What We Do

Our Mission

To build, maintain and expand a world-class system of mountain bike trails that support and enhance the physical, mental and economic health of Rogue Valley communities.

RVMBA was formed to protect and expand trail opportunities for mountain bikers in the Southern Oregon area, including Ashland, Talent, Medford, Grants Pass and Jacksonville. Whether you are an adrenaline seeking gravity rider, or recreational trail cyclist, we have come together in the spirit of unity to seek additional opportunities for all riding disciplines.

Our board consists of individuals from across the Rogue Valley representing various disciplines of mountain biking. A primary goal of the board is to bring together stakeholders in the Southern Oregon mountain biking community. We will work to improve existing trails and create opportunities for new and expanded trail networks across the region.

 

Our Vision

To make the Rogue Valley the most fun place on the West Coast to ride a mountain bike. 

We will accomplish this by: 

  • Working with landowners and land managers to create and ensure long-term access to trails.

  • Donating hundreds of trail building and trail maintenance hours to ensure we always have fun, ecologically sustainable trails to ride.

  • Advocating to local governments to make sure mountain bike friendly policies and decisions are made.

  • Hosting events and rides to engage our awesome community of cycling advocates and riders.

See our City of Ashland Sustainable Trails Plan.


 

Meet The Board

Ryan Hawk

President

Chad Thorson

Vice President

Yu Kuwabara

Communications Director

Trevin Phillips

Treasurer

Jason Eaton

Outreach

Duncan Coppedge

Secretary + Web Lackey

Ryan Younkin

Events

- Artist’s rendition of Matt Weis

Matt Weis

Trails Director

 

Brandon Kelsey

Social Media and Design

Marshall Wolf

Membership Director

 
 

Why is RVMBA necessary?

RVMBA is the only mountain bike specific advocate in our area. Land managers, whether the Forest Service, BLM, City of Ashland/Grants Pass, or private land owner make their decisions on trail access based on the lobbying of user groups. Hikers/runners, equestrians, and motorized users (motorcycles, quads, snowmobiles, etc.), all have a seat at the table when decisions are made about trail access. Like many things in life, trails are often awarded according to the squeaky wheel system.

The groups with the most visibility and who can demonstrate the most constituents are most likely to be awarded trail access. Without RVMBA—and your support—mountain bikers would have no representation. And that means no new trails. It would also mean the potential loss of existing trails to other user groups.

Case in Point

The recent battle over Snark trail is a perfect example. Equestrians wanted to remove MTB access from Snark and produced a petition with 100 signatures to back their position. RVMBA was able to counter with a competing petition with over 350 signatures and argue before Parks & Rec for continued MTB access on Snark. As a result, we succeeded in defeating the challenge to mountain bikers, but the lesson is clear: no representation—no trails.

Why does my membership matter?

There is power in numbers. When RVMBA lobbies say, the City of Ashland for new trails, our effort has far more impact if we can say that our project is backed by 800 members (who vote, by the way). Your membership also helps provide us with the funds we need to pay for the tools of the trade. Tools means everything from literal trail tools like McClouds, shovels, chainsaws and fuel, to lobbying tools like printed handouts and GIS maps.

 

What We’ve Achieved Recently:

  • 2024 - Secured $117,000 grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation to build Mt A Line trail.

  • 2024 - In collaboration with Ashland Parks and Recreation, secured $2 mil in funds for East Main St Park pump track.

  • 2024 - Dollar Mountain project construction underway.

  • 2024 - Lizard trail refresh of upper half with funding from Travel Southern Oregon

  • 2024 - Work with City of Ashland to minimize trail disruptions due to Forest Fuel Reduction project.

  • 2023 - New “Mimsy” trail built - aka Alice re-route.

  • 2023 - Dollar Mountain - $700K trail building project to start next year.

  • 2023 - New “Wasabi” trail built by Earthworx LLC with $30,000 in funding from RVMBA, APRC, and City of Ashland.

  • 2023 - BTI Trail refresh with funding from True South Solar and Welburn Electric.

  • 2023 - $13,000 rebuild of Lizard trail with funding from Travel Southern Oregon and REI Medford

  • 2023 - B Street Jumps in Grants Pass revamped and refreshed.

  • 2023 - Mt. A-Line - Raised over $20,000 toward build via Dream Bike giveway with AMA.

  • 2022 - Raising funds for and working with APRC to completely overhaul the Ashland dirt jumps

  • 2022 - Raising funds for and managing the redoing of the B-Street Jumps in Grants Pass

  • 2021 Separating pedestrian traffic from bike traffic along the Waterline trail by lobbying for a separate trail

  • 2019: “Vegan Chili” - Marty's connector trail leading from Marty's jumpline to Lamb Saddle. Completed in winter 2019.

  • 2019: Rabbit Hole rebuild. RVMBA helped facilitate a rebuild of Rabbit Hole in 2019, adding berms, rollers, and jumps to the trail.

  • 2019 Economic Impact study of Ashland Mt. Challenge bike race.

  • Emigrant Lake. RVMBA has restored 4 miles of trail leading around the Southern portion of Emigrant Lake. We hope to eventually build a trail around the entire perimeter of the lake.