About IMBA-UK >> Updates >> Update 70 (Feb 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 Wednesday 24 March. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks to everyone you completed and returned a questionnaire, as part of our review of membership. We have found the responses extremely helpful, and we were glad to see that our thoughts were broadly in line with those of you, our supporters. As a result of the review, the IMBA Executive Committee has agreed to the following supporter categories and subscriptions:
The Exec agreed that in the short-term it would serve IMBA UK and our supporters better to prioritise to these supporter levels, as they match the needs of our current membership.
We plan to introduce a Youth category when we have the scope to offer benefits and resources targeted at younger supporters. However, we will be working with IMBA UK affiliates to run a special event aimed at younger riders, by holding a Take A Kid Mountainbiking Day, which will promote mountain biking to younger people. It will also help IMBA UK to build an understanding about the needs of young riders in the UK today.
We will also develop a Business Superstar category for businesses able to support IMBA UK on a larger scale.
Following the feedback we received, we are looking at what benefits your really want, and we will gradually bring these on board. We were really pleased to hear that many of the things that we already do, such as the email update, and the discount on IMBA publications and seminars, are appreciated. We also recognise that you need us to provide information and guidance on a whole range of MTB topics, and we will continue to do this.
Many of you said that you would be interested in IMBA branded goods, and while this was a medium to low priority in many cases, we understand that these items are one way that you can show your support for IMBA UK. We will be looking at a number of options.
IMBA UK has also been looking at the current process for joining us, and we know that there is room for improvement. We are looking at moving the membership over to a system called Active Online, which we believe will provide a smoother joining process. It will also allow you to have access to your details, upload a photo and manage your profile. We plan to roll this out in the next few months. Advance notice will be given to supporters, when we have a confirmed timetable. And you will all be notified when your details are on Active Online, so that you can check them out.
It's been great to hear from so many of you during this review, and many thanks for all your positive comments and feedback and importantly your continued encouragement and support.
We are always keen to hear from our members, so if you do have any other thoughts, suggestions or ideas, please .
Just to let you know that all members will be receiving an email which outlines the change of status for IMBA UK to company limited by guarantee. Notifying members is a formal process to check that you are happy to be a member of the new company. Full details are explained in the email which will be sent out within the next couple of weeks.
The IMBA UK regional structure was established at about the same time that IMBA UK got off the ground. Over the years our regional coverage has been varied, and because of this we have been reviewing the current approach, which is strong in parts and weak in others.
The regions as they stand are huge, and ask a lot of anyone who volunteers to be the IMBA UK representative. Following consultation with our existing volunteers, the IMBA Executive Committee has decided to build on the work that is being carried out by volunteers and by our affiliated groups, in order to provide better coverage across the country.
We see the development of the regional structure as a long-term process, and we recognise that as volunteers we all have limited amounts of time that we can offer to IMBA UK. In the short-term we are going to work with affiliated groups, who are already active, and offer them the opportunity to be the IMBA UK contact in their area, and in this way we hope to create IMBA UK hubs. We have been trialing this idea with Try Cycles, and believe that it provides an opportunity to promote IMBA UK and its objectives in a more effective way. Try Cycles have set up an IMBA North West Facebook page, so check that out for more details. http://tinyurl.com/yl95vyh
This new approach also has scope for individuals to act as contacts for IMBA UK, where individuals have the time, the capacity, and the ability to provide this role.
IMBA UK is currently reviewing its volunteer policies, and we will look to provide enhanced support, information and training to our volunteers in the future. We will also be formalising the volunteer structure, in order to comply with current best practice, and to provide a clear understanding of what is expected from both parties in the volunteering relationship. We believe that this will provide better guidance for those who volunteer, and will in effect grow the grass roots activity of IMBA UK, which is vital if we are to continue to enjoy and grow our sport in the future.
As more volunteering opportunities become available we will let our members know. If you have ideas about this, contact IMBA UK for an informal chat.
Attended a number of meetings to provide input and advice regarding mountain biking. These included the Northumberland Joint Local Access Forum; a meeting to respond to Northumberland County Council's consultation on the future management of Slaley Forest BOATs; the North Pennines AONB Access & Recreation Working Group; and a meeting with Natural England about new schemes in the Rothbury area.
Made presentation to Prudhoe Community Partnership to promote idea of creating a new cycle route / map guide of the area comprising 5 do-in-a-day MTB routes to be funded by contributions from local enterprises - secured funding buy-in from the local cycling shop to kick-start the process.
Started up a new MTB club called Tyne Valley MTB soon to be affiliated to IMBA - new access and MTB areas already under discussion.
Visited village project at Whitley Chapel to build a small MTB skills area on a hillside next to the school playing fields.
Negotiated new access with Forestry Commission, Northumberland National Park Authority and two adjacent landowners to provide a missing link route north of Hadrian's Wall.
Ted Liddle - IMBA UK Rep
Again, thanks to all our affiliated clubs who provided feedback on the question of Insurance for volunteer trailbuilding activities. We have used this feedback and have contacted several insurers for quotations. It seems that our biggest obstacle is the unsupervised public usage of the trail post construction. Does anyone have ideas about how we could better manage this element of trail building / risk exposure? Please send us any thoughts, especially if you have some success with solving this dilemma.
Ultra Secure Ltd offers a large range of affordable DIY Security Products ideal for bike security. The range includes Lock Alarms, Wireless Alarms, Security Posts, Perimeter Alerts & CCTV designed to protect buildings & property. We offer friendly, no obligation advice and are currently offering a 10% discount on first purchases to IMBA members. Please call & quote discount code SW10/IMBA. Offer valid until 30th June 2010.
