The kick-off meeting for IMBA UK took place this weekend, November 8-10 in Kendal, Cumbria. Mountain bike enthusiasts and industry gurus from throughout the UK braved the weather and the traffic to attend the meeting, along with IMBA Executive Director Tim Blumenthal and IMBA Board members Steve Anderson and Jay Franklin who flew in from the US especially to attend.

The meeting was a turning point for the fledgling organisation following years of discussion, and the American guests were careful to emphasise how important IMBA UK was in forming a truly international organisation (as if flying 12,000 miles for three days wasn’t emphasis enough!).

However, it is also important to stress that the IMBA UK, while closely embracing the US ethos will operate its management, objectives and finances independently from the US. Membership fees and fundraising within the UK will be dedicated 100% to UK initiatives and representing the interests of UK mountain bikers.

The US will, of course, be on hand for guidance and support.

Several key points came from the meeting and these are outlined below, along with the newly-appointed Interim Board of Directors and their areas of responsibility. The next IMBA UK meeting involving the Board and Regional Representatives has been set for the weekend of 18/19 January, at which stage a clear direction for IMBA UK will be set, including organisational policy and key objectives for 2003. Needless to say, the setting up of a national organisation is a complex process, and the group will use the time over Christmas to develop the necessary groundwork. An official launch for the organisation is tentatively planned for spring / summer 2003, and a date for this will be set following the January meeting.

As well as the UK interim board and IMBA US, the meeting was attended in part by several prospective regional reps – Gary Galpin, Phil Swan, Tony Raven, Stuart Tite, Julian Winstanley, Mark Graylish, Pete Laing, Howard Peel, John Ireland (FE) and Shad Sadat. Thanks to all of these people for giving their time and supporting IMBA UK.

• Establish the infrastructure of the organisation
• Develop membership proposals
• Develop draft policy for IMBA UK.
• Identify, develop and promote achievable trail development initiatives.
• Promote IMBA UK through the media and website
• Identify potential funding opportunities and budgets

An Interim Board of Directors has been agreed which utilises the skills and resources available to the organisation.

• Colin Palmer – Acting President and Access Advocate
• Phil Lee – Vice President and Trails Co-ordinator
• Paddy Harrop – Treasurer
• Keiran Foster – Membership Secretary
• Dafydd Davis – UK Trail Development Adviser
• Karl Bartlett – Scottish Representative
• Adrian Carter – Industry Liaison
• Guy Kesteven – Media Liaison
• Jen O’Connor – Communications Co-ordinator

  Colin and Phil are the designated spokespeople for the group at this stage, and all questions regarding IMBA UK should be directed to them.

  Colin Palmer: 01531 633500
  
  Phil Lee: 07968 325291

  For more information about IMBA UK please visit www.IMBA-UK.com. For more information about IMBA please visit: www.imba.com.