Pedal Driven is a mountain bike documentary in production that centers on the conflict between illegal freeride trailbuilders and US Forest Service rangers in Washington state – and the creators need your help to finish the film. IMBA and others like Specialized, Shimano, and Yakima have already thrown their support behind the film and all proceeds from the release will go straight to trail building and mountain bike advocacy funds.

In order to raise the funds necessary to complete the film, the producers have set a goal of raising $15,000 toward the final production costs and that’s where we (mountain bikers) come in. With 8 days to go until the deadline, almost $14,000 has been pledged by individual donors. The cool thing about this portion of the film’s funding is that it affirms the grassroots nature of the sport and shows the strength and diversity of mountain bikers around the US.

There are a few interesting things about the fundraising you should know:

• There’s no minimum amount you can give. If you only have a buck to give that’s cool – every bit counts.
• Rewards are offered at various funding amounts. Give $25 or more and you get a copy of the DVD when it’s released PLUS a pair of Pedal Driven cycling socks. A DVD and a good pair of socks will normally cost you at least that much so it’s a win-win!
• At the higher funding levels the rewards get very interesting. Wanna pledge $5000? You’ll get a whole bag of goodies including a closing credit in the movie AND a mountain bike trail in Washington state named after you. Anyone want to pool together to get the trail named singletracks.com?

I’ve already pledged my 25 bucks and I’m stoked to see how this film works as an advocacy tool, especially when presented to land managers and non-mountain bikers. Check out the trailer and if you like what you see, toss a few bucks to make this film a reality! Click here for the full trailer.

Singletracks member Outdoornut clued me in to the latest issue of IMBA Trail News where they talk about the 5 newest IMBA Epic trails added this year. Here’s a summary from east to west.

photo posted by rodrodriguez2003

Pinhoti Trail (North Georgia). The Pinhoti Trail is sorta like Kokopelli’s younger, forested brother with 100 miles of point-to-point singletrack linking some of the best riding spots in north Georgia. If you like technical riding with a decent amount of climbing, Pinhoti is your man.

photo posted by Outdoornut

Spruce Knob (Seneca, WV). Outdoornut gives Spruce Knob 5-stars and it’s easy to see why from the photos. The main 15-mile loop is comprised of technically demanding rocky and rooty singletrack set amid pristine scenery. IMBA helped get this area removed from the 2009 Wild Monongahela Act which would have prohibited mountain bikes in the area so ride it now and enjoy!

photo posted by copperhippie

Copper Harbor Trails (Copper Harbor, MI). This is actually the second trail in Michigan to receive IMBA Epic status and from what we’ve read here on singletracks the trail is “Totally AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”. Extensive wood bridges make this trail both sustainable AND fun to ride.

photo posted by dauw

Curt Gowdy State Park (Cheyenne, WY). We’re pretty stoked to see Rowdy Gowdy got the Epic nod after just a few years on the scene. The trails at Curt Gowdy have something for everyone and feature scenery that’s tough to beat.

photo posted by bstill30

Plains of Abraham (Mt. St. Helens, WA). Singletracks members may know this one as Smith Creek Epic but now that it’s an IMBA Epic I suppose it’s time to get prim and proper with the trail description. This is rugged, beautiful terrain and if you plan to tackle this one you may want to consider bstill30′s advice and pack “energy bars, warm clothes, and a flashlight for good measure.” Awesome.

Japanese Gulch photo by singletracks member chris_donovan.

Last week we talked about the idea that hikers and other outdoor groups should work with mountain bikers to preserve public lands since united we stand… (you know the rest). Anyway, it seems the hiking and equestrian community still aren’t really on board with the concept and one hiker even chose to voice his opposition right here on the blog.

That’s why this next story is so refreshing: A developer is planning to build a huge warehouse next to Japanese Gulch in Everett, WA and residents aren’t too stoked on the idea so they’re asking mountain bikers to help them save the open space and trails. The residents have organized a group to preserve the gulch:

Members of the gulch group plan to reach out to the mountain biking community that rides through the gulch.

Mukilteo resident Dave Culler said he attended because he mountain bikes through the gulch. Culler said mountain biking Web sites refer to the gulch as one of the best places for biking in the area.

“The mountain biking community has tried to keep Japanese Gulch quiet so there’s no (bike) traffic,” he said. “But if they were concerned it would go away, they would help.”

Mountain bikers helping save an area from development would have been unheard of just a few years back. Today we have a voice and it’s our turn to help save the trails for everyone – hikers and bikers alike!