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IMBA Secures $600,000 to Expand Paradise Royale

TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 2009
Submitted By: Sherwin Mapanoo

Mountain bikers are buzzing about a $600,000 federal funding appropriation to expand Paradise Royale, a purpose-built mountain bike trail in California's King Range National Conservation Area (NCA). The funds derive from the 2009 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R.1105), which became law on March 30, 2009, (P.L. 111-8). The appropriation follows years of work by IMBA California Policy Advisor Tom Ward, who lobbied representatives in both the House and Senate.

Joey Klein, a senior trail designer for IMBA, has worked closely with Gary Pritchard-Peterson, manager of the King Range NCA, on the trail. Pritchard-Peterson came up with the original idea of utilizing two defunct logging roads and potential sections of single-track to create a 14-mile loop, connecting two ominous ridges that overlook the spectacular Lost Coast. "IMBA and Joey changed the way we think about trails," said Pritchard-Peterson during a grand opening, held last fall.

IMBA's work in the King Range exemplifies the conservation values the organization has long championed. The mountain bike media has also hailed Paradise Royale for providing a top-notch riding experience, including a feature story in the March issue of Bike magazine that suggests Paradise Royale, "might be America's best new trail."

"This was an idea that once only existed on paper. It was the dream of a handful of people," said Klein of the project. "More and more people joined in that dream and together we are turning it into a reality -- a reality that everyone can enjoy for years to come."

Source: www.outdoorindustry.org

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