Spring 2009 (Annual Report)

Shining a spotlight on IMBA’s individual, foundation and corporate supporters

Annual Report Issue

Photo by Dan Barham

Captain’s Seat Meet John Bliss, IMBA’s new board chairman

IMBA’s Board of Directors recently selected John Bliss as its chairman. Bliss lives in Boulder, Colorado, and is an accomplished amateur racer. He has served on IMBA’s board since 2006 in an at-large position, before accepting a one-year appointment to the chair seat. He succeeds Hill Abell, who held the post for several terms — six years in total — and will retain a seat on IMBA’s board.

Let me start by saying that it’s an honor to follow in Hill Abell’s footsteps as IMBA’s board chairman. Hill began his commitment to bicycle advocacy in 1988, when he became a founding director of the Austin Ridge Riders in his hometown. He helped organize the Texas Bicycle Coalition and also served on the Texas Trail Advisory board. His first term on IMBA’s board started in 1993, when IMBA had just one staff member.

Today, IMBA has 34 staff members, an annual budget over $3 million and more than 34,000 individual members (you can see our complete 2008 annual report figures on page 6). We enter our third decade of advocacy work in trying times, but I believe IMBA will hold up well through the current economic downturn. Why? Because the more we ride, the better equipped we are to deal with life’s challenges.

The opportunity to ride great trails close to home is more valuable than ever. Local bike clubs are the best resources for creating these trails, so IMBA is working hard to offer a new level of support to our affiliated clubs. Our new Regional Directors program will bring additional resources to clubs, and Regional Leadership Councils will create valuable forums for cooperative advocacy and trailbuilding. These efforts are designed to

build great new trails and to keep current ones open to bikes. You’ll find much more about our new regional programs on pages 10-12.

I’m certain that opening trails and strengthening IMBA’s clubs will be important goals in the years ahead. What other directions, though, should IMBA’s board explore? In my experience, boards tend to spend too much time discussing what an organization does currently, and not enough time shaping its future. And, too often, they do not make a serious effort to gather input from their members.

I, along with my fellow board members, intend to find out just exactly what you, the IMBA member, think our organization should stand for and where you think our next opportunities lie. To get your input, I plan on initiating town-hall meetings, trailhead discussions, online forums and personal phone calls. Since e-mail is the default method of communication for many of us these days, please send your thoughts by writing to [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely,

NEW AT-LARGE MEMBERS JOIN IMBA BOARDDavid Treinis and Bob Winston joined the IMBA Board late last year. Stay tuned to IMBA’s website for news about our upcoming elections.

David Treinis has navigated a 30-plus-year career in developing and leading startup and “turnaround” companies. An airline transport-rated pilot, he focuses on aviation-based ventures, including an executive role in the X PRIZE Foundation and its manned space flight program. He rides the Teton Valley trails near his Alta, Wyoming, home (and travels for the occasional endurance race) and assists several not-for-profit associations, including serving in the Vice Chairman role for the Lindbergh Foundation.

Robert Winston is a Category 1 mountain bike racer and an avid trail rider. Cycling has been his passion for over 20 years. He has been a Wealth Manager/Senior VP for Morgan Stanley in La Jolla, CA, for 23 years. Bob also volunteered over 500 hours annually from 1992 to 2001 as a Reserve Police Officer for San Diego PD, and currently serves as Chairman of the County’s Law Enforcement Review Board. Other board work he’s performed includes the UCSD Cancer Center and the San Diego Police Foundation. Bob lives in Carlsbad, CA, with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, Paige, 14, and Alexandra, 12.

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IMBA Trail NewsIMBA Trail News Spring 2009, Volume 22, Number 1

IMBA creates, enhances and preserves great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide.

Board of Directors Ó

Jason Bertolacci Patti BonnetRichard CookMike DahlJenn DiceTammy DonahughRich EdwardsMark Eller Dan HudsonWendy KerrJoey KleinTim PeckSpencer PowlisonStefan Richarz Mark SchmidtRyan SchutzMike Van AbelDrew VankatTom Ward Pete WebberLora WoolnerJill Van Winkle

Marketing/Database Manager Events ManagerDevelopment Director Membership Services CoordinatorGovernment Affairs DirectorOperations ManagerTrail SpecialistCommunications DirectorTrail SpecialistDevelopment ManagerTrail SpecialistFinance DirectorTrail Care Crew/Patrol CoordinatorMember ServicesCanada DirectorAffiliate Programs Manager Executive DirectorPolicy Analyst IMBA CA Policy Advisor Trail SpecialistCanada DirectorTrail Specialist

[email protected] [email protected]@imba.com [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected] [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@imba.com

New Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew in action

Inga Beck and Jason Van Horn hail from the city by the bay, San Francisco, California. Transplanted from southern California and Oregon, respectively, both are active in the mountain bike community — whether it be documenting mountain bike culture with their webzine ihatebikes.net, helping design their local bike club’s website, (SF Urban Riders) or visiting mountain bikers all over the country. Before joining the Trail Care Crew program, Beck worked in the non-profit industry, and Van Horn was a Web designer, photographer and bike shop wrench. b The duo has already made multiple visits across the American southwest and will be visiting the Sea Otter Classic, Alaska, British Columbia and even Saskatchewan in upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, our senior crew, Kelly and Collins Bishop, are working in the southeast, alongside the Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association (SORBA). b Both crews are regularly providing updates on their travels through various online media. Check out the feed on the crew’s homepage: www.imba.com/tcc.

Hill AbellJohn BlissElayna CaldwellBlair ClarkSteve FlaggJay FranklinKrisztina HollyChris KegelDavid TreinisRobert Winston

Austin, TXBoulder, COSanta Cruz, CAKetchum, IDBloomington, MNPowder Springs, GALos Angeles, CAHales Corner, WIAlta, WYCarlsbad, CA

Kelly and Collins BishopInga Beck and Jason Van Horn

[email protected]@imba.com

Cover photo by Devon Balet.See more of his work by visiting devonbaletphoto.blogsport.comDesigned by Sugar Design, Inc.Images and stories available for re-use by permission only.

