9-27-07 // Online Exclusive: IMBA's Grand Plan

Imagine a facility that serves as your community hub for all things mountain biking. A place with trails for all abilities, riding clinics and progressive skills-building areas for cross-country, freeride and downhill.

It sounds like a grand plan, and it is. The International Mountain Bike Association calls these facilities IMBA Ride Centers, and they’re the core component of a major new initiative that was announced at a breakfast presentation at Interbike on Thursday.

Hill Abell, chairman of the IMBA board, introduced the panel of experts.

IMBA board president Hill Abell announced the plan and laid out his vision of how IMBA, land managers such as the National Forest Service and the bike industry can work together to make it happen.

“We think this is going to change the face of mountain biking,” Abell said. “IMBA is uniquely positioned to build these centers. As a non-profit, we can facilitate partnerships between private industry and public land agencies, allowing us to build model trail networks on an unprecedented scale, and of unprecedented quality."

Abell said the concept was hatched a year ago during a strategic planning meeting with Crank Bros, and added that industry support will be critical to making it a reality, noting recent examples of how bike companies like Trek and QBP are stepping up their support.

Bicycle industry leaders, members of IMBA's board and staff, and key partners in the planning and development of the facilities, spoke about the initiative, offering their different perspectives on how it could work. Bob Holmes, of Winter Park resort, and Cimarron Chacon, a trail-planning expert, spoke about the benefits to communities, and the specific roles that public and private partners can play in developing the centers.

The locations will be contingent on partners at the federal, state and private level. IMBA's network of 750 affiliated clubs and patrols units will play a vital role in this program. IMBA Ride Center locations will integrate the volunteer stewardship of these groups, resulting in self-sustaining trail systems that are maintained and nurtured by their constituents.

Abell and IMBA executive director Mike Van Abel said the plan is to develop model Ride Centers and build the program from there. Five of these IMBA Ride Center projects are already in development:

Cuyuna Lakes, Minnesota: An almost completely undeveloped state property featuring clear, cold lakes and boulders from the iron-mining era; IMBA is cultivating an appropriation to create 50 miles of trail. Outlook: Fifteen new miles of trail each year for the next five years, enhanced state park facilities. Additional recreation opportunities slated, including boating and scuba diving.

Fraser Valley, Colorado: Already a hugely popular mountain biking destination, the IMBA Ride Center in the Fraser Valley will integrate Winter Park's outstanding lift-serviced trails with an expansive network of cross-country riding on US Forest Service land. Outlook: Significant improvements and expansions, new trail systems and rerouting of current trails on Forest Service land. Continued expansions and improvements planned for Winter Park's already top-flight gravity trails.

Long Valley, Idaho: Epic backcountry singletrack, Tamarack Resort's cross country and downhill trail network, alpine lakes, and hot springs make the Payette Valley a mountain biker's playground. Kona's Groove Approved Park Director recently called the IMBA-designed and constructed downhill trails at Tamarack "the best in the Lower 48." Outlook: Expanded downhill, freeride, and cross-country options at Tamarack. Trail improvements in the surrounding forest, designed and built in partnership with the US Forest Service.

Santos Trails, Florida: IMBA has designed and constructed the largest freeride park on public land in the US. Combined with 45 miles of cross-country trails - featuring perfectly linked turns, a mild winter climate, and skills development areas. Santos provides ample, purpose-built opportunities for riders of any skill level, and these will only expand under the Ride Center program. Outlook: More trails and connections, improvements to the freeride area, campground expansion, new visitor center, guiding and instruction services.

Uwharrie Mountains, North Carolina: IMBA is working closely with regional economic development officials to plan and build an expansive Ride Center, including a 70-acre freeride park, and trails for all levels of riders on adjacent public lands. Outlook: Destination-quality riding facility with the capacity to host 40 miles of state-of-the-art trails. Partnerships with tourism and economic development planners will ensure a sustainable, thriving community.