Have you ever ridden a bicycle? Do you know what it feels like to push yourself and your machine to the apex of a hill? Have you felt the sun on your shoulders and heard the wind whistling in your ears as you savored the fruits of your labor, the end of the challenge, as you glide down the hill you so recently conquered? Can you imagine experiencing these sensations on a mountain, in the middle of a forest or on an urban wooded hillside, as the woodpeckers drum, the raptors scream, the deer graze, the insects drone, and you meld man, machine, and the beauty of the outdoors? Imagine that, and you have perceived the essence of mountain biking.

Mountain biking is a great way to exercise, a gateway to the outdoors, recreation, transportation, and about as Green as you can get. It’s enjoyed by families, individuals; people of all ages, all skill levels, all genders, and all ethnicities. Your neighbors are mountain bikers. Mountain biking has saved lives, led thousands to an active, healthy lifestyle, and has enhanced and strengthened communities. And, it’s just plain fun. Thousands of people in the Metro Atlanta area mountain bike, and their champion is the International Mountain Biking Association-Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (IMBA-SORBA).

Metro Atlanta’s mountain bikers founded SORBA twenty-one years ago so that they would not be completely shut out from riding on public lands. IMBA-SORBA has grown to over 4000 members in 26 chapters in 7 Southern states. Last year SORBA formally partnered with IMBA, an international organization with like goals, to make their voice even stronger. IMBA-SORBA’s mission is advocate, educate, recreate, and its members enthusiastically carry out this mission. Members gain permission to build trails, design and construct the trails, maintain the trails, educate trail users about riding, rules, and upkeep, and offer events for all to enjoy the trails. IMBA-SORBA’s members have volunteered countless hours, and their accomplishments are nothing short of phenomenal.

Public land managers do not wake up in the morning and think, “I know! I’ll build a mountain bike trail in my park!” Getting permission to put in a mountain bike trail can take years, and it requires leadership, persistence and solidarity--many phone calls, many meetings, many shows of support, and many promises. IMBA-SORBA members spend a lot of time in city, county, state, and federal government offices, patiently building relationships, and continuing those relationships through stewardship and community development. Land managers who work with IMBA-SORBA respect the organization and consider their trails and members to be an asset to the lands they oversee and the communities they serve. Communities with trails are discovering that mountain bikers are good for business, bringing in customers and revenue.

Mountain bikers build most of their own trails. Whether built with machine assistance or hand-built, many hours of manual work are required. Through building hundreds of miles of trails, our trail builders have developed best-practices and techniques that withstand the forces of man and nature. IMBA-SORBA trails are designed and built to last. Members continue to learn ways to build it even better, and they pass that learning on, teaching others to build lasting trails enjoyed by bikers, hikers, dog-walkers, runners, and equestrians. IMBA-SORBA often partners with these trail users, hosting joint work parties and trail building classes.

Mountain biking is a learned skill, and IMBA-SORBA members teach riders how to ride safely and improve their skills. They offer free clinics for kids, beginning riders, women, as well as racers and advanced riders. They also offer group rides, which provide opportunities to practice skills and meet new riding buddies. Mountain bikers are passionate about their sport, and dedicated to spreading the love and bringing in new riders. The Mountain Bike Patrol program puts ambassadors on the trail to assist anyone in need, and offer help and advice to all riders.

Mountain bikers make sure there is time to ride. Organized group rides on local trails go on all the time, and trips to riding destinations are frequent. Most rides cater to all skill levels, so that beginners and advanced riders each get a ride they can enjoy. The Trips for Kids program makes bikes and ride leaders available to area youth organizations. Festivals and races are another avenue for recreation, and the organization has a full event calendar each year. Informal rides are also frequent, as mountain bikers are very social and many prefer to ride in a group. The Forum at www.sorba.org to a great place to find rides and riding partners.

To find out more about IMBA-SORBA and mountain biking, visit www.sorba.org. Email inquiries can be sent to info@sorba.org. Join your local chapter and get involved!