Brown County State Park’s mountain bike trails have won the International Mountain Bicycling Assoc. (IMBA) honor of offering enthusiasts an “epic” ride. Only four other trails were honored internationally this year with the same designation.

Overall, IMBA’s list now includes 51 destinations in the United States, four in Canada and one each in Italy and Wales. The organization started the program in 2000.

“If you are a mountain biker, this is your ‘bucket list,’” says IMBA’s website. “Every single one of the mountain bike trails listed on this page (www.imba.com/epics) will blow your mind … guaranteed!”

IMBA’s description of Brown County explains why the park’s system of mountain bicycling trails warrant the recognition: “This is flowing single track at its best, built in one of the largest contiguous hardwood forests east of the Mississippi River. The trail designers used every bit of the 600 feet of elevation change available to create five independent loops and three connector trails.

“Difficulty ranges from a beginner-friendly loop to black diamond fare. Expect to drop into valleys and creek crossings before climbing to overlooks with vistas of the surrounding hills. The hardy clay soil allows for sculpted turns and features – get ready to carve, climb and do it again.”

Brown County State Park mountain bike trails are the only Indiana trails on the list. Michigan, with two trails, and Ohio, with one, are the only border states listed.

The Brown County State Park mountain bike trails were built and are maintained by volunteers from the Hoosier Mountain Bike Assoc. HMBA President Paul Arlinghaus said the group has had the epic designation as a goal for a long time.

“Ten years ago, if you lived in Indiana and wanted to mountain bike, you had to travel somewhere else,” Arlinghaus said. “This (honor) celebrates the success we’ve had not only for those around here, but also shows that it’s worthwhile for others to travel here to ride.”

IMBA communications director Mark Eller said compilation of epics originally focused on backcountry rides, but then broadened. The creation of other categories this year allowed the focus to go back to the original idea. Although a state park may not fit some people’s idea of epic in terms of “backcountry,” Eller said Brown County does.

“There is a consistent feeling of being able to lose yourself in the woods,” he said. “The rider experience is a backcountry experience.”

Although Brown County offers trails suited for beginners, the IMBA honor is for the park’s more challenging trails. “We try to find trails that give people high bars to shoot for,” Eller said.

Other trails listed as epics this year were Kerr Scott Trails in North Carolina; Mountain Hero in Yukon, Canada; Rattling Creek in Pennsylvania; and the W2 Trail in Wales.

IMBA posts an online form to get annual nominations for the epic list. Once a trail is nominated, IMBA depends on its network of clubs and field experts to judge which trails get honored. Eller said IMBA gets 40-50 nominations a year.

For more information, see the state parks website, www.stateparks.IN.gov/ 2988.htm

Brown County State Park is located at 1450 State Road 46 E in Nashville, IN 47448. Gate admission is $5 per in-state car and $7 per out-of-state car.

Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling on bicyclists, canoeists and other recreational trail users to consider serving their state on the Trails Advisory Board (TAB).

The 14-member TAB advises DNR Director Robert E. Carter Jr. on trails-related issues. Having a TAB is also a requirement for states to receive funding from the Recreational Trails Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The state uses the funds to acquire and develop multi-use trails for both motorized and non-motorized use.

The TAB has five openings this year. Volunteers are expected to serve a three-year term and must be involved with a trails-oriented organization representing one of the following trails-user groups: bicyclists, off-road motorcyclists, parks and recreation agencies, water trail users and users with disabilities.

Nominations and letters of support indicating why a nominee best represents a particular trails-interest group will be accepted by the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation until Jan. 6, 2012. To receive nomination instructions or learn more about the board, see www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor and click on “Indiana Trails Advisory Board,” which is below the photos on the website.

Instructions and additional information are available by contacting David Cox at 317-232-4067, dcox@dnr.IN.gov or by mail or in person at DNR Outdoor Recreation, 402 W. Washington St., Room W271, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2782.

Annual Entrance Permits for 2012 for Indiana state parks and reservoirs are now available for online purchase. You can order an Annual Entrance Permit, which costs $36 for state residents, by going to www.InnsGifts.com

The Golden Hoosier Permit is available at the same website for ages over 65 for $18. Each permit allows entrance into any state park or reservoir for one vehicle with Indiana license plates throughout 2012. Annual Entrance Permits are also available for purchase at state parks and reservoirs across Indiana.

For reservations at any of the state park inns, call 877-LODGES-1 (563-4371) or visit www.IndianaInns.com

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.