The gestation of IMBA-UK progresses smoothly. The weekend of 9-10 November saw the first meeting of the people who are helping to set up the UK branch of the US-based trail advocacy group. The meeting was timed to allow several IMBA Board Members and officials to attend and participate, so the UK outfit could gain the advantage of the expansive knowledge in the tasks and duties of such an organisation.

The fun began on Friday as UK delegates headed to the YHA at Kendal, chosen for its central location in the UK and the fact that it’s near some of the best riding in the country. The fun was swiftly curtailed however by the weather, and the fact that the M6 resembled a large car-park for much of the day. Despite this the evening meeting went well and the Brits once again took the prizes in the Anglo-American Late Night Drinking Cup (beer, wine and spirits category).

Saturday saw two distinct groups. Those interested in helping in a local role went out for a ride (as usual it was wet and longer then anticipated), while those prepared to help at a national level held a meeting with the top IMBA people. This proved rather successful and a base was set on which the afternoon’s work could build.

The rest of the day was attended by everyone present with the exception of IMBA Board Member Steve Anderson who had to go catch a plane, and Dafydd Davis who had to return home due to illness. The rest of the group spent the day in enthusiastic discussions and by the end of the day (we called it a day just after 10pm) we all felt that we’ve really started something rolling. Of course the success was celebrated with beers and what not until we all retired rather later than was strictly good for us.

Sunday started rather overcast and dreary which prompted more than one attendee to forego the proposed ride in preference for a quick journey home, but by the time we finished faffing at 11am the clouds had cleared and nine of us set out on a ride round Little Langdale. We still haven’t figured out whether our guide Adrian knows the area really really well or is a superb bluffer, but nonetheless we all enjoyed the ride. A great end to a great weekend.

For those of you wondering exactly what was agreed at the weekend, I can reveal that I am too: I had quite a lot of beer on Saturday :o) A timescale and objectives are in place, and there’s a heck of a lot of work to be done. More details as they become available…

We must, of course, thank several people (and apologise to those who I name incorrectly or miss off: I’m doing this from memory alone). In no particular order, they include:

Tim Blumenthal, Steve Anderson and Jay Franklin who took time out to visit us in the UK. Special thanks must go to Jay for not only making a flying visit, but making his first visit to the UK and doing so without managing to get to ride(!).

Paddy Harrop, Dafydd Davies, John Ireland, Karl Bartlett and Pete Laing from the forestry commission: these guys look after bike trails on FC land for a living and weren’t forced to come, but gave up their own time to come see us. On top of that I’m sure they were in no small part influential in persuading the FC to subsidise the trip for the IMBA reps from the US.

A number of people who want to be involved in IMBA UK came along: Mark Graylish, Jen O’Connor, Shad, Tony Raven, Phil Swann, Gary Galpin, Stuart Tite, Howard Peel, Adrian Carter (yes, the one from Pace), Keiran Foster and Phil Lee.

And lastly but by no means least, biggest thanks has to go to the man who in essence put it all together for us, organised us on the day, and the man who’ll be leading us forward, Colin Palmer.

Here’s to future success.