NWGA Sorba

Northwest GA SORBA Chapter, helping to maintain and preserve mountain biking and trail systems in an We thought about doing the same for mountain biking.

NWGA SORBA was officially started in 2005, but like most chapters we began long before then through doing trail work and ad-hoc group rides. Most of the rides and trail work would center around the Pinhoti which is a hidden treasure for the City of Dalton. We would ride with friends and run into other mountain bikers. As we met more bikers, our list of contacts for the next outing began to grow. T

rail workdays were another opportunity to meet people who were passionate about trails. Sometimes, they would have the same passion for mountain biking. Some of these riders / trail angels have been involved with the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association since the mid 90’s. The Pinhoti flags started showing up on the section of Dug Gap trail where we were already riding. In the interest of protecting our rights to ride mountain bikes on the trail, we came out of the shadows and started working with the Pinhoti folks. Rick Moon aka Moon Dog was the first to officially join the Georgia Pinhoti Board of Directors. He later recruited James Stankowitz and Conrad Fernandez to the Board. We knew the Pinhoti was a unique point-to-point multi-use trail in the southeast and wanted to keep it that way. We were involved in the actual trail layout and for keeping it as natural as possible. During trail work days and riding the trail, we often talked about how the Pinhoti should be a destination mountain bike trail. We wanted a way to showcase this new gift to the mountain bike community. In 2005, we were watching a group of roadies in the area try to get organized. In the effort to become more organized and have a stronger advocacy voice, our group sent James Stankowitz to a SORBA board meeting to request our group be added as the 14th SORBA chapter. The Pinhoti Trail was used as a rallying point. Dalton is sandwiched between the two giants of Chattanooga and Atlanta. We use the trail as a geographical bridge between these areas. Dalton is too small of a community to sustain a SORBA chapter long term. To build a chapter, our plan was to attract members from all of Northwest Georgia. Our members are drawn from Dalton and the surrounding cities - Ringgold, Calhoun, Lafayette, Summerville, Chatsworth and Rome. The carpet industry in Northwest Georgia supports a full spectrum of talent including mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, as well as graphic designers, and sales and marketing specialists. We also have medical professionals, machinists and heavy equipment operators. When we sit around the table, it is amazing to see this diverse group of individuals all working together towards the same goal. One of our first chapter projects was to showcase the Pinhoti Trail system through hosting the Snake Creek Gap Time Trial series. From humble beginnings four years ago when we had only a handful of riders, we have grown steadily. This year's event boasted approximately 300 professional and amateur riders from thirteen states and Canada. Some of the states represented include California, Ohio, Michigan, Rhode Island, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The riders come here to test their skills in conquering six mountains on the Snake and Johns Mountain sections of the Pinhoti Trail System. As our chapter continues to grow, so does our list of projects. Although primarily known for being the host of the Snake Time Trials, Northwest Georgia SORBA has other projects that we actively pursue. In the fall of 2005, our chapter worked with the City of Dalton on an MOU for our members to develop a mountain bike park on city property. The chapter built three trail loops of increasing skill levels. The 'Cub', 'Bear' and 'Grizzly' provide a total of six miles of trail. In 2006, several of our members served on a committee to submit a grant for expanding the Raisin Woods Mountain Bike Park. In fall of 2007, the City of Dalton received a $51K grant from Georgia DNR to add 3 miles of trail to Raisin Woods, install restrooms and build a parking lot at the MTB Park. More than $18K of in-kind labor was pledged by the City of Dalton, Whitfield County Public Works, Boy Scout Troop 111, Boys & Girls Club, Whitfield County Sheriff's Department and NWGA SORBA. We are now flagging the new trail addition and will soon begin trail construction. We have also partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to help them develop their Mountain Bike Program. This unique program introduces kids to the sport of mountain biking. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle. Our chapter plan activities such as building bike storage, hosting rides and building trails on the Boys & Girls Club property. Recently, we completed converting a storage shed to hold 50 bicycles. Our next activity with the B&G Club will be to layout the trails on their property. We continue to foster our relationship with the Forest Service's Conasauga Ranger District and participate with other trail users - hikers and equestrians - on trail workdays. Recently we received a pleasant surprise from the Larry Thomas, Operations Team Leader from the Conasauga Ranger District. The Forest Service and Georgia DNR worked to together to build a connector trail at Fort Mountain State Park to the Pinhoti Trail. Come Ride With Us!

04/25/2024

https://sorba.org/join/

Full prize details to follow!

12/01/2023

Glad to catchup with Northwest Georgia SORBA Board tonight for the first time in a few years to get some things planned for 2024. Great to see everyone including Bill Hester, - a dear friend of ours.

04/20/2023

Uhhhh….. sure

10/06/2022

Snake Race 2023 giveaways!! Not 1, but 3 $50 gift certificates!!! Nice local support for a local race by a kickass local company! Register for the Snake 2023 today!!

08/22/2022

NWGA SORBA decided to team up with Cognative MTB to introduce some new jersey designs for members and non members alike! We have two color options on this light weight jersey that will keep you cool and dry in the summer months or can be layered when it gets a little chilly! Check these out and give us a shout if you are interested in one. Member cost-$55.00 Non member cost-$65.00
Pro Tip-Join NWGA SORBA today and save some $$!!

