What we’re about
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: We are Susquehanna Area Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA), "Working to Protect and encourage Mountain Bike trail access in Central Pennsylvania." Join us for a group mountain bike ride or trail work in the surrounding Harrisburg area, see SAMBA TRAILS.
- To ensure a seamless experience, kindly RSVP for events, as we may consider cancellation if there is insufficient interest or poor weather intrudes.
- Please be sure that when you RSVP for a ride that you also acknowledge the ONLINE WAIVER. You must acknowledge this waiver in advance, and it must be done once annually, it renews every year on June 1. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian of the minor must sign the Online Waiver in advance.
- It's important to note that SAMBA MEMBERSHIP is not mandatory for participation, although we would be thrilled if you would consider becoming a member and supporting our cause.
- Our goal is to offer a group ride the first Saturday of every month, as long as the weather permits.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RIDE LEADERS: We're always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team of ride leaders so that we can offer more rides. If you're interested in becoming a ride leader, please see the instructions below.
RIDE LEVELS:
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Novice riders typically maintain an average speed of 4-6 mph and possess limited technical skills and physical conditioning. Their rides may include Blue/Intermediate trails, which feature steeper sections, tighter turns, and occasional roots and rocks in comparison to Green/Easy trails. Log overs, with heights reaching up to 8 inches, can be easily overcome using basic riding techniques, and riders at this level should be capable of clearing most of these smaller obstacles without needing to stop.
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Intermediate riders typically maintain an average speed of 6+ mph and possess fundamental technical skills along with a certain level of physical conditioning. Their rides often involve tackling more advanced Black/Difficult trails, characterized by steep and technical sections, tight switchbacks, larger rocks, and frequent roots. Log overs on these trails can reach heights up to 18 inches, necessitating riders to execute front-wheel lifts or wheelie techniques. Riders at this level should be capable of clearing most of these medium-sized obstacles without needing to come to a stop.
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Advanced riders typically maintain an average speed of 8+ mph and demonstrate either advanced technical skills or exceptional physical conditioning. Their rides often encompass highly demanding Double Black/Expert trails, characterized by steep descents, substantial rocks, roots, and challenging features. Log overs on these trails can reach heights of 18+ inches, necessitating the use of advanced techniques such as bunny hops or manuals to successfully clear them. These skilled riders are capable of clearing most of these taller obstacles without the need to come to a stop.
Note: If you attend a ride that is advertised above your ability level, we'll try our best to accommodate, but may ask you to drop to avoid excessive waiting.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- SAMBA MTB Night Ride @ Swatara State ParkSwatara State Park Mountain Bike Station Trail A, Jonestown, PA
Join us for a night time group ride at Swatara State Park! Kindly secure your spot by RSVPing, as the event may be canceled if interest is low or poor weather intrudes. Take a moment to review the ride level descriptions in the "about us" section on our main Meetup page. Remember to return to this page on the event day to confirm details and ensure it remains on schedule.
LIGHTS REQUIRED - Helmet light and/or handlebar light totaling a MINIMUM of 1,500 lumens strongly recommended.- Important Online Waiver Notice: Visit https://bit.ly/sambawaiver2024-2025 and click on the "Sign Up" button to proceed. Please note that you must acknowledge this waiver in advance, and it must be done once annually, it renews every year on June 1. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian of the minor must sign the Online Waiver in advance.
- Meeting location: Swatara MTB Trail, 40.48644277930621, -76.54350922879235
Roll out time: 6 pm - Rider ability: Intermediate
- Distance: 7-10miles
- Average Speed: Based on the group
- Helmets required: Yes
- Water needed: Yes
- No drop ride: Yes, with re-group after each segment
- Lights required: Yes, except during summer months (JUN, JUL, AUG)
- Ride leader: Matt Kuhns
- Notes: Beginners welcome! Lots of options for abbreviated rides
- SAMBA MTB Night Ride @ HMC - 2 Groups: Casual and FasterHershey Medical SAMBA MTB Trail System, Hummelstown, PA
Join us for a night time group ride at HMC (Hershey Medical Center Trails)! Kindly secure your spot by RSVPing, as the event may be canceled if interest is low or poor weather intrudes. Take a moment to review the ride level descriptions in the "about us" section on our main Meetup page. Remember to return to this page on the event day to confirm details and ensure it remains on schedule.
