TRAIL NEWS

PREMIER ISSUE

Summer 2011

Poster inside!

Canadian Club Success Stories

Photo by Dan Barham

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June 2010 marked a pivotal moment in the history of IMBA Canada when Chad and Deanne Lazaruk struck out on the road in their Subaru Outback as IMBA’s first Canadian Trail Care Crew. Since then, our Johnny Ap-pleseeds of sustainable trail building have travelled to eleven provinces and territories, met with more than 150 community trail groups, and trained over 600 volunteers on sustainable trail building.

Parks Canada and the Trans Canada Trail have been instrumental in putting the Canadian crew on the road, providing the seed money to make the program a reality. But at the end of this year, when Chad and Deanne’s two-year term comes to an end, we will be forced to re-examine the sustainability of the program if we can’t find additional funding.

That's why we're dedicating this year's Trail Building Fund to the Trail Care Crew. To bridge the gap, we need $50,000.

Of all of IMBA Canada’s programs, the Trail Care Crew reaches the greatest number of trail users, and has the larg-est on-the-ground impact.

A case in point is Corner Brook, NL. An impromptu visit with the West Coast Cycling Association last summer has resulted in the development of a full-scale trails masterplan — a massive undertaking that will put more trail on the map.

Local mountain bikers agree, IMBA Canada makes a dif-ference.

“I just wanted to touch base to let you know that the Trail Care Crew’s visit has absolutely changed the way the local moun-tain bike community now look at riding here in Corner Brook," said Geoff Warehem, NL. "They were amazing. They helped us organize, plan, dream and be inspired.”

The Trail Care Crew will work in 35 communities this year alone — That’s 35 reasons to support the 2011 Trail Building Fund.

And if that’s not enough, The North Face Canada has committed to providing matching funding, along with contributions from Trek’s 1 World, 2 Wheels program.

This remarkable commitment provides a launching point. Now it is up to all of us to keep this incredible program moving forward. Please help us meet our $50,000 goal.

Here’s how you can help:

• Write a cheque, or donate IMBA Canada’s Trail Building Fund online at imbacanada.com/tbf

• Urge your riding buddies, club and/or local retailers to do the same.

• Are you hosting an upcoming Trail Care Crew visit? Let your participants know that every dollar from memberships and product sold at the event directly supports the program.

• Know of a company that values trails and wants to support them in a tangible and rewarding way? Tell them that we’re looking for a title sponsor for the Trail Care Crew.

Please help us keep the legacy alive and donate to the 2011 Trail Building Fund today. Each and every dollar will be used to keep Canada's Trail Care Crew rolling.

A sincere thank you in advance,

Lora Woolner

IMBA Canada Executive Director

IMBA CANAdA LAUNChINg $50,000 TRAIL BUILdINg FUNd CAMPAIgN To kEEP TRAIL CARE CREW RoLLINg

IMBA Canada’s Trail Care Crew is looking for a title sponsor to ensure the future of the program, but until we find one, we are asking each and every mountain biker for their support.

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Just six years ago, IMBA Canada was born from under the wing of IMBA U.S.A. Adopted and nurtured by Canadian Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew veterans Lora Woolner and Mark Schmidt, the organization sought to develop convenient access to appealing trails, trailbuilding exper-tise, a positive image and political influence.

Today, our team of advocates has grown to nine — work-ing across Canada year-round to create, protect, and en-hance the trails throughout our vast and beautiful country.

Just as our family has expanded, so has our list of accom-plishments. Propelled and encouraged by the support and great work of our members and partners, we have grown a network of over 250 clubs and retailers, hosted a world mountain bike summit, and put a Canadian Trail Care Crew on the road.

To quantify the growth of the mountain bike movement in Canada is difficult, to say the least. That's why we are so excited to share this premier issue of IMBA Canada Trail News. Along with our new website, www.imbacanada.com, members and followers can finally stay up to date on the work of IMBA staff, clubs, and partners in Canada.

Replacing the US-created IMBA Trail News, IMBA Canada members will now receive the ICTN twice in 2011. In it you’ll find updates from IMBA at home and across the globe (p. 5), stories from our clubs and partners (p. 6-7), information about trails near you (p 12-13), plus lots of great riding photos.

A great big ThANK yOU to corporate members The North Face, Norco Bikes, 24 Hours of Adrenalin, and Chico Racing who have gone Above and Beyond their annual dues to sponsor our first issue. Thanks also to Dan Barham for donating stellar photos for both the newsletter and the website.

However this newsletter has found you, thanks for reading, and for supporting trails in Canada!

Long live long rides,

Rachael Raven

IMBA Canada Communications Coordinator and Editor of the ICTN.

IMBA CANAdA TRAIL NEWSSummer 2011, Volume 1, Number 1

IMBA Canada creates, enhances and preserves great trail experiences for mountain bikers across Canada.

