IMBA Singletrack Update - January 2006

In this update:

1. IMBA NEWS

* TWELVE MOUNTAIN BIKE PROJECTS IN NATIONAL PARKS PLANNED FOR 2006

* IMBA MEETS WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR IN SO-CAL

* 2005 REPORT CARD SPOTLIGHTS VIRGINIA, SCOTLAND

* IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE WEBSITE GOES LIVE

* IMBA SEEKS TRAIL CARE CREW/BIKE PATROL COORDINATOR

* NEW TRAIL CARE CREW READIES FOR THE ROAD

* FORMER IMBA STAFFER BRANDON DWIGHT DOCUMENTS 'CROSS ACTION

2. REGIONAL REPORTS

* VIEW A NEW SLIDESHOW OF IMBA'S AUSTRALIAN EXCURSION

* SORBA CHATTANOOGA RECEIVES PROPS FROM FOREST SERVICE

3. IMBA STORE

* GET SUPER RADICAL IN A FREERIDE JERSEY

* NEW RIDE TO LIVE MUGS AVAILABLE

* NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: PROTECT TRAILS BY SUPPORTING IMBA'S ANNUAL FUND

1. IMBA NEWS

* TWELVE MOUNTAIN BIKE PROJECTS IN NATIONAL PARKS PLANNED FOR 2006

"IMBA couldn't be more excited to help the National Park Service with

developing appropriate bike opportunities at a dozen parks this year," says

Executive Director Mike Van Abel. In 2006, IMBA will help facilitate

mountain bike pilot programs at Big Bend National Park (Texas), Fort Dupont

National Park (Washington, DC) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio).

Additionally, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits have been proposed for as

many as nine park units. Read more:

http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_04_imba_nps_projects.html

* IMBA MEETS WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR IN SO-CAL

Interior Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett made time to discuss a variety of

issues related to mountain biking when she visited the Santa Monica

Mountains National Recreation Area over New Year's weekend. Scarlett, who

helps manage one of every five acres of land in the United States, met with

NPS Superintendent Woody Smeck, IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel,

Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) President Jeff Klinger,

and Chris Orr, president of the Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers

(SBMBTV). The group had planned to ride together, but opted for a tour of

Giant Bicycles because of a rare rainy day in So-Cal. A big thanks to Take

Pride in America Shari and Chris Boyer and Giant for supporting her visit.

* 2005 REPORT CARD SPOTLIGHTS VIRGINIA, SCOTLAND

The 2005 IMBA Report Card cites Virginia and Scotland as outstanding

examples for the mountain bike community to emulate. Virginia received an

"A," the highest grade in the 2005 U.S. report. Factors included epic

backcountry riding, a network of dedicated bike advocates and the innovative

negotiating approach that bike advocates used to deal with possible trail

closures. The Scots earned high praise for the government-sponsored Seven

Stanes Project - riding centers with outstanding trails - as well as

unmatched scenery. Find out how your state, province or nation fared:

http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/12_05/12_16_report_card.html

* IMBA SUMMIT/WORLD MTB CONFERENCE WEBSITE GOES LIVE

Whistler, Ho! Mountain bike enthusiasts, advocates and industry leaders will

gather in British Columbia on June 20-23 for the IMBA Summit and World

Mountain Bike Conference. Registration for seminars and lecture tracks

begins later this month. Attendees will also frolic on Whistler's

mind-blowing trails and enjoy special parties and events. For registration

info and program updates, visit:

http://worldmountainbikeconference.com/

* IMBA SEEKS TRAIL CARE CREW/BIKE PATROL COORDINATOR

IMBA is looking for a fulltime professional to coordinate our field

programs, specifically the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and National Mountain

Bike Patrol program. The successful candidate will have excellent

organizational, communications and interpersonal skills. For a complete list

of duties and benefits, visit:

http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_04_tcc_nmbp.html

* NEW TRAIL CARE CREW READIES FOR THE ROAD

Ryan Schutz and Kristin Butcher, the newest members of the Subaru/IMBA Trail

Care Crew, are preparing for an epic road trip. The pair will spend a good

deal of 2006 touring the United States in a Subaru Outback, carrying out the

highly successful educational and advocacy work for which the Trail Care

Crews are known. Ryan and Kristin hale from Deerfield Beach, Florida. They

are co-founders of Club Mud, one of IMBA's most active clubs. Learn more

about the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews:

http://www.imba.com/tcc/index.html

* FORMER IMBA STAFFER BRANDON DWIGHT DOCUMENTS 'CROSS ACTION

Cyclocross is the original venue for off-road bicycling. Lately, former IMBA

staffer Brandon Dwight has been mixing it up with the Euros and penning

entertaining articles about the Belgian racing (and beer-drinking) scene for

VeloNews.com. Read his latest essay here:

http://velonews.com/diaries/rider/articles/9336.0.html

2. REGIONAL REPORTS

* VIEW A NEW SLIDESHOW OF IMBA'S AUSTRALIAN EXCURSION

Joey Klein, IMBA's ambassador to the mountain biking world, recently wrapped

up a five-week tour of Australia. Klein racked up some impressive numbers:

- Visited 7 out of 8 territories

- Met more than 500 land managers

- Rode with 20 local bike clubs

- Gave 26 presentations

- Conducted 5 Trailbuilding Schools

- Inspected 28 mountain bike sites

- Built 1.6 kilometers of new trail

- Flagged 4.5 kilometers of trail for future projects

Check out fresh images and read more here:

http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_03_australia.html

* SORBA-CHATTANOOGA RECEIVES PROPS FROM FOREST SERVICE

The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association was recently recognized by the

USDA Forest Service for its volunteer contributions. Representatives from

SORBA's Chattanooga chapter, which is active in the volunteer program of the

Ocoee/Hiwassee District of Cherokee National Forest, accepted a "Certificate

of Appreciation" from Cherokee National Forest Supervisor H. Thomas Speaks,

Jr. The district itself was awarded top honors among all ranger districts in

the 13-state USFS Southern Region for its 2005 volunteer program. Read more

about SORBA-Chattanooga's innovative advocacy programs here:

http://sorbachattanooga.org/index.php?source=advocacy

3. IMBA STORE

* GET SUPER RADICAL IN AN IMBA FREERIDE JERSEY

Whatever your favorite flavor of technical challenge on the bike is, enjoy

the ride with the IMBA freeride jersey ($60). The long-sleeve, baggy style

accommodates body armor, and the lightweight fabric offers a relaxed fit for

ultimate comfort on any trail. The balanced, simple design features the IMBA

logo on the chest and the speak, build, respect and ride icons on the back.

This limited edition is highlighted in "ride" brown.

http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imredfrje.html

* NEW "RIDE TO LIVE" MUGS AVAILABLE

Our new stainless steel tumbler keeps your pre-ride brew hot. An easy to

hold gripper and spill-proof suction lid makes this ergonomic mug ($15) a

perfect travel accoutrement.

http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/imrtolitrmug.html

* NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: PROTECT TRAILS BY SUPPORTING IMBA'S ANNUAL FUND

Looking to start 2006 on an positive note? Consider making a resolution to

help protect trails. Get involved with a local advocacy movement, volunteer

for a trail building day, or help strengthen IMBA's Annual Fund with a

donation. We're close to hitting our goal of $50k, but we're not there yet.

Visit the Annual Fund web page for more information:

http://stores.yahoo.com/imba/dotoimanfu.html