The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) is the largest nonprofit mountain biking organization in the Southeast. Our members work with land managers in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee to create trails and trail systems for mountain bikers and other users to enjoy. Through advocacy, education, and recreational opportunities, SORBA carries out its mission to promote land access, trail preservation, and new trail development in order to enhance mountain bike touring, racing, fun, and fellowship for all mountain bicyclists in the southeastern United States.
We have partnered with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and now represent over 3,600 members who help steward miles and miles of great trails in a seven-state area. The best riding in the Southeast is found on trails maintained by our volunteers. Our members love singletrack, rocks, roots, and logs, and we employ IMBA's trailbuilding practices to ensure that our trails are sustainable and challenging. SORBA was one of the first clubs to be affiliated IMBA.
IMBA-SORBA relies on our wonderful members to carry out our mission. Our volunteers donate thousands of hours each year to advocate for trail access, build trails, and maintain trails. SORBA volunteers take pride in their work, and it shows in the trails that they build. Our news magazine, the Fat Tire Times, showcases member involvement, advocacy issues, trail information and much more. Join IMBA-SORBA today!
SORBA Atlanta Assists the NPS in Building New Trail, Reworking Existing Trail at Sope Creek
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
SORBA Atlanta has teamed up with the National Parks Service to repair existing singletrack mountain bike/multi-user trails within the Cochran Shoals/Sope Creek units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and to design four or five miles of singletrack that will tie into the existing trails. The new system will be figure eight-shaped, and will be 10 miles long when completed in 2010.
The NPS has $25,000 to spend in Fiscal Year 2009 on this effort. To supplement those funds, the CRNRA administrators have applied for a Challenge Cost Share Grant through the NPS for $30,000, to be awarded in FY 2010. As part of the grant, SORBA Atlanta has agreed to provide over 1,700 volunteer manhours in 2010.
IMBA will be assisting SORBA’s efforts at Sope Creek, and the Trail Care Crew will make a stop during the ‘09 tour as part of their commitment.
SORBA Atlanta is gearing up for this work, getting crew leaders trained and rallying the volunteer army. Training will be held in January and February, and regular workdays begin in February. Work parties will be held every four to six weeks, initially. The early workdays will concentrate on making repairs to the existing trail that will remain as part of the new system. Check www.sorbaatlanta.org for days and times of work parties.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 November 2008 )
National Parks Service Seeks Public Input on Chattahoochee National Recreation Area
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
The National Parks Service is soliciting public input on their Supplemental Draft General Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the Chattahoochee NRA. SORBA has been very involved in this process, and will remain involved as the plan is adopted and implemented in the years to come. A public input meeting held on October 30th drew 40 participants; half of those present were SORBA members.
The current preferred plan is Alternative F. Alternative F has delineated zones in the park, and assigns appropriate recreational activities for the zones. Off-road cycling is allowed in all but two zones in this plan. Although SORBA generally supports Alternative F as the preferred alternative, we continue to stand behind our long-term objection to the exclusion of bicycling from certain management categories. In particular, this exclusion precludes any possible development of bicycle trails (paved or un-paved) within the Bowmans Island unit of the CRNRA. Bowmans Island is located in a rapidly growing area of Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties where the need for mixed-use, trail-based and dispersed recreation opportunities are great.
Keeping Bowmans Island closed to bicycling inhibits any potential development of long-distance cycling trails along the Chattahoochee River corridor connecting Lake Lanier (and Army Corps of Engineers property) to the downstream units of the CRNRA. Such a connection would be a very important and sought-after recreation opportunity that would greatly enhance the quality of life in the neighboring communities. This prohibition also seems to conflict with the NPS’s own initiatives through the Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) and the management mission of a National Recreation Area.
UC3 and the Boys and Girls Club led a Trips for Kids ride at Henderson Falls Park in Toccoa, Georgia on October 11, 2008. SORBA’s organizers were Fred Williams, Chapter President, John Agentis, Vice President, and Craig Tinsley, UC3 member. Chief Professional Officer Oliver Dorsey represented the Boys and Girls Club. SORBA provided the bikes, and UC3 made sure each kid had a nice, new helmet to wear. In all 11 volunteers were on hand to help nine great kids have a fantastic day on a bike.
