Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers

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Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers

Our mission is to build, maintain, and advocate for Mountain Biking & Hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Mat-Su Valley area.

VMBaH is dedicated to sustainable trails for hikers and mountain bikers in the MatSu Valley.

08/12/2026

Saturday started with a few volunteers, some tools, and a big goal: give the Palmer Bike Park pump track and jump line a serious refresh.

By the end of the day, Boy Scout Troop 300’s Eagle Scout candidate, fellow scouts, friends, and volunteers from Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers and Backcountry Bike and Ski had put in anywhere from 3 to 11 hours of hard work. Together, they completely rebuilt the jump ramps, reshaped the tread to improve the flow of the jump line, and gave the pump track some much-needed attention.

The whole park got a cleanup too. Volunteers tackled overgrown vegetation with w**d whackers and hand saws, improving sight lines and widening the trail tread where needed.

And, of course, no big trail project is complete without keeping the crew fueled. Volunteers were treated to lunch and refreshments around noon, followed by pizza and sodas generously provided by Eric Christensen from State Farm Insurance around 4 PM.

We’re almost there. One final tabletop feature is still to be completed this weekend, and then this project will officially be in the books.

A huge THANK YOU to every volunteer who showed up, worked hard, and helped make this happen. This project was made possible in large part through a competitive grant awarded to VMBaH with support from the Palmer Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Alaska Community Foundation.

Now it’s your turn. Get out there, ride the new jumps, pump the track, and enjoy what this community built together!

TrailWork Community Volunteer Troop300 EagleScout

08/06/2026

It takes a community to build great places to ride.

We're inviting everyone to join Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers and Boy Scouts Troop 300 on August 8 for a volunteer work day at the Matanuska River Park pump track. Together, we'll be rebuilding key features, improving the bike trails, and helping create a park that riders can enjoy for years to come.

Work begins at 9:00 AM and continues until the day's goals are complete. Whether you're an experienced trail builder or have never picked up a shovel before, there's a place for you on this project.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day. If you own a wheelbarrow or an impact wrench capable of driving 2½ inch lag bolts, bringing those tools would be a huge help.
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our partner in crime, the Palmer Community Foundation. Their funding is making this renovation possible, and we're grateful for their commitment to improving outdoor recreation in our community.

This is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark on one of the Valley's favorite riding destinations. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and join us on August 8.

08/04/2026

Something exciting is happening at Matanuska River Park, and you have the chance to be part of it from the very beginning.

On August 8, Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers and Boy Scouts Troop 300 will come together to renovate the Matanuska River Park pump track and bike trails. This is a community project that will leave a lasting impact for riders of all ages, and every volunteer plays an important role in making it happen.

We get started at 9:00 AM and will work throughout the day. Come for a few hours or stay as long as you can. No previous trail work experience is needed. We'll provide the direction, refreshments, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

If you have a wheelbarrow or an impact wrench that can drive 2½ inch lag bolts, please consider bringing it with you.

A special thank you goes to our partner in crime, the Palmer Community Foundation, for funding this renovation. Their generosity is helping turn this vision into reality.

Gather your family, invite your riding buddies, and join us for a day of giving back to the trails that bring our community together.

08/03/2026

Get ready to swim, bike, and run at the YMCA of Alaska’s 3rd Annual TRI the Y Kids Triathlon!

Whether your child is trying their first triathlon or ready for the full course, this event is all about building confidence, having fun, and staying active. Registration is open now, so don’t wait to claim your spot before it closes.

See the event details below and we’ll see you at the starting line!

08/01/2026

Absolutely HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who raced the 2026 Enduro! We had an incredible race, day, and event all made possible by the amazing riders!

Thank you also for your patience with the official results!

Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream was incredible and donated Little Dipper cards for the top three riders in each category listed below. If your name is listed below please come into Backcountry Bike & Ski to pick up your card!

Click on the photos to see your overall and stage times.

Women’s Expert
🥇 Susan Skvorc 20.54.8

Men’s Expert
🥇 Dylan Timmerman 18.4.2
🥈Travis Porter 18.4.8
🥉 Jaxson VanTassel 18.7.1

Women’s Sport
🥇Kirk Rothacker 17.39.4

Men’s Sport
🥇 Ryan Rothacker 17.30.1
🥈 Will Taygan 17.34.9
🥉 Christopher Fritz 19.43.7

07/28/2026

Big improvements are coming to the Matanuska River Park Pump Track, and we need your help to make them happen.

On August 8, Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers and Boy Scouts Troop 300 are teaming up for a community work day to rebuild and renovate the Matanuska River Park pump track and bike trails. This project will make the park safer, more enjoyable, and more fun for riders of all ages, but we can’t do it without volunteers.

Work begins at 9:00 AM and will continue throughout the day. Whether you can give a couple of hours or stay all day, your time will make a real difference. No experience is necessary. Just bring a willingness to work, and we’ll show you what to do.

If you have a wheelbarrow or an impact wrench capable of driving 2½ inch lag bolts, we’d appreciate you bringing it along. Refreshments will be available for all volunteers.

A huge thank you to our partner in crime, the Palmer Community Foundation, for making this project possible by funding the renovation. Their support is helping bring new life to one of our community’s favorite places to ride.

Mark your calendar, invite your friends and family, and come be part of something that will benefit our riding community for years to come. We hope to see you on August 8.

07/25/2026

Today’s the day.

Tha enduro and chainbreaker are today! If you have not gotten the chance to sign up and would like to still race you can sign up while there.

It’s time to get shreddy!!!

07/23/2026

Today's the day.

Join us tonight at 6:30 PM at the Government Peak Recreation Area singletrack as we get the trails ready for race day. We'll be checking and clearing drains after all the recent rain to make sure the trails are in the best shape possible.

No experience is necessary, and everyone is

welcome. We'll be working until around 9:00 PM, and beverages will be waiting for everyone when we're finished.

If you've been thinking about coming out to help, this is your chance. Every volunteer makes a difference, and many hands make light work. We hope to see you on the trails tonight.

07/22/2026

Our trail work night is almost here, and we'd love to have you join us.

On July 23 at 6:30 PM, we'll be meeting at the Government Peak Recreation Area singletrack to get the trails race ready by checking and clearing drains after all the recent rain. This work helps ensure the trails are in great shape for everyone on race day.

No experience is needed, and everyone is welcome to help. We'll work until around 9:00 PM, then stick around for beverages and good company.

Whether you can stay for the whole evening or just lend a hand for a little while, your help makes a difference. Come out, support your local trails, and help us get everything ready for race day.

07/20/2026

Race day is almost here!

The countdown is on, and we’re getting closer to an incredible day of racing at Government Peak.

If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time! Whether you’re taking on the Chain Breaker XC, the Government Peak Enduro, or cheering on the next generation in the Strider Race, we’d love to see you there.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of Alaska’s premier mountain bike events. Register today using the links in our bio (or below) and join us on the starting line.
We’ll see you on the mountain!

https://backcountrybikeandski.redpodium.com/goverment-peak-enduro-2026

https://backcountrybikeandski.redpodium.com/government-peak-chainbreaker-2026

Address

Palmer, AK

Website

http://www.vmbah.org/

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