Charming town near Yosemite gets big boost of support for mountain biking
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), United States Forest Service (USFS), Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest and the Groveland Trail Heads mountain biking club (an IMBA chapter) are combining forces to host a Trail Stewardship Summit in Groveland in mid-October 2015.
This exciting event is open to all IMBA members and includes a Trail Stewardship Summit/IMBA Advanced Trail Building School October 16-18 and USFS Chain Saw Certification October 19-20. After the IMBA Advanced Trail Building School, attendees will practice their skills working on the first mountain bike specific trail system (500+ acres!) in the Stanislaus National Forest, the pilot project for the Groveland Trail Heads. Learn more at grovelandtrailheads.org. 
IMBA’s Northern California Regional Director Laurel Harkness says, “The USFS and IMBA recently engaged in a national challenge-cost-share agreement, and the Trail Stewardship Summit in Groveland, CA is an inaugural project of this significant partnership. Both the USFS and IMBA recognize the incredible potential of Groveland as a mountain bike destination within California.”
Although the small community of Groveland sees a wealth of tourists come through on their way to Yosemite National Park, it has been seeking a way to bolster its off-season economy. The Groveland Trail Heads believes destination-worthy mountain bike trails will do just that, attracting year-round tourism and strengthening community ties to the surrounding forest. This would additionally provide a healthy outlet for local youth and families.
Groveland Trail Heads Chair Dwight Follien says, “We’re so excited and honored to be part of the USFS/IMBA national challenge-cost-share agreement and to host the Trail Stewardship Summit here in Groveland. Our dream of Groveland becoming a mountain bike destination began four years ago and now it’s becoming a reality. It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s paying off and we couldn’t be more appreciative.”
While in Groveland, attendees are encouraged to check out Groveland’s amazing history, The Stanislaus National Forest, the Tuolumne River’s awesome and scenic swimming holes just outside of town, and a side trip to Yosemite National Park less than 20 miles away. Learn more about Groveland in our August/September 2015 issue at Destination: Groveland.
10/5 UPDATE:
A fundraiser dinner will be held Saturday October 17, 2015 at 5:30pm at Mountain Sage in Groveland. Registration for this dinner closes on Oct. 9th at 9pm.
Dinner features beverages courtesy Yosemite Cellars Wine, Indigeny Cider and Sierra Nevada Microbrew. Dinner includes posole, chicken mole and fish tacos, roasted veggies and skewers, delectable dessert and more from Fork & Love, the new owners of the Charlotte Bistro & Bar.
Help the Groveland Trail Heads in their efforts to create a sustainable economy in Groveland by creating a trail recreation destination in the Stanislaus National Forest. Help raise funds by participating in a raffle for bike gear, local gift certificates, and other gifts donated by friends of the non-profit.
$25/person | Registration at grovelandtrailheads.org.
[…] Groveland Groveland is a gateway community that lies just 25 miles outside of the Northern Yosemite Gate. Though this tiny community of 2,500 has seasonal vacation amenities and sees millions of tourists drive through town on their way to the park each year, it has yet to find a way to bolster its off-season economy. As a result, businesses have a high rate of failure, schools lack funding, and there are few community organized recreation opportunities for youth. A local mountain bike club, The Groveland Trail Heads, hopes to change all of that. The club is focused on the construction of destination-worthy mountain bike trails that would attract year-round tourism and strengthen community ties to the surrounding forest, and providing a healthy outlet for local youth and families. Learn more at grovelandtrailheads.org. Also, read about the Trail Stewardship Summit/IMBA Advanced Trail Building School and USFS Chain Saw Certification taking place in Groveland here. […]