Trail volunteers gather for a picture prior to heading out to work.

Several mountain bike organizations in the region traveled to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area to celebrate Nationals Trails Day.  On hand were mountain bikers from many Tennessee Mountain Biking Alliance organizations, including Big South Fork Mountain Bike Club, Applachian Mountain Bike Club, Northeast Tennessee Mountain Bike Association and our very own SORBA-Chattanooga.  A  few hardy Kentucky mountain bikers were in attendance as well.

Most attendees arrived on Friday evening.  After setting up camp and a quick ride, the participants walked the group campground and introduced themselves.

Volunteers working on the Bandy Loop Trail

Saturday morning started with 33 mountain bikers volunteering to help address various trail maintenance issues throughout the park.  The main projects included erosion control on the Grand Gap Loop trail and rerouting a section of the Bandy Loop trail.  Following the trail work, volunteers returned to the group campground for lunch and beverages provided by the good folks of the Applachain Mountain Bike Club.

Live music by the camp fire

The afternoon saw more mountain biking with a large group riding the Grand Gap Loop trail, which is normally restricted to foot traffic on the weekends.  (The park made an exception as a reward for the trail work the mountain bikers completed.)  Following the ride, participants found various activities to keep them busy, including swimming in the park pool or making their way down to the Big South River to skip stones and swim.  Many took  advantage of a low hung rope swing there.

The evening produced live music around the camp fire preformed by fellow mountain bikers.  The music and socializing lasted late into the night.

Sunday morning several groups of mountain bikers rode.   Ride options included a 32-mile epic ride that  finished just as the rain arrived.

The weekend was a huge success and there was much talk about making this an annual event!

Overlook on the Grand Gap Loop Trail

Volunteers celebrate a job well done

Mountain biking the Bandy Loop Trail

Riders head out to ride the Grand Gap Loop Trail

Jeffrey enjoying the view from the Grand Gap Loop Trail