Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) unveils a new video promoting their youth development program Base CAMP. Base CAMP is about creating a youth development division of CAMP aimed at exposing young people to mountain biking at an early age, developing individual skills in a team oriented setting, and promoting each athlete in positive environment. Check out the video and join them for their weekly kids group rides at Chewacla Sate Park, 10am on Saturdays for the little guys and 2pm on Sundays for the teenagers.

Director of Alabama’s State Parks System Greg Lein says partnerships with organizations like Central Alabama Mountain Peddlers or C.A.M.P., a local non-profit organization, is a reason Chewacla is in the black.  Over the past few years C.A.M.P. has built several new mountain biking trails, luring in more customers.

“Those trails are so new and well received that we’ve got people traveling from all over the country to ride their bikes at Chewacla and everyone goes in the gate and they pay their entrance fee”
Full article with video

February 19, 2014

Bentley awards grant to expand Coldwater Mountain

The king of Alabama mountain biking trails will be adding a new jewel to its crown thanks to a $350,000 grant awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley. The grant will enable construction of 11 additional miles of trail and renovation of five existing miles at Coldwater Mountain near Anniston. The 4,083-acre complex, part of the state’s Forever Wild program, currently includes more than 25 miles of biking trails. “Coldwater Mountain has become well known as a first-class venue for mountain biking,” Bentley said. “But it also is a demonstration that great things can be accomplished when state agencies, municipalities, private organizations and volunteers join together for a common cause.” The property, managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has been the canvas for a network of wooded trails created without compromising the wilderness aspect of the mountain. In the few short years since it opened, Coldwater Mountain has become a mountain biking destination for riders throughout the Southeast and has been heralded in several national mountain biking publications. The trail system was created with funding approved by the governor and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association served as architect of the trail system and much of the construction was done by members of the Northeast Alabama Bicycling Association and other volunteers. Anniston city officials and local businesses established a management committee to assist with the trail system. Plans call for the creation of up to 50 miles of trail and links to other trails in the area. The system includes trails designed for everyone from beginners to internationally competitive experts. Trails also are used by hikers and runners. Bentley notified SORBA Executive Director Tom Sauret that the grant had been approved. ADECA is administering the grant, which was awarded from funds made available to the state under the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program. ADECA manages a wide range of grants and programs that support law enforcement, economic development, workforce development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.

In 2013, the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) designated the Forever Wild Land Trust’s Coldwater Mountain tract near Anniston as a Bronze Level Ride Center, a large-scale mountain bike facility that offers a wide variety of ride options for riders of all skill levels. IMBA has also inducted Oak Mountain State Park’s mountain bike trails into its Epic Ride Hall of Fame.

Read the full press release here

C.A.M.P. (Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers) is proud to announce that they will be entering a partnership with Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau to help continue to develop world-class mountain bike facilities in the Auburn and Opelika area. With the support and involvement of AO Tourism, C.A.M.P. will continue its work with major projects at Chewacla State Park, Lake Wilmore, and other venues, developing on the already impressive offerings in place. The rapid growth of a world-class mountain biking facility at Chewacla over the past year has developed through great effort from C.A.M.P., and future plans over the “off-season” include a the completion of the Ranger Dell’s Trail skills area (with unique wooden features such as the Great Wall of Chewacla and the Loch Ness Cobra), development of a UCI World Cup class BMX track, a full dirt jump area, and many more miles of the beautiful single track and flow trails Chewacla is known for.

“We at CAMP are extremely excited about our new relationship with AO Tourism. We have already received a huge amount of support and have many opportunities in the future to grow our relationship. Tourism understands that in order for our area to truly be a year round destination we need to offer a wide variety of amenities to our visitors. It’s comforting when a program such as AO Tourism sees value in what your organization is doing and wants to support your movement across the board. That support will allow us to continue towards our goal of becoming an IMBA Ride Center and providing a truly world-class mountain biking experience.” – Philip Darden, President of CAMP-SORBA

“Mountain biking and cycling activities are currently one of the fastest growing sports trends in the nation. This is a perfect opportunity for us as a destination management organization to get behind CAMP as they work to develop our area facilities and offerings for the sport. Their efforts will enhance what the Auburn-Opelika area is able to offer visitors as a destination for their recreational activities and will help us reach a new segment of visitors we haven’t had access to in the past.” – Robyn Bridges, Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers is one of the premier IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) chapters in the Southeast region, serving the Auburn-Opelika area of East Central Alabama. We are a hardworking and motivated group dedicated to improving the lives of the people living and visiting East Alabama. CAMP’s goal is to promote trail advocacy, health, wellness, and education by developing, maintaining, and riding sustainable multi-use trails in our locality.