News and Articles

Joint Efforts Make Santa Fe an IMBA 2014 Ride Center Destination
Santa Fe Recognized as Silver Level Ride Center

Santa Fe, NM – August 15, 2014- Every year, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) recognizes outstanding mountain bike trails and locations, and this year Santa Fe was recognized as a 2014 Silver level Ride Center. The Ride Center designation represents IMBA's recognition of large-scale mountain bike destinations that offer a wide range of great trails for every riding style. According to IMBA, “Ride Centers not only invite you to plan a multi-day trip with your full quiver of mountain bikes and the whole family, they take care of you both on and off the trail by being places where mountain bikers are welcomed.”
Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe are actively promoting the Outdoor Recreation economy in business recruitment efforts, event sponsorship, tourism and marketing, and trail infrastructure creation/maintenance. Both Governments remain committed to continue this effort to enhance the Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism opportunities and to growing Santa Fe as a mountain biking destination. Santa Fe County has invested millions in building and enhancing trail infrastructure, working to improve and expand the nearly 200 miles of trails available throughout the County.

“Santa Fe County is proud to be part of the Outdoor Recreation economy and to receive this designation. This award in conjunction with the City of Santa Fe hosting the IMBA World Summit in 2012, is validation of the excellent mountain biking infrastructure we have. Mountain biking is becoming an important element of our economy,” said Katherine Miller, Santa Fe County Manager.
“The Santa Fe Fat Tire Society is proud that Santa Fe has been recognized as an IMBA Silver Level Ride Center and we look forward to building the trails that will take us to the Gold level,” said Tim Fowler, Santa Fe Fat Tire Society.

By designating Santa Fe as a Silver Ride Center, Santa Fe benefits from the extended reach that IMBA has worldwide in marketing the region to a global audience. IMBA describes its list of Ride Centers as “the trails worth traveling to, the best places to introduce someone to the sport we all love and the facilities builders and advocates should look to for inspiration. They vary from gorgeous adventures in the backcountry to innovative trail systems located near large population centers.”
Santa Fe County is home to the Outside Magazine Bike and Brew Festival, which recently drew 8500 participants and hosted a variety of mountain biking and craft brew events. The County is also host to a variety of other mountain biking racing events including: La Tierra Torture, Dirty Duathlon, Big Friggin Loop and Xterra.

This award is a direct result of a successful collaborative effort between Santa Fe County, Santa Fe Fat Tire Society (local IMBA chapter), City of Santa Fe, BTI and others. This award however, is not the only recognition Santa Fe has started to receive for outdoor tourism:

• Singletracks Magazine voted Santa Fe one of the Top Ten mountain biking destinations in North America
• League of American Bicyclists awarded Santa Fe a Silver designation for its bicycle transportation infrastructure
• USA Today listed Santa Fe as one of America’s Top Mountain Biking Towns
• Outside Magazine listed Santa Fe as one of the Top 10 Towns for High Altitude Running
• Runners World Magazine rated Santa Fe’s Dale Ball trail system one of 25 Best Trail Runs in America
• Conde Nast ranked Santa Fe “Best Small City in America”

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, the statewide Outdoor Recreation economy in New Mexico is a $6.1 billion impact to the state.