May 23, 2019
Winners Trail advocate of the Year 2019
At the closing ceremony of the IMBA Europe Summit in Silkeborg, the winners of the ‘Trail advocate of the Year’ award category were announced. This new TCoYT award honours trail advocates that did exceptional work to advance mountain biking opportunities in their local community, region or country. Candidates were nominated by local crew members, community representatives, land managers or board members. Besides the appreciation from friends, an engraved award and a follow-up article, Endura will provide both winners with their MT500 award-winning performance jacket.
Trail advocate of the Year (woman) – Nynne Marie Bech, Trail Builders Copenhagen
‘Nynne is a rare breed of female trail builders who is actually engaged in the planning and execution of trail work and trail days. Furthermore she is also a part of the management, talking to landlords and politicians about trail work. We hope many more women will see her as role model and become engaged in trail work themselves’, said Katy Petersen who nominated Nynne for Trail advocate of the Year. When asked what made Nynne so valuable for the local community Katy answered, ’her smile and ability to engage others in trail work’.
Trail advocate of the Year (man) – Tom Cole, Aberdeenshire Trail Association
‘Tom has been a key founder member of the Aberdeenshire Trail Association. His overall influence on every project he has been involved with is amazing. From his input at planning and preparation stages, using his knowledge and experience to support less experienced volunteers, inspiring young diggers while educating them on good trail building techniques, said Douglas Blease. When asked about some of Tom’s achievements, Douglas said ‘Leading on a high quality trail diversion solution for the iconic Heartbreak Ridge project in the Cairngorms National Park’
(photo: Will Clarke explaining Tom’s nomination)
Special mention: Vidar Gundersen, NOTS Norsk Organisasjon for TerrengSykling
Vidar has arguably been the most important person when it comes to facilitating trail access andadvocating for access in Norway during the last decade. Vidar has followed up most – if not all – public hearings for protected areas, ensuring that the voice of mountain bikers have been heard. Vidar has received all public hearings, sorted them, submitted written statements and followed up with regional and national authorities when necessary. Without Vidar, most recently established protected areas would probably be off limit for biking. Due to his efforts, authorities now have a clearer understanding of the impact of mountain biking and do not put restrictions on biking unless arguments are strong, said Lars Thomte of NOTS.