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Paul Evans introduced the members from the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association (HMBA), a vision of two local individuals whom are very active in the community;
Buck Miller, who has been actively involved in all aspects of biking all over North America, Europe and Asia, and
Graham Henderson, a local High School teacher who is passionate about the outdoors and mountain biking and the importance of both, on mentoring youth.
They realized that there was a lack of organized lobbying for the development and protection of public mountain biking trails in and around
Huntsville . The third member, Karen Litchfield, has had a tremendous impact on women's biking in Muskoka. She organizes weekly women's rides for all age groups. The group advised that for many years there has been organized mountain biking throughout the area. Buckwallow in Gravenhurst was the only real public track and there is some concern it is closing. The HMBA has struck deals with Hidden Valley Ski Club and Deerhurst Resort to build trails on their property, which abuts and will provide a wide variety of terrain. Trails are currently being groomed. The club has also has a private landowner allow use of a large tract of land off N Mary Lake Rd, referred to as Lance's Loop. Further trail development will follow. Aim is to have an organized youth to adult program and both get kids on bikes as well as teaching all ages how to enjoy the experience. Currently funding is covered by membership fees and private donations. They currently have a fundraising auction, accessible through their web site huntsvillemountainbike.ca where you can also sign up as a member. To ride the trails at Deerhurst and Lance's Loop you need to be an HMBA member. Expenses are for cutting and grooming trails, signage, grooming equipment and promotion. Now that they have some facilities they see growth in the club. Given the Town's current focus on developing a new strategic plan the opportunity for a healthy, active lifestyle sport like biking should be at the forefront.
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