Ó IMBA PO Box 711 Boulder, CO 80306 USA

ph 303-545-9011 fax 303-545-9026 [email protected]

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews Ó

On the Road

Subaru VIP program offers great dealsAny IMBA member who has been on board for over six months is eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 on a new Subaru. Plus, for each car purchased through the VIP Program earns a cash donation for IMBA, courtesy of Subaru. Call1-888-442-4622 to learn more.

Staff Ó

Did you know that Team IMBA particpants can take advantage of “pro-deal” pricing on some of GT Bicycles’ best models? See page 5. 3

News ShortsEach spring, the League of American Bicyclist’s annual National Bicycle Summit in Washington, DC, gives mountain bikers the opportunity to lobby political leaders on cycling-related issues. This year, IMBA advocates were a strong presence among the 550 dedicated cyclists who gathered for three days of learning, networking and pushing for new appropriations. b As with the past three summits, IMBA was a leading sponsor of the event, adding singletrack to the broader cycling discussion and providing mountain bike advocates with targeted materials. IMBA offered an interactive pre-Summit land-protection workshop, the perfect opportunity to download the latest national-level intelligence from IMBA staff and network with savvy advocates sharing their efforts to protect land and bicycle access. b The first day of the Summit featured several rounds of concurrent sessions, including informative presentations on a variety of

topics: mountain biking and the National Park Service, urban trails and jump parks and the economic impact of natural surface trails. Those interested in road, urban or transportation cycling could choose from nearly

one dozen other concurrent sessions. The afternoon concluded with some thoroughly informative (and entertaining) advocacy training in preparation for the following day, which was devoted to widespread lobbying on Capitol Hill. b The entire summit contingent lobbied for increased funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), an incredibly important federal funding source that’s been the impetus for amazing singletrack projects all over the country. IMBA delegates put their lobbying training to good use in dozens of meetings aimed at

bringing trail-based initiatives to parks and forests across the country. The Summit concluded with a well-attended congressional bike ride.

Record Turnout for National Bike Summit

This winter, President Obama signed into law an economic recovery package that contains funding for bicycle facilities, trails, public-land recreation and improvement projects. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar estimated that the funding could create as many as 100,000 jobs and help communities across America finance new projects on public lands. b IMBA urges its affiliated clubs to work in partnership with their local elected officials and land managers to find out what funding is available for mountain bike trails. In particular, this is a crucial opportunity to pitch decision makers on projects that are “shovel ready” — those awaiting funding, with an existing land manager-approved start date. b “Just like the extensive trailbuilding

of the Roosevelt-era New Deal and the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, IMBA volunteers stand ready to help build and repair our nation’s public trails,” said Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “Compared to many public-lands projects, trails are cheap and easy to build. Our clubs have dozens of valuable projects that are ready to go, can put people to work and show tangible results on a short timeline.” b Be sure to check out IMBA’s online resources for creating forceful, well-organized appeals for trail projects. America Bikes (americabikes.org) also offers state-specific information on the economic recovery package, including advice on shaping a letter to your governor to encourage state funding for trails.

Resources Available for Clubs Seeking Economic Stimulus Funding

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During the National Bike Summit, IMBA leaders and other attending bike advocates used the popular text-based social networking forum Twitter (twitter.com) to provide real-time updates on their lobbying efforts. IMBA executive director Mike Van Abel commented, “The summit is packed with important meetings that run back-to-back, so Twitter’s brief, text-based messages provided a great format for providing real-time insights on our progress in Washington.”

IMBA Leaders Send Summit Updates With Twitter

Once painstakingly photocopied at IMBA’s national office, the National Mountain Bike Patroller’s (NMBP) field manual finally got the makeover it deserves. The new manual has been reformatted to a hydration pack-friendly size, with a durable cover and spiral binding for easy flipping between pages. b Topics include search and rescue, patrolling at events, communication skills and conflict management. A robust appendix has been added, which includes a sample incident report form, incident report form and more. The materials were developed with extensive input from experienced patrollers from around the country who serve on the NMBP Advisory Committee. b NMBP members who join or renew this

year will receive one of the new manuals, along with other membership benefits, like an NMBP patch, patroller socks and gear from Planet Bike. The NMBP manual is also available to the public on IMBA’s online store. b For more information about the NMBP or assistance starting your own patrol, please contact Program Coordinator Spencer Powlison by sending a message to [email protected].

New Field Manual for National Mountain Bike Patrol

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The grassroots fundraising and community-building program, Team IMBA, entered 2009 with more than 50 enlisted riders raising thousands of dollars for IMBA clubs and the national Trailbuilding Fund. b “Team

IMBA is a great platform for generating funds to fuel local trailbuilding projects,” says IMBA

Development Director Rich Cook. “The combination of easy-to-use fundraising tools and outstanding rider incentives ensure that individual racers and their hometown clubs alike will see good rewards.” b Benefits for Team IMBA participants have been raised, including the chance to purchase a new bike from title sponsor GT at “pro deal” pricing

— up to half off the regular retail price (see sidebar). The Event Captains program now offers a $500 stipend per event, with an additional $500 bonus based on fundraising goals, and captains will also be awarded a new GT Carbon Pro mountain bike if their event results in a minimum of 12 riders and $15,000. b Another strong incentive has been added in the form of challenge grants from presenting sponsor SRAM. Teams that reach a fundraising total equivalent to $500 or $1,000 per team member will be awarded an additional $500 or $1,000 per team member. For example, a four-person team that raises $4,500 would receive an additional $2,250, courtesy of SRAM.

Team IMBA Expands Incentives, Adds Event Captain PositionsNews Shorts

At two early season Team IMBA events — Arizona’s 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo and Florida’s 12 Hours of Santos — Team IMBA riders raced hard and had a blast while raising money for trails. Cimarron Chacon, a landscape architect and trail planner living in Southern Utah, organized the Team IMBA presence at the Old Pueblo race. “I wasn’t really a racer before I joined Team IMBA for the 24 Hours of Moab in 2007, but the fundraising tools, training advice and race support made it a great experience,” says Chacon. b At the Old Pueblo event, Chacon created a deluxe staging area equipped with couches, blankets and a patio heater. Her racers also enjoyed plentiful energy food, hot coffee and mechanical assistance provided by GT Bicycles. The result? Chacon’s leadership helped the team raise well over $2,000 for Utah’s Color Country Cycling Club. b To learn more about the captain positions, contact program coordinator Wendy Kerr: [email protected].

