After nearly doubling its membership numbers last year, the Hinton Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) is hosting its annual general meeting with the hopes of expanding even further.

HMBA president Stephen Hanus said the group wants to be as strong as possible. “We want to stay true to our goals and vision of promoting mountain biking, making sure visitors, locals, and regional riders have outstanding mountain biking opportunities in our area,” he said.

The meeting will provide the chance to sign up as a member, a great idea for anyone interested in mountain biking in the slightest, Hanus said. “Basically we’re the mountain biking club for the community in our area, so anybody interested in wanting to improve or partner up with other riders,” he said. “Whether you’re a beginner or training for an ultra marathon, we have something for everybody.”

The club offers group rides, maintenance clinics and skill sessions. As well, the membership fees go back into improving the association’s mountain bike course by maintaining trails, putting up signs, and making maps and brochures.

“We’re the voice of mountain biking,” Hanus said. “By keeping strong financially, it helps us promote our operating side.”

The meeting will go over plans for the year, which include development of the association’s 37 acres of land. “We developed most of our core area last year, with dirt jumps, drop zones, a learning area,” Hanus said. “This year we’re planning on expanding the trail system throughout that 37 acres.”

Membership fees are $25 for an individual or $75 for a family, with $13 per person going toward insurance. Last year, the club had about 100 members, a number that nearly doubled from the previous year. The HMBA was incorporated in January, 2007.

Members get discounts at All Terrain Fitness, BikeBoy, Escape Clothing, Freewheel Cycle, Fusion, Jasper Source for Sports, Mud Sweat and Gears, North Face Store Jasper, Subway, and The Old Grind, with the idea that they’ll be able to save the money they spent joining the association.

For Hanus, there’s nothing like mountain biking. He loves the thrill, the speed, and the technical elements. “It’s something you can do your whole life, all abilities can join, and with the new bikes these days, it’s making mountain biking more and more fun,” he said.

“You can’t not like mountain biking.”

The HMBA’s annual general meeting will be held in Hinton at the Lakeview Inns and Suites at 500 Smith St., on April 15 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.bikehinton.com.