IMBA Canada BC Rep Blog

In coordination with our IMBA Canada mothership, I’m proud to announce that as of September 1, 2010 we have launched our Regional Leadership Advisory Council (RLAC) in BC. The other province also taking part at this time is Ontario and we’ll add more provinces as we expand our provincial coordinator program and develop resources. Since each province is unique, the RLAC’s will have provincial autonomy and will drive in the direction they see fit rather than be influenced by “outside” voices.

What does this mean for BC IMBA Affiliate Clubs? Well for the first time, you’ll get a voice on the RLAC to address your challenges and successes with other clubs in BC. The purpose of each Council is to facilitate communication and networking between IMBA Canada affiliated clubs within a region, and to provide IMBA Canada with representation on a regional or provincial level. This has lots of advantages but the big one I see is, a larger voice at the table.

For more information go to the press release. Then if you think your club is interested read the RLAC webpage, and Frequently Asked Questions page and contact me to get started.

Well, it’s that time of year when all the pennies are accounted for and the bills are paid. IMBA Canada has released its annual report for you to check out.

Although we have lots of expenses we also have some fantastic supporters, you the individual member, affiliate clubs, sponsors and donators that enable us to cover those expenses. The end result is we have a tiny bit left over to finance the next year of growth in Canada.

Needless to say, we could use more funding to get all we envision done, it’s a big country after all. So if you haven’t joined as a member of IMBA Canada, we could really use your help, thanks.

By James Knoop - Golden Star

Biking in Golden is about to get even better with a 26 km expansion to the current trail system.

The Golden Cycling Club received $35,460 through a Community Initiatives grant for a project involving upgrades that will see three major new loops, a trail from town connecting to the current trail system near the river and another trail connecting the Moonrakers system at the ski hill road.

Last year, through a partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MOTCA) and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), the Moonrakers received significant improvements. Pioneer Forestry Consulting Ltd. was commissioned to do upgrades at Cedar Lake, rework the trail heads, install washrooms, expand parking and add new kiosks.

This year, Golden Cycling Club received approval from MOTCA to commence with a new project, assisted through a granting program through the Columbia Basin Trust. The Cycling Club is presently hiring trail crew to begin the project and they plan to start work on May 31.

Director for the Moonraker Trails, Rick Seward, says the Golden Cycling Club has been receiving loads of support from members in the community for its new project. Pioneer Forestry helped with the mapping of the new trails, Alpine Helicopters has been instrumental in moving materials around to the various sites, and hundreds of volunteer hours has helped bring the project to this point.

“We’ve been receiving a lot of positive feed back from locals and out-of-towners on the work we’re doing here,” says Seward. “With the new trails, bikers will be able to mix and match their route to create a 45 minute or four hour ride.”

The plan for the new trails is to build them to International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) standards. Designing biking trails is different than walking and hiking trails. The IMBA has instituted a best practices for construction so the trails don’t require a whole lot of maintenance down the road, explains Seward.

“If the trails are done well they’ll last just about forever, hopefully, says Seward.” They’ll be a lot of fun to ride, walk or run.”

IMBA’s Canadian office is excited to welcome Chad and Deanne Lazaruk as the first ever IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew! With over a decade of mountain biking and trails experience, the couple brings a broad set of skills to IMBA Canada’s newest program.

The Lazaruks will travel across the country in a Subaru Outback, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated clubs and other partners to improve trail opportunities Canada-wide. The 2010 building season will kick-off Canada Day weekend and will run until mid-December. More about the Crew.

Show that you know the difference between talk and action – donate now to protect the trails you ride.

Your donation funds our efforts in Ottawa and across Canada where policies that influence what happens in your area are decided. Help us achieve our goal of $10,000 to keep our advocates at the table when issues surrounding mountain bike access arise.

Because of your support we’re able speak loudly on behalf of Canadian mountain bikers. IMBA Canada staff meet with political leaders, testify before decision making committees and conduct workshops on behalf of riders like you.

