Mocean Mate

Patrick Kell, the head of VMBA(Vermont Mountain Bike Association) and a member of the Mocean Mate’ Tribe works diligently on creating new mountain biking opportunities throughout the state of Vermont which means well..he is a hero in our eyes! Very important stuff and as bikers ourselves we pass along a huge thank you and want to share the news about his and others latest work on new development. We even heard him on VPR the other day! Patrick, we raise our mate’ bottle to you!

PRESS RELEASE Date: February 3, 2011

For Immediate Release

CONTACT

Patrick Kell, Executive Director, Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA)

The US Forest Service working with local group to expand mountain biking in Vermont

Goshen, VT – The United States Forest Service (USFS) announced that through their partnerships with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC), they will be allocating approximately $154,000 in 2011 towards trail improvement activities that will include developing increased mountain bike access in the Green Mountain National Forest.

The funds, being allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used to create a nine-mile loop trail that will begin and end at the Silver Lake Campground in Goshen, Vermont. This trail work will take place in the popular Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, a congressionally designated area within the National Forest. The trail will also be accessible from the Blueberry Hill Ski Center in Goshen and from Branbury State Park. VMBA will provide the on-the-ground project management and oversight of VYCC trail crews for 22 weeks to perform the rigorous work of building mountain bike trails.

“The Forest Service is enhancing mountain biking opportunities where it is sustainable and compatible with other activities. Diversifying recreation opportunities increases public use of federal land; engages our youth in enjoying the outdoors; and helps drive economic activity,” said Holly Knox, Green Mountain National Forest, Northern Zone Trails Coordinator.

“We have been partnering with the USFS for three years on this project – we sawgood progress in 2010, through the hard work of VYCC crews, and we are delighted with this funding allocation for 2011”, said Patrick Kell, VMBA Executive Director. “We expect to see the Chandler Ridge-Leicester Hollow Loop Trail completed or close to it, by fall 2011. A big thanks to the USFS for their vision in developing this trail”, Kell added.

The new trail will offer a popular and unique destination, due to the combination of trail sections along the shore of Silver Lake, a ridgeline trail with panoramic western vistas on Chandler Ridge, lush vegetation and fascinatinggeology in Leicester Hollow, and camping facilities at Silver Lake campground, with access from Branbury State Park.

Megan Smith, Commissioner at the Vermont Department of Tourism stated “Mountain bike tourism is the perfect fit for our Vermont Brand. It encompasses the use of our natural landscape while promoting good health and family fun. As we expand our venues for mountain biking we will be contributing to local economies in areas that might not have already had a focus on outdoor recreation therefore bringing in new types of business.”

The tourism industry has been one of the more consistent economic drivers in the state during the recent economic downturn. Visitors to the state provide a great deal of tax revenue as well assupport small business throughout Vermont.