The Summer 2015 issue of IMBA Trail News, (the International Mountain Bicycling Association IMBA), announced its 2015 class of Model Trails designees (www.imba.com/news/epics-ride-centers-2015). Among IMBA’s Model Trails program is a category of Ride Centers. The Ride Center designation represents IMBA Model Trail recognition for large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider and are destination-worthy areas that include everything from backcountry adventure to purpose built flow trails and range from expert-only to family-friendly.
The trails built and maintained by Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) in Brown County have been designated a Bronze Level Ride Center. There are only a handful of Ride Centers in the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes Region. “This is a significant recognition of the great trails HMBA has developed in the area over the last decade” says HMBA Executive Director Tammy Mebane. “This national designation is validation that the trails HMBA has developed are among the best in the country.”
Ride Center applications are scored on an objective point system that includes everything from the quality and type of trails, degree of difficulty, climbing, descending, technicality, special features, amenities, services, and community support. Brown County may never have the gravity fed trails or bike parks that you see out West, but what we have is unique to Indiana. “Brown County is no secret to mountain bikers in the Midwest but this designation will put Nashville, IN on the radar of mountain bikers across the country as a destination,” added Mebane. “Mountain Bikers plan their vacations around IMBA model trails and Ride Centers, I believe Brown County will see an increase in visitors.”
This announcement/designation is great timing, HMBA is in the midst of planning it’s largest fundraiser of the year, The Brown County Epic Mountain Bike Festival, (www.browncountyepic.com ) Oct. 9-11, 2015. The Epic Festival showcases the very best of Brown County mountain biking. During prime Autumn Season, the festival has something for everyone; Epic rides of up to 100 miles, camping, bike demos, beer garden, live music, post ride BBQ, group rides, skills clinics, games, kids zone, raffles, and more! The best part of the event is that all the proceeds go back to HMBA to build more trails in Brown County. Please consider participating or sponsoring the event to continue the efforts of HMBA to make Brown County one of the premier mountain bike destinations in the country.