Just recently, we participated in Parks Canada’s National Assessment of Mountain Biking, to ensure our place in Canada’s national parks.

We also put advocacy staff on the ground in places like British Columbia where anti-mountain biking policies in the provincial parks are debated.

By donating you are empowering grassroots advocates to get the job done.

Think about the magnitude and the importance of challenges we face as trail users:

• Today there are threats from lawsuits to some of the best-loved trails in Canada, and we can’t let this legal action set negative precedents for future access.

• The inclusion of discriminatory language in land management plans could ban bikes from trails around the country — even though our low-impact use is compatible with land protection.

This week, IMBA Canada’s entire staff team will be heading down to Augusta, GA for the World Mountain Bike Summit - to meet with mountain bike leaders from across the globe, and sharpen our skills as trail experts, advocates, and ambassadors for our sport. This is our commitment to serving you better.

Take the lead with IMBA Canada today and help address these tangible, local issues:

- Giving input on the dozens of trail plans that will be decided in upcoming months

- Providing risk management education, so that potential lawsuits can be prevented

- Meeting with cities and municipalities that are considering new bike parks and trails

As a mountain biker I know you are passionate about the outdoors. We all know that managing public lands as a public trust is an investment in tomorrow, but we need YOUR help.

Make your donation today and help IMBA Canada achieve its goal — you’ll thank yourself on your next ride.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Executive Director
International Mountain Bicycling Association (Canada)

P.S. Every donation of $40 or more earns a FREE pair of FOX “Free The Trail” socks — while supplies last. Now is the time to make a difference… please donate.

In preparation for launching a Canadian Trail Care Crew Program, IMBA Canada is seeking applications for a full time, professional two-person team of trail leaders. Modeled after the highly successful U.S.Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, the dynamic team will travel across Canada, providing education and trailbuilding workshops to clubs, trail users, and land management personnel.

Mountain biking enthusiasts from around the globe will gather in Augusta, Georgia for the 2010 IMBA World Summit.

IMBA Summits bring mountain biking advocates, land managers, trailbuilders, park planners, tourism officials and the bike industry together for collaboration, planning, and celebration.

The Summit will be based at the beautiful Augusta Marriott hotel.

Topics will include trailbuilding, advocacy, youth, and new programs designed to grow local capacity for IMBA’s global network.

Early Bird discount of $75 expires April 2nd. For registration and more information go to this page.

IMBA Partners with MEC to boost regional office program in 2010

Here’s a short clip from our press release that can be read in full here.

IMBA Canada is excited to announce a national partnership agreement with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for 2010. The Vancouver-based outdoor gear and clothing retailer has made a generous contribution towards IMBA’s regional office program. Funding will enhance existing offices in British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, as well as expand the program to other provinces.

The goals of the regional office program are to build club capacity, create critical mass, and expand mountain bikers’ influence on public policy at the provincial/regional level. Each office is staffed by a part-time regional coordinator, whose mandate is to achieve the following goals for mountain biking in their region: convenient access to appealing trails, trailbuilding expertise, a positive image, and political influence.

Since the program’s establishment in 2008, IMBA Canada’s regional coordinators have assisted numerous local clubs to create and protect sustainable trails. IMBA staff have worked alongside groups like the BC Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts to develop provincial trails strategies and represent mountain bikers to government organizations.Exciting news for our regional rep program, thanks MEC for supporting advocacy in Canada.

Canada – January 12, 2010 – Cineplex Entertainment and Citizen Pictures take movie audiences on a ride only the most intense cyclists have experienced – including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong – as they compete in one of the world’s most grueling mountain bike races in Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100. Shown exclusively in select Cineplex Entertainment theatres on Wednesday, January 27^th and Sunday, February 7^th, 2010, these special events will feature the debut of the documentary, “Race Across the Sky.”

“The Leadville Trail 100 is one of those events…Like the New York City Marathon or the Ironman, where people say, one day I want to do that,” said Armstrong. “It’s the purest level of passion that you can get.”

