EMBA (Ellijay Mountain Bike Association) is not a local club but rather a local chapter of a now international club.  We are a chapter of SORBA and now IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association)  There are SORBA chapters like ours in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee which number about 22 chapters currently.  This has also grown with the merger of IMBA which is a global affiliated organization.

 SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association) was formed in 1988 as a result of the closure of all trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to off-road cycling. In 1989, SORBA was incorporated in the state of Georgia as a non-profit organization with the mission to "preserve, protect and educate." Since then, SORBA`s primary focus has been devoted to promoting land access, trail preservation, and new trail development in order to enhance mountain bike touring, racing, fun, and fellowship for all mountain bikers in the southeastern United States. SORBA publishes the "Fat Tire Times" and maintains www.sorba.org to keep members informed of important issues, organized rides, work parties, races, socials, festivals, and other events. SORBA holds mountain bike events to raise awareness of land access and trail maintenance, to ride, to race, and to just have fun. Membership in SORBA entitles you to some great things.

What SORBA Offers Members and Chapters

* Events:

                + -Group rides

                + -Work parties

                + -Clinics

                + -Festivals – discounted rates on registration/meals etc.

                + -Socials

                + -Races

                + -Exclusive Members-only events– discounted rates on registration/meals etc.

* Programs:

          o -Trips for Kids

          o -Trek/SORBA Volunteer Rewards

          o -National Mountain Bike Patrol

          o -Trail School and Crew Leader Training

    * Discounts from SORBA sponsors - like Subaru

    * Club Insurance - Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status

    * Website (www.sorba.org)

    * Newsletter (Fat Tire Times and IMBA e-newsletter)

    * Assistance in Grant Writing

    * Advocacy Training & Assistance

    * National & Regional representation

          o -Interbike

          o -National Bike Summit

          o -IMBA Summit and in Washington DC

On the Local level just about every bike trail out here and throughout the South was made possible directly or indirectly through the relationships SORBA and it’s chapters maintain with government and private entities.  As a whole of all it’s parts SORBA gives us a lot of political pull in keeping and creating trails.  If it where not for the greater body I believe local clubs would have trouble making deals with the Federal government and property developers.  Our main tool trailer is a direct result of SORBA’s working relationship with the Department of Natural Resources