October 5, 2006 – Here is the latest news from IMBA:

Vote in the 2006 IMBA Board Elections:
IMBA is pleased to present three new nominees, and three candidates for renewed terms, for election to our Board of Directors. The Board is elected by IMBA’s membership. Although this is an uncontested election, your vote is important to affirm our status as a membership-based nonprofit. Only members current with their annual dues are eligible to vote. Please visit our online voting site today. (Canada’s Janet O’Connell, Executive Director of the Bicycle Association of Canada (BTAC) is a nominee.)

Find Events Near You for Take a Kid MTB-ing Day (Oct. 7):
Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is almost upon us … don’t miss out on the fun this weekend. You can find an event near you online. Unfortuately, a glitch in our registration system has caused a few registered events to be left off the list, so keep and eye out for notices from your local club as well. (Surrey, B.C. is participating.)

Fourth-Annual Freeride Guide Available Online:
IMBA and Kona Bicycles are proud to present this year’s edition of the Freeride Guide. Members will recieve the 16-page, full-color publication in their mailboxes shortly. Packed with great articles like “The Emergence of Bike Parks,” and “Overcoming Objections to Freeriding,” the Guide (downloadable as a pdf) is great resource for riders looking to develop freeriding opportunities in their communities.

Trail Solutions Team Creating Sustainable Downhilling in Idaho:
With 12 miles of expertly constructed downhill mountain bike trails already on the ground, Idaho’s Tamarack Resort has emerged as a destination mountain bike location, and a model center for fast, fun and sustainable downhilling.

Video Bonanza at IMBA’s Website:
Psst … anyone looking over your shoulder? If not, ditch work a few minutes longer and visit our new online video repository. With great riding footage wedded to informative stories, you’ll hardly miss your spreadsheets and memo writing chores.

Two Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications:
Get your applications ready for the 10 $500 USA Cycling/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grants and the 10 $500 CLIF Bar/IMBA Grants that are available this fall.

IMBA Trail Specialist Gives Congressional Testimony:
Our very own Jill Van Winkle recently addressed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, providing testimony on pending legislation that will affect mountain bike access around Oregon’s Mount Hood.

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visit Applications Due Nov. 1:
Do your trails need help? Does your club need a shot in the arm? The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program can help. Now’s the time to apply for Crew visit in 2007. Check out the new issue of Bike magazine for a feature story penned by current TCC-ers Ryan Schutz and Kristin Butcher, or see the show in person.

IMBA UK Hosts Successful Summit:
Ninety delegates, including UK land management agencies and IMBA-UK members, attended a three-day conference held last weekend on the English side of the Scottish Borders. The program included sessions for land managers on Managing Trails for Mountainbikers which included field level demonstrations.

IMBA Spain Experiencing Rapid Growth:
Recent reports from IMBA Spain tell us that they’re growing fast, with more than 500 members and an expanding club scene.

Photos Needed for Mountain Bike Management Book:
IMBA seeks photos for our upcoming book focused on strategies and techniques for managing mountain biking. Here’s your chance to share photos of trailwork, trail restoration, trail structures, before-and- after photos, photo-based success stories, trail signage, kiosks, club events, and more. Contact project director Pete Webber: pete@imba.com.

Whistler Team Sets Standard for Downhill Bike Patrols:
Read about the 11 full-time bike patrollers who work the bustling Whistler Bike Park. Plus, five tips for patrolling downhill areas.

IMBA Store Offers New Mountain Bike Skills Book By Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack:
The newest addition to the IMBA resource library, and already a staff favorite. What makes Mastering Mountain Bike Skills better than most mountain bike skills guides is that it provides detailed technical instruction on the full spectrum of disciplines that make up the sport of mountain biking : cross-country, downhill, mountain cross, freeride, dirt jump and urban.

Member Price: $18 Non-members: $20

www.imba.com/