Arkansas Mountain Biking Alert - Do This Today!

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
01-26-03
Contact: Dan Vardamis

303-545-9011

Hello South Central U.S. Mountain Bikers,

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) needs your help to create new trail opportunities in Arkansas. We're asking you to write to Arkansas State Park officials supporting mountain bicycling at Hobbs State Management Area.

Local advocates from the IMBA affiliate Ozark Off Road Cyclists (OORC) have been working with land managers from Hobbs State Management Area for the past year under the premise that the area would be opened to mountain bicycle use. However, recent reports from the Arkansas State Parks Department indicate that the area will not be opened to mountain bikers.

Hobbs State Management Area is an outstanding and practical location for mountain bicycling. The property has many hills and valleys, and the terrain is abound with limestone bluffs, caves and springs. Improved access would enhance the quality of life for the more than 200,000 people who live in cities and towns near the property. In addition, improved access would draw mountain bikers from across the United States to the region.

IMBA and OORC need you to write to Arkansas State Parks and let them know that mountain biking is a legitimate recreation activity that should be considered in the new management plan for Hobbs State Management Area.

The deadline for comments is Friday, February 28. Please mail comments to:

Arkansas State Parks
Greg Butts
1 Capital Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201

Take the time to comment today. Include a personal perspective why you'd like to see mountain bike access allowed in Hobbs State Management Area. Also consider using the following points in your comments:

• Mountain bicycling is a sustainable, environmentally sound type of trail use. Trail erosion can be effectively reduced by proper trail construction and maintenance.

• People of all ages enjoy mountain biking. Mountain biking is more than good exercise. It offers adventure, provides an opportunity for nature study and appreciation, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

• In many places around the United States, such as Fruita, Colorado and Medora, North Dakota, mountain biking has been a boom to the local economy. Mountain bikers visit locations with quality trails, spend money, and boost the local economy.

• Mountain bikers have been working with land managers from Hobbs State Management Area for the past year with the goal of securing trail access. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visited Hobbs in March 2002 and assessed the trails suitability for mountain bicycling.

• The Ozark Off Road Cyclists successfully built and maintained trails at other Arkansas park properties, including Devil's Den State Park, Lake Leatherwood City Park, Lake Fayetteville, Lake Wilson, Buffalo Headwaters and Piney Creek trail system. Mountain biking can also work at Hobbs State Management Area.

For more information email Arkansas IMBA rep Don West at or visit http://www.ozarkoffroadcyclists.com.