February 25, 2005 – The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews are back on the trail and focused on an ambitious mission to tackle more than 100 trail projects and inspire more than 100,000 hours of volunteer trailwork in 2005. Their coast-to-coast tour features 65 two-day IMBA Trailbuilding Schools and presentations at five national conferences.

The award-winning program includes two full-time, professional teams of trail experts who travel North America year-round, leading IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, meeting with government officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated groups to improve mountain biking opportunities.

The Crews teach sustainable trailbuilding, which means building trails that last a long time and require minimal maintenance. This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances visitor enjoyment.

“Thanks to the support of Subaru, IMBA’s Trail Care Crews will continue working their magic to improve trail access for mountain bikers,” said IMBA executive director Mike Van Abel. “As a direct result of the Crew’s work, there are now thousands of new and improved trails in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and several other countries. That’s a pretty impressive record.”

Returning for another tour in their IMBA-decaled 2005 Subaru Outbacks are the successful teams of Nat & Rachel Lopes and Chris Bernhardt & Jill Van Winkle.

Subaru of America, Inc. has been IMBA’s leading sponsor since 1997. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews are also supported by L.L. Bean, Gary Fisher Bicycles, and Yakima.

For more details, go to http://www.imba.com/tcc/schedule.html