SVMTB can trace its start back to the early 1980’s when a group of riders met in Los Gatos every Sunday morning for a ride. They would go ‘romping’ on their bikes up in to what is now Sierra Azul Open Space; from that saying came our original name, “Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers.”
The first official group ride was held in 1982 when a group of about fifteen riders left from Palo Alto and rode up to what is now Montebello Open Space Preserve for a ride down Stevens Canyon.
ROMP did not become an official organization until about 1986 or 1987 when a few riders decided that the way to get more access to the trails was through advocacy. We were the first advocacy group in the Bay Area — possibly the first in the country — and had early success in opening many Santa Clara County trails to cyclists.
In 1988, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) was formed by a group from ROMP, Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay, Bicycle Trails Council of Marin, and southern California’s Concerned Off Road Bicycling Association (CORBA).
In 1989, the first ROMP ‘n STOMP was held. For this event, 46 mountain cyclists and 26 equestrians came together for a group ride followed by a barbecue. It successfully showed that equestrians and cyclists can share the trails without conflict. Other ROMP and STOMP events happened in subsequent years.
Until 1992, ROMP was primarily involved in Santa Clara County. Then some San Mateo riders started becoming active and added San Mateo to ROMP’s reach.
In 2013, ROMP changed its name to Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers, SVMTB. At that time we also became an IMBA chapter, creating a closer connection to our national advocacy organization.
Many thanks to our past presidents, board members, and advocates. Past presidents are Linda George, Jim Sullivan, Patty Ciesla, Josh Moore, Paul Nam, Henry Pastorelli, Rod Brown, Rick Brusuelas, Kathleen Meyer, Todd McGee, Bob Kain, Berry Stevens, John Karna, Peter Fournier, Bern Smith, Ken Wells, Jim Hunter, and Gibson Anderson.
