IMBA has announced a new “assertive stance” to fight what they view as wrongful trail closures without due process in places where they have an active IMBA chapter, during their press conference Thursday. However, IMBA has reaffirmed that they do not support mountain biking in Wilderness areas, and in no way do they seek to modify the 1964 Wilderness Act.
2016 Alabama MTB Race Schedule
2016 Alabama mountain bike race schedule. All info is correct to the best of our knowledge, but be sure to check with the promoter for final race details.
If you would like to have an event added to the list, please contact us
2/28 – GMCC Coed Relay Register here
3/20 – BAMAMTB #0
3/26 – 12 Hours of Iron Maiden
4/9 – 5th Annual Skyway Epic
4/23 – Shake N’ Brake
4/23 & 4/24 – Coldwater Enduro
4/30 – BAMAMTB #1
6/4 & 6/5 – Bump N’ Grind (site will be active when registration goes live)
6/11 – Alabama State Games MTB Championships
6/18 & 6/19 – Monte Sano Enduro
6/25 – Dirt, Sweat & Gears Trail Duathlon
7/10 – South Eastern Regional Championship (SERC) #8
8/6 – 2016 Tannehill Ironworks 3 Hour Challenge
10/? – Dead Dog
10/22 – Cahaba 25/50/100
Chain Buster 2016 Endurance Series
The 2016 Chain Buster Endurance schedule is set, and there are four events in Alabama. Click here for the full schedule and registration links.
Forever Wild Succeeds in Preserving Alabama’s Outdoor Treasures
Exploring Alabama’s Newest Mountain Bike Trails at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Governor awards grants to improve recreation opportunities in Alabama
Money for new trails!
http://www.media.alabama.gov/AgencyTemplates/adeca/adeca_pr4.aspx?id=10180
Gadsden gets $100,000 to extend Black Creek Trail system
The city of Gadsden has been awarded $100,000 to add more than six miles of trails to the Black Creek Trail system at Noccalula Falls Park.
Shane Ellison, administrative assistant to the mayor, said at Tuesday’s city council meeting that the city had received notice of the funding but no official confirmation from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The announcement was made earlier Tuesday in a Facebook post from Rep. Mack Butler.
“We’ve received notice that we’ll be receiving a $100,000 grant from ADECA through their Recreational Trails Program for construction of an additional six to seven miles of multi-use trail,” Ellison said.
The expansion will give Gadsden more than 12 miles of multiuse trails around Noccalula Falls Park.
Ellison said the new trails will be great for mountain biking, and the total length will make the site a contender for mountain bike competitions, which he said would bring people to the campground.
The grant will also require a $25,000 match from the city, but Ellison said that won’t be a problem.
“The $25,000 match can come from Christmas at the Falls money,” he said. “It’s been doing really well so far this year. The weather has been good.”
Ellison commended the engineering department for their work on the application and the state for supplying the funds.
He also thanked volunteers, including local mountain bikers, the Gadsden Runners Club and individuals like Ed Whatley for their “sweat equity” in the construction and upkeep of the trails.
New Trail at Duck River Recreational Area in Cullman
Most recent status of Duck River (8/29/16):
As of this posting, there are approximately 10 miles of trail open at Duck River. County Road 1651 has been split in two from the filling of the reservoir, and the current trail runs from one dead end of it to the other. Parking is available at both ends. This is the only section of trail currently open to the public – the rest is still considered a construction zone and is patrolled by law enforcement.
More info:
Duck River Trails facebook page
Map:
Trails are being built by Flowmotion Trail Builders. Flowmotion owner Preston York took me on a tour in February, and it has very nice flow with minimal elevation change and a few technical sections to challenge your skills. Much more to come, stay tuned!
Trailhead:
A few technical sections to play on:
RIDING CUES (going counter clockwise from trailhead marked on map above):
When you get to the first hard road, take a left and go across the bridge. Pick up the trail again on the left just past the guardrail. Be careful here, cars carry a lot of speed coming down the hills on either side of the bridge. The trail will eventually go under this bridge once a bridge for the trail is complete. Just before you come to the hard road, the trail also splits off to the left. This is a short, technical section that dead ends after a short distance.
When you get to the second hard road, go straight across to pick up the trail again.
The third hard road you come to is where the trail currently ends
Why going slow, not fast, on your mountain bike makes you a better rider
Mountain bike skills author and instructor Lee McCormack talks about how body control & core strength makes you a better rider:
New Trail on Forever Wild Land in Dothan
Hiking and biking trail set to open Oct 3, additional mileage possible in the future. Read more here