STAFF

James Brown, BC Regional Coordinator, james.brown@imba.com

Chad and Deanne Lazaruk, Trail Care Crew, chadanddeanne@imba.com

Eric Leonard, Quebec Regional Coordinator, eric.leonard@imba.com

David Mills, Alberta Regional Coordinator, david.mills@imba.com

Jason Murray, Ontario Regional Coordinator, jason.murray@imba.com

Rachael Raven, Trail Care Crew + Communications Coordinator, rachael.raven@imba.com

Daniel Scott, Trail Specialist, daniel.scott@imba.com

Lora Woolner, Executive Director, lora@imba.com

Cover image and centerfold by Dan Barham.

Additional images by IMBA Canada staff and Leslie Kehmeier.

Design adapted from Sugar Design, Inc.

Images and stories available for re-use by permission only.

IMBA CANAdA

PO Box 23034 Kitchener, ON N2B 3V1

(519) 208.2820 | canada@imba.com

www.imbacanada.com

PRESENTINg SPoNSoRS oF ThIS EdITIoN oF ICTN

Additional support from Chico Racing.

WELCoME To IMBA CANAdA TRAIL NEWSOur new, all-Canadian newsletter!

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pledges from more than 20 clubs and retailers to participate. They expect more than 1000 attendees on the day of.

IMBA Canada will be hosting a Trail Building School and Epic Ride on location in conjunction with the festival. These events are planned for Friday 15th, and Sunday 17th, respectively.

To get the full festival experience, organizers are encouraging attendees to stay the weekend, with camping and a beach on site. Check out www.mtbonfestival.com for more info.

CATCh PEdAL-dRIvEN AT SCREENINgS ANd FESTIvALS ThIS SUMMER

Mountain bike clubs and other groups across North America are signing up to host screenings of Pedal-Driven. The feature-length documentary explores conflicts and confrontations between mountain bikers and public land managers in the US.

The film is receiving positive reviews and demand to host screenings is climbing fast. “The response to the film has been excellent — it’s a winning combination of dynamic images and a compelling storyline,”

TRAIL CARE CREW PRogRAM CELEBRATES oNE yEAR oF oPERATIoN

June 2011 marks the one year anniversary of the IMBA Canada

Trail Care Crew program!

Over the past year Chad and Deanne Lazaruk have travelled from coast to coast, engaging more than 150 com-munity groups and training almost 600 volunteers on the art and science of sustainable trail building.

We’d like to give them a hand for their hard work, along with all the hosts, volunteers, clubs, National Parks, and other groups that made year One a success!

Check out p. 11 for Tales from the Outback, a recurring page dedicated to the adventures of the Crew.

IMBA CANAdA gAINS SUP-PoRT FRoM ThE NoRTh FACE

The North Face joins IMBA Canada as one of the newest supporters on a growing list of corporate members.

In addition to helping launch the premier issue of IMBA Canada Trail News, The North Face Canada will contribute $7,500 beyond their membership dues in support of the Canadian Trail Care Crew program. The funds will be used to leverage

further contributions from individual donors and the Canadian mountain bike industry to this year’s $50,000 Trail Building Fund campaign, which is dedicated to keeping IMBA Canada’s flagship field program on the road while it seeks a title sponsor.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with IMBA on their Trail Care Crew Program,”says Jessica Starkey, Mar-keting Coordinator of The North Face Canada. “Sustainable trail development is critical to the growth of the sport, and we feel fortunate to be able to assist in educating, constructing, and getting riders out on the trails."

IMBA Canada's Executive Director Lora Woolner had this to say, “This outstanding level of commitment sets the bar for other companies making the foray into the mountain biking market. Kudos to The North Face for having the foresight to invest a por-tion of their profits in mountain bike trails and advocacy.”

IMBA To TAkE PART IN oNTARIo MoUNTAIN BIkINg FESTIvAL

Staff from IMBA’s Canadian office, including Trail Specialist Daniel Scott, Ontario's Regional Coordina-tor and the Trail Care Crew, will be taking part in Mountain Bike Ontario’s inaugural festival. Taking place the July 16th weekend at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, the festivities are set to include lift access downhilling, guided rides and skills clinics, competitions and perfor-mances, and a vendor area with demo bikes, gear and a beer tent.

Trailblazing Festival has been devel-oped by Mountain Bike Ontario, in partnership with Sacred Rides and IMBA Canada. The goal of the event is to promote the sport in Ontario and raise awareness of the province’s diverse network of trail systems.

