07-17-06 - Thanks to Kona Bicycle Company's generous support, seven IMBA clubs will receive $1,000 cash grants to help create new freeriding, downhilling and dirt jumping opportunities. IMBA received many applications for the 2006 Kona/IMBA Freeride Grants, and the field of applicants demonstrated an impressive level of sophistication. Each application featured detailed maps and budgets and evidence of good relationships with local land managers.

Funding for the program comes from Kona and the Kona/IMBA Bowling Party, an annual Las Vegas fundraiser held during Interbike, the bicycle industry trade show. The program's goal is to support the development of freeriding opportunities on public land.

Here are the 2006 winners:

Black Hills Mountain Bike Association, Rapid City, South Dakota
BHMBA has gained permission from Rapid City Parks and Recreation to construct a dirt jump park in an underutilized, heavily shaded cottonwood grove on city land. The club has cleaned huge amounts of trash and is assisting the city with a controlled burn to prep the area for the construction and control invasive plant species.

Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association, Grand Junction, Colorado
COPMOBA will be designing and building the first purpose-built downhill trail in the Grand Junction area. The trail design provides for shuttle access and will include a number of freeride play areas.

Disco Velo, Hood River, Oregon
Disco Velo is leading the charge in developing the Hood River Bike Park, a gravity-fed jump trail within a small municipal park that will also meet specifications as an American Bicycle Association BMX track.

Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, Indiana
HMBA, working with the managers of Rangeline Nature Preserve near Anderson, IN, have built a great cross country trail system and are now ready to add some spice to the trails with the addition of optional freeride features within the existing trail corridor.

Kingdom Trails Association, East Burke, Vermont
Kingdom Trails Association is developing plans for a progressive skills area that will initiate youth and novice riders to berms, jumps, and narrow bridges in a controlled environment that minimizes risk of injury and allows for active instruction.

Pipeline Bike Club Council, Coquitlam, British Columbia
Pipeline Bike Club Council has partnered with the city of Coquitlam, British Columbia, to build a dirt jump park. The park consists of a pump track, several dirt jumps and a racing track. Construction in 2006 will include a new rhythm section for the racetrack and intermediate and beginner jump lines.

Surrey Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts (SORCE), Surrey, British Columbia
SORCE is working with Surrey Parks Division to transform an unused open field into a high-skill, low-risk bike park within the city limits, accessible via the Surrey Transit system and local trails and bike lanes.

The Kona/IMBA Freeriding Grant program builds on Kona's time-tested, outstanding support of mountain biking advocacy. Kona has been a leading IMBA corporate supporter since 1994, and has developed several creative fundraising projects, including the Kona Buck-A-Bike program, the ongoing Kona Bro Deal program (which asks all bro deal purchasers to become IMBA members), and the highly successful bowling tournament.

For more information, visit IMBA Grant Resources.

Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Manager
markeller@imba.com
303-545-9011