"For the third time in recent weeks, Helena is garnering national recognition.......The International Mountain Bicycling Association on Thursday awarded Helena a bronze-level designation as a ride center."
- Helena Independent Record, October 26, 2013
Helena is the only ride center in Montana and of only 17 locations designated internationally. The following screen shot accessed October 29, 2013 lists the other sixteen areas, Sun Valley and Park City being the closest:
This should help efforts to realize a Rails to Trails project from Helena to Great Falls (presentation here, pdf summary here), as well as other recreation opportunities such as trails along Prickly Pear Creek with clean up of the Asarco properties in East Helena!
Press Release from Helena Tourism Alliance/Bike Helena:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****
HELENA, MONTANA****
OCTOBER 25th 2013****
HELENA, MONTANA RECIEVES IMBA RIDE CENTER DESIGNATION****
** **
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has given the
mountain bike trails in Helena, Montana and the surrounding area their
highest trail rating by designating Helena a Ride Center. Helena now joins
16 other communities around the world that share the same designation.****
** **
The IMBA Ride CenterŽ designation represents IMBA's Model Trail
recognition of large-scale mountain bike destinations that offer a wide
range of great trails for every riding style. Ride Centers not only invite
you to plan a multi-day trip with your full quiver of mountain bikes and
the whole family, they take care of you both on and off the trail by being
places where mountain bikers are welcomed. From backcountry adventures to
shuttle-served gravity trails, and from expert-only to family-friendly,
you’ll encounter the best the sport has to offer. IMBA staff selects
candidates for Ride Center recognition on an invitation-only basis.****
** **
This designation for Helena came as the result of cooperative work within
the biking community and is supported by many organizations and businesses
in Helena, including: The City of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Prickly
Pear Land Trust, the Helena Tourism Alliance, the Montana Mountain Bike
Alliance, Downtown Helena, Inc., Helena Non-Motorized Travel Advisory
Council, Bike Walk Montana, Helena CVB, The Helena Citizens Council,
Montana State Parks, and local bike shops, bike clubs, downtown business
owners and all 19 Helena-area hotels.****
** **
Official IMBA Press Release:
http://www.imba.com/news/imba-
** **
Contact: Pat Doyle, Community Outreach Director, Helena Tourism
Alliance/Bike Helena pdoyle (at) helenamt.com 406-449-2107****
Website: http://www.bikehelena.com/ ****
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BikeH
HELENA, MONTANA****
OCTOBER 25th 2013****
HELENA, MONTANA RECIEVES IMBA RIDE CENTER DESIGNATION****
** **
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has given the
mountain bike trails in Helena, Montana and the surrounding area their
highest trail rating by designating Helena a Ride Center. Helena now joins
16 other communities around the world that share the same designation.****
** **
The IMBA Ride CenterŽ designation represents IMBA's Model Trail
recognition of large-scale mountain bike destinations that offer a wide
range of great trails for every riding style. Ride Centers not only invite
you to plan a multi-day trip with your full quiver of mountain bikes and
the whole family, they take care of you both on and off the trail by being
places where mountain bikers are welcomed. From backcountry adventures to
shuttle-served gravity trails, and from expert-only to family-friendly,
you’ll encounter the best the sport has to offer. IMBA staff selects
candidates for Ride Center recognition on an invitation-only basis.****
** **
This designation for Helena came as the result of cooperative work within
the biking community and is supported by many organizations and businesses
in Helena, including: The City of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Prickly
Pear Land Trust, the Helena Tourism Alliance, the Montana Mountain Bike
Alliance, Downtown Helena, Inc., Helena Non-Motorized Travel Advisory
Council, Bike Walk Montana, Helena CVB, The Helena Citizens Council,
Montana State Parks, and local bike shops, bike clubs, downtown business
owners and all 19 Helena-area hotels.****
** **
Official IMBA Press Release:
http://www.imba.com/news/imba-
** **
Contact: Pat Doyle, Community Outreach Director, Helena Tourism
Alliance/Bike Helena pdoyle (at) helenamt.com 406-449-2107****
Website: http://www.bikehelena.com/ ****
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BikeH