07/26/2022

Grand Opening for Rocky Face Ridge Park and Buzzards Roost!!! What a great turnout and addition to the Northwest GA mountain biking scene! If you haven’t been here, come on out, this is THE Crown Jewel of Northwest GA!!!

05/11/2022

Bring’em back!!!

04/30/2022

A truck driver with PRIORITIES!!

04/29/2022

Come out and ride!!!

04/23/2022

LOST ON THE TRAIL at Buzzards Roost. Northeastern corner before traversing over to I-75 side. Fell out of unzippered pouch. Can identify by the name on the display when turned on. Lost Saturday 4/13 between 1030-1100AM. Sentimental value to this as well having hiked and biked with it for 10+ years.

04/18/2022

Coming soon - Sunset Ride at Buzzards Roost! More details to come so stay tuned!

08/27/2020

Face first, what do you do? Just kidding, not on the trail, in the backyard. But we’ve all ridden through these. Do you scream like Chris Tucker?

08/13/2020

It’s so hot out there, this is looking very nice right about now. Snake 2021 is coming up soon!!!!

07/30/2020

National Park Service - PEPC - Meeting Notices

Don’t forget tonight at 5pm if you want to join the virtual meeting regarding Wears Valley Mountain Biking trails in GSMNP. Here’s the link, scroll down past the meeting info from Tuesday and you’ll find the link info for tonight. Thanks!!

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/meetingNotices.cfm?projectID=91987

NPS PEPC - Meeting Notices

06/17/2020

Hey all! Made a good trip to Roanoke VA this weekend to checkout Carvins Cove, maintained by the
Have to say it was a PHENOMENAL trail system, and was very impressed!!! Can’t wait to go back!! If you get the opportunity to head north, this trail system is a must ride!!

06/08/2020

June is still membership drive month!! For as little as $3.75/mo, be part of your local mountain biking community chapter if you aren’t already! And you will be entered to win a brand new Carver frame if you join or renew!! We promise, we aren’t going to ask you to do trail maintenance every month 😁. Maybe twice a year? 👍🏼

Join or renew by going here:

https://www.imba.com/join/chapter/northwest-georgia-sorba

06/06/2020

Introduced Tom, Rob and Nate to the beauty of the Dry Creek Trail System today. Got about 15-16 miles in and it was a unanimous thumbs up from everyone!!

06/04/2020

Were you aware? Did you know? Raisin Woods is an awesome mountain bike trail system right here in Dalton maintained by NWGA SORBA and it is so much fun for bikers, hikers and trail runners!

05/31/2020

This afternoon was nice!! A little breezy in the canopy which is always welcomed!

05/29/2020

WE NEED YOU! We can't do it without you! For as little as the amount of change in your vehicle ashtray per month, we can continue to maintain and BUILD MORE. That's right, $3.25 - $5 / month - that loose change goes a lonnnnnnnng way!!
And coming soon is BUZZARDS ROOST! Just wait, you're going to be in awe of the views and the trail that has been years in the making!
Please consider your membership renewal now or if you haven't yet, please join us! Please be sure to select the correct Northwest SORBA (NWGA SORBA) chapter while registering through the IMBA portal.
https://www.imba.com/join/chapter/northwest-georgia-sorba

05/29/2020

NWGA Sorba's cover photo

11/13/2019

Bike Bentonville

Come on down!

"Northwest Arkansas has become synonymous with mountain biking, and with good reason. The area has some of the best single track in the United States, and a great deal of food, culture, art, and infrastructure to back it up.

But most probably don’t know of the world-class gravel road riding that abounds in the area. Easy access, remote and endless gravel with little to no traffic, water crossings, treelined canopy gauntlets, steep climbs, grin-inducing descents, and scenery. All the scenery."

06/12/2019

Bike Bentonville

Looking for the perfect road trip this summer? Bentonville is the ideal destination for art, mountain biking, and so much more!
Outside Magazine Visit Bentonville

04/03/2019

Bike Bentonville

A great place to live!

An amazing article describing the quality of life developed through our trail systems. Aimee Ross

12/20/2018

Oz Trails

Oh no he didn’t! making it look easy. Red Bull Red Bull Bike 🎯 is coming. Bike Bentonville BikeNWA

04/17/2016

We are having a Volunteer Appreciation cookout at Raisin Woods on Saturday, April 30, 12 noon. We appreciate all volunteers who have supported NWGA SORBA activities. We hope to see you there! Please let us know if you are coming.

03/02/2016

This is a reminder that NWGA SORBA is having an open meeting to discuss a draft concept plan for the development of trails on Buzzards Roost (Rocky Face Ridge) on Thursday, March 3, 7pm at the Dalton Community Center on Frederick St. Everyone is welcome!

02/29/2016

NWGA Sorba is having a volunteer workday this Saturday, March 5th at Raisin Woods from 9:00am to 12:30 pm. If you would like to put your personal stamp on the new trails, please come out and help. We will be doing finishing touches to the new machine cut trail. Please bring gloves, water and dress appropriately for the weather. Meeting in the parking area at 9:00am. Thank You!

Address

Dalton, GA
30720

Website

http://www.nwgasorba.org/

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