IMBA has partnered with long term corporate member Kona Bicycle Co. to promote four Epic celebrations in 2008. The Kona/IMBA Epic ride events will bring together mountain bikers from IMBA's 650 affiliated clubs and Kona's network of 300 dealers to celebrate great riding and promote joint advocacy efforts.
The Kona/IMBA Epic rides will be open to the public and will showcase some of the best riding and events in North America:
Mid Mountain Epic ride. Held in conjunction with the 2008 IMBA World Summit in Park City, Utah, on Sat June 21. This 35-mile cross country single track ride will culminate the largest conference of mountain bike advocates, trailbuilders and bike industry in the world.
Midwest Mountain Bike Summit ride. This trail ride will be organized by local IMBA affiliate Peoria Area Mountain Biking Association. The club will receive a $500 Kona IMBA Epic organizing grant. Date May 2-4. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will be present at this event.
Tamarack, Idaho, Loon Lake Epic ride. An Epic cross country style ride, held in conjunction with the NORBA Tamarack National Finals event. The Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association will receive a $500 Kona IMBA Epic organizing grant and demo bikes provided by Kona. Aug 30-Sept 1. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will be present at this event.
Stay tuned to IMBA's website for updates and registration info.
“IMBA has always supported mountain biking, and the IMBA Epics are a great representation of what Kona and IMBA stand for — enjoying the company of other mountain bikers on some of the best trails available. We're proud to be aligned with IMBA's vision,” said Kona Bicycle Company's director of advocacy Cory Blackwood.
The sky's the limit to the experiences that the Epics program can embrace. Like the sport itself, the definition of an Epic will continue to evolve. One theme remains unchanged: the criteria for the Epic designation is quality: quality trails, a quality experience — something worth celebrating. Whether you are into flowing singletrack, hang time or a mega challenge, Epics feature something for everyone.
The Kona/IMBA Epics program builds on Kona's time-tested, outstanding support of mountain biking advocacy. Kona has been a leading IMBA corporate supporter since 1994, and has developed several creative fundraising projects, including the Kona Buck-A-Bike program, the ongoing Kona Bro Deal program (which asks all bro deal purchasers to become IMBA members), the highly successful Interbike bowling tourney and Kona/IMBA Freeriding grants.
