IMBA Canada launches membership drive - A membership campaign to recruit 1,000 new members before the end of 2005 is the new focus for IMBA Canada. Mountain bikers are being urged to support the non-profit organization by joining via the IMBA Canada website.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association's Canadian arm has grown steadily since its launch in 2004. It boasts nearly 800 individual members and a network of more than 70 affiliated mountain biking clubs nationwide. IMBA's worldwide mission is to create, enhance and preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers.
"We need more members to effectively lead the fight for trail access in Canada," says IMBA Canada coordinator Mark Schmidt. "Our first year in business has been a success, but more members equals more influence. And that's essential for those locations where mountain biking trail access is threatened."
The list of IMBA Canada's recent accomplishments is impressive. In the past year they've:
- Built a network of more than 70 mountain biking clubs nationwide
- Inspired more than 100,000 hours of volunteer trailwork
- Taught more than 500 people how to build sustainable trails that are fun to ride and last forever at IMBA Trailbuilding Schools
- Developed a growing partnership with the National Park Service
- Increased leadership for mountain biking in Ottawa
- Raised nearly $70,000 to support the IMBA Canada budget
"There are 100 days between Sept. 23 and Dec. 31, and we need 1,000 mountain bikers to join IMBA Canada in that time," says IMBA Canada's Schmidt. "I urge riders to step forward and become part of our effort. We need you!"
Learn about IMBA Canada membership at: www.imba.com/canada.
2006 Trailbuilding Schools - The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews are going strong in 2005, and planning is underway for another big year in 2006. IMBA's Crews have led more than 1,000 trail projects nationwide since the program debuted in 1997.
Most Trail Care Crew visits last four days, allowing time to assess trails, host an evening event at a bike shop, conduct a two-day Trailbuilding School and join local riders on the trails.
The visits become more popular each year: Over 200 IMBA-affiliated clubs, land management agencies, and other trail-user groups applied for a visit last year. Only 70 slots are available, so applicants are urged to contact IMBA as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is Nov. 1, 2005.
Visit www.imba.com/tcc/visit.html to learn more about applying for a Trail Care Crew visit.
Smith Optics rewards IMBA upgrades - During the 2005 Interbike show, Smith Optics launched the national IMBA Upgrade Reward program, essentially doling out a new pair of interchangeable performance riding glasses to any card-carrying IMBA member who stepped up their annual commitment.
To be eligible, current IMBA members just needed to elevate their membership from either Basic, Supporting, Big Wheel, Family, or Fat Tire Friend to the level of Trail Builder; or from Trail Builder to Silver Saddle; or from Silver Saddle to Singletrack Society.
