supporting veterans
Serving Those Who Served: Finding Purpose on the Dirt
The transition from military service to civilian life requires a strong community, a renewed sense of purpose, and constructive outlets for physical and mental energy. SORBA is dedicated to supporting our veterans across the Southeast by leveraging the natural power of mountain biking, camaraderie, and outdoor recreation to foster healing, trust, and belonging.
DIRT OPS: Veteran-Led, Chapter-Supported
To put our commitment into action, participating SORBA Chapters host DIRT OPS—a mission-driven riding program built specifically for veterans, operating directly within our local chapters. DIRT OPS organizes regular, consistent group rides where veterans ride with fellow veterans, fully backed by the resources, trail systems, and volunteer networks of the local trail community.
A Program Built for Every Veteran:
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All Skill Levels Welcome: From absolute beginners learning to navigate their first root to seasoned backcountry riders.
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Fully Inclusive Design: Built to accommodate veterans navigating any physical or mental hurdle, ensuring routes are chosen so that everyone completes the mission safely and confidently.
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No Over-Programming: We keep the structure minimal and the mission real. It functions like a focused group ride program where the ride itself does the heavy lifting.
SORBA and Chapter Events Happening Across The Region
Featured Event
DIRT OPS Veterans Weekend: Oct 2-4, 2026
Join DIRT OPS at Bogue Chitto State Park in Louisiana during NORBA’s Roller Coaster of Love Mountain Bike Festival for a weekend built around camaraderie, adventure, and the healing power of two (or three) wheels. Expect organized rides, campfires, cookouts, great conversations, and plenty of time on the trails with an incredible group of men and women who have served our country.
Overcoming Boundaries Together
We believe that physical limitations should never dictate who has access to the healing power of nature. Because inclusion is a core pillar of our veteran support, adaptive riders are integrated into our programs with deliberate purpose.
Through our proud regional partnerships with organizations like Catalyst Sports, we connect veterans with certified adaptive mountain biking (aMTB) instructors and advanced equipment fleets. Utilizing specialized off-road handcycles and recumbent foot-cycles equipped with quad controls, we ensure that wounded and adaptive veterans can ride alongside their peers, experiencing the absolute freedom and joy of the Southern singletrack.
Veterans Riding Groups Across the SORBA Region
Veteran’s riding groups across the SORBA region create space for connection, camaraderie, and time outdoors. Some groups are organized by SORBA chapters, while others are independent community groups. The list below highlights a selection of these groups.
ALABAMA
Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) | Birmingham, AL
DIRT OPS Group Rides | Posted to Facebook
LOUISIANA
Northshore Off-Road Bicycle Assoc. (NORBA) | Madisonville, LA
DIRT OPS Group Rides | Posted to Facebook
TENNESSEE
SORBA Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN
DIRT OPS Group Rides | Posted to Facebook
Bring DIRT OPS to Your Community
Ready to support veterans in your area? Launching a DIRT OPS subgroup under your existing SORBA chapter is simple and sustainable. Chapters already provide the infrastructure—including established trail networks, ride culture, and liability insurance coverage. Our staff can help you by providing information and a toolkit that helps you identify local veteran leaders, establish a consistent monthly ride schedule, and plug into local veteran networks like the VFW, American Legion, and active-duty units.
Support Your Local Chapter & SORBA
Membership provides essential support to keep SORBA and our chapters moving forward. It enables us to build, maintain, and advocate for well-planned, accessible, and progressive trail systems across the Southeast. The more members we have, the more credibility we carry when advocating for trail access, funding, and grant opportunities.
Membership dues are shared between SORBA and your local chapter to help fund both local efforts and regional initiatives. Plus, being a member has its benefits! You’ll get access to a number of members only perks and discounts.