John and Craig kicked off the 2-hour event with a safety and equipment talk. The kids were taught the importance of a helmet, and the volunteers made sure each helmet fit properly. The kids also learned the basics of how to shift, brake, and handle a mountain bike. After everyone was familiar with their equipment, John and Craig led the group for two laps around the park. The grins and giggles that broke out during the ride showed what a good time the kids were having.
After the ride, the boys and girls chowed down on hotdogs, chips, and drinks donated by North Georgia Credit Union. Aside from donating his time, Craig Tinsley also provided cupcakes and goodie bags for each child. What a great way to end a fun day on a bike, right?
Well, there was more! Clint Eller, of Pets Gone Wild of Cornelia, GA, assisted by Brandon Hicks, Kenny Jackson, and Mike Allen brought out some reptiles for the kids to learn about. Clint gave a presentation about the reptiles, and the kids got to hold the critters and ask questions. Bikes and snakes! Wow, it really doesn’t get any better than that!
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 November 2008 )
Yellow River Mountain Bike Festival Invites Trips for Kids
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Saturday, October 18, the GATR chapter of SORBA held its 2nd annual Yellow River MTB Festival. One of the many events that day was a Tfk clinic and ride. SORBA and Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta donated 36 mountain bikes and helmets to event and they ALL were enthusiastically ridden by the many boys and girls who were delivered to the festival early that morning. Many thanks to Carl Deckers and Claire Guyton for their organizational efforts and to the many volunteers who led the 2 clinics and the many rides that occurred all morning. After the rides, GATR donated lunch to the well earned appetites of the hungry participants.
The day can be summed up by the comment from one of the kids to Carl Deckers at the end of what we all thought was a strenuous ride for them. With a big smile across his face and in between catching his breath he enthusiastically asked Carl "is that it? When can we do this again!?"
SORBA-Huntsville's Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visit
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Over the Halloween weekend, SORBA-Huntsville was graced by a visit from Kelly and Collins Bishop of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew (TCC). We started off on a cold Thursday night, gathered in the Monte Sano State Park Lodge. A crackling fire, plenty of food, and camaraderie kept us nice and warm. We discussed and brainstormed ways to improve our club from its origins as a trail building group to a well-rounded group equally divided between advocacy, socializing, and trail work. Adding to the mix, and broadening the discussion, were the folks from the Southeastern Climbing Coalition (SCC), and private bike parks.
On Saturday, forty-plus people attended the TCC’s trail building school. Representatives from diverse user groups attended, including hikers, and bikers, as well as land managers. Attendees came from Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and, of course, Sweet Home Alabama. This great event was co-hosted by the Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama and SORBA-Huntsville.
During the first four hours of the school we learned sustainable trail construction and maintenance. Our hosts from the Land Trust kept us well-fed and awake with Starbucks coffee, donuts, fruit, veggies, crackers & cheese, and water. The thrill factor kept us going, too, with several hundred dollars in door prizes given away. We won hats, water bottles, t-shirts, gloves, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, gift certificates, and more. We cannot thank our sponsors enough--Fleet Feet Huntsville, Bicycle Etc., Trailhead, Inc., 1st Place Athletic, ClifBar, Mountain High Outfitters, and the SCC.
SORBA kids of all ages came out on Oct. 4 to celebrate IMBA's International
Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.TAKMBD celebrates the life of Jack Doub, an
avid teenage mountain biker from North Carolina who had a true passion for
the sport from an early age but passed away in 2002.
Home 
The National Parks Service is soliciting public input on their Supplemental Draft General Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the Chattahoochee NRA. SORBA has been very involved in this process, and will remain involved as the plan is adopted and implemented in the years to come. A public input meeting held on October 30th drew 40 participants; half of those present were SORBA members.
Over the Halloween weekend, SORBA-Huntsville was graced by a visit from Kelly and Collins Bishop of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew (TCC). We started off on a cold Thursday night, gathered in the Monte Sano State Park Lodge. A crackling fire, plenty of food, and camaraderie kept us nice and warm. We discussed and brainstormed ways to improve our club from its origins as a trail building group to a well-rounded group equally divided between advocacy, socializing, and trail work. Adding to the mix, and broadening the discussion, were the folks from the Southeastern Climbing Coalition (SCC), and private bike parks.
