Charming town nearย Yosemite gets big boost ofย support for mountain biking

Dwight Follien, Groveland Trail Heads chair, leads a group of dedicated local cyclists who work tirelessly for mountain biking opportunities in Groveland.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), United States Forest Service (USFS), Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest and the Groveland Trail Heads mountain bikingย club (an IMBA chapter) are combining forces to hostย a Trail Stewardship Summitย in Grovelandย in mid-October 2015.

This exciting event is open to all IMBA members and includes aย Trail Stewardship Summit/IMBA Advanced Trail Building Schoolย October 16-18ย andย USFS Chain Saw Certificationย October 19-20. After the IMBA Advanced Trail Building School, attendees will practice their skills workingย on the first mountain bike specific trail system (500+ acres!) in the Stanislaus National Forest, the pilot project for theย Groveland Trail Heads.ย Learn moreย atย 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, itย has been seekingย a way to bolster its off-season economy. The Groveland Trail Heads believesย destination-worthy mountain bike trails will do just that,ย attracting year-round tourism and strengthening community ties to the surrounding forest. This would additionally provideย a healthy outlet for local youth and families.

Groveland Trail Heads Chair Dwight Follien says, “We’reย 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 Riverโ€™s awesome and scenic swimming holes just outside of town, andย aย side tripย toย Yosemite National Parkย less than 20 miles away.ย 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. Registrationย for this dinner closes on Oct. 9th atย 9pm.

Dinner features beverages courtesyย Yosemite Cellars Wine,ย Indigeny Cider andย 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 theย non-profit.

$25/person | Registration at grovelandtrailheads.org.