LOCAL SPOTLIGHT - SEMBA
We are proud to feature SEMBA this time for another one of our “Local Spotlight” articles. There are so many amazing volunteer organizations in the Eastern Sierra, SEMBA is definitely one of them. Check out the article below to learn more about SEMBA, their awesome local events, and more about the supportive community they have built for mountain bikers in the Eastern Sierra.
About the Club & Community
SEMBA (Sierra Eastside Mountain Bike Association) is an all-volunteer non-profit of Eastside locals. We share a love of mountain biking, caring for our trails, and cross-country racing. We formed SEMBA in 2015 to provide a structure for local riders to maintain trails, organize group rides, and reinvigorate the Village Championship race series. Over the past 10+ years we have evolved into a cohesive group that organizes social rides, VC Races, the Mammoth PedalPalooza, trail work days, and more. Our events are open to everyone: visitors and locals of all ages and abilities. As a non-profit, everything we take in goes back into supporting the community, especially our junior racers. We support our local junior team with funding for equipment and scholarships for race fees.
SEMBA offers inexpensive memberships for families, individuals, and youth. A SEMBA membership is a great way to stay connected to your local mountain bike community while also supporting all the trail projects, community advocacy, stewardship projects, member events, and volunteer work we provide to the community.
SEMBA Membership Benefits Include:
Discounted yearly MMSA Bike Park Pedal Pass
Member Rate for the PedalPalooza
Access to discounted club cycling clothing
Organized social rides
Supporting a local 501(c)(3) non-profit that gives back to the mountain bike community
Sponsoring Mammoth Junior Mountain Bike Team
Trail work days
The Experience
Riding in the Eastern Sierra, especially in Mammoth Lakes cannot be compared to anywhere else. Between the trails on the Inyo National Forest and those on Mammoth Mountain, everyone can find a trail to their liking. We’re especially excited for the new trails curated out of the Sherwin Meadows Trailhead – they ride great!
Events Overview
Our signature event is the Mammoth PedalPalooza on July 25.
The PedalPalooza is 2, 3, or 4 laps on a 10.3-mile lap XC course out of Canyon Lodge. Pros race 4 laps; Experts and Single speeds race 3 laps; and Sport races 2 laps on a course that is approximately 90% Single track, combined with small sections of service road for passing, entirely on the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. We have rolling single track, solid climbs, sweet descents, and a technical downhill. There is also an on course Feed Zone, Medical Aid Station, and Team Tech Area. We moved this year’s PedalPalooza to the end of July to fill a gap in the mountain bike racing calendar and to create a month of Altitude Acclimation training. Come to Mammoth Lakes to get acclimated to riding at 9,000 feet and prepare for the PedalPalooza and other high-altitude races. We’ll be hosting training rides and are exploring the options of coached camps.
The Village Championships (VCs) are free cross-country races held on select Thursday evenings in the summer. The VCs are lap courses, with Expert, Sport, and Fun distances – something for everyone! Registration is online, with Check-In starting at 4:45, and Race Start at 5:30. The dates and locations are:
May 28 - Sherwin Meadows Trailhead
June 11 - Mammoth Mountain
June 25 - Mammoth Mountain
July 9 - Mountain View Point to Point
August 13 - Mammoth Mountain
We also have Social Rides throughout the riding season. These rides usually start and end at a local restaurant, so we can enjoy a beverage and/or a meal together after. Our Social Rides self-sort into different ability levels where everyone can ride at a pace they choose. The less intense group is “no drop” and the faster group will challenge you. Our first ride is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, at 4pm at the Sherwin Meadows Trailhead. We’ll meet after at Distant for some beer and snacks. Future rides will end at Mammoth Brewing Company and Shelter Distilling.
Community Impact
SEMBA loves our trails! Through the Eastern Sierra Adopt-a-Trail Program, we are the proud Sponsor and Volunteer of the Mountain View Trail, the highlight of our Point to Point VC race. SEMBA members maintain the trail, cleaning it and reporting hazardous conditions. SEMBA also joins the Town Clean-Up day by tackling the Sherwin Meadows Trailhead. We have volunteer opportunities at our VC Races and at the PedalPalooza.
Getting Involved
Everything SEMBA is linked to on our website: www.sembabike.org where you can learn more about the Mammoth PedalPalooza, become a member, register for VC races, sign up to volunteer, and check our Events Calendar. Spectators are welcome at all our races – we even provide cowbells for you to cheer us on!
Behind the Scenes
SEMBA’s team puts a ton of thought and effort into our races.
Our Board is all locals: Mike and Ingrid Braun, Caroline Britton, Matt Brock, John Farber, and Matt Hall.
We are your neighbors and friends, and we do this out of a love for the sport and the mountains. We also rely on our business partners who sponsor our events with gift cards, products, services, and financial support.
Many thanks to Mammoth Mountain, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Southern California Edison, Mammoth Hospital, Footloose Sports, Kelly Painting and Drywall, Giovanni’s, Mammoth Brewing Company, Shelter Distilling, Black Tie, Roberto’s, Elixir, In Balance Physical Therapy, The Fun Shop, The Bird and The Biscuit, The Eatery, Specialized, Oakley, GU, and Pelli Premium Bike Care.
Closing
Our goal at SEMBA is to bring the mountain biking community closer together by providing amazing races, organizing social rides, caring for our trails, and supporting our junior racers. If this calls to you, please join us!
Find more info at www.sembabike.org or follow us on the socials: facebook.com/sembabike and Instagram.com/semba.bike.
About Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Formed in 2014, Mammoth Lakes Recreation’s mission is to deliver cutting edge sustainable recreation, mobility, and arts & culture opportunities and infrastructure for the benefit of the community and natural environment of Mammoth Lakes. For more information, go to www.mammothlakesrecreation.org.