IMBA Trailhead: in-depth workshops designed to catalyze the next generation of great places to ride mountain bikes. Attendees will learn what it takes to create a model trail community and return home with the knowledge and guidance for how to make it happen.
Join us April 22-23
IMBA's two day model trail community workshop takes place April 22-23, in Bentonville, Arkansas.
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Want to create a great place to ride? We can help.
IMBA Trailhead: two-day intensive workshops during which IMBA staff, trail industry experts and local stakeholders lead participants through the steps for a model community trail system: planning, design, building, activation, promotion and measuring success. Attendees will also get a firsthand look at components of an intentional and diverse mountain bike trails community through field visits.
Individuals best-suited to attend the workshops are land managers, community officials, recreation professionals and tourism/economic development staff. In addition to helping you understand the benefits of trails and the experiences desired by mountain bikers, we will provide the knowledge you need to get started making great trails happen locally and help you identify the next steps needed to bring more trails to your own backyards.
Why Trailhead?
“We attended IMBA Trailhead to learn about mountain biking. We sort-of know about trails, but they’re a relatively new thing to us. We’re excited about economic development and a healthier lifestyle and, really importantly, the quality of life that trails close to home will provide." — Steve Arrison, Visit Hot Springs Arkansas CEO
IMBA has brought these in-depth workshops to communities across the country since 2018, equipping community leaders, land managers, recreation professionals, and tourism / economic development teams to create great riding communities in their unique environments. Along the way we’ve learned from the participants too. IMBA Trailhead is the next progression of IMBA Foundations or Trail Labs workshops. What to expect: IMBA and community experts share the Trail Development Process and lessons they’ve learned, through two days of interactive classroom and field sessions with professionals who carry out a variety of different roles related to trails and community development. Join us for IMBA Trailhead to learn from presenters and share your expertise with fellow attendees.
What to expect: a sample schedule
Day one theme: The model trail process
Plan It
- Why mountain bike trails?
- What are sustainable trails?
- Visioning and community planning
- Building a dream team of experts
- Understanding the planning process
- Gaining project support and funding
Design It
- Developing the desired mountain biking experience
- What level of design detail is needed
- Operations and maintenance considerations in design
- Signage and risk management
- Phasing your plan
Build It
- Balancing desires with reality
- Working with volunteers and professionals
- Construction contracting
- Crafting procedural documentation
- Trail network public opening checklist
Afternoon tour of various mountain biking facilities, followed by an optional group ride and dinner on your own. (There will be no trail building.)
Day two theme: If you build it, will they come?
Activate It
- Creating a plan for sustainability
- Developing a programming strategy to take full advantage of the trails
- Activating and engaging partners
- Developing new riders
Promote It
- Gaining community support for the project
- Developing maps and websites
- Hosting events, festivals and races
- Engaging the wider community
Measure It
- Evaluating the impact of the trail facility
- Trail counters and on-site surveys
- Tracking volunteer hours
- Data collection and management
- Using data to improve the trail system
Afternoon tour of various mountain biking facilities, followed by an afternoon interactive session where attendees will begin to draft a plan for their community’s trail project while considering the six core ingredients alongside Trailhead experts.
Have questions? Connect with our team.
The goal of IMBA Education is to empower you, Trail Champions, with the knowledge and tools to lead sustainable trail development, foster strong collaborations within your communities, and collectively build & maintain great places to ride mountain bikes for generations to come.
Meet our teamJoanna Fetherolf
Education Manager
