February 15/06 11:40 am - IMBA Canada News

Posted by Editor on 02/15/06
 

IMBA Canada News
Courtesy IMBA Canada

MEC/IMBA Canada Trailbuilding Tour

With help from Mountain Equipment Co-op's Environment Fund, IMBA Canada is able to build on the work of the US-based Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews by making trail education visits to four provinces. The most recent visit took place February 3-5, 2006 in Victoria, BC, where 17 people learned the art and science behind sustainable trail management. Read more: www.imba.com/canada/trails_tales/mec_victoria.html


2006 Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Schedule

Now beginning its tenth year, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program is in greater demand than ever before. Three Canadian visits have been confirmed for 2006, with another still in the works. Most Trail Care Crew visits last four days, allowing the crews to assess local trails, strengthen partnerships with local clubs and land managers, host an evening event, conduct a two-day Trailbuilding School, and squeeze in a ride or two.

Make sure you are able to take advantage of the crews' expertise, by attending a Trail Care Crew visit near you!

* May 25-28: Coaticook, Quebec
* June 1-4: Caledon, Ontario
* June 15-18: Cowichan Valley, BC

For a complete list of visits across North America, visit:
www.imba.com/tcc/schedule.html


Have Lawsuits Affected Your Trails?

Has there been a trail-related lawsuit in your area? IMBA is looking for details on mountain biking lawsuits both past and present. Even if the case was settled out of court, we'd like to hear about it. Send details to pete@imba.com.

Read about an Oklahoma club's litigation woes here: www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_26_oef_lawsuit.html.


Need for Urban Freeride Areas

A 2006 report released by the Outdoor Industry Association says that outdoor enthusiasts increasingly seek activities that can be done close to home. "The outdoor industry and policy makers must expand focus to include frontcountry and urban recreation areas," reads the OIA release. IMBA couldn't agree more. Read an article about urban freeride parks, published in Parks and Recreation magazine, that outlines the time-tested advice of IMBA and its affiliates: www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=3477.

IMBA's comprehensive freeriding resource pages can be found here: www.imba.com/resources/freeriding/index.html.


Norco/IMBA Canada Fundraiser at Toronto Bike Show

The 20th annual Toronto International Bicycle Show is coming up March 3-5. Visit the IMBA booth for great deals on membership and product, and enter to win a Norco Black Top Bomber cruiser. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support IMBA Canada's work in the Greater Toronto Area.

Show hours and directions: click the button on the upper right.


Join IMBA Canada in Whistler

Join us for the first-ever Canadian IMBA Summit in Whistler, June 20-23! The joint IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference will be a precedent setting event - everyone who attends will leave armed with new knowledge, contacts, and in many cases, new bike skills. Visit the conference website for a growing list of workshops and speakers. Online registration will soon be
available: www.worldmountainbikeconference.com


New IMBA Clubs and Retailers

Welcome to the following new IMBA Canada affiliated clubs and retailers!

CLUBS:

Kamloops Bike Riders Association - Kamloops, BC
Vancouver Bicycle Club - Vancouver, BC
www.vbc.bc.ca

RETAILERS:

Wildways Adventure Sports - Christina Lake, BC
www.wildways.com

For a complete list of IMBA Canada affiliates in your province, visit: www.imba.com/canada/contacts.html

To join as an IMBA bicycle club or retailer: www.imba.com/canada/membership/


Classic Trailbuilding Book Revamped

Trail docents will be excited to hear that the second edition of "Lightly on the Land - The SCA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual" is now available at IMBA's online store: www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/lotl.html

** Please note: While ALL Canadian memberships are charged in Canadian dollars, merchandise is only available from the US online store in USD at this time. Proceeds from Canadian orders will benefit IMBA Canada. **