About IMBA-UK >> Updates >> Update 69 (Jan 2010)
Forestry Commission Scotland's Ae Line Trail at 7Stanes
Welcome to the IMBA UK Members update.
If you have information, news or events for the next email update, please by Monday 22 February. I look forward to hearing from you.
Just when we thought the worst of the weather was past us and it will soon be the riding season again (for us fairer weather riders anyhow!) then the snow starts falling again.
Anyway, all of us on your IMBA Executive wish you all marvellous rides, memorable experiences, and great trails in the year ahead....But is there another dark cloud on the horizon? Well judging from the feedback you have been sending us then there is a definite weather event on its way, that may impact every trail you currently ride.
Many of us enjoy riding trails that have been built by active volunteers across the UK. Some of our most iconic trails started in the hands of volunteer builders, riders like you and I who enjoyed riding and wanted to create great trails. But increasingly the world of trail building is changing fast, and the role of the volunteer trail builder is considerably different now than it was 10 years ago.
The growth of the compensation culture and the fear of litigation is now having significant impact on those groups still out there building. From difficulty in sourcing insurance, to being only trusted to maintain trails, the squeeze is being felt, and many of you seem on the point of throwing in the towel, and just going riding.
IMBA UK will take on board all the comments and work on your behalf, to protect access to the existing trails, make volunteer trail building the pleasure it should be, and seek to work with landowners to support us in together resisting the growing strangulation by legislation.
Now is the time for you to consider what you can do to help. Renew your membership, join an affiliated club, make your voice and concerns heard, persuade those you ride with to join us now.
More voices, more action will eventually make a difference...
Good riding
Karl Bartlett
IMBA and CTC are pleased to announce that the biennial joint conference be held this year in the Tweed Valley Scotland.
The conference will take place at the McDonald Cardrona Hotel, over the 9th, 10th,11th September. We will be within short cycling distance of the world famous 7stanes centres of Glentress and Innerleithen so a feature packed programme of talks, visits and discussion is guaranteed, as well as some unforgettable riding opportunities.
The focus of this years conference will be that of managing the risks of mountain biking: fact and fiction. We intend to pose some challenging questions about the role of volunteers in mountain biking development - Is there one? How can we support creative volunteering? What are the issues land managers face and how do mountain bikers contribute to the debate? As well as seeking to understand how to maximise participation in, whilst minimising the fear of mountain biking.
IMBA and CTC are keen to hear from any one who might wish to address the conference (or have ideas about who we should hear from!) on the themes above, from whatever background, we are especially keen to hear of practical solutions to these issues.
or any of the executive for further information, or suggestions.
To welcome in the new year The Trax off road cycling club of Lordship Rec in Tottenham, North London are pleased to announce the launch of The Junior Trax skills course for 10 to 16 year olds.
The course consists of 5 free skills sessions in the Rec running every Saturday morning from the 6th Feb to the 6th March. Each session starts at 10am and finishes at 1pm. The courses are open for riders of all abilities. You don't have to attend all five sessions although it's recommended that you attend the first session if you are interested in coming on the others.
The course will show you practical bike maintenance techniques and develop your cycling skills. Looking at a range of skills from faster cornering, climbing and descending through to how to wheelie, bunny hop and jump. There will also be fun group activities and races. Everyone attending will receive a course certificate.
The course is made possible via a grant from Play Sport London and will be run in conjunction with top mountain bike skills instructors from Firecrest MTB and The Trax.
To apply and for more details please contact on 07990577206
www.thetrax.co.uk - the off road cycling club of Lordship Rec, Tottenham, North London.
The first event, the Winter Warmer has had to be postponed to Feb 27th because of the extreme weather recently. The route should be 3 laps of around 16kms.
Next up is the Border Raid on May 8th, which as the name suggests takes riders from Kielder over the Border to the trails at Newcastleton and back again in one lap of over 55kms - a true classic!
The 3rd round is the Hot Trod on July 17th, again with a total distance of around 50kms using varying roads and trails around Kielder.
Lastly we have Oktoberfest with 3 laps using forest roads, old roads and some sections of man made trails to give a total of around 50kms.
These events are sponsored by The Bike Place and organised by the Kielder Trail Reavers, the volunteer trail building group. All proceeds from these events is split between KTR and the Great North Air Ambulance. The 2009 series raised £1,000 for GNAA, so it's a worthwhile series to be involved in.
For information and online entries, go to www.thebikeplace.co.uk or visit www.kieldertrailreavers.co.uk.
Its that time of year again when you have drag out your downhill bike and throw it down a mix of challenging trails on the side of the hill at Innerleithen. The guys at Borderline Events have put together the now traditional race series that we are very proud to support along with our friends at Fox Racing and Trek Bikes.