Event captain leads team to success

GT offers pro-deal pricing for Team IMBA riders

Sign up for Team IMBA before June 1, 2009, and you qualify for pro-deal pricing on a GT Zaskar Pro Carbon or Marathon Pro. Simply register for Team IMBA and start raising funds for trails — your commitment earns an

incredible saving on a sweet new bike! A limited number of bikes and sizes are available for this offer, so contact [email protected] now to enter. For more information on Team IMBA, visit imba.com/TeamIMBA.

Team IMBA riders at the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo.

5The grand opening for the IMBA-designed, 30-mile Allegrippis trail system at Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake trails will be held May 8.

I am pleased to report that in 2008 the generosity of our members, donors and sponsors carried IMBA’s revenue to record levels — a 12-percent increase over 2007. This support has allowed us to bring our core programs to new heights. Despite the recessionary economy, our members and donors are continuing to give, including robust annual fund support that is

now at an all-time high. b While individual giving is still IMBA’s backbone, the remarkable sponsorship of companies like GT/Cannondale, Shimano, Specialized, Trek and Quality Bicycle Products, as well as many others, has enhanced our financial stability. We now enter the second decade of Subaru’s sponsorship for the Trail Care Crews, our flagship field program. And, at year’s end, an inspired SRAM corporation announced its new commitment to bicycle advocacy with a precedent-setting five-year commitment of $10 million, including a $240,000 commitment to IMBA. b Together, IMBA and its affiliates are making great strides in shaping public policy and building remarkable trail systems. IMBA is adding much-needed business systems and technologies that will benefit our clubs, chapters and patrols. b One of our essential partners, the hugely successful Southern Off Road Bicycling Association (SORBA) and its 23 chapters, is helping test IMBA’s new business and information systems. By the end of 2009, we will start inviting the rest of the IMBA family to take advantage of a variety of new tools for membership management, business practices and other administrative tasks. By offering substantial support for all of our affiliates, IMBA will unify our too-fractured association. These steps will strengthen our network’s financial stability. More importantly, they will significantly enhance mountain bike advocacy. b I believe 2009 will be viewed as a watershed year for mountain bikers. We will bring bicycle-friendly policies to communities where they are currently lacking, and we will build trails on an unprecedented scale. Times may be tough, but mountain bikers are proving that they will not back down from the ground we have claimed, and that we are prepared to keep pushing for new opportunities. b I thank you all, very sincerely, for your support.

Best Regards,

Mike Van Abel, Executive Director

The Next 20 YearsIMBA’s executive director lays out the groundwork for continued success

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Thanks to Supporters and Donors

Our corporate partners and foundations are spread across the globe and work in a variety of fields. But they all have two things in common: 1) a commitment to advocacy’s role in preserving and enhancing trails; 2) no matter the size, each provides a catalyst for improving the mountain biking community. b

Since 1988, IMBA has led the effort to preserve trails for cyclists and promote sustainable trailbuilding. Working with our 700 affiliated clubs and patrols, we’ve advocated for bicycle-friendly land protection, preserved access to thousands of trails and built more than 10,000 miles of new trails. Corporate partners, family foundations and major donor support will allow us continue these successes. b Many of our corporate supporters and foundations participate in targeted programs, including:

• Research grants and communications • Sponsorship of IMBA programs and events • Support of IMBA government affairs• Trailbuilding and educational grants• Providing IMBA membership benefits• Percent of sale programs

For information about how you or your organization can join in support of IMBA’s mission, please contact IMBA Development Director Rich Cook by calling 303.545.9011 x104, or by sending a message to [email protected].

Corporate and Foundation SupportersA diverse family of companies and foundations boost IMBA’s work

Arrowhead TrailsBicycling/Mountain Bike magazineBikes BelongBike magazine CamelBakCLIF Bar/CLIF KidsCrank Brothers

Dirt RagFOX Racing ShoxGary Fisher BikesGT BicyclesKona Mountain BikesNiner BikesPearl Izumi

Planet BikeQuality Bicycle ProductsRecreational Equipment Inc. (REI)Schwinn BicyclesShimano American Corp.Smith OpticsSpecialized Bicycles

SRAM CorporationSubaru Of AmericaTrek Bicycle CorpVoler Team ApparelNorco Products Ltd.Western SpiritYakima

ABOVE AND BEYOND CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

CORPORATE SUPPORTERSSingletrack Jungle S.A. (Costa Rica)Jan-Man, Clearwater Trail Centre (South Africa)Chaguaramas Devel. Authority (Trinidad And Tobago)3point5 5-Hour Energy Adventure Advocates Adventure Travel Trade Association American Endurance Ride ConferenceAnasazi Trails, Inc.Anthem Branding Arbutus Images Avid4 Adventure, Inc. Backcountry.com Bell-Giro Bicycle Sport Shop Big Agnes Big Bear Lake Camplands Biketees.com Bob Trailers Boulder Business Products Cane Creek Cycling Components Cannondale Sports Group Cascade Huts Catalyst Communication Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Colorado Backcountry Biker Competitive Cyclist Credit-Land.Com, Inc. Crested Butte Mountain Resort DBL and Associates Inc. Deer Valley Resort Delorme Desert Sports Deuter USA Dicke, Billig & Czaja, PLLC DINO Series Downeast Bicycle Specialists DT Swiss, Inc. Ecologic Designs/Green Guru

