Bell Built trail building grant returns for third year

The Bell Built trail building project, a partnership between Bell Helmets and IMBA, will award a $100,000 grant to a single mountain bike project in the USA this year to construct an advanced and aggressive technical trail. The award is a departure from previous years where the grant was split into three winners, one in each region.

For 2015, three finalists will be selected from the East, Central, and West regions by Bell and IMBA, and the winner for each region will be chosen by votes. Then the regional winners will face off in a final vote for all the cash. The grand prize winner will also receive technical assistance from IMBA Trail Solutions to construct its dream trail.

Bell and IMBA have received more than 200 grant submissions in the previous two years, from IMBA chapters, clubs and land management agencies. Six project have been completed by IMBA Trail solutions, two in each of the three regions:

Previous winners

East

2013: Kingdom Trail Association, Burke Bike Park/Jay Peak Resort, Burke, Vermont.

2014: RVA More, Richmond Regional Ride Center flow trail, Richmond, Virginia.

Central

2013: Copper Harbor Trails Club, Overflow Trail, Copper Harbor, Michigan.

2014: Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, Cottage Grove Bike Park, Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

West

2013: Routt County Riders, Bear River Bike Park, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

2014: Flagstaff Biking Organization, Ft. Tuthill Bike Park, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Application

If your club or agency would like to apply, you must fill out the application and submit it by March 6. Applicants must be a 501c3 or public land management agency. Some of the requirements for consideration:

• Project’s proximity to a large population center.
• At least 300 vertical feet of continuous descending.
• Presence of a well-organized community of mountain bikers that will provide ongoing support and maintenance for the project. (IMBA Chapter or other stable mountain bike organization/club)
• Land manager support to ensure quality product and management.
• Applicant’s ability to raise sufficient funds to complete the project if the total cost exceeds the service grant value ($100,000).
• Project must enhance the local riding opportunities. Goal is to maximize the “fun factor” for the local community and provide a quality experience.
• Volunteer Capacity and Organization: Is there a plan in place for applicant’s volunteers to assist IMBA Trail Solutions with construction if needed, and will volunteers/the applicant’s organization participate in the facility’s ongoing success/maintenance?

Timeline

March: Regional winners will be selected and contacted
April 13-April 27: West Region voting period
April 27-May 11: Central Region voting period
May 11-May 25: East Region voting period
May 25-June 5: Grand Prize voting period
June 5: Winner announced