Dear Texas and Louisiana Mountain Bikers,
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is coming to Houston and you're invited. It's IMBA's first Hot Spot visit of 2003, and Houston is in the hot seat.
The IMBA Hot Spots program focuses on improving urban trail access and advocacy resources. Urban mountain bike trail access is one of the most difficult challenges IMBA faces. As cities continue to expand and open space dwindles, it's becoming more and more difficult for mountain bikers and other trail enthusiasts to find convenient places to enjoy the outdoors.
With a population of four million and only nine miles of legitimate trails, Houston has some work to do. From Jan. 9-19, IMBA will be in Houston meeting with land managers and bike advocates, giving dynamic bike shop presentations, rubbing shoulders with mountain bikers, and, of course, riding. There's even a Fat Tire Festival planned. We're hoping this nine-day visit by Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew members Aaryn Kay and Scott Linnenburger will open discussions and motivate local park managers to increase mountain biking access.
We've got an awesome line-up planned, with lots of public events. Check out the details below and mark your calendar.
----
SATURDAY, JAN. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: TRAILBUILDING SCHOOL, DAY 1
Scott and Aaryn lead the first of a two-day Trailbuilding School at the West End Community Center on Heights Blvd. (between Washington and I-10). This school combines interactive learning, hands-on trailwork and top-notch instructors to develop skilled trailworkers and crew leaders. Topics covered include designing sustainable trails, controlling water flow, building effective trail structures, and routine trail maintenance.
The first half of the day is classroom work. After lunch, everyone drives to Memorial Park (http://www.houstonparks.org/ParksFacilities/memorial_park.htm) to learn how to lay out trail. The field work will be hands-on trailbuilding, so come prepared. You'll probably be most comfortable in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen and a hat. Also bring trailbuilding tools--pulaskis, McLeods, shovels, rakes--if you have them.
The cost of the Trailbuilding School is $25, with proceeds going to the Greater Houston Off Road Biking Association (GHORBA). This fee covers the cost of IMBA's Building Better Trails book, IMBA socks, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Space is limited to 50 people, so please sign up ahead of time. Email Larry Pruitt at lpruitt@texasamercian.com.
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.: OPEN HOUSE AT BIKESPORT
2909 Joanel St., Houston (http://www.bikesportworld.com/home.asp)
Scott and Aaryn mingle with the locals and present an exciting slideshow about IMBA around the world. Come learn more about IMBA and check out the latest gear for 2003.
SUNDAY, JAN. 12, 9 a.m.: TRAILBUILDING SCHOOL, DAY 2
The Trailbuilding School continues at Memorial Park. After the trailwork, we're hoping Aaryn and Scott will have time for a fun ride to celebrate work well done. Bring your bike!
MONDAY, JAN. 13, 6:00 p.m.: NIGHT RIDE AND DINNER
Bring your bike, light and helmet and meet at Memorial Park (http://www.houstonparks.org/ParksFacilities/memorial_park.htm) for an exciting night ride. If the trails are wet, we'll do the "Urban Assault" ride downtown.
After working up an appetite, we head to Mission Burritos (http://gotexas.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.missionburritos.com) on West Alabama for some great food. Voted Best Burrito and Best Cheap Eats in Houston, Mission Burritos is a fiesta for your tastebuds.
TUESDAY, JAN. 14, 6:00 p.m.: MOUNTAIN BIKING AROUND THE WORLD WITH IMBA
REI, 7951 Katy Freeway (http://www.rei.com/stores/houston/index.html)
Join Scott and Aaryn for an exciting slideshow presentation at REI. Here's your chance to hang out with fellow riders and learn what IMBA is doing at home and abroad.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15: LUNCH, RIDE, OPEN HOUSE - HOUSTON, WEST SIDE
The trail crew spends the day with people on the west side of town. They will look at trails in the area, go to lunch at Jason's Deli, ride in the afternoon, then head for Westside Bicycles (formerly Westside Schwinn) for an Open House and reception. If you'd like more information on the day, contact June Frye at rebecca.j.frye@exxonmobil.com.
