Steamboat Springs to host 2014 IMBA World Summit
Originally posted on November 18, 2013 at 18:48 pm“Bike Town USA” is in the news again.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has announced that its 2014 World Summit will be held in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Aug. 20-24. The biennial event brings together mountain bike enthusiasts, volunteers, trail builders and thought leaders with bike industry representatives, land managers and government officials from across the U.S. and around the world. The IMBA World Summit is a unique opportunity for people to share ideas, learn new things and ride great trails in a beautiful destination.
IMBA chose Steamboat Springs from a strong pool of 16 proposals from mountain biking destinations across the country. Additional details, including a call for conference presentations and early registration, will be made available in January.
Steamboat was named an IMBA Bronze-level Ride Center in 2013 in recognition of its more than 500 miles of trails, active IMBA chapter (Routt County Riders) and city-wide commitment to support for trails. In November, residents of Steamboat overwhelmingly voted to spend millions of dollars of the city’s lodging tax on local trail development.
The 10-year project intends to connect trail networks, authorize a network of previously unauthorized trails, complete new singletrack, add more multi-use byways to downtown and enhance traffic crossings and trailhead amenities. Some $500,000-$800,000 will be available annually for trail development.
Steamboat earned gold-level status in the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Community program. It’s home to many IMBA corporate supporters, including Moots Cycles, Honey Stinger, Smartwool and Big Agnes. Thanks to the Routt County Riders securing one of three grants from Bell Helmets and IMBA in 2013, the city now has a new, professionally built dirt jump park within city limits to complement its wide array of lift-assisted downhill trails and rugged, high-alpine singletrack.
The 2012 IMBA World Summit, hosted in Santa Fe with the help of the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, drew nearly 400 participants from across the U.S. and 10 other countries. In addition to educational workshops including advanced trail design, community organizing, leadership development, youth programming and the economics of mountain biking, attendees were treated to multiple ride options, nightly parties, bike demos, a jump jam, a movie premier and a community art night.