Urbanization throughout the country threatens to leave mountain bikers with fewer places to practice their sport. But the opposite is happening in Chicago, thanks to the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers, a group of 350 dedicated athletes. They have been fighting for 14 years for the state's trails, parks and nature preserves.

John Siwinski, president of the club, remembers hearing about trail closures happening throughout the western states in 1994 and thinking, "What would we do if that ever happened here?"

He feared that if the 247 miles of Cook County trails slowly diminished, mountain bikers would either have to give up their sport or move. Siwinski wasn't about to accept either option.

"The essence of mountain biking is single-track dirt surfaces. Twisting trails that wind through the forest," Siwinski said. "Mountain biking is not about riding on 10-foot wide gravel trails. It's about the time you spend flowing down the trail in a natural setting."

Siwinkski mobilized his friends, collected signatures and formed CAMBr, am organization that has taken on a life of its own.

In addition to maintaining trails and building bike parks through volunteer work, the group also strives to make sure trails are self- sustaining and help provide ways to bring people closer to nature.

"I don't know if there would be a trail cycling scene without CAMBr," said Kevin Marley, CAMBr West Park coordinator. "There certainly wouldn't be any quality track like we have now, because without CAMBr fighting to save, it would be pretty bad. It would be pretty much just riding urban."

Marley, a 37-year-old biker, is currently working with CAMBr to build the state's first bike park in Plainfield. The park would enable freestyle bikers, mountain bikers and dirt jump bikers to improve their skills in an area similar to skate parks.

"There are no good parks, no legal dirt jump areas, no place to ride and practice their sport," said Marley.

For the past year-and-a-half, Marley has worked to get all ordinances for the land approved, raised money and convinced the Plainfield park district to donate land. Now, Marley and his team of volunteers are beginning to build the bike park.

CAMBr members work to promote trails in the Chicago area, prevent closings and improve trail cycling opportunities. The group, which is a member club of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and the organization Recreation for Individuals Dedicated to the Environment, seeks to promote social responsibility and conservation.

They build trails together, plan riding events throughout Illinois and speak online through message boards. CAMBr's become more than a project, it's now a community.

Message board topics range from technical talk about trails and trail conditions, to general conversations about races and bike sales, beer, restaurants and other Chicago-related events.

Ed Bartunek, the former executive director, discovered CAMBr after he gave up a corporate job and decided to spend his time focusing on his true love: mountain biking.

Bartunek is a mountain bike trail advocate. He has met with politicians to explain the importance of keeping the sport strong in the Chicago area. He also has fought to make sure trails are safe and appropriately used. "I fell into it," said Bartunek, adding that it's something he never wants to fall out of.

For more information or to join CAMBr, check out www.cambr.org

Copyright 2008 Chicago Athlete magazine