Partners join forces to support historic Eastern trail system

The 2008 Fool's Gold Mountain Bike Races & Festival has teamed up with the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) to create a one-of-a-kind festival in the southeastern US. The two partners, along with two bike industry companies, are working together to support improvements in the existing trail system in the Bull Mountain area of Dahlonega, Georgia, as well as to support development of new trail to an already epic area of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Fool's Gold promoters, 55nine Performance, will make a cash donation to IMBA-SORBA's Land Access Fund to support the Bull & Jake Mountain trails, the site of IMBA's first Epic ride. In addition, Ergon will give out a limited number of grips to riders who sign up as IMBA/SORBA members at the Fool's Gold, where a Vassago Optimus Titanium 29er frame will be raffled off in support of the local trails.

"The Fool's Gold MTB Races and Festival rides travel this historic trail system and showcase some of Georgia's most epic riding. 55nine Performance, along with the USFS and IMBA-SORBA, recognizes the opportunity for improvements to the current trails and the need for opening additional trails in this area. We are creating an event that brings together a national caliber race, recreational riding and trail advocacy in a way that will generate revenue to build and maintain trails. It's a perfect circle." said Race Director Eddie O'Dea. The Fool's Gold, the sixth stop on the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) series, is part of a festival the weekend of August 15-17.

Commenting on the joint efforts of an event promoter, industry and advocacy organizations, Tom Sauret, SORBA Executive Director said, "These partnerships bring together the bicycle industry, event directors and advocacy organizations are at the core of the bike culture movement. Working together in this manner will grow our sport and increase mountain biking opportunities in the Southeast."