today. Or you can learn more about the Legal Fund online.
New IMBA Woolie Socks and Girlie T Now Available
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Support your trails by purchasing IMBA logo gear. All sales proceeds benefit IMBA, and all fashion-related compliments benefit you. IMBA members receive 10% off.(you must be logged in to get the discount)
The IMBA Girlie T is back. 100% cotton and 100% cute.
Like 'em tall and woolie? The IMBA All-Mountain sock is 5" of acryllic wool goodness from Sock Guy. |
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