IMBA gives Oregon top marks
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on December 27th, 2006 at 9:27 am
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has just released their eighth annual Report Card and Oregon has been named the “Top Dog” in the U.S.
In their official press release they mention local mountain bike club, the Portland United Mountain Pedalers (PUMP).
Here’s more from IMBA:
“Our reasons for making this selection go beyond outstanding riding. There’s also a statewide plan for developing trail recreation that should be inspirational for the rest of the Union. On top of that, Oregon’s standout bike clubs - like the…..Portland United Mountain Pedalers (PUMP) and others who are working diligently to protect trail access. They’ve even helped shape a bike-friendly land management plan for Mount Hood - no small trick.”
Here in Portland, it seems like we’re lagging behind other parts of Oregon. I would love to see more partnerships between PUMP and other groups to open up more acreage in Forest Park to mountain bikes. The recent completion of Firelane 5 is fantastic, but we still need more places to ride.
There is also an ongoing effort for an urban, mountain-bike skills park (like this one in Seattle) but I haven’t heard an update on that in a long time.
This recent good news from IMBA, along with singletrack trails being a new criteria for going Platinum, should provide local mountain bikers with the momentum to make some exciting things happen in 2007.
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December 27th, 2006 16:15
Hey Jonathan,
Thanks for sharing this article.
I recognize the article was short and they couldn't mention everything, but hopefully part of their selection process included consideration of our very own Mt. Bike Oregon, a weekend getaway dream vacation for mt. bikers that takes place in Oakridge, OR every summer. Free beer nightly, tons of trails and shuttles, camping along the river, ride guides and the splendor of national forest on all sides. If you're a mountain biker (new or hardcore), it really doesn't get any better than this.
http://www.mtbikeoregon.com
p.s. Props to PUMP for all the good mt. bike work they do locally!
December 28th, 2006 10:18
pump is great. before I hurt my leg, I loved riding out there.
at any rate, I think that the photos might be my favorite part of this blog. that and elly's constructive, positive, well-thought, well-written articles. you got a problem with that? you can email me.
thanks.
December 28th, 2006 10:29
Good point about Forest Park, I just recently went for some bike riding after the cross season was over and it is frustrating to see how little can be ridden, Firelane 5 singletrack is not much more of what you can ride at Mt. Tabor, so if you consider the difference in scale of the parks it is pretty limited. I have hiked and walked several time there, both on Leif Erickson and the trails, and I think a mix use is very possible and it would eliminate some of the traffic on Leif Erickson.
Ciao
Paolo