As of June 2011, organizers have

Trail Care Crew EventsThe Crew will be in Eastern Canada over the summer. Check out the fall schedule for visits out West.• June 25: Dryden, ON• July 2: Thunder Bay, ON• July 16: Ontario Mountain Bike Festival• July 30: Mt-Tremblant, QC• Aug. 6: Memramcook, NB• Aug. 13: Mirimichi, NB• Aug. 20: Corner Brook, NL• Aug. 27: Gaspé, QC• Sept. 3: Victoriaville, QC• Sept. 17: North Bay, ON• Sept. 24: Nipigon, ON• Sat. October 1st is Take A Kid MTB Day!Find more events at imbacanada.com/calendar

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Trail News

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said Mike Van Abel, IMBA U.S.A.’s executive director. IMBA frequently consulted with the filmmakers during the production.

“We worked hard to capture the beauty and intensity of mountain biking,” says director Jamie Howell. “The riding scenes give the film a visually impressive look, but it also explores important issues, like the need for land steward-ship and strategies for improving trail access.”

Pedal-Driven is now available for public screenings orga-nized by bike clubs, land management agencies and private individuals. IMBA clubs receive a substantial discount on screening fees. Hosting a screening is a great way for clubs to raise money for trails and their cause.

Check out one of these Canadian screenings:• Vancouver, BC: June 17th, hosted by the Mudbunnies• Calgary, AB: June 17th, hosted by Moose Mountain

Bike Trail Society• Whistler, BC: July 8th, Crankworx• Milton, ON: July 16th, Trailblazing Festival

TEMPoRARy SUSPENSIoN oF SUBARU vIP PRogRAM

An outstanding benefit of IMBA membership, the Subaru VIP program provides substantial savings on Subaru vehicles to individual members of six months or longer.

Unfortunately due to the recent crisis in Japan, the Subaru Canada VIP program has been temporarily suspended. Although we cannot guarantee a date, we anticipate the program will be up and running again in Fall 2011, and will report back at that time.

IMBA STAFFER NAMEd “oNE To WATCh”

Congratulations to IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew leader Deanne Lazaruk for being recognized by Capilano Uni-versity as “One to Watch.”

Deanne attended the sunshine coast university for its Mountain Bike Operations certificate in 2009, graduat-ing as the program's first female student. University staff commended Deanne on her work with IMBA Canada, as well as her dedication to trails and the mountain biking community at the award ceremony last month.

Capilano University’s two-semester Mountain Bike Operations certificate is a one-of-a-kind program where students learn trail construction and design, tourism, and event coordination. Since its inception five years ago, IMBA Canada has played an integral role in instruction and curriculum development.

IMBA AUSTRALIA REPoRTS MANy SUCCESSES AS IT APPRoAChES SECoNd ANNIvERSARy

With its stamp on the design of two bike parks, master planning in regional and national parks, trail audits, and the redesign of the Commonwealth Games XC course, IMBA’s newest office has made an impressive mark on mountain biking opportunities across Australia.

Since opening in Fall ’09 IMBA-Au’s National Director Nicolas Bowman has been working with local and state agencies to spread the word about sustainable trail build-ing and increased access for mountain bikers.

“One of the big challenges for IMBA-Au is that all land managers are state-based agencies, each having different ways of providing recreation, writing policy and liaising with stakeholder groups,” said Bowman. “Effectively, this means it is like working across seven different countries to get comprehensive access for riders.”

Despite this, the combined efforts of Mountain Bike Aus-tralia, IMBA U.S.A, and IMBA-Au have meant that all states now have policy related to bike access in public open spaces. Additionally, six states, as well as the Australian Capital Territory, have adopted the IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System for trail signage and risk management pur-poses.

With the organization’s second anniversary in sight, Bow-man is looking forward to launching a new website and membership database, and growing their consultancy work with state land managers.

PhotosTop: IMBA Canada helped celebrate Parks Canada's 100th Birthday in May with a campout at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. Partners Joyride150 and the Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association hosted a kids mountain biking event as part of the festivities.

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PoSITIvE ACTIoN FoR kEPPoCh ANTIGONISh, NS | MEMBER SINCE 2010

In early 2010, city council in Antigonish, NS, gave Posi-tive Action for Keppoch (PAK) permission to redevelop 150 acres of mountain terrain for recreational use. While there was lots of excitement around the opportunity, club director John Chiasson says the community was “afraid to jump in and get their feet wet.”

Forward to the summer, and PAK was chosen to host the IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew at Keppoch Mountain. “The workshop and trail building marked a high point in our summer and the goodwill that resulted led to two more successful workshops,” said Chiasson. “Suddenly people were talking about the project with optimism, hope and expectation.”

Since the visit by IMBA Canada, PAK has continued to meet with local and regional politicians and other trail users about the project. They received funding from city council and have plans to build a clubhouse and infrastruc-ture on the mountain — in addition to trails of course! As a result, the novice club has become a credible partner in the community, leading the way in volunteerism, recre-ation, health and fitness.

RUNdLE MoUNTAIN CyCLINg CLUB BANFF, AB | MEMBER SINCE 2011

Just shy of its 10th anniversary, the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club is celebrating. Last year the club saw an in-crease in membership and participation in programming, and continues to see growth.