“Cineplex Entertainment is pleased to partner with Citizen Pictures to invite cyclists and mountain bike racing fans to the Canadian premiere of Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100,” said Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. “Watching the competitors race on difficult terrain with picturesque Colorado as the back drop on our big screens is sure to impress.”

Citizen Pictures filmed against the misty backdrop of a former mining town in Colorado that sits at 10,200 feet to capture the drama of the 2009 LT100 mountain bike race. The LT100 began as a running race 27 years ago to draw tourism to Leadville, Colo. The mountain bike race was added in 1994 and has become a competition with more than 1,000 entries and a lottery determining who will compete. The course includes 14,000 vertical feet of climbing and often severe weather changes. Competitors race on dirt trails, mining roads and Forest Service roads, hoping to cross the finish line in 12 hours or less.

Cameras followed the cyclists from the start through to the finish line and all 100 miles in between as they competed in the August 2009 competition – one of the most intense endurance races of all time. Witness breathtaking aerial views as the camera crew follows the competitors as they cycle over 100 miles of dangerous mountain terrain through extreme climate changes ranging from heat to hail and from rain to snow.

“If you’re lucky enough to get into this race, it will be the hardest day on the bike you’ll ever experience. 100 miles, off-road, all above 10,000 ft,” said Frank Matson, CEO of Citizen Pictures. “The summit is a relentless climb to the top of Columbine Mine at 12,570 ft. The only thing you can count on is that anything can happen.  And if at the end of the day you’ve crossed the finish line, you’ve won.”

Advance tickets are now available online at www.cineplex.com/events as well as at participating theatre box offices. Admission for children ages 3 – 13 is $8.00, seniors is $10.50 and general admission is $12.50. A special group rate is also available for groups of 20 or more. For more information on group rates, call 1-800-313-4461 or email corporatesales@cineplex.com.

Cineplex Entertainment will present Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100 at the following select theatres across the country on Wednesday, January 27^th at 7 pm and Sunday, February 7^th at 1 pm (local time):

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Coquitlam: SilverCity Coquitlam Cinemas, 170 Schoolhouse Street

Kamloops: Cineplex Odeon Aberdeen Mall Cinemas, 700-1320 Trans Canada Highway

Kelowna: Famous Players Orchard Plaza 5 Cinemas, 160-1876 Cooper Road

Langley: Colossus Langley Cinemas, 20090 91A Avenue

Mission: SilverCity Mission Cinemas, 32555 London Avenue

Nanaimo: Galaxy Cinemas Nanaimo, 213-4750 Rutherford Road

Pitt Meadows: Cineplex Odeon Meadowtown Cinemas, 19800 Lougheed Highway

Prince George: Famous Players 6 Cinemas, 172-1600 Fifth Avenue

Richmond: SilverCity Riverport Cinemas, 14211 Entertainment Way

Surrey: Cineplex Odeon Strawberry Hill Cinemas, 12161 72^nd Avenue

Vancouver: Cineplex Odeon Park & Tilford Cinemas, 200-333 Brooksbank Avenue and Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard Street

Vernon: Galaxy Cinemas Vernon, 2306 Highway 6

Victoria: SilverCity Victoria Cinemas, 3130 Tillicum Road

Effective January 2010 Mark Schmidt, Executive Director of IMBA Canada will be passing the torch to Lora Woolner, currently Director of Membership and Operations for IMBA Canada. After 5 years heading up the Canadian arm of IMBA, Schmidt is moving on to a position with Parks Canada. Although it may seem like a huge loss for mountain biking, in fact Schmidt will be assisting in the implementation of multi-use trails throughout our Federally managed national parks.

On a personal note, I am sad to see Mark depart as he and I have built a great friendship over the past 5 years. The numerous discussions, Expos, Summits and rides we have shared have really been enjoyable and left me with some great memories. I have tremendous respect for what Mark achieved and it is pretty clear that Parks Canada thinks so too. You’ll always have a place to stay and don’t get too busy to ride your bike, cheers Mark.

Check this page for the full news release.