LIGHTS REQUIRED - Helmet light and/or handlebar light totaling a MINIMUM of 1,500 lumens strongly recommended.- Important Online Waiver Notice: Visit https://bit.ly/sambawaiver2024-2025 and click on the "Sign Up" button to proceed. Please note that you must acknowledge this waiver in advance, and it must be done once annually, it renews every year on June 1. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian of the minor must sign the Online Waiver in advance.
- Meeting location: HMC Trailhead, 40.260431501149455, -76.67820772883624
Roll out time: 6 pm - Rider ability: Casual and Faster groups
- Distance: 7-10miles
- Average Speed: Based on the group
- Helmets required: Yes
- Water needed: Yes
- No drop ride: Yes, with re-group after each segment
- Lights required: Yes, except during summer months (JUN, JUL, AUG)
- Ride leader: Dave Pugh (Faster group) & Cat Ryan (Casual group)
- Notes: Beginners welcome in Casual group if familiar with HMC trails.
- SAMBA MTB Night Ride @ HMC - 2 Groups: Casual and FasterHershey Medical SAMBA MTB Trail System, Hummelstown, PA
Join us for a night time group ride at HMC (Hershey Medical Center Trails)! Kindly secure your spot by RSVPing, as the event may be canceled if interest is low or poor weather intrudes. Take a moment to review the ride level descriptions in the "about us" section on our main Meetup page. Remember to return to this page on the event day to confirm details and ensure it remains on schedule.
LIGHTS REQUIRED - Helmet light and/or handlebar light totaling a MINIMUM of 1,500 lumens strongly recommended.- Important Online Waiver Notice: Visit https://bit.ly/sambawaiver2024-2025 and click on the "Sign Up" button to proceed. Please note that you must acknowledge this waiver in advance, and it must be done once annually, it renews every year on June 1. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian of the minor must sign the Online Waiver in advance.
- Meeting location: HMC Trailhead, 40.260431501149455, -76.67820772883624
Roll out time: 6 pm - Rider ability: Casual and Faster groups
- Distance: 7-10miles
- Average Speed: Based on the group
- Helmets required: Yes
- Water needed: Yes
- No drop ride: Yes, with re-group after each segment
- Lights required: Yes, except during summer months (JUN, JUL, AUG)
- Ride leader: Dave Pugh (Faster group) & Cat Ryan (Casual group)
- Notes: Beginners welcome in Casual group if familiar with HMC trails.
- SAMBA MTB Night Ride @ HMC - 2 Groups: Casual and FasterHershey Medical SAMBA MTB Trail System, Hummelstown, PA
Join us for a night time group ride at HMC (Hershey Medical Center Trails)! Kindly secure your spot by RSVPing, as the event may be canceled if interest is low or poor weather intrudes. Take a moment to review the ride level descriptions in the "about us" section on our main Meetup page. Remember to return to this page on the event day to confirm details and ensure it remains on schedule.
LIGHTS REQUIRED - Helmet light and/or handlebar light totaling a MINIMUM of 1,500 lumens strongly recommended.- Important Online Waiver Notice: Visit https://bit.ly/sambawaiver2024-2025 and click on the "Sign Up" button to proceed. Please note that you must acknowledge this waiver in advance, and it must be done once annually, it renews every year on June 1. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian of the minor must sign the Online Waiver in advance.
- Meeting location: HMC Trailhead, 40.260431501149455, -76.67820772883624
Roll out time: 6 pm - Rider ability: Casual and Faster groups
- Distance: 7-10miles
- Average Speed: Based on the group
- Helmets required: Yes
- Water needed: Yes
- No drop ride: Yes, with re-group after each segment
- Lights required: Yes, except during summer months (JUN, JUL, AUG)
- Ride leader: Dave Pugh (Faster group) & Cat Ryan (Casual group)
- Notes: Beginners welcome in Casual group if familiar with HMC trails.