Bob Hicks helped build NEMBA into New England’s MTB powerhouse, and at 96 he’s still riding

by Stephanie Tilton

At 96 years old, Bob Hicks is still riding trails he helped open to mountain bikers. His work building NEMBA from a Boston club into a region-wide advocacy powerhouse is why New England has one of the densest trail networks in the country.

If you’ve ever pedaled through New England woods without hearing “No bikes allowed,” you might just have Bob Hicks to thank. Long before mountain bikers had a seat at the trail advocacy table, he was pulling up a chair, asking smart questions, and figuring out how to keep people riding without getting kicked off the land.