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IMBA to Host Four More Wild Rides: Explore Outstanding California Singletrack Threatened by Wilderness Closures
For Immediate Release: August 5, 2003
* White Mountains (Near Bishop), Aug. 22-24
* South Fork of the Trinity/Chinquapin, Aug. 30-Sept.1
* Mount Lola/Castle Peak, Sept. 7
* Mill Creek, Oct. 24-26
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is hosting a series of mountain bike rides to showcase trails that could be lost to potential Wilderness designations. Recently re-introduced Congressional legislation calls for 2.5 million acres of California public land to be reclassified as federal Wilderness. Bicycle use is categorically prohibited in Wilderness areas. Many of the proposed areas contain popular mountain bike trails that cyclists have ridden for years.
Each IMBA Wild Ride features singletrack with outstanding vistas. The events are designed to celebrate the spirit of mountain bicycling and increase awareness of great trails and lands that need protection from development, but not specifically through Wilderness designations that ban bicycle use.
1) White Mountains (Near Bishop), Aug. 22-24 The White Mountains are a desert mountain range towering high above the Owens Valley from the Sierras. They feature the world's oldest trees, Bristlecone Pines, with a lifespan in excess of 4,000 years. Join area cyclists for two days of epic rides with thousands of feet of climbing. Local cyclists will host the IMBA Wild Ride to showcase beautiful singletrack trails and emphasize the importance of preserving and protecting the land. For more detailed information or to register visit: http://www.imba.com.
2) South Fork of the Trinity/Chinquapin, Aug. 30-Sept.1 Join area cyclists Labor Day weekend for beautiful singletrack rides along the Trinity River. The trails in the Chinquapin region of the upper South Fork of the Trinity River are some of the oldest around - dating back to the gold rush era. Bicyclists have been enjoying and sharing these trails for years. Check out these fun trails and learn how to keep them wild and open to cyclists. For more information or to register visit: http://www.imba.com.
3) Mount Lola/Castle Peak, Sunday Sept. 7 Mount Lola is one of the highest peaks in the northern Sierras and the highest peak in the Tahoe National Forest. The IMBA Wild Ride offers mostly smooth singletrack on the climb through mixed conifer forests and aspen groves. The descent to White Rock Lake includes technical rock sections. Join riders in celebrating these fantastic trails and help prevent their closure through proposed Wilderness designations. For more information or to register visit: http://www.imba.com.
4) Mill Creek, Oct. 24-26 This classic northern California riverside trail south of Lassen National Park is also slated to be closed to mountain biking by proposed Wilderness designations. Join area cyclists in celebrating the trail and showcasing what could be lost. The beautiful 30 mile out-and-back route parallels the river for a scenic day of riding. For more information or to register visit: http://www.imba.com.
To learn more about IMBA's work to save trails in California or to view a detailed list of land being considered for Wilderness designation visit: http://www.imba.com. About half of the areas being considered for Wilderness do not overlap popular mountain biking trails. IMBA is focusing on the proposed Wilderness areas that conflict with significant riding opportunities. We advocate boundary adjustments and/or alternative types of protection to keep these areas wild and open to mountain biking.
IMBA is a national and international education and advocacy organization with 500 member clubs, 32,000 individual members, and more than 400 corporate partners and dealer members. IMBA creates, enhances and preserves trail opportunities for mountain bicyclists worldwide. In 1988, five California mountain biking clubs created IMBA.
Today, more than 60 bicycling clubs in California are IMBA affiliated. California bicycle manufacturing, retailing, tourism and publishing businesses generate an estimated $2 billion per year in economic activity.
Contact: Jenn Dice, IMBA government affairs director
jenn@imba.com, 303-545-9011end
