ghorba

Who We Are

Our Vision is to establish the greater Houston area as the best large urban city for off-road cycling.

Fellowship

Recreation

Volunteering

Our Mission Statement

Greater Houston Off Road Biking Association promotes healthy off road cycling by collaboratively working with all trail users and landowners to build and sustain a network of enjoyable and environmentally friendly natural surface trails.

GHORBA was formed in September 1999 when the Houston Area Mountain Bike Riders Association (HAMBRA) and the Memorial Park Mountain Bike Association (MPMBA) joined forces to save the trails in Memorial Park from closure to all cyclists. Over the years GHORBA has expanded trail interests to dozens of Houston Area mountain bike trails. GHORBA is a non-profit 501c(3) corporation. It generates its operating revenue from your membership dues, organizing TMBRA series mountain bike and local races, and grants and donations from cycling and other businesses.

GHORBA remains committed to representing Houston's rich diversity with a spirit of inclusiveness for residents of all backgrounds, nationalities and genders. Off-road cyclists are an eclectic bunch of folks - men, women, and kids from all walks of life. We really don't care what your color, creed, sexual orientation or political affiliation is, once you're on a bike, you're one of us! Just be nice and polite to everyone you meet out on the trail - including other trail users.

Organizational Documents

Board of Directors

Meet your elected officials who work hard to maintain relationships and perform daily duties to help keep Houston's trails open and in great shape.

Send email to all directors HERE.

Ricky Kleinsmith

President

Former Marine, guitar player, and avid cyclist, Ricky spends most of his two-wheel time bikepacking or gravel grinding, while occasionally hitting the local singletrack. He feels there’s nothing better than loading his tent and gear on his rigid mountain bike and spending the weekend on the back roads.

Cj Bernard

VP and Trails Director

CJ started biking in Houston in early 70’s. Raced W. Columbia track in 73, has been MTBing since and has ridden trails around the globe. Was a “pioneer” trail and jump builder in SW Houston area in 70’s timeframe and carried that passion since. He is ready to serve the GHORBA trails groups and bring those experiences and passion to where the “rubber meets the… dirt”.

Eric Henao

Secretary

Graphic Designer/Marketer, mountain biker, trail runner, cocktail maker, foodie, art appreciator, music lover & tech geek. Bit of Maven-Connector type personality, love crowds, connecting with people and getting people the information they are seeking. Believe in continual self-development.

Gene Ronchetto

Treasurer

Charlie Gioielli

Events Director

Kevin Highfield

Director-at-Large – Advocacy

Kevin has been a trail rider since 2002 and first joined the GHORBA board in 2005. His trail advocacy started in 2003, when he started work to save Cypresswood Trail. He’s been an active racer since 2003, competing in events all over Texas. He also serves on the board of the Sam Houston Trails Coalition as the cycling representative.

Chris Brown

Membership Director

Chris has been involved with GHORBA since 2001 when he rode up on some trail gnomes and felt guilty for not helping. He eventually became Trail Steward at Memorial. Later, he joined the Board as Trails Coordinator. Chris’s real passion is teaching Skills Clinics. He is currently rewriting the curriculum for the intermediate classes and is excited for the future of the Skills Clinics.

Jason Burton

Communications Director

Growing up in NC and VA Jason started riding BMX and MTB as a kid. Moving to Texas 11 years ago he was thrilled to discover there were trails in this flat land and ran out to buy a bike and got back into riding immediately. Working with DirtChurch TX, Dirt Therapy Project and Operation Yellowbird, MTB as a form of therapy is a large interest especially for treating PTSD and anxiety among Veterans.

Current Projects and Grants

We are always looking for new ways to grow the sport of off-road mountain bicycling. Here are some of the ways we are doing it today.

GHORBA has been awarded two $5000 grants from REI for a number of trail armoring projects at Cypress Creek MTB and a bridge in the 100 Acre Wood Preserve

REI – Cypress Creek

Huntsville State Park Expansion- Up to thirteen (13) mile $180,000 trail expansion, funded in part by a TPW RTP Grant, Northwest Cycling Club, and GHORBA has been flagged for construction by our contractor (S&S Trails) and is entering environmental evaluation which is expected to complete in early 2013. This expansion will increase Huntsville trail mileage by up to 102%.

Hunstville

REI recently awarded GHORBA a $10,000 seed grant for Jack Brooks Park, to coincide with their new store opening in Baybrook Mall. The grant money will fund several projects, such as signs and armoring erosion.

REI – Jack Brooks