The (Smiling) Faces of Mountain Biking

IMBA Trail News
Volume 16, Number 3
Summer 2003

The joy of being a mountain biker has a lot to do with the people of our sport. Most riders will tell you that they've met amazing, fascinating individuals on the trail. They'll also tell you that these friendships have inspired them to spend more time in the saddle.

Of course, for many, the mountain biking experience goes well beyond riding and relationships. Tens of thousands of us have become ambassadors for off-road riding. A growing handful are making the quest for better mountain biking their livelihood. The real heroes are the people who do the hard work of advocacy and trail improvement as volunteers.

In this issue of IMBA Trail News, we highlight a few of these individuals. No doubt, the people we celebrate are exceptional. Still, it's important to note that for every person we present here, there are hundreds of equally compelling individuals and stories out there.

Tim, one of the smiling faces of Singletrack.

Every time I attend an IMBA event or visit an IMBA club, I'm amazed by the across-the-board enthusiasm and commitment of our field advocates. After 14 years with IMBA, I think I have an idea where this spirit - this motivation - originates: It's the magical moments that are part of any good ride. These moments take many shapes. It can be the satisfaction of riding one trail section particularly well-pedaling in the zone. Maybe it's a random insight (completely unrelated to riding) that pops into your brain along the way. It could be one particular view or simply the way the sunlight and shadows play on the land.

Whatever the mix, all of these elements blend into an intense feeling of satisfaction and well-being at the end of most rides. This is the feeling we all love. This is the feeling that inspires people to devote free time to meetings, letter-writing, grassroots organizational work and volunteer trail efforts. This is the feeling that puts a smile on your face every time.

Smiling, happy mountain bikers: One of the best is Susan DeMattei, a now-retired racer who won the bronze medal in the first-ever women's Olympic cross-country competition in Atlanta in 1996. Despite the pressure of top-flight competition, Susan smiled almost all the time when she was racing, training or just standing at the side of the trail. Why? Because she never forgot that she was riding her bike, spending lots of time outside, and involved with one of the greatest activities on earth.

Mountain biking is a sport. It's fun. Smile!

- Tim Blumenthal