Who We Are
Our Vision is to establish the greater Houston area as the best large urban city for off-road cycling.
Our Mission:
- Advocate for greater recreational trail access with public and private land owners and managers
- Build & maintain sustainable multi-use trails
- Educate the public on sustainable trail building, trail maintenance, and riding skills and safety
- Partner with the community to promote youth cycling
- Hold social events and races for the enjoyment of off-road cyclists and stakeholders
History:
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 a TMBRA series mountain bike race, and grants and donations from biking and outdoor-related businesses as well as Houston-area corporations.
Board Of Directors
Have a message for the board? Send it to secretary@ghorba.org
From the 2007 GHORBA Big Ring Challenge Race. From left to right: Chuck, Brian, Kevin, Candace, Mike, Clay, Chet, Veljko, Jimmy. Missing from the picture are Bill Begnaud and Booker.
President
Mike has been a Rocket Scientist at NASA for the past 20 years. Mike started riding a $80 modified 10-speed with 26” wheels and a single speed coaster break back at the University of Michigan riding to class in over ice, sleet, and snow. Decades later he was introduced to the “official” sport of mountain biking and downhill racing while living in Moscow Russia. There he learned the “art” of biking year-round in rain, snow, and mud.
He also learned how to curse in Russian when falling down large crevices and hills surrounded by natural hazards. Upon returning to America where there were more than 37 bikers and actual bike trails, he learned about Cross Country (XC) Racing, how to ride trails that were dry, what a closed trail was, and even trail maintenance from IMBA.
Mike rides, races, and camps with his three children around Texas. The picture above is from the last-ever Kelly Creek Classic 2004 $100 Downhill race that he won on his 39th Birthday riding his daughter’s 20” wheeled bike valued at just over $60. He beat a field of 24” and 26” bikes over rocks and jumps.
Mike wants to make the greater Houston the best off-road biking area in America, ensure access to existing trails, work with other steakholders to build new multi-use trails systems, & encourage sustainable trail maintenance.
Vice President of Trails
Kevin is an ex-Brit who now lives in the NW1960—Champions area. Kevin and his buds ride at trails all over town and can also be seen at most TMBRA races. The above picture was taken at the 2006 Huntsville race, on his way to winning the Expert 50+ category of the TMBRA Fall series, racing for the Northwest Cycling Club team.
Kevin is working with local government and park agencies and with environmental groups to develop new trails and enhance existing trails in our area. He has lived in Houston since 1992, is married with 2 teenage daughters and is a Master Mariner by trade, working as a consultant for marine and energy insurance.
Treasurer
Clay does it all. He was our longtime membership director, trail steward of Memorial Park, BRC Race volunteer coordinator, Skills Clinic Organizer, and now he is our treasurer.
Race Director, GHORBA Big Ring Challenge
Brian Thigpen originally joined GHORBA as a Trail Steward for Memorial Park in 2003 when he got frustrated with his favorite log crossings being weeny-fied. Since that time he was active through various GHORBA events including the Big Ring Challenge (BRC) Race. In 2005 he agreed (begrudgingly) to become BRC Race Director under conditions GHORBA would help sponsor the nations first ever Lyme Disease Ride (Lyme Ryde) & Fat Tire Festival. Lyme Disease is an issue close to his heart as he and his wife have been affected by it. GHORBA is now helping to sponsor this first event in November 2007.
Brian is Houston born and bred who grew up riding BMX on trails now known as Cypress Creek Improper. While in engineering school at Texas A&M he picked up mountain biking and was among the first group of guys calling themselves Brazos Valley Mountain Biking Association (BVMBA) circa ’93.
This was a fruitful time for Mountain biking and soon he started racing not only in NORBA events but also on the Texas A&M cycling team. He participated in creating the Lake Bryan trails, formerly known as ‘the BUTt’ back when the lake was called the Bryan Utilities Lake and hence Bryan Utilities Trail was formed. Now he mostly enjoys riding Memorial Park due to it’s proximity to his home. Other favorite trails in the state are Waco, Emma Long (City Park), & Jack Brooks… amongst many others. Favorites in the nation are Slickrock, Moab; Turkey Mountain, Tulsa; Bend, Oregon; National, Phoenix
Secretary
Veljko (“vel-co”) is a Croatian from Zagreb, who’s lived in Houston since 1996. Back in the late 80’s, he brought over from the US the first mountain bike to Zagreb, a Specialized. When Veljko came to the US for graduate school in 1988, he sold the bike to his friend. His friend still rides that bike today (Croatia is now considered one of the best countries in Europe for mountain biking).
A ChemE, on rainy days Veljko is busy maintaining the GHORBA website and communications, or is wrenching bikes for his teenage son, who’s into dirt jumping.
Veljko occasionally races in the TMBRA series but has nowhere near the skills nor cojones like his son for freeriding and hucking.
Rider Representative – Girls
Candace started riding a bike when she moved to Houston to be with her wonderful husband Jimmy, in 1999. It wasn’t easy at first, and the guys all flew by her because of their “natural ability”. She didn’t know any other women riders then and was challenged to keep up with the guys.
A strong will and perseverance are Candace’s natural traits. She used them to push herself and become a faster and better rider. She can now keep up with most and enjoys chasing those who continue to outride her.
Riding has been a great outlet for Candace. It took her outdoors and to beautiful places, keeps her fit at 40+ and still challenges her in a positive way. The picture is from the 2006 Mas-O-Menos race in Big Bend where Candace rode 50k in 30 degree weather.
Candace ressurected the GHORBA-Girls riding group and loves to get together with other girls to hone skills and really burn up the trails.
BTW, Candace is truly INCREDIBLE realtor who loves to work with cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. (although she never turns down a couch potato!). Feel free to contact Candace for your real estate needs!
Rider Representative-South, Jack Brooks Park Trail Steward
Steve “Booker” plays HVAC/Electrician by day and Mountain biker/climber/climbing instructor off-hours.
Booker has been involved with Jack Brooks Trails for about ten years, riding for about twelve and Trail Steward for two. He was tricked into a the spot but enjoys it anyway. His dream is to find someone someday to take his place. He knows you’re out there!
Booker is also a member of the Texas Mountain Raiders, a climbing club in the Houston area, the Access Fund, a climbing access organization, and the Sierra Club.
Membership Director, Jimmy Mann
Rider Representative, Bill Begnaud
Rider Representative, Chuck Campbell
Rider Representative-North, Howard (Chet) Fielden
GHORBA Board of Directors 2006
GHORBA Board of Directors 2005
GHORBA Board of Directors 2004
GHORBA Board of Directors 2003
GHORBA Board of Directors 2002
