The folks at Clymb headquarters relish the outdoor opportunities that abound in and around our quirky little city. Even though we like to complain about the rain, we know that the climate is a key contributor to the natural landscapes, flora, and fauna that we love. We take pride in our city.

One of our favorite haunts is Sandy Ridge, a stunning system of mountain bike trails tucked into the canopy of trees that lies just beneath the majesty of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest mountain. A 45-minute drive from town will have you at the trailhead. From there, you’ll be huffing and puffing up Forest Service roads then hooting and hollering as you careen down miles of ultra-flowy singletrack trail.
Standing around the water cooler after a well-spent weekend on Sandy Ridge, employees exhibit a gleam in our eyes and a twinge in our lower backs. Many of us help develop local trails as well as ride them. We’ve chocked up as many hours handling a Pulaski as we have sitting in the saddle. So naturally, we were stoked when the philanthropical bicycling brand Bell Helmets announced an exciting new initiative.

Partnering with IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association), Bell Helmets has established a new social-media-based funding program called BELL BUILT that aims to give back to the next generation of riders through $100K in grants. This money will help to maintain three existing trail systems throughout the country. Twelve areas have been chosen for consideration, and you can click on each one individually through Bell’s Facebook page to learn more. You can then vote on your favorite option, and you’ll be entered into a sweepstakes where you can win helmets, apparel, and even an all-expenses paid cycling adventure. Voting ends April 12, 2013.

Here’s the kicker. Our beloved Sandy Ridge just so happens to be on that list. So click through to vote on your favorite area for a good cause, and if you happen to be a PNW local or just don’t quite know which trail to vote for, maybe you could show Sandy a little love. Every option on this list is a great choice, and we’d like to encourage you to vote so you can get outside and enjoy the places you love.
If you like reading about trail development and the great things that are happening within mountain biking communities, have a look at our local Northwest Trail Alliance website here.