The races will be held on the following dates:
Entry forms are now available from our Innerleithen store or at the Borderline Events website.
These will be at Glentress on the 18th & 19th April 2010. Check out the demo days website to find out more and get your chosen steed booked!
The premier European downhill event is being brought to the Tweed Valley by Innerleithen MTB Racing. It is the first time this event is being held in the UK and the first round is being held on the famous downhill trails in Innerleithen on the weekend of the 28th - 30th May 2010.
Further details are available at www.ixsdownhillcup.com.
Some of the best riders in Europe will be there, so get your holidays booked and head up to The Tweed Valley to see the IXS and check out some of the best riding in the UK.
The Innerleithen round of the 2010 SDA downhill race series is on the 12th - 13th June. More information at www.sda-races.com.
More details to follow.
A whole host of events are currently in the planning stages and will be announced once we know more,
Contact Visit Tweed Valley for more information.
The Glentress trailfairies are a volunteer group helping in the construction, repair and maintenance of trails in and around the Tweed Valley. They meet every other Saturday morning and Wednesday nights during the summer. If you would like to see what they are up to, or head along and get involved please visit Glentress Trail Fairies. It's worth it for the cakes alone!
The fairies had a very busy year in 2009, working on 'Mushroom Pie', 'Zoom or Bust' and repair and maintenance on lots of other trails at Glentress. There are lots of plans for 2010 and more fairies are always welcome.
Progress is painfully slow in relation to the proposed cable car at Innerleithen. The current status is that further short term funding is required to enable an environmental impact assessment to be started and an outline planning application to be developed.
Discussions between the public bodies have been on-going for over a year to determine the source of further funding. It is likely that these discussions will continue for some time. If anybody has a spare million or two please let us know?
In the meantime the current uplift system at Innerleithen is running every weekend, please check Uplift Scotland for further details. If you haven't given the uplift a go, it's for everybody from kids to veterans. It saves on the uphills and makes the downhills even better.
The MTB sub group are actively involved in developing a strategy for the future of the 7stanes brand. This is in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, MTBN, Scottish Enterprise and other groups.
The MTB sub group are continuing to develop a hospitality scheme for businesses throughout the Tweed Valley. The aim of the scheme is to set a standard for businesses involved in mountain biking. Where a business is part of the scheme, mountain bikers can be assured that a level of service is available which may include secure bike storage, drying room, bike wash facilities, biking friendly accommodation and service, Tools and workshop, Trail knowledge and hopefully everything a mountain biker needs to ensure that the service is as good as the riding.
The MTB sub group are actively working with event coordinators to help bring MTB events to the Tweed Valley. The work includes making equipment and resource available to reduce costs and help and support events. If you would like to be involved or you would like to bring and bring and event to the Tweed Valley please get in touch at .
Dates for your diaries: 7th February at Stainburn, and 21st February at Dalby. Visit SingletrAction for more information and up to date news.
Defra has launched a consultation on an updated Government strategy for the inland waterways of England and Wales - "Waterways for Everyone".
Waterways for Everyone sets out the Governments strategy for further enhancing the public benefits of inland waterways by widening the involvement of stakeholders and by supporting the management and development of the waterways.
The consultation and details of how to engage with and respond to the consultation can be found on Defra's website at Waterways for Everyone. Views and comments are sought from all those with a potential interest in our waterways and who stand to gain from their vibrancy and greater use i.e. members of the public, waterway authorities, non-governmental organisations, local authorities and communities, regional development agencies, associated businesses and user groups.
Please no later than 26 March 2010.
If you are involved with cycle leading and training you may want to read the guidance produced by the Health & Safety Executive. Go to the HSE website Off Road Cycling for more information.
If you're looking to learn new skills, increase your confidence on the bike, or simply enjoy the sport like never before, our mountain bike camps are for you. We offer personalized instruction, professional programming, and an incredibly skilled, enthusiastic, and supportive coaching staff. World class women's only and co-ed instructional weekend camps for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders.
The majority of our camps are run on a two-day weekend format. We work on on-bike technical skills in the mornings, and put those skills into action on rides in the afternoons. On Saturday evening we feature bike maintenance clinics, bike fit opportunities, drinks, snacks, and social time. For more information, please visit www.dirtseries.com.
Phone 604.484.6238
Registration opens on Feb 1 2010.
Llanwrtyd Wells Cycling Club - LWCC organises weekly rides for local mountain bikers and is currently working with local land managers to construct some permanently waymarked MTB routes in the forests of the Cambrian mountains, as well as helping to promote cycle tourism in the mid Wales area. Contact: .
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