THURSDAY, JAN. 16: OPEN HOUSE, RIDE, DINNER
After a meeting with local officials at Jack Brooks Park and another meeting looking at the preliminary design of the Hill at Sims Bayou (the would-be Olympic mountain bike venue), the real fun begins.
5:00-6:30 p.m.: OPEN HOUSE AT WEST END BICYCLES
5427 Blossom (http://www.westendbikes.com/fsweall.html)
Join IMBA for an open house at West End Bicycles on Blossom St. (near Memorial Park). We'll then go on the weekly ride around town (20 miles at a moderate pace). Dinner out follows the ride.
FRIDAY, JAN. 17: MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVOCACY
It's another long day of meetings for the Trail Care Crew, including a trail symposium highlighting the need for trails in Houston. Sorry, this is closed to the public.
SATURDAY, JAN. 18: FAT TIRE FESTIVAL
Double Lake Recreation Area (http://www.r8web.com/texas/Recreation/Sam Houston/double_lake.htm)
This will be a full day of biking festivities. There will be a time trial, poker run, silent auction, and trials playground for anyone crazy enough to try it. Munch on breakfast goodies in the morning, enjoy a great pasta lunch, and then sip a frosty Fat Tire Amber Ale as you kick back to the sounds of Moses Guest (http://www.mosesgoods.com/sys-tmpl/door/) at 3:30 p.m.
You can see the festival flyer and a complete list of events at
http://www.mtnbikerider.com/. We recommend camping, so call to get your
reservations soon! The cost of the festival is $25/person and $50 for
families, which will benefit the GHORBA trail fund and the Houston Police Department's Blue Santa Program (bikes for kids).
For more information about the whole Hot Spot week, check out GHORBA's website at http://www.ghorba.org/imbavisit.asp. You can also contact Christina Case at CLCase@teppco.com.
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is coming to Houston and you're invited. It's IMBA's first Hot Spot visit of 2003, and Houston is in the hot seat.
The IMBA Hot Spots program focuses on improving urban trail access and advocacy resources. Urban mountain bike trail access is one of the most difficult challenges IMBA faces. As cities continue to expand and open space dwindles, it's becoming more and more difficult for mountain bikers and other trail enthusiasts to find convenient places to enjoy the outdoors.
With a population of four million and only nine miles of legitimate trails, Houston has some work to do. From Jan. 9-19, IMBA will be in Houston meeting with land managers and bike advocates, giving dynamic bike shop presentations, rubbing shoulders with mountain bikers, and, of course, riding. There's even a Fat Tire Festival planned. We're hoping this nine-day visit by Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew members Aaryn Kay and Scott Linnenburger will open discussions and motivate local park managers to increase mountain biking access.
We've got an awesome line-up planned, with lots of public events. Check out the details below and mark your calendar.
----
SATURDAY, JAN. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: TRAILBUILDING SCHOOL, DAY 1
Scott and Aaryn lead the first of a two-day Trailbuilding School at the West End Community Center on Heights Blvd. (between Washington and I-10). This school combines interactive learning, hands-on trailwork and top-notch instructors to develop skilled trailworkers and crew leaders. Topics covered include designing sustainable trails, controlling water flow, building effective trail structures, and routine trail maintenance.
The first half of the day is classroom work. After lunch, everyone drives to Memorial Park (http://www.houstonparks.org/ParksFacilities/memorial_park.htm) to learn how to lay out trail. The field work will be hands-on trailbuilding, so come prepared. You'll probably be most comfortable in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen and a hat. Also bring trailbuilding tools--pulaskis, McLeods, shovels, rakes--if you have them.
