Welcome To MMBA

As Montana's special places are inventoried and public land usage plans are drafted, MMBA will keep this website updated with current information, specific deadlines and suggested responses. Join the Montana Mountain Bike Alliance for the latest updates and help spread the word!


With the introduction of a Montana Wilderness bill IMMINENT,  now is the time to speak up in defense of continued access to the great bicycle trails across the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Take the time today to write to our elected officials and express how important these trails are to you.  Letter writing topics and tips.

MMBA supports the continued efforts to build a aerial tram to Our Lady of the Rockies on Butte's east ridge.  Tram access to OLR would provide sight seeing pedestrians and bicycle enthusiasts a unique opportunity to enjoy the view and access the network of trails that radiate in all directions from the top.  With Butte being at the intersection of two interstate highways, the tram accessed mountain bike trails would draw cyclists from across the region.  The OLR tram has the potential of turning Butte into a world-class mountain bike destination.  Dream Big!

MMBA - Montana Standard newspaper full page ad, Sunday 6-21-09.  See Ad

With a pending Wilderness bill here in Montana, the topic of mountain bike tourism and the importance of protecting and promoting economically and historically important trail systems couldn't be a hotter issue.  Here's a BIKE magazine article from 2002 that features how promoting sustainable mountain bike trails in Wales saved economically depressed small villages across the country.  Read it and imagine how Montana town's like Philipsburg, Lima, Dillon, Hamilton, Thompson Falls,  Anaconda and a dozen others can benefit from the same mindset.

A three part article was posted on NewWest.net which tackles the issue of bicyle access, Wilderness and the future of roadless lands. A must read for all mountain bikers. READ IT and be part of the dialog! Part Two is out. Part Three too!

In its May 2009 issue BIKE Magazine published a HUGE feature on Montana's land access challenges to mountain bicycling. Go out and find a copy, or use the link below. All cyclists and recreationalists need to be part of the land conservation dialog and contribute to a solution for continued bicycle access combined with permanent Congressional protection of great trails on Montana's public lands. Read Article!

A new website devoted to bicycling and wilderness issues has been launched that contains great information on land conservation and bicycle access. Learn More!

An online Montana Mountain Bike network has been formed to serve as a place to forum, blog, post events, videos and photos of all things mountain biking in Montana. Check it out

A National Protection Area proposed for the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone would offer permanent protection for this spectacular area while allowing continued quiet trails for bicycles including the iconic Continental Divide Trail. Outside Bozeman Article Chronicle Article See Map

A comparison chart of permament Congression land protection options can be found HERE!

A National Park Service (NPS) regulation change will benefit Americans by improving mountain biking experiences in national parks. The new policy would empower park superintendents to manage trails for bicycles, without sacrificing environmental review or public comment opportunities. Learn More

Working Together to Protect Wild Lands
Local Montana mountain bike advocates, working with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), have been busy in recent months, meeting with Forest Service staff, elected officials and other stakeholder groups. The goal is to protect Montana's wild lands, and to preserve sustainable backcountry recreation experiences.
Learn More

News Flash: Cyclists explore the mountains of Montana in 1896 establishing ‘mountain’ biking as an integral piece of the Treasure State’s backcountry heritage and history. Explore Montana Bicycle History

Economic Impacts of Mountain Biking
Montana, rich in great trails, beautiful scenery and down-home hospitality, is ripe to profit from mountain bike tourism. Two recent studies reveal information that mountain bike recreation provides a green and sustainable economy for rural communities surrounded by public lands. The findings document the economic power of mountain biking and verify the potential benefits for towns like Butte, Dillon, Philipsburg, Hamilton, West Yellowstone and scores of others across the State.
$$$ MTB Economics $$$

Lawsuit threatens alpine riding and summer revenues for communities near Bozeman, Big Sky and West Yellowstone
In April 2007, Montana Wilderness Assoiciation, The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and subsequently, the Wilderness Society filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service that could negatively impact mountain biking opportunities in the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area (HPBH WSA) south of Bozeman and east of Big Sky. With over 220 miles on 36 alpine trails and 155,000 acres, a blanket closure of the Gallatin Crest Trail system would be tragic.
Find out more.

Recent magazine article explores riding, hunting and land access issues in Montana.
A hunting by mountain bike article in the Fall issue of Outside Bozeman magazine describes riding in the HPBH WSA and the tradition of bike hunting up there. It contains great insights to the land access challenges on the horizon.
Read about MTB & backcountry hunting