UPDATE, 7/26: The application period has been extended from July 27 to September 1 due to strong interest. Thank you!

Media contact: Eleanor Blick
IMBA Communications Manager
(720) 900-4622

(Boulder, Colo. June 13, 2018) The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is now accepting applications for the next class of IMBA Ride Centers. This designation recognizes the pinnacle of mountain biking communities. These are large-scale facilities with something for every rider, and range from gold-level destinations including Park City, UT, and Oakridge, OR, to up-and-coming destinations embracing mountain bikers like McCall, ID, and Marquette, MI.

The IMBA Ride Center designation is designed to support local stakeholders and land managers in their effort to create the ultimate mountain biking destination trail system. The application criteria serves as the blueprint for achieving and improving a trail system and is comprised of multiple factors with both trail experience and surrounding community amenities being measured. The application process consists of a self-evaluation, an in-person onsite professional assessment and review, a report detailing the findings and a thorough evaluation of the existing conditions, opportunities for growth, and recommendations on next steps to improving the trail system status.

“The Ride Center designation is as much about the process as it is the award, by helping community partners use the process as a guide and educational experience for creating amazing places to ride,” said Shane Wilson, Trail Solutions Program Manager at IMBA.

Currently there are 39 IMBA Ride Centers (six Gold, 15 Silver, 18 Bronze), nine of which are outside of the U.S. With the recent 2018 announcement congratulating Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Vail Valley and Steamboat Bike Town on becoming the newest IMBA Ride Centers, Virginia and Colorado now each have three Ride Centers, alongside Arkansas and Minnesota. Idaho leads the U.S. states with four Ride Centers.

IMBA Ride Centers feature extensive trail networks, masterfully designed for mountain bikers of every skill level and built by professional trailbuilders and local volunteers. From backcountry adventures to shuttle-served gravity trails, and from expert-only trails to family-friendly riding, mountain bikers can expect the best the sport has to offer at an IMBA Ride Center. Trails systems are integrated, well-designed, and embraced by the surrounding communities for the economic, tourism and other benefits they provide.

Interested applicants should review information and download materials for the three-step application process on imba.com. Applicants and potential applicants with questions on the process should contact model.trails@imba.com for further information. The application period will close September 1, 2018.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational association established in 1988. Its mission is to create, enhance and protect great places to ride mountain bikes. Learn more at imba.com.