“With our 2011 season just getting underway, and our membership currently over 300, we are on track to see another increase in club membership. It’s awesome to see more youth, women and men in our community discover, or perhaps rediscover, the joys of cycling here at home in the Bow Valley,” says head coach Lauren Lan.

Part of their success can be attributed to the creation of the Wild Flower Mountain Bike Program, with 50

women participating in the weekend and six-week clin-ics. RMCC has also seen an increase in their spring and summer youth programs,

We asked IMBA Canada clubs to send in stories of recent accomplishments. Read on, and be inspired!

which have engaged more than 150 kids aged 5-16. “From trail building volunteer days to toonie races and group rides, our club members spent a lot of time having a blast on two wheels,” exclaimed Lan.

dURhAM MoUNTAIN BIkINg ASSoCIATIoN DuRhAM, ON | MEMBER SINCE 2007

Twenty-ten was another successful year for the Durham Mountain Biking Association (DMBA), with membership growth from 200 to 350 (one third of which are women) and three successful trail work days. But best of all was the club’s fourth annual Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day festivities, says club president Thomas Hanrahan.

Over 180 kids and their families attended the event at the Durham Forest, which featured guided rides, free lunch for participants, loot bags, and draw prizes. Kids aged 2-6 took part, exploring a short beginner, and longer advanced course under the colourful autumn canopy.

“It was great to see boys and girls of all ages enjoying a fun trail riding experience — for many their first time riding off-road. The smiles, enthusiasm and sense of accomplish-ment on their faces was wonderful,” said Hanrahan.

To top it off, the event took place on lands for which the DMBA recently received a Soil Conservation Award from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, recog-nizing their volunteer contributions to trail development and maintenance.

CLUB vÉLo MoNT-TREMBLANT MONT-TREMBLANT, QC | MEMBER SINCE 2011

Like many other clubs in North America, the XC-arm of Vélo Mont-Tremblant was formed more than ten years ago when riders banded together to protect local trails from real estate development. Today, the club’s mission is to develop and promote cycling in the Mont-Tremblant region. Members meet twice a week for group rides, and once a month for womens’ rides.

The key to their success is support from the community and local businesses. With their help, Vélo Mont-Tremblant recently published a local trail guide and new website. Ac-cording to club coordinator Valérie Goyette they are also working with the municipality and local XC ski club to

Club Success StoriesCanadian

READ MORE SuCCESS STORIES, AND SuBMIT yOuR OWN ONLINE!

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NoMINATE yoUR TRAIL AdvoCATE!

All summer long IMBA Canada will be ac-cepting online nominations for best trail

advocate from Eastern and Western Canada. Winners will get the title of ‘X-

Fusion Trail Ambassador’ and take home a sweet X-Fusion Velvet RL

fork, courtesy of Renegade Cycle Solutions. Visit imbacanada.

com for more info.

refurbish trail signage, and hope to start develop-ing new trails soon.

WATERLoo CyCLINg CLUB WATERLOO, ON | MEMBER SINCE 2004

Once predominantly a road-focused cycling group, the Waterloo Cycling Club signed a ground breaking agreement with their municipality in 2009, giving them stewardship over local trails. Since then, trails have become a major focus for the club, driving membership and community involvement.

“The trail system has been a key component of the continuing success of the WCC. Our mem-bership has already passed 300 members in 2011, and more than half are mountain bikers,” said club president Brent Ellis.

Last year's programming included a series of Learn to Ride clinics for youth, weekly guided rides, trail building days, and product demo days. The WCC also presented a Trail Fun Day to showcase the trail system to the community. “The WCC trail system is a testament to passion for trails, foresight by government, and to creative partnerships,” said Ellis.

“And most importantly, hundreds of mountain bike riders from across Southern Ontario enjoy our community’s ribbon of trail through the for-est."

IMBA CANAdA AFFILIATEd CLUBSThese groups are leading the mountain bike movement in your hometown

BRITISh COLuMBIABurns Lake Mountain Biking AssociationCastlegar Mountain Bike SocietyColumbia Valley Cycling SocietyGold River Cycling ClubGolden Cycling ClubKamloops Performance Cycling CentreKimberley Trail SocietyKootenay Columbia Trails SocietyKootenay Freewheelers’ Cycling ClubLangley Mountain Biking AssociationMackenzie Mountain Bike ClubMerritt Mountain Bike AssociationMountain Bikers of the Central OkanaganNorth Okanagan Cycling SocietyNorth Shore Mountain Bike AssociationNorth Slocan Trails SocietyPender Harbour Outdoor ClubPowell River Cicyling ClubPrince George Cycling ClubPurcell Mountain Bike ClubRevelstoke Secondary Bike ClubRiver City Cycle ClubSmithers Mountain Bike AssociationSouth Island Mountain Bike SocietySprockids CoastridersSunshine Coast United Mountain BikersTerrace Off-Road Cycling AssociationTricities Offroad Cycling CoalitionWilliams Lake Cycling Club

