FAQ
What is OMBA?
OMBA is the Ocala Mountain Bike Association INC. Formed by the group that built the original trails at Santos. The club was created out of a request from the state of Florida’s Office of Greenways and Trails, to have a single point of contact for trail related issues. OMBA Inc. is now a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation that is responsible for building and maintaining all trails within the Santos trail system.
Why the Spider on your logos?
The spider used on OMBS's logos and merchandise is a golden orb weaver and is a common resident out in the trails. They work diligently to build a beautiful web to catch their food. If you ride early you will gain the title of "web cutter" and may end up with some of these large spiders on your bike or your face. Everyone loves a web cutter, especially if they ride a trail any time after you clear them all out. These spiders while quite scary and sometimes very large are not very aggressive and can usually be coaxed off of your bike with a stray stick so they can get back to work. These spiders will never move into your house and eat a lot of bugs that will bite you if the spiders don't bite them first, so we pretty much leave them alone.
Who owns the land that Santos trails are located on?
The land is owned by the state of Florida. Santos trails are located within the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenways property, which is managed by Florida’s Office of Greenways and Trails.
Who built and maintains the trails?
Volunteers built and maintain all of the Santos trails. Trail volunteers include both OMBA members and non-members: club membership isn’t a requirement for helping with trail work, but the greater our paid membership is, the better we are represented at user group meetings, the more events we have, and the more supplies and amenities we can have on our trail system. Join OMBA today! Dig or Donate to help OMBA continue to build. #DigToRIDE!
How many miles of trails are there?
With the addition of about 25 miles of new trails, west of the I-75 Land bridge, there now are now over 90 miles of the sweetest single track that the SE region has to offer that originate at the Santos trailhead, and spread westward. There is a link in the top navigation bar for our Maps, and another for info on the new trails. Our trails are always evolving and new features and trails are added so search Ocala Mountain Bike Association Inc. on Facebook, Like our page and follow for official info from the club.
What are the colored posts for?
The different colored fiberglass posts (Carsonites) were put in by OMBA to indicate the different levels of riding difficulty found on trails, they are also your street signs in the woods to know what trail you are on.
Green-Beginner. Very few, if any, obstacles – with flat, mostly smooth riding.
Blue-Intermediate. Some rocks and roots, with some elevation changes.
Black-Expert. For experienced riders only. Lots of rocks, roots, very challenging lines and a variety of elevation changes.
The Santos trails now uses universal IMBA trail designation colors.
Are different users groups, i.e. equestrians, hikers and cyclists, allowed on each other’s trails?
Absolutely not. There are strict rules governing riding on each other’s trails. It’s The Office of Greenways and Trails intention to keep the outdoor experience along the greenways as peaceful and devoid of conflict as possible. Mountain bike trails are marked with OMBA’s carsonite colored fiberglass trail markers. Florida Trails hiking trails have the FT signs, and they usually use blue or white paint on trees to mark their trails. Equestrians usually use white or blue diamond shaped markers attached to trees. NOTE: there is a $100 fine for any user-type traveling on another user-type trail. This is especially important for cyclists and equestrians, with the obvious possibility for conflict as a result of horse hove damage to the trail surface.
Where do all those logs and branches come from that litter the trails, and what can be done about it?
Scientific studies have shown that all mountain bike trail systems are inhabited by little green Gnomes. These creatures have a wicked sense of humor, and find pleasure in placing these branches along the trails, while hiding in the underbrush, waiting to observe the surprise and dismay of the fast approaching riders. They are reportedly a very dark green color, and only stand several feet tall – so they’re hard to spot. What can we do about these nuisances? When you come upon a log or branch on the trail, rest assured that the Gnomes are watching in the bushes nearby – pick up the log and heave it at those Gnome b@stards! Studies have shown that they hate that. So, throw a branch off the trail, and chase off another Gnome! Click on either of the 2 photos for a full sized image and you'll see, we're really not kidding. Gnomes are slow thinking but very complex - it is said that it can take them up to a year to complete a sentence, but they can cause a trail accident in the wink of an eye.