Dear SORBA MidTN community,
As your chapter president, I had the distinct honor of representing SORBA MidTN at the 2025 SORBA Summit, hosted by the incredible crew at Pisgah Area SORBA in beautiful Brevard, North Carolina. Held at the Brevard Music Center—and taking place just months after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helen—this year’s summit was a testament to the resilience, heart, and sheer grit of our trail community. A massive thank-you goes out to the Pisgah Area team for pulling off a first-class event under such challenging circumstances.
What Happened at Summit?
The week was packed with two full days of educational sessions, keynote speakers, chapter breakout meetings, group rides, a classy volunteer banquet, and we wrapped it all up with a wild and wonderful WNC Bike Fest at Ecusta Brewing.From powerful stories of grassroots trail advocacy to practical guidance on staffing, fundraising, and navigating public land policy, the sessions gave me a ton to think about—and even more to act on. Here’s a snapshot of what I attended and took away:
Thursday:
Welcome Social at The HUB – Reconnected with chapter leaders and friends from across SORBA nation, including our own board member Brian Lindsey. Rode there from camp and got caught in a hailstorm—classic Pisgah!
Friday Highlights:
Keynote: Seth Alvo (BERM Park) – A deep dive into social media strategy from one of MTB's biggest content creators. Insightful and hilarious—Seth’s energy is contagious.
Creating a MTB Mecca – Toby Cortez from Louisiana built a $4M bike park with just 100ft of elevation and a dream. His story is proof of what’s possible with vision and hustle.
Federal Lands Advocacy – Jamie Ervin from Outdoor Alliance offered resources we’ll definitely tap into, including GIS support.
NC’s Great Trails Movement – How targeted advocacy in NC is translating into funding and access.
Group Ride from Pisgah Ranger Station – Rode the Florida loop with a steel single-speed local and learned from Stacey Weidrich, the powerhouse behind the WNC Festival. She’s a podium finisher at PMBAR and a fundraising guru—exactly the kind of expertise we want to bring to MidTN.
Volunteer Banquet – A beautiful dinner celebrating SORBA’s volunteer backbone. Shout out to our Tennessee winner from AMBC!
Saturday:
Board of Directors Meeting – Mostly updates, but valuable visibility into SORBA’s financials and strategic direction.
Tennessee State Chapter Session – Great collaboration with our six sister chapters across TN.
Hiring Staff 101 – Insights from Chattanooga and AMBC on how they built their first paid positions. Both shared honest lessons about risk, reward, and sustainability.
WNC Bike Fest:
I closed out the week with good friends and new connections at Ecusta Brewing—a perfect vibe to wind down and dream big. I even got to introduce my friends Alex and Ian, now proud new members of PAS!
What I Brought Back
This wasn’t just a trip—it was a launchpad. I left with renewed fire and actionable ideas for SORBA MidTN’s next chapter:
It’s time to staff up. We must prioritize hiring a Development Director to help lead our fundraising and strategic planning efforts.
We need a Master Plan. One that defines our mission, vision, and roadmap—so we can focus efforts and rally support.
Stronger committees = stronger chapter. I’m looking to empower each board member with a dedicated focus area, from trails to fundraising to membership engagement.
We must diversify revenue. High-impact fundraising events, strategic partnerships, and even brand collaborations are all on the table. We’re thinking big.
A Few Words on Pisgah
Pisgah holds a special place in my heart. We’ve been riding here for two decades and it’s as magical as ever. I squeezed in a few amazing rides—Black Mountain, Avery Creek and more. That final descent after a 7-mile climb? Pure bliss.
Post-Hurricane Helen, the damage is still evident—but the recovery effort is nothing short of inspiring. Massive cleanup operations, restored infrastructure, and most importantly: the unwavering spirit of the Pisgah community. Thank you to all involved in that recovery. Your work matters.
Thank You, SORBA MidTN
To our members, donors, volunteers, and community partners: thank you! You make our chapter thrive. Every dollar, every dig day, every hour matters. Let’s keep building this thing—together.
And to Pisgah Area SORBA: thank you for your hospitality, leadership, and inspiration. You’ve shown us what’s possible, and we’re coming home with big ideas and full hearts.
With gratitude and stoke,
Matthew Carver
President, SORBA MidTN
president@sorbamidtn.org
