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.
Christy Jones
President
Christy is a native Houstonian, 7th generation Texan, and is a lifelong recreational MTBr. She advocates usability of the green spaces in and around the Houston area as an enjoyable and healthy exercising alternative. Christy is married with 3 children, has enjoyed the Cypress Creek Trails since 2003, and has served on the GHORBA board since 2015.
Kevin Highfield
VP & Advocacy Director
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.
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.
Vardell Nesmith
Treasurer
Vardell’s passion for riding started while his father was stationed in West Berlin. What 18 year old could resist climbing through a hole in the Berlin Wall and cycle on roads Westerners hadn’t touched since the early 60’s. He attended Baylor where he road raced and worked at a bike shop. His passion for the MtB came after moving near the CCMTB Trails.
Cj Bernard
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”.
Greg Bauer
Communications Director
Greg discovered cycling in college and quickly developed a passion for the sport. In addition to riding, he has worked in bike shops, promoted events and volunteered with different bike advocacy groups and projects. When he’s not riding or working at his marketing day job, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their 6 year old twins, who also ride!
Chris Brown
Events 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.
Emily Ferguson
Membership Director
Emily has been riding bikes with her Dad since she started walking. In conjunction with B-cycles, she is also a bike mechanic for Bike Barn and is a Trek Women’s Advocate with a common and passionate goal to get more women in the saddle by leading woman’s cycling rides in the Houston area. Emily is also a NICA youth mountain biking racing coach.
John Blum
Race and Rides Director
John Blum grew up running on gravel roads in Michigan. After finishing his PhD in San Diego, he moved to Houston and took up cycling. A former board member of BikeHouston, he founded Houston Gravel Grinders in 2014, has finished TransIowa, and is passionate about using bicycles for exploration.
Sara Kacprowicz
Director At Large
Sara is originally from Buffalo, NY she moved to Katy, TX in June 2013. she has been trail riding with her husband since 2014. They call Cypress Creek their home trails since moving to the Spring area recently, they also enjoy heading out to Austin to camp and ride as often as possible. Sara has been a part of the GHORBA Girls page for a while and is hoping to help encourage other women to give trail riding a try.
