SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
This fall (Oct. 1-3), IMBA and the U.S. Forest Service will host the Tahoe Trails Conference at South Lake Tahoe’s Montbleu Resort and Casino. The event, which is open to all members of the mountain bike community, will create a valuable opportunity for collaboration between riders, land managers and the bike industry. The goal is to ensure the future of sustainable and enjoyable trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and beyond.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to share information, improve understanding and keep open the lines of communication open,” says IMBA’s Tom Ward. “This is a critical juncture for relations between people who are passionate about riding their mountain bikes in the forest, and those charged with protecting the incredible resources in the Lake Tahoe Basin. We will focus on this area, but I have no doubt that these discussions will be relevant to mountain bikers and land managers in other regions.”
Registration for the Tahoe Trails Conference will open on IMBA’s home page in upcoming weeks. Registration costs will be kept to a minimum for this no-frills gathering. A limited number of scholarships will be made available, with the goal of attracting as many leaders from the local mountain bike community as possible.
Specific conference goals include:
- Create a sense of environmental stewardship and ownership for the trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
- Enhance riders’ awareness of Lake Tahoe’s sensitive environment.
- Develop understanding of design and engineering elements that go into creating enjoyable and sustainable trails.
- Create understanding of what is needed to develop a strong and effective mountain bike community.
- Facilitate networking among land managers and activists in the mountain bike community.
Conference Outcomes:
- The creation of an informed mountain bike community that takes pride and ownership of the trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
- Encourage trailbuilders to partner with land managers on the planning, construction and maintenance of trails.
- Promote better understanding of the trail experiences riders desire.
- Foster long-term protection of the environment in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
- Ensure long-term protection and expansion of mountain biking opportunities.
- In addition to informational sessions and presentations the conference will feature group rides, networking opportunities and planned social gatherings.