ALBERTAAlberta Bicycle AssociationBow Valley Mountain Bike AssociationCalgary Mountain Bike AllianceFriends of Kananaskis Trail Care GroupHinton Mountain Bike Association Rundle Mountain Cycling ClubStrathcona County Bicycle AssociationTrips for Kids CalgaryUnited Riders of Crowsnest

SASKATChEWANNorthern Bush RastasOffroad Syndicate Mountain Bike ClubSouth Saskatchewan Mountain Bike ClubSwift Current Cycling Club

MANITOBAManitoba Escarpment Trail Society

ONTARIOBeachburg Off-Road Cycling AssociationBlack Sheep Cycling ClubBloomfield Bicycle ClubBolton Mountain Bike ClubCaledon Cycling ClubCentral East Sporting CoalitionDefiant MTBDryden Ghost Riders Mountain Bike ClubGuelph Off-Road Bicycling AssociationHamilton Cycling ClubLapdogs CyclingLondon Mountain Bike ClubMAMBO Kings Mountain Bike Club

Oakville Cy-cling ClubOttawa Mountain Bike Associa-tionOttawa Val-ley Moun-tain Bike AssociationPedal PushersShorthills Cycling ClubToronto Off-Road Bicycling AssociationTrips for Kids OttawaUpper Canada CollegeVelocity Bike Club Walden Mountain Bike ClubWoodstock Cycling Club

QuEBECADSVMQAssociation Cycliste des Regions de L’est du-QuebecAVMACentre D’Entrainement Cycliste Raphael GagneClub Cycliste Accro VéloClub Cycliste de Sherbrooke / DalbixClub Cycliste La MeuteClub de Plein Air de Ste-Anne-des-LacsClub de Vélo de Montagne des Bois-FrancsClub de Vélo de Montagne DrummondClub de Vélo les Rous BraquetsClub Lessard BiyclesClub Plein Air de Saint-DonatClub VeloepicCorporation Doupe du Monde de Vélo de Montagne Mt-Ste-AnneLe PedalierMauri CyclePlein Air Sainte-AdeleSarto GagnéVeliriumVélo2Max Dolbeau-Misassini

NEW BRuNSWICKHillsborough Mountain Bike AssociationRiver Valley Cycling Inc.Saint John Cycling ClubNOVA SCOTIANova Scotia Mountain Bike Trails As-sociationPositive Action for KeppochTrips for Kids yarmouthVélo Cape Breton Bicycle ClubPEICycling PEINEWFOuNDLANDWest Coast Cycling Association

*Current IMBA Canada affiliate clubs as of June 1, 2011. Find out how your club can join the mountain bike movement at imbacanada.com/membership

PhotosOpposite, left to right: Positive Action for Keppoch volunteers gather after an IMBA Trail Building School; Ladies take part in Rundle Mountain’s Wild Flower Mountain Bike Program; Kids gather for swag on DMBA’s Take A Kid Mountain Bike Day; youth riders in Mont-Tremblant.

Top left: WCC Trails; Top right: Rundle Mountain youth rider.

Trail building resources, news + events.

the new imbacanada.com

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Trail Building Tools: 101

We all know there’s more to trail building than just diggin’ in the dirt. Read on to brush up on tool dos and don’ts, and find out how to get your hands on them in Canada.

There are many tools on the market available for trail building: shovels, rakes, loppers, and handsaws, to name a few. Here are the big four: two for trail layout, and two for construction. If you’re building up your tool kit, start with these!

CLINoMETER

The grade or steepness of a trail is one of the most important factors in determining whether a trail will last. Clinometers enable you to read the percent grade between two points, allowing you to measure the steepness of the sideslope you are working on, and to lay out the trail grades accord-ingly.

Accurately estimating (eyeballing) grades is extremely difficult, so even the pros rely on this handy little tool.

One clinometer is worth 100 McLeods and Pulaskis — invest in one of these and learn how to use it. If you take the time to design your trail properly from the get-go, you’ll save hundreds of hours in maintenance and repairs.

Go to our website, or get your hands on a copy of Trail Solutions for detailed instruction on how to use a clino.

Tip: A clinometer measures a grade in degrees or percent. For highways, roads, and trails, percent is used.

Suunto and Brunton models available at IRL Supplies (BC) or Dendrotik (QC), as well as online through Ben Mead-ows, around $130.

FLAggINg (ribbon/pin)

Flagging, in the form of a roll of ribbon, or a wire-pin flag, is used to highlight an area for trail alignment, construction, and maintenance.

