Where did the YMBA come from?

In 2010, a small group of riders came together to discuss the potential of establishing an organized group of engaged mountain bikers in the York Region area. By organizing as a more formalized club, it would allow riders in York to have a stronger collective voice to advocate for the sport of mountain biking in the region and allow for a more organized approach to trail building and maintenance initiatives.

Around this same time, the Durham Mountain Bike Association (DMBA), having been established five years prior, was beginning to gain a significant momentum as a club. As a direct desire to build off of this existing success, the group from York (some of whom were already existing members of the DMBA), began a conversation about a potential partnership, and thus the YMBA was born.

How are the YMBA and DMBA connected?

The YMBA is not a separate club from the DMBA. The YMBA does however exists as a distinct chapter within larger DMBA brand. Officially, the York Mountain Biking Association is a registered trade name of the Durham Mountain Biking Association. You can think of it as “One club – Two names”.

So what does this mean for you, our members? Simply put, if you are a member of the DMBA you are also a member of the YMBA and vice versa. There is still a single Board of Directors for the club who have an invested interested in advocating for the sport of mountain biking in both Durham and York Regions. Sometimes you will see YMBA and DMBA on the same promotional literature and sometimes it will be separate. Just know that whether it’s the DMBA or YMBA brand, it’s your club doing the same diligent work we have always done for the mountain biking community.

What does the YMBA do?

The YMBA is an active group that offers weekly group rides, special events, and various programs geared towards rider development. The YMBA has an active interest in three main trail systems in York Region which include Centennial Park in King City, Jefferson Forest in Richmond Hill and Brown Hill Tract (known to riders as ‘Ravenshoe’) in East Gwillimbury. The YMBA has strong established partnerships with the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, the Region of York and several local municipalities. The YMBA is continually on the search for areas to expand the existing network of excellent mountain bike trials in the Region.

The YMBA is a strong advocate for the sport and is considered the “voice of mountain biking” in York Region.

For current information on the YMBA, please follow us on Facebook. To see and share rides or check trail conditions, check out our Jefferson Forest Strava Group and Ravenshoe Strava Group.