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November Singletrack eNews
Forest Service Issues Decision on Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
After delaying a decision for more than a year -- and receiving more than 8,000 comments generated by an IMBA action alert -- the Forest Service unveiled its approach to managing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) this fall. The plan states that mountain biking is an acceptable use of the trail, and emphasizes that forest service offices should formulate strategies appropriate for their districts. Steve Sherwood, Director of the Rocky Mountain Region's Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness programs further explains, "An important feature of the new directive is that, while it establishes hiking and horseback riding as the primary uses of the trail, it clearly allows for other shared, non-motorized and human-powered uses -- including mountain biking." IMBA Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice has met repeatedly with top officials in the Forest Service on this matter. She advises IMBA clubs along the CDNST to continue forming partnerships and working closely with their local Forest Service districts.
IMBA Enters Partnership With High School Mountain Bike League
IMBA and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association
(NICA) recently signed a partnership agreement stating
that IMBA and NICA will work together to cross-promote their efforts
and engage the broad cycling community. "The success of the Northern and Southern California High School
Mountain Bike Leagues has been truly remarkable," said IMBA executive
director Mike Van Abel. "When I learned about the plan to replicate
those successes on a national scale under the NICA banner, I hoped
IMBA's club network might become a useful resource," said Van Abel. He
noted that the partnership would help expand IMBA's demographic
diversity and compliment existing youth programs such as National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.
New Epic Ride Descriptions Available Online
The 2009 Epic ride descriptions are available online. The 2009 IMBA Epics were selected by IMBA staff, including our Regional
Directors. The directors consulted closely with club leaders to find
out which trails in their territories are having the biggest influence
on riders, as well as land managers and decision makers. These rides
are the models that shape our conception of what is possible for trail
recreation on public lands.
Hiker-Biker Relations Improving in New York and New Jersey
"I recently witnessed a historic moment when the Executive Director of the New York/New Jersey Trails Conference let the Jersey ORBA folks know that they are removing all anti-bike language from their bylaws and will be trying to develop some joint projects going forward," writes IMBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Frank Maguire. "The relationship between mountain bikers and this influencial, historically hiking-focused organization got a major boost from a Subaru-IMBA Trail Care Crew visit a few years ago. Great work by Jeff Mergler of JORBA, Michael Vitti of CLIMB and Art White of Ringwood Valley Mountain Bikers kept the relationship moving forward." All three of the mountain bike advocates named above now hold at-large delegate positions with the NY/NJ Trails Conference.
Senate Considers Land and Water Conservation Fund Bill
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established in 1965 to
meet the nation's growing desire to preserve natural areas, culturally
and historically significant landmarks, and outdoor recreational
opportunities. Unfortunately only a fraction of the intended funding has been used for these purposes, with the balance being diverted to general funds. Last year, LWCF funding approached an all-time low of $155 million. Now the Senate is considering a bill that would
rectify this situation with full funding available each year, not
subject to cuts in the annual appropriations process.
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2010’s Trails Need Your Help Today!
By supporting IMBA's Annual Fund you will be supporting tomorow's trails today. Click the map for more info and regional updates. And don't forget that donations of $35 or more earn a 2010 IMBA calendar.
Great Gift Packs Available From Dirt Rag and VeloGear
(click images for details)
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