Ribbon flagging is ideal for identify-ing trail corridors: Tie a strip of tape around a tree or bush at eye level and within easy sight of the last flag. Marking the corridor allows for gen-eral trail layout, before focusing on the exact location of the trail tread.

For detailed layout, pin flags are used to mark the downhill edge of your trail tread. Placed in the ground every metre or so, it should be easy for volunteers and construction crews to visualize the final trail.

Tip: Choose a colour that will stand out from the foliage at the time of year you’ll be doing your trail layout. We recommend pink tape with black dots. And don’t forget that pin flags can be re-used multiple times!

Available where surveying or forestry equipment is sold. Thrifty builders can find ribbon at department stores that carry hunting gear, such as Canadian Tire or Walmart — even the dollar store! Flags: about $15-25 for 100. Ribbon: $1-5 per roll.

PULASkI

Originally designed for firefighting, the Pulaski has an axe on one side of the head and a grub hoe on the other. It is similar to a mattock that you’ll find in many gardening and home improvement centres, but with a narrower head making the Pulaski lighter and easier to wield.

Preferred by many trail crews because of its wide availability and versatility, the Pulaski is a great multi-purpose tool for loosening dirt, cutting through roots, grubbing brush, and sculpting tread. With the bit and adze keenly honed it is also an excellent wood-

working tool.

Tip: Make sure to work with the Pu-laski in front of you — never swing it above your shoulder. Also, don’t use this tool in rocky soil if you want to keep the edges sharp.

Find them at home improvement stores, or order from Ben Meadows, Lee Valley, or any good fire equipment supply store, $45-65.

MCLEod

Fondly referred to as the “Swiss Army knife” of trail tools, the McLeod is the ultimate trail sculptor and finishing tool: rake, hoe, and tamper all-in-one.

Also adopted from the firefighting field, the McLeod has a large square-shaped blade with a cutting edge on one side, and a rake with widely spaced tines on the other. The rake-like side is used to clear the corridor of debris, and to broadcast soil. The hoe-like blade is much more versatile — it can be used to remove sod, move loose soil, shape a trail’s backslope, and construct drainage knicks during maintenance. The flat bottom of the tool is best used for compacting the trail tread.

Tip: The McLeod’s head is not designed to handle serious impacts, so use it for shaping your tread, not swinging as you would to remove siz-able roots and branches.

Find Nupla Mcleods online at Ben Meadows, $43-75.

Where do you buy your tools? help us create an online listing of vendors across Canada by emailing us at Canada@imba.com

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frozen ground and soupy mud, but at the end of the day 400 metres of brand new singletrack was built.

With thunderstorms rolling in on Sunday, the group ride was cancelled, but spirits were high. The work of the HCC has had a great impact on the community of Dundas, and we expect to see continued success in the next few years.

- Chad & Deanne Lazaruk

The IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew is a dynamic two-person team of professional trailbuilders, educators, and enablers.

Supported by Parks Canada and the Trans Canada Trail, the Crew travels across the country year-round, get-ting Canadians of all ages outdoors, and educating them about sustain-able trails!

Follow their travels on the IMBA Canada blog, and check out p.4 for a list of events this summer.

Tales from the OutbackThe IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew travels across the nation promoting

sustainable trails. here’s a glimpse into their nomadic life.

MAKE SuRE TO ChECK OuT ThE AuG/SEPT ISSuE OF CANA-DIAN CyCLINg MAgAzINE FOR A STORy ON ThE TRAIL CARE CREW!

T he Hamilton Cycling Club (HCC) is Canada's oldest club, and up until recently, has been a road club. Less than a year ago a group of mountain bikers joined the

HCC to form an advocacy branch — their main goal was to get legal access to trails in the Dundas valley. It was thanks to the efforts of this group that the HCC was approached by Christie Lake Conservation Area and a partnership was formed.

It is not very often that we are invited to an area that has a blank canvas to work with. Our first task was helping the club configure a stacked loop system of singletrack within the existing doubletrack trail network. We then used the week leading up to Saturday's Trail Building School to walk the core advocacy group through the processes of flagging the trail and prepping for the volunteer day.

We had heard this visit was going to be popular because of its early season timing, but nothing really prepared us for what became the biggest Trail Building School in Canadian history. Seventy-seven attendees took part in the classroom session, and at least a dozen more showed up for the build in the afternoon. Freewheel Cycle, who hosted the BBQ, ran out of food and we barely had enough tools to go around. It was an astonishing sight to see a crowd of volunteers marching down the doubletrack to the work sites.

Due to a late season snowstorm, volunteers had to work through

"It was an astonishing sight to see a crowd of volunteers marching down the doubletrack to the work sites."

IMBA Canada’s Regional Lead-ership Advisory Council pro-gram is made possible by gen-erous funding from MEC.

BRITISh CoLUMBIA

JAMES BROWN

Some people claim that we are a little laid back out here on the west coast and frankly I would agree with them. What better attitude to have when enjoying nature on your bike?

