Our Mission Statement

The Montana Bicycle Guild, Inc. (MBG) is a Helena, Montana based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that has two main objectives for the work we do. On the one hand, we’re focused on trail advocacy, building and maintaining both new and existing trails, and bringing local mountain bikers together to work towards common objectives as an organized user group. At the same time, the MBG runs a state-wide mountain bike race series called the Montana Enduro Series (MES). We are committed to engaging local mountain bikers and working through new and existing partnerships to accomplish our objectives.

What does that mean?  Well, we started the Montana Bicycle Guild to build a world-class race series, promote Montana’s mountain biking community, and to help develop and maintain trails for everyone to enjoy.  Helena offers the best of Montana for mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and even skiers!  Everybody loves trails and we want to help folks get out and enjoy the beauty of our state.  Become a member of the MBG to have the most up-to-date info about biking in Montana!

Thanks for your support and for helping the MBG make Montana a better place to be outside!

Our Work Trail Work and Advocacy:

The Montana Bicycle Guild works hard to advocate for mountain biking access to public and lands, and works with private landowners to maintain access and respect closures.  We want to see an increase in the number and quality of trails, and are working to be an integral part of the trail implementation process. The work we do is centered on creating and updating trails to make sure they are sustainable, safe, and fun for users.

As is the case in Helena, most of the trails are remnants of old mining trails, jeep trails, or motorcycle trails.  Interestingly, we advocate for “bike-optimized” trails.  But that doesn’t mean that they are trails for bikes only, it’s just a phrase used to describe multi-use trails that specifically consider bicycle use when they’re being built or modified.  Thing like grade reversals, adequate sight lines, and use of natural terrain are required for a bike-optimized trail.  In the end, what a “bike-optimized” trail means for users is that everyone – hikers, bikers, and equestrians – all have a better shared experience.

Doing trail work means working with lots of different organizations, government agencies, and opinions  We spend a lot of time and energy is required to demonstrate that we are involved with and stewards for our trails before the actual trail work and maintenance can occur.  Also, we can’t do our races without healthy and well-maintained trails. The last few years we’ve been working hard to build our resume so we can play an active role in the planning and building of new trails.

A big part of the MBG’s work is making sure mountain bikers are stewards for our trails and in our community.  We participate in public process, close illegal trails, and work to simply tell the truth  Most people get it, most people get along, and most people treat others with respect. But bikers are usually and wrongfully blamed for a lot of problems. This means that we have our work cut out for us.

The Mt. Ascension trail project created Helena’s first bike-optimized trails with a downhill right-of-way.  The last several summers, the awesome folks up at the Great Divide have allowed us to create some new trails on their land.  We have entered into agreements with the Forest Service to maintain Beartrap, Trout Creek, Hanging Valley, and Switchback Ridge trails.  We have been working with contractors to create the Kading Grade trail.

If you want to get involved with future trail projects, get in touch with us on our Facebook page or through the get involved page of our website. On the trail advocacy side of things, the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest is in the process of creating a new Forest Plan.  Since the existing Forest Plan was adopted 30 years ago in 1986, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get involved and have an impact on mountain biking in Montana.  We’ve been heavily involved with commenting, organizing, and educating mountain bikers so that we’ll have a big impact on the new Forest Plan. In addition, we’re actively involved with other user groups and organizations, including the Prickly Pear Land Trust, to help maintain, develop, and improve trails in the South Hills of Helena, as well as improving mountain biking opportunities in the area.

Ultimately, we are working to maintain, create, and protect trails for present and future generations to enjoy. Improving Helena’s and Montana’s Biking Culture: Like most people, we are just stoked to be out on trails.  What’s not to love?  You’re outside and enjoying connecting with nature.  This holds true if you’re biking, hiking, walking your dog, looking for birds and wildflowers, or simply taking in the views.

We usually work hard, but because of a few anti-biker advocates, we have to work even harder to make sure we keep access to our trails.  It takes even more time to make sure people understand that bikers are not to blame for everything. Whether that is through our trail advocacy/work or through running the Montana Enduro Series, our goal is – in spite of any setbacks – to help make this an awesome place to live and enjoy the outdoors.

What the MBG Has Done

The Montana Bicycle Guild started as a collaboration of Helena-based mountain bikers interested in creating an organization that could bring our ever-growing user group together for fun events, trail work, and advocacy.  Ultimately, it was a combination of people from different professions who were linked by a passion for man’s noblest invention: The bicycle.

Since being founded in January 2014, our CV grows by the week with an ever-increasing amount of projects we’re involved in.  Here’s just a sample of what we’ve done and hope to continue doing:

  • Trail building and/or trail maintenance on a weekly basis throughout the summer
  • Putting on multiple races each summer through the Montana Enduro Series (and all the hard work we do leading up to those races)
  • Hosting events such as movie premieres, fundraising and events at our awesome local businesses, and an end of the summer party on the trails we build
  • Keeping everyone informed and involved with what we’re doing on the trail side of things by hosting public trail meetings on a monthly basis (like us on facebook to keep up to date with those meetings and everything else we do)
  • Putting in the leg work by creating public comments on local, state and federal land issues for trail users and mountain bikers to easily submit
  • Collaborating with different organizations, government entities, and other trail user groups throughout Montana with the goal of reaching common ground, achieving better mountain biking opportunities, and improving our unique mountain biking culture
  • Group mountain bike rides on a weekly basis

Despite all we’ve done in the last several years, the Montana Bicycle Guild continues to work hard to make Montana a better place to live and ride.  Since none of us get paid for the work we’re doing, its our collective drive and passion that makes this all happen.  Get in touch with us and get involved! Got something you think we should focus our energy on? Let us know by getting in touch with us on our get involved page.