Epic Rides Inc. Ergon USA Excel Sports Boulder Fuji America - Advanced Sports Inc. Fulcrum Wheels Giant Bicycles Gone Riding, Inc.GU SportsGunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Assn.Hans Johnsen CompanyHaro BikesHayes Bicycle GroupHilrideIbert, Inc.Idaho Resort Rentals LLCInterbikeInternational Cycle Works, Inc. (Cateye)Jamis Bicycles/G. Joannou CycleJenson USAKenda USAKGB Productions Kinetic Koffee CompanyKirkwood Mountain ResortKryptonite Long Cane Trails, LLCMichelin North AmericaMidwest CyclingMongoose BicyclesMoots CyclesMountain FlyerMt. Borah DesignsNational Bicycle Dealers Assn.Native EyewearNema InternationalOutdoor Industry AssociationPactimoPark ToolPerformance, Inc.Planet BikePlus 3 NetworkPolarpak Central

Primal WearProfessional Trailbuilders Assoc.Resource RevivalRitchey Design, Inc.Seattle Bike SupplySchwinn BicyclesScott USAShenandoah Mountain TouringSingletracks.comSock GuySpadout.comSpare Tire CyclingSpecialty Sports Venture - Bicycle VillageTalon Trails LLCTeton Mountain Bike ToursTexas Mountain Bike Racing AssociationThe Canyons ResortThe Hawley CompanyThuleTurner Suspension Bicycles, Inc.Velonews magazineVista Verde RanchWinter Park Ski AreaWorld Trail Pty Ltd, AustrailiaWTBYeti CyclesZoic Clothing

CANADIAN CORPORATE SUPPORTERSAxis Gear Company Ltd BC Bike Race Bike Rossland Bruce County Bugaboos Eyewear/Ryders Eyewear Camp Fortune Capilano University, Mt Bike Prog. Chico Racing Chicopee Ski And Summer Resort Cobequid Trail Consultants Conservation Halton - Kelso/Hilton FallsCreative Wheel/La Rocca XC MTB School

Cycle Component Network Inc. Dirt Series Eskakwa Eco-Advernture Company Geomatics Data Management Inc. Hardwood Ski And Bike Hoots B.A. Inter-Mtn Enterprises Inc. Loeka Clothing National Tennis School Norco Products Ltd Outdoor Gear Canada Panorama Mountain Village Ryeka Sport Shimano Canada Single Track Mind Cycles Specialized CanadaSubaru Canada Sustainable Trails Township Of King Transrockies Inc. Valhalla Trails Ltd. Whistler Mountain Bike Park Zeptechniques Mt. Bike Coaching and Inst.Trng. FOUNDATION SUPPORTERSHelman Family FoundationJack Doub Memorial FundJohn and Mary A. Geisse FoundationRon and Stacey Gutfleish FoundationKling Family FoundationMark Reynolds Memorial Bike FundMichael and Elanor Pinkert FoundationNational Forest FoundationRepka Family FoundationRichard E. and Nancy P. Marriott FoundationWalton Family FoundationWeaver Family Foundation

Hill AbellDave AlbertalliJ AllardEric AndersonKenneth AsherJoel BinghamBob & Elaine BlatnerMars BonfireGary & Sonja BowmanJoel & Shannon BruggenDonna BuchholzIan CharlesAndrew Combs FamilyGary CrandallStan DayNancy DevoreJoseph & Gretchen DocterChip DuckettAndy DuerrJoe FabrisHoward FischerJeff FlemingJ Clinton FowlerMark & Suzanne Gagnon

John GannonPeter J. GenzLorenz GlazaDaniel GoldSherman GregoryJim HasenauerMarten HoekstraJim JacobsenTorben JensenEric JohnsonThomas KempnerRichard KimDavid & Susan KolbushShana LarkinJeff LightRichard Sertich & Marte LightstoneFelix MagowanVeronica MasseyDan MatthewsPatrick McMullanJoe MihalkaWalt MillerJim Mohle

Randy MyersChris OhrstromPeter OlsonDavid PalmerDavid PattesonBryce PerkinsMichael & Eleanor PinkertThomas RitterEd RoundsJim SchwerinScott ScudamoreRobert & Joni SmithAllan SpiesJon & Shauna StanleyJohn StavrosTed StrollJasen ThorpeLeland TurnerEugene WeymouthAnn WilliamsSusan WilliamsDave Wittingham

SILVER SADDLE, $500-$999Edwin AdlermanTony ApuzzoRussell AslesonLeslie AustereJim BackhusAustin BarnhillJoan BernatPaul BesserAlisa BrownThomas BrownJana BurrKevin CameronMarlene CampbellPatrick CampionAlan CannonJames CarotaFrank ChaunerPeter ChudyTom ClydePeter ColesSteven ConineCatherine & Rodney Conolly BrownJames CromptonRobert DanielsonKen DowlingDouglas DykstraKevin EcclesRichard EricksonBrad FarkasWilliam FeierMichael & Amp Joyce Flueckiger

Bob ForsterRobert ForsterJeff FreidusShlomo FreimanWayne Spencer GoodmanAnne Grofvert & Dennis PaceScott HansonDavid HardingTom HertensteinWilliam HoegDan & Karen HudsonShane KinkennonMichael KlishMichael KopecKevin KreitzerRobert KrenzAlan LindnerEric LongRuy LopezBruce & Elke MacgregorBud MaugerTimothy McguireAlex McleanMichael MendesGilles MorneauRyan NeifferRobert NeithartJocelyn PaulGyan Penrose-KafkaBill PovolnyEd PriceAndrel ReidJohn RitterScott Rocklage

Tim SchultzHenry SimondsJ. A. SparkesLeonard StegmanCathy SwitzerPeter & Janet TempestKaren TourianJeffrey VroomJeff & Hilary WarnerAlex & Diane WassmannRick WernerScott WhelanMike WinnRobert WinstonElaine WoodJohn Wright

TRAIL BUILDER $250-$499Russell AdamsDavid AdamsPeter AllenJohn AllisonTom Baxter & Nicole PankiewiczTony AndersonGraham AnthonyJim BadgleyLloyd BaggsChris BallShiloh BallardChris BarrettThomas & Christine BeardMichael Beck-GiffordRichard & Clayton Bell

Individual membership and giving underlies everything IMBA accomplishesListings reflect our records between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008. Please notify us of errors or omissions: [email protected].