So with that thought in mind BC’s Regional Leadership Advisory Council (RLAC) will get underway

this year, a few months behind On-tario’s implementation.

If you belong to an IMBA Canada affiliated club in BC, then we invite you to participate. Each club will have one seat on the council, and will play an instrumental role in establishing the province-wide network. Visit imbacanada.com/regional-develop-ment to find out more, or contact me directly: james.brown@imba.com.

—Call to action: BC Parks frequently posts updates to management plans for parks on their website. In many

cases mountain bicycling is being ex-cluded or restricted, which is counter to what other government agencies are trying to accomplish.

I strongly recommend that all moun-tain bikers in BC visit the BC Parks website and browse through the man-agement plans. If they are proposing to deny access to a park you currently ride, I urge you to make the time to write to BC Parks and voice your op-position.

oNTARIo

JASON MuRRAy

Greetings from Ontario! Here’s a quick update on some of the MTB related happenings in the province.

At the spring Toronto consumer bike show the Ontario Regional

Leadership Advisory Council (RLAC) had its first face-to-face meet-ing. Nine clubs sent delegates and we held an “unconference.” There was no set agenda, but everyone came with at least one item for discussion.

One of the key outcomes was the

desire for research on mountain bike policy across the province. In light of this, we’ve been compiling informa-tion about public trails that Ontario clubs are riding on, including who owns and manages the land as well as any policy that exists.

—The trail building season (aka the riding season) is off to a great start. Ontario has already played host to three Trail Care Crew visits, with six still to come.

Ontario clubs have also been busy, with maintenance days taking place at Hilton Falls Conservation Area

and Durham Forest. Is your club do-ing trail work? Let us know so we can spread the word.

—Mark your calendars: Trailblazing Festival, July 16, 2011. Organized by Mountain Bike Ontario, a new pro-vincial grassroots organization, the goal of the festival is to unite, support and celebrate Ontario’s passionate mountain bike community.

Read more about the event on p.4.

To get involved with IMBA in On-tario contact: jason.murray@imba.com.

ALBERTA

DAVID MILLS

It’s been almost a year since we advertised that we were looking

to add a staff person in Alber-ta, and so we are thrilled to finally announce David Mills as IMBA Canada’s Alberta Regional Coordinator! Among other things, David will be fa-

cilitating the AB Regional Leadership Advisory Council, and keeping tabs

on all things mountain biking in the province. Meet the newest member of our team!

David has been riding off-road since the mid-80s, with stints as a racer, race organizer, coach and official in the ‘90s.

After enjoying the fruits of other people’s labour for far too long, he started building trail with the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance (CMBA) in 2008. One thing led to another,

and he was eventually tricked into co-leading the CMBA in the spring of 2010.

When David isn’t designing/building trail or applying the n+1 rule to his collection of bikes, you can find him on the trails of Calgary and area. He also enjoys a pint at the pub from time to time.

David is based out of Calgary and can be reached at: david.mills@imba.com

updates from IMBA Canada’s Regional Coordinators

Your Neck of the Woods

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QUÉBEC

ERIC LEONARD

L’Association pour le Développement des Sentiers de Vélo de Montagne au Québec (ADSVMQ), fondée en 2004 par des amateurs de plein air, est un partenaire provincial de l’IMBA Canada. L’association s’est

donnée pour mission de défendre et de promouvoir le vélo de montagne comme

une activité de plein air légitime, accessible et en ligne avec de saines habitudes de vies.

Le 9 avril dernier, l’ADSVMQ organisait le premier « Sommet des Sentiers » à Saint-Hyacinthe. L’organisme a lancé l’invitation aux clubs, aux associations et aux cy-clistes afin de discuter des problèmes de sentiers auxquels ils font face dans leur région. La réponse fut incroyable puisque plus d’une 50aine de passionnés s’est présentée à cette journée.

Les discussions ont permis de faire ressortir plusieurs grands thèmes dont : L’absence de clubs régionaux permettant d’assurer les intérêts des cyclistes auprès des municipalités et des gestionnaires de terrain; L’absence de moyen de communication entre les cyclistes et la difficulté de rejoindre une grande majorité d’entre eux; L’image du vélo de montagne; L’éthique de sentier.

De plus, cet événement a permis d’aider l’ADSVMQ à bâtir son plan d’action pour les années à venir et de créer le Comité Québécois de Sentiers (CQS – basé sur le « RLAC » de l’IMBA Canada). L’ADSVMQ pourra ainsi compter sur une équipe de coordonnateurs régionaux qui permettront de mettre en contact les divers clubs et organ-ismes au sein d’une même région.

