OUR HISTORY

Since the organizations inception in 2003, SORBA Chattanooga has been focused on improving and maintaining trail access opportunities for local outdoor athletes. In 2004, SORBA Chattanooga developed the Singletrack Mind Initiative and set out to increase access from the 7 miles of mountain bike accessible trails in our community to a total of 100 miles within the greater Chattanooga area, a lofty goal indeed.

Over the years, SORBA Chattanooga and area land managers have worked hard to complete that goal and it has recently been achieved. In 2023, there are 160+ miles of mountain bike accessible trails withing 30 minutes of downtown Chattanooga thanks to the efforts of SORBA Chattanooga and area land managers!

In addition to expanding area trails, SORBA Chattanooga contributes thousands of hours of trail work each year to maintain and expand area trails, with an average year exceeding 1,000 volunteer hours.

All of this effort has made the Chattanooga region recognized as one the premier destinations for mountain biking in the Southeast, driving significant tourism dollars into our area and helping to generate economic growth for the community by attracting new business and community members.

SORBA Chattanooga currently has approximately 500 active members who help to create and maintain mile after mile of the world-class trails in the Chattanooga area. The best riding in the Southeast is found on trails maintained by our volunteers. Our members love single track, rocks, roots, and logs, and we employ IMBA's trail building practices to ensure that our trails are sustainable and challenging.

IMBA and SORBA

In 1988 the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) was founded by a group of California mountain bike clubs concerned about the closure of trails to cyclists. Since then, their mission has been to protect, create, and enhance quality trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide. IMBA has members in all 50 states and 40 countries and are made up more than 700 bicycle clubs, SORBA Chattanooga being one of them.

Through partnership with IMBA, SORBA assists regional chapters like SORBA Chattanooga in working with land managers in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, 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.

OUR MISSION

We believe everyone should have access to the social, physical, and mental benefits that mountain biking provides.

We envision a future where mountain biking is at the center of a healthy, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable community around Chattanooga, with well-planned, accessible, and progressive trail systems.

AREA TRAIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

100+

miles of trail maintained by SORBA Chattanooga volunteers

160+

miles of trail build since 2003 in partnership with local land managers

1000+

hours volunteered maintaining trails every year

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mike Gehard
- President

  • It’s fun. The woods are an amazing place to spend some time, both alone and with friends. It’s a great way to get around town.

  • That’s a tough one as demonstrated by my Spotify liked songs. If I had to pick one, it would be “Anthology: The Sounds of Science” by the Beastie Boys.

  • Depends on my mood. High Voltage for the fast, chunky downhill. Live Wire 2, from the boat ramp, for the slow speed rock tech. A smattering of trails at 5 Points for just being out in the woods and not seeing another human.

  • Flats all day long…and for the past 10 years.

Lee Friedlander
- Vice President

  • I get to push myself outside of my comfort zone while experiencing the great outdoors.

  • I just checked my record player. The last record I played was MTV’s Nirvana Unplugged.

  • There are so many great places to ride, but Raccoon has always been my favorite.

  • Both. It depends on the ride, the terrain, and the bike.

Mark Przybysz
- Treasurer

Sunshine Loveless
- Membership

  • It makes me happy!

  • I can’t pick just one. Some of my Favorite artists are Rising Appalachia, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Michael Franti, Xavier Rudd, DMB, Maggie Rogers, Sean Hayes, and Trevor Hall.

  • There are so many great places to ride near Chattanooga, and I love switching it up. Raccoon Mountain, Five Points, Moonshine trails, Durham trail, Biology trails and now Waldens Ridge!

  • Clipless on my MTB and flats on my gravel/touring bike.

Maggie Carruth O’Connor
- Secretary

Gaston Farmer
- Advocacy

  • It makes me feel like a kid again and it’s some form of meditation through the movement, not to mention the landscapes you can traverse.

  • What Comes After the Blues by Magnolia Electric Co.

  • Locally it would have to be the Livewire series at Raccoon Mtn. Although, in the right time of year, Megawatt’s views could make me think otherwise.

  • Flats.

Les Warnock
- Director at Large

  • The good times can’t be matched!

  • Changes every week, but currently it’s Instant Destiny by Tame Impala.

  • The ones that are to come.

  • Flats.