May 22/10 15:43 pm - IMBA Canada News

Posted by Editoress on 05/22/10
 

IMBA Canada news for April and 1st half of May

IMBA Canada announces Canadian Trail Care Crew program

IMBA’s Canadian office is excited to welcome Chad and Deanne Lazaruk as the first ever IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew! With over a decade of mountain biking and trails experience, the couple brings a broad set of skills to IMBA Canada’s newest program.

The Lazaruks will travel across the country in a Subaru Outback, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated clubs and other partners to improve trail opportunities Canada-wide. The 2010 building season will kick-off Canada Day weekend and will run until mid-December. More about the Crew.

IMBA Canada heads south for World Summit

Last week, over 220 delegates and mountain bike advocates met in Augusta, Georgia, for the 2010 IMBA World Summit.

The four day conference, which took place May 5-8, included keynote speeches by Mike Mercuri, SRAM’s vice president of product and marketing, and cycling legend Hans Rey. Delegates had the opportunity to attend a variety of breakout sessions, with topics such as funding trail projects, the environmental impacts of mountain biking, and connecting with the bike media. Full press release.

IMBA Canada seeking part time regional rep for Alberta

IMBA Canada is seeking a part time coordinator to represent Alberta in the Regional Office program. The ideal candidate will be a strong advocate, with a solid background in mountain bike advocacy in Alberta.

Along with regional staff in BC, Ontario and Quebec, the Alberta coordinator will achieve the following goals for mountain biking in their region: convenient access to appealing trails, trailbuilding expertise, a positive image, and political influence. Full job description.

IMBA Canada signs membership deal with Westmont Hotels

Starting Spring 2010, IMBA Canada members have access to VIP pricing at 142 hotels in the Westmont Hospitality Group-including Holiday Inn, Radisson, Travelodge, and Comfort Inn. Email canada@imba.com for booking information.

Welcome Renegade Cycle Solutions as our newest Corporate Member!

Based out of Vancouver Island, Renegade Cycle Solutions is the Canadian distributor for X-Fusion Shox and Chumba Racing. Their mission statement is to provide the highest level of customer service, and the most comprehensive technical support.

IMBA Members now get 10% off MSRP on RCS products! Check out their website to see the goods. www.r-c-s.c

NCC releases study about mountain biking in Gatineau Park

The National Capital Commission (NCC) recently released findings of a two-year survey on mountain biking in Gatineau Park. Some of the NCC’s findings include: Only two per cent of respondents are IMBA members, while three per cent are members of the Ottawa Mountain Biking Association (OMBA). One in five mountain bikers (21%) say they have ridden unofficial trails in the Park. Press release and link to report.

IMBA Australia Conducts Workshops, Director Visits World Summit

With assistance from master trailbuilder Joey Klein, IMBA Australia recently hosted a five-stop tour of trail sustainability workshops. Riding opportunities are opening up across Oz, but there is still plenty of work to do in educating users and land managers about the best practices for managing mountain biking. After the national tour concluded, national director Nick Bowman visited the IMBA World Summit.

New BC Mountain Bike Tourism Plan

British Columbia is poised to become recognized as the most diverse mountain biking tourism destination in the world.

Over the past year, stakeholders from the mountain bike sector have come together to develop a plan for increasing mountain biking visitation to the province through a collaborative marketing strategy developed through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts (MTCA)'s Experiences BC® program. Find out more at www.mbta.ca.

IMBA Canada this Month:
Trail Solutions guru Daniel Scott was in PEI at the Green Gables National Historic Site earlier this month, and will be traveling to Riding Mountain National Park, MB, and then to Calgary, working with the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance. Make sure to read the IMBA Canada Blog to find more about Daniel's travels and other news, like IMBA's involvement with Capilano University.

Special thanks to Creative Wheel for sponsoring IMBA’s booth at the Ottawa Eco-sustainability Fair last month, and to OMBA for helping to staff the booth.

International Trails Day is Saturday, June 5, 2010-- Get out with your family, or host an event!