Thank You to Our Individual Supporters!

SINGLETRACK SOCIETY $1,000+

TRAILS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD Trek Bicycle Corporation understands that more trails equals more people in shops and more bike-related sales. But Trek President John Burke also believes the bike can change the world. Under the banner, “One World, Two Wheels,” Trek has committed $10 to IMBA trailbulding efforts for each full suspension bike sold in the U.S. and Canada. Burke, who has served on the President’s Council for Physical Fitness, clearly sees the connection between advocacy, trails and getting more kids and adults active on bikes. b Quality Bicycle Product’s Steve Flag was quick to match Trek’s commitment in creating its Dirt Dollars program, with the same $10 commitment from sales of bikes and frames in their Surly, Salsa and BMC lines. b Another recent convert was SRAM and president Stan Day, who was inspired by Burke’s speech at the Bicycle Leadership Summit last winter. SRAM has pledged an additional $100,000 in 2008 and 2009 from The SRAM Advocacy Fund to support IMBA’s efforts.

SUBARU IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW 2008 IMBA salutes Subaru of America for more than a decade of support for the Subaru IMBA Trail Care Crew. Our two teams of trainers traveled 97,000 miles in their Subaru Outbacks and led volunteer efforts to build or enhance more than 600 miles of sustainable trails. All told, they conducted trailbuilding schools in 40 states, with over 90 multimedia presentations. In 2008 alone they visited more than 4,000 land managers, advocates, students, public officials and others. b Subaru donates $125 for every IMBA member that purchases a car through the Subaru VIP program. Subaru’s generous commitment to IMBA trailbuilding and educational efforts is accelerating the development of model trail systems nationwide.

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REI SUPPORTS THE VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGE We knew that IMBA’s affiliate clubs provided tremendous volunteer service to trails and recreation conservation, but thanks to REI we have been able to quantify this tremendous service, assist clubs with cash grants, resources and tools. The data collected through this program are used by IMBA when speaking with land managers and government decision makers, helping us bring more resources to the trails. Accomplishments include:

• 53,950 volunteers participating from IMBA’s network of over 700 active affiliate clubs

• 659,750 total volunteer hours • 50,700 adult and 3,250 youth participants• 12.2 average hours per volunteer • Estimated economic value of this volunteer

service to be $12,871,000• $2,925,000 donated to IMBA clubs for trails

IMBA/CLIF BAR OFFER TRAIL PRESERVATION GRANTS CLIF Bar is literally the fuel behind sustainable trails. Clif Bar supported 10 $500 IMBA grants in 2008, reaching clubs from coast to coast to fund projects that promote environmental education and inspire

conservation in the mountain biking community. The 2008 Grant recipients: Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association (New Jersey), Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (California), Wisconsin Off Road Bicycling Association, York Area Mountain Bike Association (Pennsylvania), Cycle-CNY (New York), Low Country Fat Tire Freaks (South Carolina), Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (Washington), Trails 2000 (Colorado), Vermont Mountain Bike Association (Vermont), Page Valley Cycling (Virginia).

Giulio BenettiCorey BiggersHans BlomquistPaul BlumPatrick BoothEtienne BouckaertJames BrooksPaul BroughtonDave BrownTravis Brown & Mary MonroeAngie BukleyAshley BurchfieldNicholas BurkeJohn CalcagnoElayna CaldwellEd CalnanJonathan CalvertTimothy CarrJanine ChambersDan ChenEric ChristoEd ClausenTom & Markie ClowesPatrick CoadyDarren CoatesLewis & Cary Collins FamilyDeno ContosJason CromptonBen CrosbyJoe CrossPaul DanielNick Della MaggioreClark DenneyAJ DenogeanJoe DobsonBrian DuncanHenry B DupontKristen DurginEd EllingerMichael ElliotA J EschwigAndrew Escoll & Tina SniderRobert EstesRobert FahnestockHarrison FamilyKaren FehringerWesley & Ann FelteauJoe Fiorito

Formo Motors Ltd.Brien FoxBarbara FranklinDan FratiniChris FrazierPaul & Susan Fredsell Brierley FamilyMax FriendMr. & Mrs. Jim FrithCharles FutcherDrew GeerJeffrey GieseGene Goodyear FamilyAnnette & Mark GraffChris And Oona GroverScott GuillaudeuDavid HaasMark HaesslyThane HaftersonJack HaireKurt HeilMalcolm HeppenstallJenny HollidayJohn & Maggie HollowayHoward HottensenMatt HughesRandy JacksonMichael JarosickJim JohnsonRobert JohnsonMax JonesEdley JonesScott KarrThomas KeaneJim KelleyAndy KellyJames KirsteinGary & Kirsten KleinLaird KnightJ. Michael KnowltonJ. KoehnMitchell KouryDavid KumasakaSteve LacherRuss LarawayAnn & Mike LauterbachBrian LeeEd Litman

Roger LittleMark LochRenee LockeyUrs LuescherPaul MartinJimmy MartinDavid MayDavid MccattyRoger McgeheeBarry MckinnonScott McMillianSteve MeachumStephen MillerFred MirellLorraine MontuoriBob MooreFred MoreadithDavid MorganKip MoyerKevin MulhallWilliam MunyonJames NafzigerAllen NafzigerDavid NieseDamon NollerCharles NussbaumLaurence OdellJennifer & Paul OellerichDoug & Kris OurslerGeorge PalmaChristopher PalmerTodd ParkDoug PattersonMichael PetersonCraig PharisPete PollardScott & Michelle Potter FamilyTim Daniel PowellStephen PrimeMichael PrindleDamon PuckettAleksandar RadanTony RamosWaid ReynoldsThomas RezellKevin RichJulie RiegerKent Roberson

Geoffrey RogersStan RothRichard Rucker Allen RussellDavid SaabTodd SadowPeter SalkowskiMike & Paula SandigeTom SauretKarl Scheuerman FamilyThomas SchmidtWilliam SchmittJonathan SchwarzEdwin ScottDon SeagrenKerry ShafranSj SherbanukEmil SimsJeffrey SmithJenny & Brad SmithSteve Smith Larry SnyderDavid SnyderWilliam SpawJames Spiegel FamilyMichael SteiningerJames StenhouseChris StewartCathy SulimaySteve SullivanMark SuriSusan SwigartRob ThompsonDiane ThorntonMichael TrykowskiBrian TuiteDavid TwingDirk TylerKen UlrichGary WebsterTim WegnerSteve WesterRoland WhiteGregg WilderJen ZeunerRobert Zirl

SUPPORT GROWS FOR TAKE A KID MOUNTAIN BIKING DAY The 2008 edition of IMBA’s National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day continued the

program’s tradition of getting young riders and their parents outdoors on bikes. The celebration was held in over 30 U.S. states and more than a dozen nations around the globe. Over 160 groups registered their events

on IMBA’s website, and more than 6,200 kids took part, doubling participation from last year.

