HMBA History
HMBA is the oldest mountain bike club in NSW. It was formed in 1985 when Lake Macquarie Canoe club core members Bruce James, Bruce Richardson and John Upton decided to ride mountain bikes. The first local mountain biking events were held near the Charlestown Golf Course.
The first major event was the Paterson Classic and it was run over many years. The HMBA was formed principally to promote the sport of recreational and competitive mountain biking through organised social rides, coaching and racing. Initially the club concentrated on learning skills for operating mountain bikes and holding adventure rides.
Later the club gained permission to access land west of Killingworth, at the foothills of Mount Sugarloaf (the inspiration for the Club’s logo) and for many years held events on the famous “Killi” tracks.
In 2006 the Club entered into negotiations with the Forestry Corporation of NSW to lease land known as the Awaba Mountain Bike Park (AMBP) for the purpose of providing riding trails for its members in both general trail or cross country (XC) and downhill (DH) disciplines. A formal agreement was reached and signed off in 2007.
Recently the club came to prominence through hosting the National Round of both Downhill and Cross Country disciplines. In 2016 club volunteers established a more accessible trail for beginners, children and riders with a disability (Adaptive MTB). The club has in its ranks state and national title holders, world champions, qualified MTBA commissaires and coaches.
The club continues to grow with club races held at Awaba Mountain Bike Park, Singleton, Killingworth and Dungog. The Awaba trails also play host to a number of events run by private promoters. The club through these events contributes directly to the community with our riders visiting local merchants.
Today HMBA aims to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle in the community and foster the best sporting attitudes among its members; from the youngest junior to the most experienced master. The club members are often found maintaining the trails and building new trails to ensure the Awaba facility continues to provide an exceptional riding experience for all. Keep an eye out for the advertised build days and come along and spend some quality time with like-minded, awesome people.
The HMBA is affiliated with Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) and values the support of the Forestry Corporation of NSW, Lake Macquarie Council, Club Macquarie, the local community and our members in maintaining a sustainable and self-supporting organisation.
Awaba Mountain Bike Park
Awaba Mountain Bike Park is part of N.S.W. Forestry Corporation owned land and HMBA holds an occupation permit to conduct club events & make Trails available to both members & the general public.
Trail Building by our volunteers started here in 2008, and continues today. To date, all of our trails have been funded through club activities. Our amenity block was made possible with the assistance of the State Government grant in 2014.
All trail additions in Awaba Mountain Bike park are governed by Federal legislation & a formal approval process exists with Forestry Corporation of N.S.W. This includes the need to commission Environmental Impact Statements by qualified ecologists to ensure endangered flora & fauna are not adversely impacted by our trail network.
This is costly & time consuming process, so any financial or other assistance that companies or individuals might be willing to provide to the club is always greatly appreciated.
For more information about Riding with HMBA, including links to other trail areas in the Hunter, click here.