| One of the realities of being human is that the | | | | created a center which provides professional services |
| passions we share with others are the ones which | | | | including trail design, and works with the United |
| bring us the most happiness and fulfillment. You may | | | | States government through the Congress, the |
| have friends who enjoy mountain biking with you | | | | Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and |
| every once in a while, but do not understand why | | | | he National Park Service as an advocate for the |
| you spend your days dreaming of the next time you | | | | interests of off-road cyclists. |
| can mount up and head out to conquer the | | | | The IMBA also lends its support to mountain biking |
| wilderness. You deserve to find kindred spirits, and | | | | associations on a local level; with assistance from |
| you should think about becoming a member of a | | | | other corporate sponsors, they help with finances, |
| mountain biking association. | | | | and the building and maintaining of local biking trails. |
| The IMBA | | | | One of the beneficiaries of help from the IMBA has |
| The first place you should look for companionship is | | | | been the New England Mountain Bike Association, a |
| the International Mountain Biking Association; they | | | | group of New Englander who promotes biking on the |
| have been around since 1988, and are considered the | | | | best international trails. The IMBA has helped them by |
| original mountain biking associations. The International | | | | preserving the very trails which they promote, and |
| Mountain Biking Association was the brain child of five | | | | by educating the entire mountain world in safe and |
| California clubs who wanted to organize against the | | | | responsible cycling. |
| threatened closure of the biking terrain throughout | | | | The IMBA publishes "Trail Solutions," a 272-page |
| their state. | | | | manual offering mountain cycling clubs advice on |
| The five charter members of the International | | | | state-of-the-art trail design and construction tips with |
| Mountain Biking Association were Bicycles Trails | | | | proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read |
| Council East Bay; Responsible Organized Mountain | | | | format. |
| Pedalers; Concerned Off road Bicyclists Association; | | | | The manual also explains ways to attract sponsors |
| the Sacramento Rough Riders; and Bicycle Trails | | | | and volunteers to help get the trail builst. It was |
| Council Marin. | | | | written by over twenty mountain biking and trail |
| The International Mountain Biking Association has | | | | construction experts. |
| grown significantly in the two decades since it began, | | | | If you are looking for a mountain biking association |
| and has continuously campaigned to preserve | | | | with members who share your enthusiasm, start with |
| mountain biking trails and terrain. They are the | | | | a local but well-established group. You'll find them |
| ultimate advocates keeping biking trails open across | | | | very helpful in introducing you to the wider world of |
| the globe. | | | | mountain cycling, and perhaps event to some of its |
| The IMBA Center | | | | superstars! |
| The International Mountain Biking Association has | | | | |