ROBUST SPONSORSHIP FOR TEAM IMBA IMBA salutes our outstanding corporate sponsors who are helping riders raise more dollars for their local trails.

Title Sponsor: GT BicyclesPresenting Sponsor: SRAMBoulder Performance NetworkCamelBakCascade HutsErgon USARyders EyewearWestern Spirit

THANK YOU NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE PATROL SPONSORS IMBA’s National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) program supports more than 60 volunteer bike patrol groups throughout the United States and the world. The NMBP consists of dedicated volunteers partnering with land mangers, land owners and emergency personnel, to assist, educate and inform all trail users in order to enhance their recreational experiences.

Planet BikeCrank BrothersVolerPearlizumiDeuterBro Form

TurnerDirt RagRocky Mountain BicyclesSock GuyRescue Essentials

9You can manage your IMBA account online — log on at go.imba.com

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The Next Chapter IMBA rolls out a program for supporting affiliated chapters, clubs and patrols on a whole new level

As IMBA emerged as the national umbrella group for all of these clubs, we worked hard to stay on top of national access issues and offer guidance to regional and local-level groups. Together, we made the impossible happen. In just a few decades, mountain bikers have gone from pleading to leading — instead of begging for access, many clubs now struggle to keep up with requests to build trails on public lands. The U.S. Forest Service relies heavily on IMBA publications, such as our Trail Solutions and Managing Mountain Biking books to improve their trailbuilding practices. b While our numbers and resources have exploded, we are still using the same loose organizational structure created 20 years ago. In some regions, we find clubs competing for the same precious resources, like membership and volunteers, while often duplicating advocacy efforts with minimal coordination. We have come a long way, but the time has come to begin working together more closely. Together, we are stronger. b This year, IMBA is launching a series of new programs aimed at using IMBA’s resources to provide more support in the field, improve the resources available to grassroots clubs and make it easier for locals to do what they do best — build community and create new riding opportunities.

REGIONAL DIRECTORS ADDED IN U.S.

Just as the names used to order a soda (or pop) vary by region, so do the needs of mountain bike organizations. IMBA has long desired to deploy paid staff into the field to address localized issues, and thanks to seed money from SRAM we finally have the funds and ability to hire Regional Directors in 2009. For now, the Regional Director Program is limited to the United States, but it will become the model for Australia, Canada, Europe or other important territories. b Since the Regional Directors will both reside and specialize in their region, they will be extremely knowledgeable and empathetic to the issues affecting local clubs — whether its dealing with a Wilderness proposal that would curtail bike access or helping bring a model trail system to the region. “Our main focus will be connecting resources with opportunities, which will strengthen clubs and grow revenue through membership and corporate support,” says Anna Laxague, IMBA’s new Northwest Regional Director. “The end goal is simple — creating more places to ride.” b Regional Directors will be tasked with building a stronger and more powerful network of advocates. They will coordinate clubs’ efforts on regional issues, share proven methods of success, and offer a compendium of

local knowledge. “The goal is to bring everyone closer together, make IMBA more responsive to the needs of local clubs and to bring more resources into local advocacy,” says Rocky Mountain Regional Director Ryan Schutz. “The mission is not to tell clubs what to do, but instead help them do it.”

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCILS

IMBA’s state representative program was crucial to the successes in access and trailbuilding that mountain bikers have experienced over the last decade. But, as the number of opportunities and advocacy organizations grew, the demands on reps became too overwhelming for a volunteer to shoulder alone. The answer? Regional Leadership Councils, or RLCs, will be rolled out in the U.S. this year. b “As a former state rep, I know how important it is to have a support network, and how hard it is to go it alone,” says Schutz. “We have outgrown our days of single-soldier advocacy, and the time has come to focus on overcoming our challenges and meeting our opportunities as a community.” b The concept of the RLC has been adopted from successful networking groups like the Lions, Rotary and Chambers of Commerce who have been able to significantly enhance their regional impact through councils. RLCs will typically comprise 12 to 15 volunteer members, and will be launched on a staggered basis so that we adjust the program to achieve the highest level of success. The first RLCs are

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e’ve come a long way, baby. Twenty years ago, mountain bike advocates were a handful of people with good

intentions looking up at a mountain of challenges. Access was constantly threatened and, as the newest kids

on the block, mountain bikers were often seen as a user group that didn’t belong on trails. Then, we began to

organize. In the late 80s, some of the most powerful advocacy groups in the country formed, including IMBA, the Southern Off-

Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) and many others. Snowballing

successes across the country made two things very clear: there was indeed power in numbers, and mountain biking was here to stay.