Tel: 01604 589414
Email : info@ultrasecuredirect.com
Web: www.ultrasecuredirect.com
After almost 3 years of planning and building, the Chase Trails partnership (Chase Trails Volunteers, Forestry Commission, Giant uk, Sport England) will be officially opening the new 'Monkey Trail' at Birches Valley Forest Centre on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire on Saturday 20th March 2010.
We will also be re-launching all of the family cycle trails which have been renewed and improved to ensure they fit within the FC trail grading system. The new 'Monkey Trail' will be graded as 'red or difficult' and will be more technically and physically demanding than the 'Follow the Dog' trail. By linking the Follow the Dog and Monkey Trail riders will be able to achieve around 24km of challenging riding from Birches Valley.
With the continuing inclement weather, could you please check the FC - tinyurl.com/y9vz5kp or the Chase Trails website - www.chasetrails.co.uk in case the event is postponed due to the weather.
The Trax off road cycle club are pleased to announce the event of the year....The Big Bad Bike Race!
It's Big!, it's Bad!!, it's a Bike Race!!! Organised with British Cycling who train riders for the Olympics and with great prizes kindly donated from our friendly local bike store Two Wheels Good it's set to be an event you wont want to miss!
The event is held at The Trax's home in Lordship Rec in Tottenham and is organised by The Trax, using British Cycling's Go-Ride Racing format so there are different types of races across all age groups from time trials, relay races and mass start races.
It is a mountain biking event suitable for all abilities and is open to 8 to 16 year olds. It is set to be a fun family day out for all. Dr Bike mechanics will also be on hand to help check your bike is in tiptop racing condition.
Saturday 13th March - Lordship Rec, Tottenham
11.00 Dr Bike.
11.30 Registration opens
12.00 Race course opens for practise
13.00 Racing kicks off
16.00 Event finishes
Helmets are mandatory. Entry is free! To book and get an entry and parental consent form please email or phone 07990577206 or go to www.thetrax.co.uk.
Mountain bikers from all over Britain are being challenged to turn to the dark side in an astronomical two-wheeled event, the likes of which has never been seen before.
To help celebrate Galloway Forest Park achieving Dark Sky Park status, the famous 7stanes mountain bike project is organising a night ride event which combines astrological challenges with great trail riding.
The 'Darkest Challenge on Earth' event is to be held at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, near Newton Stewart, on Saturday 13th March between 4pm to 10pm.
The competition will include teams of 2, 3 or 4 riders, cycling a 5k loop. At the end of each loop, competitors will be given a 'planet' containing a puzzle which they take to the visitor centre to solve. The aim is to collect as many planets as possible and solve the clues. Riders must bring their own night riding lights.
There will be two marquees for the event based at the visitor centre. This area will make up the Dark Sky education site, astronomical challenge area, planetarium and operate the medical facilities, food and heating.
For more information log on to the www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-82QF8W website, email or 07771 678 903.
The Minister for Public Health and Sport, Shona Robison, and UCI Downhill World Champion, Steve Peat, launched Scotland's first framework for the sustainable development of mountain biking, at Bannerman High School in Glasgow, earlier this month.
Created by the Scottish Mountain Bike Development Consortium (SMBDC), the framework aims to build on the growth and success of mountain biking in Scotland by continuing to increase the visitor numbers to Scotland, to grow the number of Scots participating in the activity and to develop and support Scots to win medals in national and international competitions.
IMBA is pleased to continue to represent the interests of mountain bikers on the consortium, and will seek to keep our interests at the fore during implementation.
Against the Scottish background of progress and success, key national agencies have worked together to plan how best to sustain and grow mountain biking in Scotland.
The framework aims to provides optimum and quantifiable returns in terms of participation in mountain biking, economic and tourism development and also in terms of public participation and sporting development and success.
To read the Sustainable Development of Mountain Biking - a National Strategic Framework, please visit www.scottishmountainbikeframework.org.
As we run up to the London Olympics 2012, please let me introduce you to Parmod Singh. Parmod is the former Mountainbike XC champion of India and after two years exempt from racing (due to frustrating internal politics at the Indian Cycling Association) he is once again competing in road and cross-country bike events in his home country.
But what of international glory and the chance to compete in the Olympics 2012 on a world stage?!
Druid Cycles is a bicycle social enterprise set in the heart of London next the iconic Tower Bridge. Druid Cycles is sponsoring Parmod to pick up the challenge and compete for his home country at the highest level.
As Parmod racks up the miles competing and training in India, Druid Cycles (endorsed by the London Cycling campaign and Southark Cyclists) is working with its team of volunteers around the clock to fix and sell hundreds of bikes and raise the GBP£3,000 needed to sponsor Parmod's journey to the UK and the international competitive cycling landscape.
The campaign for Parmod's chance to compete in the UK is gaining traction, with international press following developments both in Southark, London and Chandigarh, India.
To follow Parmod's progress, catch him competing in his next race, Thursday 11th February.
Catch the work of Druid Cycles at: www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1478 or www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mvojd9jFWc
Or join the facebook group at 'Druid Cycles' for further updates: tinyurl.com/yg6uff2.
Do you know anyone who would benefit from receiving a summary of the IMBA UK email update? They could be local authority access officers, planners, other partners, or local groups with an interest in mountain biking. If you have any contact emails for people who we could send the summary to, please . Recipients will be given the opportunity to unsubscribe if it is not of interest to them.
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