The 50k race will start at 7:30 am that morning, while the 10k begins a little later at 9 am. The 50k course is a true tour of the Urban Wilderness; a counterclockwise loop starting at the UW Gateway park that takes runners through 7 different parks and other natural areas. With roughly 3,400 ft of gain and well maintained trails, it’s sure to be a fast one. It has a 10 hour cutoff time and 5 aid stations to support runners along the way.
The 10k has the same starting line, and features a tough figure 8 loop that takes runners to the top of View Park for views of the Chilhowee Mountain and the Smokies in the distance. It has 1 aid station along the way, and is sure to be a blast.
If there’s one thing we learned from our first AMBC Membership Drive, it’s that we have an amazing community. Sending a HUGE thank you to everyone who joined, re-joined, or upgraded their AMBC membership through May, and to everyone else who supports us year-round!
We’re honored to say we grew by 100+ members (that’s 20%!) and 25+ membership upgrades during the month of May, and we’re still growing. Our club is bigger than it’s ever been before with 643 members, and with your help we will continue to grow and share our love for trails and mountain biking across Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Congratulations to our Membership Drive prize winners:
Joe Ludick, Sauna House Knoxville package
Sonny Schow, Cycology Bicycles package
Trina Deel, River Sports Outfitters package
Russell George, Bear Paw Bikes package
Russell George with his new bike apparel set from Bear Paw Bikes. More prize pictures to come!
Thank you to our supporting businesses who helped us put on our Membership Drive and give back to our members:
Don’t forget all AMBC members can enjoy Member Benefits with 25+ local businesses through AMBC, as well as benefits with national and regional brands through SORBA. As always, thanks for keeping us rolling!!
It’s on!! If you’ve ever wanted to start or level up your support for Knoxville’s trails, now is the time. From May 1st through 31st, we’ll be offering special perks, deals, and prize drawings to all of our new and upgrading members — and automatic entry into SORBA’s Membership Drive Giveaway (more chances to win!). Help us get to 600 members by the end of the month! Join or upgrade now!!
Includes access to national brand benefits with ExportVoice, Trailforks, & Subaru
*Family Memberships will receive one deal at each location, like Individual Memberships. The primary family member is counted as the “new” or “upgraded” member for giveaway purposes.
*All giveaway items will be sent via email on or before June 15, 2026.
Plus a chance to win even bigger prizes!
New & Upgrading Members will be entered to win prizes based on their membership level (see below). The more you give, the more prizes you’ll be entered to win! All Platinum and higher level memberships (both new and current members) will be entered to win all prizes.
Private 2-hour Sauna Session for up to 10 People at Sauna House Knoxville ($300 value)
Professional MTB Bike Fit & Service Package from Cycology Bicycles ($503 value)
Stand-Up Paddle Board & 3-Month Climbing Center Membership from River Sports Outfitters ($720 value)
Head to Toe Bike Apparel Package from Bear Paw Bikes ($550 value)
*All prizes will be sent to winners via email on or before June 15, 2026. You must respond within 48 hours to claim your prize.
Are you ready for a weekend of adventure in Knoxville? That’s what Outlandish Adventure Festival is all about! We’ll be there all day Saturday, May 2nd with some special news for current and new members, along with group mountain bike rides, a professional Whip Off, and more! Find the full weekend schedule here.
AMBC Group Rides on Saturday, May 2nd:
9 am — Social Ride (co-ed group ride – all are welcome!)
9 am — Joy Ride (women’s group ride – Beginner and Beginner Plus rides offered)
12:30 pm — Kids & Youth Social Ride (2nd-12th grade group rides led by Trail Blazers, Little Bellas, and AYC volunteers)
We’re proud to announce Knoxville as one of the first IMBA Trail Towns in the country! “Trail Town” is a new national designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) honoring communities with an exceptional commitment to building, maintaining, and celebrating trail systems.
The Knoxville community earned this title by demonstrating strong trail infrastructure, a commitment to trail funding, an active local trail organization, a culture of community engagement, and a sustainable trail stewardship plan. Knoxville wouldn’t be where we are without years of dedicated work from individuals and organizations in our community — and AMBC couldn’t do what we do without all of our members, volunteers, and supporters.
“Earning the IMBA Trail Town designation is a reflection of decades of work by our community. With more than 250 miles of mountain bike trails within 30 miles of Knoxville, we’re proud to be a place where trails are part of everyday life and a driver of connection, health, and economic impact,” said Matthew Kellogg, Executive Director of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC).
Trail systems are increasingly recognized as important drivers of outdoor recreation economies. Communities that invest in trails often see benefits, including increased tourism, support for local businesses, improved public health, and stronger community connections to the outdoors. Tennessee’s outdoor recreation economy continues to grow: in 2024, it reached $15.6 billion in economic impact while employing 114,070 people (Outdoor Recreation Roundtable). “Outdoor recreation is an important amenity for residents and visitors to Knoxville. We are proud of our investments in parks and open spaces and are lucky to have great partnerships that have fostered a healthy, engaged trail community,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon, City of Knoxville.
As part of the Trail Town designation, Knoxville joins 28 communities leading a growing national network of trail-forward places committed to trail stewardship, collaboration, and expanding access to outdoor recreation. We want to thank our community for helping Knoxville become a Trail Town and supporting the work we do each day!
Donate Now AMBC’s work gets done by volunteers and donations from our incredible mountain biking community. Help continue the
development and improvement of our trails with your secure donation.
