IMBA's Washington, DC Summit, June 4-8, 2004

IMBA press release: Mountain Bikers Push Congress at IMBA Summit

June 10, 2004: The 2004 IMBA Summit peaked June 7 with a momentous day on Capitol Hill and unmatched energy to fuel mountain biking's future. The gathering attracted mountain biking leaders to the Washington, D.C. region June 4-8 for four days of informative seminars, networking, volunteer training, awesome riding, parties, celebrity guest speakers and political lobbying.

Attendees spent a full day on Capitol Hill, meeting with their U.S. representatives, senators and staff to introduce IMBA and key mountain biking issues. The effort builds on IMBA's increased activity and leadership in our nation's capital - the place where key trail management decisions are made.

"There's no question this was a groundbreaking event," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "The halls of Congress were crawling with mountain bikers. We led more than 140 face-to-face meetings with government leaders and their staff. Our people were concise, professional and credible advocates for mountain biking. IMBA's network is more talented and motivated than ever. We've got unprecedented momentum."

Participants included many of IMBA's volunteer reps, key federal land managers from the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, BLM and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, journalists, and leaders of other cycling and conservation groups. Racing heroes Marla Streb and Ned Overend spoke at the event and urged their congressional delegations to support trails and mountain biking.

The Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program was the event's leading sponsor, underwriting its educational components. The Bikes Belong Coalition, Quality Bicycle Products and America Bikes were presenting sponsors.

Woody Keen (IMBA board member, trail building guru, and owner of

Trail Dynamics) shows off IMBA's new logo while IMBA's

president, Hill Abel, guards for beer spillage.

Yes, it was a work hard / play hard weekend.

In fact for the first couple of days it was more work than play..

Libations in Church? Is there a theme here? IMBA's summit

captured the spirit of the church of rotating mass.

Yet another picture of Gary Sjoquist (Bikes Belong) and

Jim Hasenauer (retiring IMBA board member) that should have been

used as blackmail instead of posting it here.

Nope. Kerry wasn't in.  But that didn't stop us from making

ourselves at home in his office.  A couple of month's ago we

sent Kerry a NEMBA jersey, so look for it in any future shots of him

riding (or falling)..

What can you say? Specialized's Ned Overend is the quintessential

biker who promotes everything that's good about cycling.  To the far

left is IMBA's youngest delegate, sixth grader Jim Sundquist, from NY.

Kudos to Mark Peterson and all the good folks at Kona Bicycles

for buying the mates a pint of bitter after a sweet day of lobbying.

History is made: IMBA's 2004 Summit marks the first

time mountain bikers suit up in their Sunday finest

and get ready to attack from the front of the pack.

The Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts graciously

hosted a killer ride on their home turf,

Gambrill State Park. Not only did this great advocacy

group lead the rides, but they even went out

the night before to hand-sharpen all the many rocks!

Ned Overendand Gary Sprung (mountain biking's

original advocate) get ready to take

the Capitol by storm.

Cathy Steers of White Mountains NEMBA,

engaging in some subtle intimidation tactics

with Gary Sjoquist before the ride

Downhiller Marla Streb is as eloquent as

she is fast. She's the first world champion

downhiller to lobby Congress on behalf of trails.

It's inspiring to represent NEMBA and IMBA, and walk the

corridors of power with mountain bikers from 26 states.