SDMBA is entering a new chapter, and we're raising $40,000 to make it happen.

We believe San Diego deserves a mountain biking trail system that lives up to its potential. That means building higher-quality trails, improving the character and riding experience of existing trails, advocating for new opportunities, and protecting the legacy trails and riding experiences our community values.

In 2026, over 250 volunteers contributed more than 6,500 hours through SDMBA. Now we're building the organization to take that work further – with stronger trail crews, better training and leadership support, assertive advocacy, and the partnerships needed to turn ambitious ideas into real improvements on the ground.

This is about more than maintaining what we have. It's about building the trails and mountain biking community we want for the future.

Help us raise $40,000 by December 31!

If you've been waiting for SDMBA to take the next step, this is your opportunity to help make it happen.

Donate today. Let's build better trails for San Diego.

We've Built Momentum. Now It's Time to Build Capacity.

2026 has demonstrated what's possible when our community comes together.

Over the past year, more than 250 volunteers contributed over 6,500 hours of service through SDMBA, maintaining trails, restoring damaged landscapes, supporting events, and caring for the places we love to ride.

And we've made some major moves.

Reopening Los Peñasquitos Canyon

Following two fires that burned 228 acres of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, SDMBA coordinated a community coalition of mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, equestrians, and neighbors to help restore the canyon.

Working alongside City of San Diego park rangers, our volunteers helped reopen the affected trails less than six weeks after the August 18 Sorrento Fire – an extraordinary turnaround for wildfire recovery.

Our work continues as we repair damaged trails, improve drainage, and prepare for winter erosion. These challenges will demand sustained trail stewardship across San Diego County.

Learn more about our Los Peñasquitos Canyon Fire Recovery

Opening New Doors for Trail Development

This fall, SDMBA secured its first-ever Right of Entry permit with the County of San Diego, an important breakthrough in our relationship with County Parks and Recreation.

Through our Trails in Motion initiative, upcoming trail improvements at Sycamore Canyon Preserve will help establish a framework for future collaboration and more ambitious trail projects on County land.

Advocating for Better Trails, Not Just More Trails

In 2026, SDMBA continued its involvement in the City of San Diego's Citywide Trails Master Plan, helping engage our community in the public survey process and laying the groundwork for stronger mountain biking advocacy.

Our goal is to ensure the City's future trail planning considers not only safety, sustainability, and access, but also trail character and quality of experience.

Drawing on established IMBA trail planning guidance and years of feedback from San Diego riders, we'll be advocating in 2027 for trail design principles that recognize the diversity of riding experiences our community needs.

Because better mountain biking isn't just about having more miles of trail. It's about building trails people are excited to ride.

Working Across San Diego County

SDMBA works with an extensive network of land managers and partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California State Parks, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Diego County Parks and Recreation, and the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Escondido, Carlsbad, Poway, and San Marcos.

Our work also extends to the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Crestridge Ecological Reserve, Center for Natural Lands Management, San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, San Diego River Park Foundation, Escondido Creek Conservancy, regional water districts, and other conservation partners.

These relationships are essential to maintaining existing trails, expanding access, and advocating for better riding experiences throughout the region.

We're already working across San Diego County. Now we're building the capacity to do even more.

More Volunteers. More Crews. Better Trails.

In 2027, we're setting out to grow both the number of volunteers involved with SDMBA and the hours of trail work we accomplish.

We want to make it easier to get involved, strengthen our existing trail crews, establish new ones, and give volunteers the support they need to do meaningful work.

Your donation will help us:

Support and expand our trail crews: Strengthen our established crews at Mount Laguna, Cuyamaca, Daley Ranch, and Black Mountain while developing new and revitalized crews at La Costa, Los Peñasquitos Canyon, Chula Vista, Sweetwater, and Corral Canyon.

Recruit and develop more volunteers: Invest in training, leadership opportunities, and ongoing support for our volunteer trail stewards.

Invest in tools and infrastructure: Improve access to equipment, safety gear, storage, and the resources our crews need.

Modernize our systems and communications: Make volunteering, membership, and community engagement easier and more accessible.

Strengthen advocacy and partnerships: Advance better trail planning, new trail opportunities, and stronger relationships with land managers throughout the region.

This work is part of a bigger vision for SDMBA.

With significant public investment through Trails in Motion, we're making important advances in trail development and organizational capacity. But we're also building for what comes after that funding ends.

We want an SDMBA that can sustain this momentum for years to come, supported by a growing community of volunteers, members, donors, and industry partners.

Better trails require a strong organization behind them. And building that organization starts now.

Help Build The Trail Ahead

Whether you've supported SDMBA for years or are just getting to know us, we invite you to be part of what's next.

Every donation helps us build a stronger organization, support more volunteers, advocate for better riding opportunities, and deliver better trails for San Diego.

We're ready to do more. With your support, we can.

Our goal is $40,000 by December 31.

Leave Your Mark on the Trail

Make a leadership-level gift to The Trail Ahead and receive personalized recognition on one of the two new boardwalks SDMBA will rebuild at PQ Creek Crossing and Carson's Crossing in Los Peñasquitos Canyon in spring 2027, memorializing your support for decades to come.

Individuals donating $2,500 or more: Personalized name recognition on a boardwalk plank.
Businesses, organizations, and groups donating $5,000 or more: Recognition with your company or group name.

You can make your gift directly through this campaign or by mailing a check to SDMBA. Giving by check is made possible through the giving form below.

Recognition details should be no more than ~30 characters long. We'll follow up with qualifying donors to coordinate.

Win a Superior Carbon Full-Suspension Trail Bike!

Thanks to Bikes Online, we're giving away a Superior XF 9.6 DC Carbon full-suspension mountain bike – featuring 130/140mm suspension travel, a carbon frame, and Shimano XT drivetrain!

Eligible individuals who donate to The Trail Ahead will automatically receive one entry into the giveaway. No matter how much you give, the limit is one entry per person. Open to California residents age 18 and older. One entry per eligible person, regardless of entry method. See Official Rules for details.

Donation is not required to enter. Simply complete our free giveaway registration form.

Thanks for Being Part of The Trail Ahead!

Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply help spread the word, you're part of building the future of mountain biking in San Diego.

Give today. Share this campaign. Help us build better trails.

The Trail Ahead | SDMBA 2026 Year-End Campaign

Support the next chapter for mountain biking in San Diego.