The Next ChapterYOU BELONG WITH IMBA

being created in areas with a Regional Director, but over time, every region will have its own RLC. b “The councils have the potential to take the state rep positions and spread the load among more people,” notes Mark DeJohn, a longtime IMBA rep. “This is a way of creating communication between clubs across a region,” he adds. By sharing resources and spreading the load of mountain bike advocacy and trailbuilding leadership, IMBA’s network will be better positioned to build communities, enhance trails

and create a united expression of political will to decision makers. b In upcoming months, IMBA will help RLCs become whatever the local

leadership in the region needs them to be. We will recruit volunteers with marketing and design experience, as well as fundraisers

and financially minded club leaders. We will draw on lawyers, insurance specialists and risk management folks to help

assess clubs’ true liability exposure and give guidance in crafting agreements in their home states. Above all

else, we’re looking for people who will strengthen the entire region. b “The RLCs provide a way to take

one very good idea and quickly duplicate it in other clubs, making all clubs more effective, with less

effort,” says Michelle Beckman, a volunteer board member of the Colorado Mountain Bike

Association. The Councils will exist to support and facilitate communication between local clubs, catalog best practices for a region, build leadership and develop strategies for achieving region-wide goals. “On the east coast, we deal with many local

land issues along with basic organizational matters, like fundraising and membership building,” observes Frank Maguire, a Mid-Atlantic RLC leader. “With the RLCs, we’ll be able to put clubs in touch with someone close to their area who has successfully dealt with the same issues.” b The end goal of the RLCs is to make local clubs stronger and allow them to accomplish more with less effort. “The councils’ main focus will be to identify ways for the national, regional and local networks to get whatever they need,” says Schutz. “We want this program to be flexible and highly responsive to local needs”

NEW EMPHASIS ON CHAPTER PROGRAM

IMBA’s strength has always been in our grassroots advocates. Volunteer advocates lead busy lives that often include families, careers and (occasionally) some personal time for a bike ride. A volunteer’s time is precious. b “When people get inspired to volunteer, they’re usually not thinking about tasks like managing club membership or sending renewal notices — but these jobs are absolutely crucial for a club to succeed,” says Terry Breheny, President of the Colorado Mountain Bike Association. “If IMBA can help take those jobs off the plate, clubs will be free to focus on things like building trails and organizing community-building events.” b “Through a revitalized chapter program, IMBA will provide administrative support to clubs, freeing volunteers from burdens of accounting, data management, membership and most other aspects of club management,” says Schutz. The program will include a host of tools designed to make it easier to generate club communications, raise funds locally, manage web resources and improve the volunteer experience. b Another part of

Q: Will IMBA, the RLCs, or Regional Directors tell my club what to do?A: They will not tell clubs what to do. Instead, they will help them do what they want.

Q: Will Regional Directors guide political policies?A: Though they will have local knowledge of policy issues, the main goal for Regional Directors is to facilitate a better advocacy network. The funding for these positions is just seed money, which means it will run out. It will be imperative for Regional Directors to create a sustainable funding method for their position, with the goal of eventually creating funds to hire specialized positions – like regional policy directors.

Q: Will my Regional Director take over our club’s political relationships?A: No. Local advocates already own those relationships through their stewardship and history.

Q: What about clubs in states that aren’t assigned to a Regional Director — aren’t we important to IMBA too?A: We love you, we really do. Currently, there is only enough funding to launch five regional directors. If those positions were to cover the entire country, they would become spread too thin and inevitably become ineffective. Directors of areas neighboring those not currently covered will work together to ensure the clubs’ needs are met.

Q: Where do I find more information on these programs?A: IMBA’s website: imba.com/resources/rlc/index.html

The FAQs on RLCs

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the new chapter program is joint membership, where IMBA and the local club share members and member revenue. For years, grassroots clubs and IMBA have been competing for the same resource — memberships. Riders are asked to join a local organization, sometimes a regional organization, as well as IMBA. Mountain bikers often only join one or the other — we all lose, because IMBA and its clubs serve different roles in the mountain bike movement. IMBA cannot connect with local riders and politicians like a grassroots advocacy club, and local organizations don’t have the breadth to build national resources. b Joint membership

creates a win-win scenario. Since the overlap between IMBA members and local club members is usually under 20 percent, joint membership creates more members for IMBA and local clubs, while generating a larger and more unified constituency for trail access on both the local and national levels. b This year, IMBA is offering its new club services at the beta level to a handful of select clubs. The goal is to launch this program to all interested clubs in 2010.

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Shuffling stacks of paper, performing manual data entry and stuffing envelopes may sound glamorous, but running the business operations for a cycling club can wear on even the most enthusiastic volunteer. Most clubs have learned by doing, with little guidance or support. This organic growth has burdened us with duplicative operations and detracts our time, attention and resources.

A better way is emerging. IMBA is bundling the best practices, developed over the past 20 years by local clubs, into a business suite designed to lift the administrative burden of running a club from the shoulders of local staff and volunteers.

For our chapters, IMBA staff will turn the cranks of the membership services machine by running print and online campaigns for new membership acquisition (and renewals), and will offer graphic-design services to ensure a professional look for all print materials. Economy of scale on paper and printing will make this a strong value, as IMBA can make purchases in large quantities.

On the software side, the chapter program will offer an online database-driven Constituency Relationship Manager (CRM) tool. The CRM provides a comprehensive set of applications for running a non-profit club. From the web-based CRM interface, a club administrator may manage the contact information of individuals, families and organizations; organize those contacts with groups and tags; track memberships and contributions; run online email campaigns and export contact and transaction information for offline communications and financial reporting.

The CRM is also the engine powering online membership signup and renewal forms, online pages accepting and processing donations to club fundraising campaigns and an online “self-service” portal for the member to view and manage their contact information and joint IMBA/chapter membership.

The chapter program is currently in beta development. It will be refined through the remainder of 2009 until it reaches a final product in January of 2010. Look for a general invitation for all IMBA clubs to participate in the chapter program at the next IMBA World Summit in 2010.

One voice, one membership

Subaru Canada Extends VIP Program to IMBA Canada Members

Canadian IMBA members are now eligible to receive Subaru VIP discounts, saving up to $3,500 CAD off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle through Subaru Canada. Visit imbacanada.com, or contact the IMBA Canada office for program details: [email protected], or 705-441-6901.

Racing for TrailsTeam IMBA program launches in Canada with three great events

In 2009, IMBA Canada launches its own version of the Team IMBA fundraising programme. In partnership with corporate members BC Bike Race, 24 Hours of Adrenalin and Chico Racing, IMBA Canada is rallying to raise more than $10,000 for local and national trailbuilding efforts at three signature events this year:

BC BIKE RACEVictoria to Whistler, BC, June 28 to July 4

Considered the “ultimate singletrack experience,” this seven-day stage race on Canada’s west coast incorporates some of the world’s best trails, on a course designed by Andreas Hestler. Daniel Scott and Gabhan Chalmers will be representing Team IMBA Canada, while raising funds for IMBA Canada and a local club.