The cost of the Trailbuilding School is $25, with proceeds going to the Greater Houston Off Road Biking Association (GHORBA). This fee covers the cost of IMBA's Building Better Trails book, IMBA socks, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Space is limited to 50 people, so please sign up ahead of time. Email Larry Pruitt at lpruitt@texasamercian.com.
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.: OPEN HOUSE AT BIKESPORT
2909 Joanel St., Houston (http://www.bikesportworld.com/home.asp)
Scott and Aaryn mingle with the locals and present an exciting slideshow about IMBA around the world. Come learn more about IMBA and check out the latest gear for 2003.
SUNDAY, JAN. 12, 9 a.m.: TRAILBUILDING SCHOOL, DAY 2
The Trailbuilding School continues at Memorial Park. After the trailwork, we're hoping Aaryn and Scott will have time for a fun ride to celebrate work well done. Bring your bike!
MONDAY, JAN. 13, 6:00 p.m.: NIGHT RIDE AND DINNER
Bring your bike, light and helmet and meet at Memorial Park (http://www.houstonparks.org/ParksFacilities/memorial_park.htm) for an exciting night ride. If the trails are wet, we'll do the "Urban Assault" ride downtown.
After working up an appetite, we head to Mission Burritos (http://gotexas.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.missionburritos.com) on West Alabama for some great food. Voted Best Burrito and Best Cheap Eats in Houston, Mission Burritos is a fiesta for your tastebuds.
TUESDAY, JAN. 14, 6:00 p.m.: MOUNTAIN BIKING AROUND THE WORLD WITH IMBA
REI, 7951 Katy Freeway (http://www.rei.com/stores/houston/index.html)
Join Scott and Aaryn for an exciting slideshow presentation at REI. Here's your chance to hang out with fellow riders and learn what IMBA is doing at home and abroad.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15: LUNCH, RIDE, OPEN HOUSE - HOUSTON, WEST SIDE
The trail crew spends the day with people on the west side of town. They will look at trails in the area, go to lunch at Jason's Deli, ride in the afternoon, then head for Westside Bicycles (formerly Westside Schwinn) for an Open House and reception. If you'd like more information on the day, contact June Frye at rebecca.j.frye@exxonmobil.com.
THURSDAY, JAN. 16: OPEN HOUSE, RIDE, DINNER
After a meeting with local officials at Jack Brooks Park and another meeting looking at the preliminary design of the Hill at Sims Bayou (the would-be Olympic mountain bike venue), the real fun begins.
5:00-6:30 p.m.: OPEN HOUSE AT WEST END BICYCLES
5427 Blossom (http://www.westendbikes.com/fsweall.html)
Join IMBA for an open house at West End Bicycles on Blossom St. (near Memorial Park). We'll then go on the weekly ride around town (20 miles at a moderate pace). Dinner out follows the ride.
FRIDAY, JAN. 17: MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVOCACY
It's another long day of meetings for the Trail Care Crew, including a trail symposium highlighting the need for trails in Houston. Sorry, this is closed to the public.
SATURDAY, JAN. 18: FAT TIRE FESTIVAL
Double Lake Recreation Area (http://www.r8web.com/texas/Recreation/Sam Houston/double_lake.htm)
This will be a full day of biking festivities. There will be a time trial, poker run, silent auction, and trials playground for anyone crazy enough to try it. Munch on breakfast goodies in the morning, enjoy a great pasta lunch, and then sip a frosty Fat Tire Amber Ale as you kick back to the sounds of Moses Guest (http://www.mosesgoods.com/sys-tmpl/door/) at 3:30 p.m.
You can see the festival flyer and a complete list of events at
http://www.mtnbikerider.com/. We recommend camping, so call to get your
reservations soon! The cost of the festival is $25/person and $50 for
families, which will benefit the GHORBA trail fund and the Houston Police Department's Blue Santa Program (bikes for kids).
For more information about the whole Hot Spot week, check out GHORBA's website at http://www.ghorba.org/imbavisit.asp. You can also contact Christina Case at CLCase@teppco.com.