IMBA Visit 2000

The IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Trail Care Crew (TCC) passed through Calgary again this year to help us with our on-going quest to keep access to off-pavement trails in and around Calgary.

Kathy Summers and Joey Klein (no relation to Gary or Calvin) arrived in Calgary on Thursday August 17 after being forced out of Montana by this past summers forest fires. On Friday, they gave a presentation in Canmore to fifteen people, mainly trail crews and management from Kananaskis Country. Unfortunately, no one from Parks Canada (Banff) was at the presentation. The material that they presented covered success stories from the US, Wales, Mexico and Japan. They reviewed over and over the need for hillside, benched trails to eliminate the water erosion problems associated with fall-line trails and to avoid using trails which cross flat terrain where water will pool.

Saturday was spent on Nose Hill in Calgary, discussing the proposed pilot trail with City Parks staff and members of the Nose Hill MAC (Management Advisory Committee). Several CMBA members also spent some time with Joey during the afternoon, looking at alternatives and asking questions on trail routing on Nose Hill.

Sunday was spent on a ride in K Country. We rode the Heart Creek, Quaite Valley , Jewel Pass, Prairie View circuit, discussing trail conditions and maintenance options along the way. We had sixteen people along on the ride, including several City and K Country people, as well as a couple from Hinton who are involved with trails in that area.

On Monday, it was back to the presentation circuit as Kathy and Joey gave their slide presentation again, but this time in Calgary. Twenty five people attended, including City staff, Kananaskis Country people, three people from the Fernie ski resort who are managing trails on the ski hill, plus a few more CMBA members. Unfortunately, there were not any City Council persons in attendance.

Once again, as with last year, this was a very interesting and educational session. These people are a tremendous resource for us and we hope to continue to have annual visits from the IMBA TCC. It brings to us, a wealth of information and experience so that we can do a better job on trail design and maintenance here in Alberta.

 
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