24 HOURS OF ADRENALIN WORLD SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPCanmore, AB, July 25 to 26

Stepping up once again, 24 Hours of Adrenalin is auctioning off 10 team spots to support IMBA Canada and Alberta trails. Last year the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance and the Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance received grants from the program, and this year local clubs will once again benefit.

CHICO RACING’S CRANK THE SHIELDHaliburton Forest, ON, September 18 to 20

IMBA Canada’s own Mark Schmidt will contest this three-day, 250-km stage race across Ontario’s Canadian Shield. Schmidt will collect donations for a yet-to-be-determined Ontario club.

If you are interested in joining the Canadian Team IMBA effort and raising funds for both national and local trailbuilding efforts (you choose the IMBA-affiliated club), please contact Lora Woolner: [email protected].

Canadian Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits announced:

6/18-21: Kelowna, BC6/25-28: Edmonton, AB7/2-5: Steinbach, MB7/2-5: Saskatoon, SK

IMBA Canada trail specialists will also be making four visits to locations across Ontario, as part of the IMBA Canada Tool Trailer program, sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion. Stay tuned to imbacanada.com for locations and dates.

June auction to benefit Trailbuilding Fund

Online bidding opens on June 6 — International Trails Day — to raise funds for Canadian trails. Donations from the mountain bike industry and other IMBA Canada supporters will be awarded to the highest bidder. Don’t miss your chance to pick up a new bike, autographed mountain biking paraphernalia or weekend getaway while supporting a great cause!


Join IMBA Canada’s Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day celebration on Oct. 3.

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New IMBA Canada Gear

Go to imbacanada.com to get yours!

• Limited-edition Icon T-Shirt, sizes S to XL, $25 CAD

• Women’s Bamboo IMBA Canada Tee, sizes XS to XL, $25 CAD

• “Respect” Reusable Shopping Bag, $4 CAD

All proceeds support trail access and development in Canada.

Deep Roots

In the southeast, mountain biking continues to grow strong and deep roots. The Southeast Off-Road Bicycling Association (SORBA) has built a network of thriving chapters and enthusiastic members with two common goals: gain access to new trails and regain access that has been withdrawn. b Numbers matter to land

managers, as does unity, consistency and sweat equity. An organization devoted to creating and maintaining mountain bike trails can succeed where the efforts of a few may not. SORBA started in Metro Atlanta, Georgia in response to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield being closed to mountain biking. In the 21 years since its founding, SORBA — now known as IMBA-SORBA — has amassed a long list of successes, a few of which are outlined below.

Northwest Georgia SORBA tames a Snake

The Snake Creek Gap Mountain Time Trial Series began in 2005, attracting about 50 riders to some of the rockiest terrain that the southern Appalachians can offer. At that time, the series ran monthly from January to May, and riders chose a 16- or 32-mile option. In 2009, the series ran from January to March, and riders chose from a 17- or 34-mile course. They also shared the trail with over 350 competitors. b Racers use terms like “super-mega” and “absolutely first-class,” to describe the Snake. The NWG-SORBA chapter makes it happen — from schwag to shuttles, they handle every aspect with aplomb. A spirit of service motivates chapter members and contributes to the event’s success. Ask any veteran, and they’ll tell you, they’ll be back next year.

SORBA-Atlanta partners with National Park Service

SORBA-Atlanta and the National Park Service welcomed the Subaru-IMBA Trail Care Crew to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s Sope Creek site on April 17 and 18. A crew of volunteers and staff improved 2.3 miles of unsustainable, eroding trail, replacing it with sweet singletrack. Situated in Metro Atlanta, Sope Creek’s trails hosts thousands of bikers and runners each month. SORBA is working with other trail user groups, making this a truly multi-sport weekend.

Pisgah Area SORBA breaks new ground

This past winter, groundbreaking for a new trail system took place at Asheville, NC’s Richmond Hill park. More than 70 volunteers were on hand to help create the city’s first purpose-built mountain bike trail system. Overseen by Trails Coordinator Mike Brown, the volunteers were organized into six workgroups, completing more than a half-mile of hand-built trail on their first day. b Much appreciation goes out to our friends at Asheville on Bikes, who showed up in large numbers and offered their help in the endeavor. Tom Sauret, the Executive Director of SORBA, was on hand to offer his support. Special thanks goes to Woody

Keen of Trail Dynamics, for his expertise and for supplying much-needed tools. b Future work at Richmond Hill includes flagging the next few miles of trail and undertaking an environmental survey on the proposed trail corridors. City officials have agreed to coordinate the month-long survey process.

Chattanooga SORBA signs MOU to build trails Chattanooga SORBA has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga to build shared-use trails at Enterprise South Nature Park. Enterprise South is a 2,300-acre nature park located next to Interstate I-75 on the east side of

Chattanooga. The site of the former Army Volunteer ammunition depot, Enterprise South has numerous concrete bunkers, hills, open woodlands and tight pine plantations — features that will make for excellent trails. b Plans call for an initial 10 miles of trail and a skills area. Phase two will add another 10 to 15 miles of trail. Volunteers have already spent over 70 hours laying out the first 3-mile section, with hopes for completing 6 miles this summer. Hamilton County has built trailhead restrooms and parking, and has plans for two other trailhead parking areas. b The MOU has forged many positives with the county. SORBA-Chattanooga will provide trailbuilding expertise and volunteer labor. In return, the county will provide materials, machinery, signage and trailhead facilities. IMBA’s national office has contributed with site visits, fundraising guidance and assistance in crafting the MOU agreement.

IMBA-SORBA continues making big strides in the southern states

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Time trialing at Snake Creek Gap (left). New trails are on tap in Asheville, NC (right). Photos by Steve Sharp and Michael Dale.

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Documents

Spring 2009 (Annual Report)