UPDATE: Registration details have been posted at http://www.imba.com/s...

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has announced that Augusta, Georgia, will host the 2010 IMBA World Summit (May 5-8). Mayor Deke Copenhaver proclaimed, “It is truly an honor to host the IMBA gathering in Augusta. Our city continues to grow in its reputation as a bicycling destination, and this event will showcase our region to a worldwide audience of trail enthusiasts.”

The event, expected to be the largest yet in IMBA's history of hosting international summits, is open to the public. Topics will include destination and urban trail networks, land conservation and sustainable trails, youth outreach and new programs designed to grow local capacity for the 700+ clubs and patrols in IMBA’s global network. In addition to informative seminars and networking, the gathering will feature great parties and plenty of riding -- including a catered tour of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS), an IMBA Epic.

“The Augusta summit will serve as an essential clearinghouse to advance information on everything to do with mountain biking and trail-based recreation,” states IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “We will bring leaders in trail design together with land managers, the bicycle industry and IMBA’s thriving grassroots clubs. These are the key influencers that shape the sport, and only an IMBA summit can connect them all in the same place, at the same time.” Attendees will receive copious educational materials, while connecting with mountain biking enthusiasts from around the globe.

2010 IMBA World Summit: "Great communities build great trails."

For additional information about the 2010 IMBA World Summit, please contact Events Manager Patti Bonnet.

Sponsorship inquires should be directed to Development Director Rich Cook.

Summit Partners:

American Trails
Bikes Belong
City of Augusta
Federal Highway Administration:Recreational Trails Program
Greater Augusta Sports Council
League of American Bicyclists
National Recreation and Park Association
National Trails Training Partnership
Professional Trailbuilders Association (PTBA)
Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
SORBA - Central Savannah River Area Chapter
Trips for Kids
Wheel Impact

Ride details:

The plan is to ride all of FATS either the 8th. The 7th we want to ride Turkey Creek, Wine Creek and possibly Madoc (Stevens Creek) All the descriptions for these trails are found here: http://www.sorbacsra....

Ride FATS on the 8th 10am

FATS map:

http://www.sorbacsra....

Forks Area Trail System
Sumter National Forest, South Carolina
Forks Area Trail System - better known as FATS - is a testament to the power of a well-organized mountain bike club. The Southern Off- Road Bicycling Association (SORBA) has harnessed the power of more than1500 volunteer hours and grants totaling over $200,000 to create one of the Southeast's premier trail systems. "Beautifully built trails with swooping turns and rolling hills" raves one web review - and that's from a hiker's perspective! On a bike, the FATS trails flow with a perfect blend of technical challenge (Great Wall section) buttery singletrack (Skinny Loop) and high-flying fun (Brown Wave). Newcomers and experts alike can enjoy a model for purpose-built trails - all sharing the same tread, with minimal potential user conflicts. As such, the FATS represents a new standard for 21st century trails.

Location: Sumter National Forest, South Carolina

Directions: From McCormick, drive south on US221/SC28 for approximately 23.0 miles and turn left onto Woodlawn Road (McCormick County S-33-204). The parking area is on the right just beyond the junction with Deep Step Road (S-33-53). From I-20 Exit 1 (North Augusta), drive north on SC 230 for approximately 5.5 miles and turn left onto Woodlawn Road (S-19-53). The parking area is 3.8 miles on the left. From Augusta, drive north on SC 28 for approximately 8.5 miles and turn right onto Hopewell Church Road/Deep Step Road (S-33-112). Drive 3.3 miles and turn right onto Woodlawn Road and the parking area is on the right.

Length: Great Wall 7.7 miles, Skinny Loop 6.0 miles, Brown Wave 5.8 miles, and Deep Step 5.0 miles.

Terrain: A series of rolling loops through a thickly forested area. Generally beginner-friendly, but optional lines provide challenge for more experienced riders. The Great Wall trail may be difficult for beginners in places.

Ride Turkey Creek, Wine Creek and Modoc on the 7th 10am

Turkey Creek map:

http://www.sorbacsra....

DESCRIPTION:
Wine Creek is an awesome trail. A 5.5 mile in and out that is actually an extension of Turkey Creek. As a friend of mine put it, "Some of the portions of Wine Creek are like riding a bobsled."
I strongly recommend riding this trail.Connect with Turkey Creek for a longer ride.
DIRECTIONS:
You can access this from the Turkey Creek trail head (other side of the road) or from trailhead on Hwy 283. To get to Turkey Creek trailhead, From Augusta take Hwy 28 to Modoc and Turn right on Hwy 23. Follow Hwy 23 for approximately 3 miles and turn left on Cold Springs Road. This road will end at Key Road where you turn left. Continue on Key Road until you get to a steel bridge. This is Key Bridge. The trailhead is on the far side of the bridge on the RIGHT. Turkey Creek is on the left. To get to Hwy 283 trailhead, continue past for two miles to stop sign, this is Hwy 283. Turn right, continue to paved parking area a couple of miles on the right. This is the trailhead.

Modoc description:

Modoc (also called Stevens Creek) is probably one of the most technical trails in the area. It is basically a 7-8 mile in and out trail. It can be connected to Turkey Creek Trail for a longer ride.
DIRECTIONS:
From Modoc take Hwy.23 towards Edgefield for about 2 miles. The trailhead is on the left just before the bridge.

DESCRIPTION:
This is a fast and fun 7 mile one-way ride that can now be linked up with Hamilton Branch State Park and/or Turkey Creek trail for a multitude of longer rides. The trail is well-groomed and mostly very fast with some good technical challenges, mainly at creek crossings and drainages. Sections along the ridge above Stevens Creek are particularly beautiful. Be sure to pay attention to the newly repaired bridge at the creek crossing at about 4.2 miles in as well as some other new bridges.

Modoc map:

http://www.sorbacsra....

Camping will be at http://www.recreation...
If you love mountain biking and care about the environment, you belong with IMBA. That's because supporting IMBA is the most effective way for you to build, maintain and open the trails you love to ride.

Join those who are passionate enough to support the trails they ride on. Join locally at IMBA-TORC Chapter.

[url=http://www.imba.com/membership/choose_membership.php]http://www.imba.com/m...
ndex=CampingSpot[/url]

This is a very good campground and one of the most popular. You will need to reserve your site ASAP.

Will add trail descriptions and maps soon.