Suite à cette journée, l’ADSVMQ a embauché un agent de communication qui organisera le déploiement de cette initiative. Ce nouvel employé sera notamment responsable d’aider les nouveaux coordonnateurs régionaux, de développer les outils de communication nécessaire afin de rassembler les cyclistes de la province et de créer un réseau de collaborateurs qui mettront leurs efforts et initiatives en commun.

Read Eric’s column about the 2011 Sommet des Sentiers in English on the IMBA Canada blog.

Keys for ClubsDo you want to help your club get more organized? Maybe you see a need to jump-start a new local group? There are three fundamental drivers for why local mountain bikers get organized. While any one of these can be enough of a catalyst to get the ball rolling, all three working simultane-ously will more likely sustain the organization.

1. A program to get political, especially when favourite trails are threatened with closure.

2. A commitment to protecting natural resources by building and maintaining sustainable trails.

3. A social element. Clubs function best when they promote a sense of community.

Remember, it’s leadership that keeps organizations relevant. Leaders do more than organize, they cultivate a sense of purpose and then involve others in programs that support that purpose. And they recruit and grow new leadership, because no one can lead a club forever.

Find more resources at imbacanada.com/resources, or contact your regional coordinator.

kIdS, gET REAdy To RIdE oN oCT. 1ST!International Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day is IMBA’s annual celebration which challenges adults and biking clubs to introduce kids to the sport of cycling.

October 2011 marks the seventh annual celebration of Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day, an event which has put more than 43,000 kids and adults on bicycles world-wide. Organized by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the event takes place on the first Saturday of every October.

Join us on Saturday, October 1st, 2011. Events range from a few kids in a neighbourhood, to larger fes-tival style events in a community park, open space or trailhead. Get more info on hosting an event at: imbacanada.com/tkmbd

O ur corporate members pro-vide essential funding to fuel IMBA Canada’s work. Please

help us say thanks by giving them your business!

For information about how you or your organization can support IMBA Canada, including sponsorship of IMBA Canada Trail News, please con-tact Lora Woolner: lora@imba.com.

CoRPoRATE MEMBERS, A-zThose highlighted in bold have gone Above and Beyond their cash mem-bership dues with additional support.

24 Hours of Adrenalin / Twen-ty4 Sports Inc. Alpine Bike ParksAxis Gear Company Ltd.Boréale Mountain BikingBruce CountyCanmore Nordic Centre Provincial ParkCapilano university: Mountain Bike Operations ProgramChico RacingChicopee Ski and Summer ResortChromag BikesCobequid Trail ConsultantsCommunity Futures Crowsnest Pass

Corporate SupportershEARTy ThANKS TO IMBA CANADA’S CORPORATE MEMBERS WhO SuPPORT OuR EFFORTS NATION-WIDE.

NATIoNAL PARTNERSIMBA has long been committed to the principle that successful trail projects stem from partnerships built by well-informed land manag-ers, responsible recreation groups, community-minded businesses and other stakeholders in public lands.

Thank You!

Conservation halton: Kelso / hil-ton Falls / MountsbergCreative Wheel/La Rocca XC MTB SchoolCycle OntarioDirt Series Mountain Bike Camps Ltd.Geomatics Data Management Inc.hardwood Ski and BikeInter-Mtn Enterprises Inc.Joyride 150Mountain Equipment Co-opNorco BikesNorthern Mountain Bike Adven-turesOntario Trails CouncilOrigin Design + Communications Ltd.Outdoor Gear CanadaRenegade Cycle SolutionsRocky Mountain BicyclesRyders EyewearRyeka SportSacred Rides Mountain Bike Ad-venturesSentiers Boréals Inc.Sir Sam’s ResortSpecialized CanadaSubaru CanadaSustainable Trails Ltd.The North Face CanadaThule Canada

WELCOME TO OuR NEWEST CORPORATE MEMBERS!

Alpine Bike Parks Ltd. Boréale Mountain Biking The North Face Canada Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association

Township of KingTransRockies Inc.Trek Bicycle Corporation CanadaWestern Canada Mountain Bike Tourism AssociationWhistler Mountain Bike ParkZeptechniques Mountain Bike Camps and Instructor Training

14

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Contributors of $40 or more receive IMBA socks

Sock size S/M L/XL

Keep the socks.use all of my money for trails.

Get it!

Trail Solutions IMBA’s top-selling trailbuilding manual. 272 pages of cutting-edge trail building techniques, in a colourful, easy-to-read format. $40

Charger Lock-on gripsCustom IMBA Canada grips, by Lizard Skin. $25

Travel MugThe perfect mug to get your cuppa joe to the trailhead for that early morning ride. $20

Long Live Long Rides TeeIMBA Canada’s brought back the classic slogan, in unisex and women’s tees. Get it free, when you donate to the Trail Access Fund! $20

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IMBA Canada's Trail Care Crew will be working in 35 communities this year...That's 35 great reasons to support the 2011 Trail Building Fund. Donate now online at imbacanada.com/tbf