Tag Archives: mountain bike

ScruffyCat and ScrappyKitty

ScruffyCat and ScrappyKitty is a Knoxville mountain bike adventure put on by Darkhorse Race Productions on Saturday, October 17th.

is it a party? a challenge? an adventure?…. that’s up to YOU…. but we can promise a proper tour of Knoxville’s awesome Urban Wilderness (a.k.a. dirty south) and beyond, and a party with bike friends into the night!  to be clear, this isn’t some fancy marked race course with lots of aid stations… you are on your own to be self-sufficient and be prepared (just like any group/solo ride you might do).  you will get info on available water stops, convenience stores, and there’s a really good chance you’ll find some “trail magic” in a few places.  routes will be provided via gpx, and we will have maps to help with the tricky spots.

the ScruffyCat (100 miles) was born out of the idea of a riding ALL the knoxville trails in one huge route, and just so happens it’s right around 100mi.  from new trail to old goat-paths, we linked all the goods with the best road connections through and around town.  but be warned… just because it’s not in the big mountains or forest-lands, doesn’t mean it doesn’t make for a big ole day on the bike!

if you’re looking for more of “sampler”, consider the ScrappyKitty (50 miles) for an awesome chunk of trails without being quite a far-reaching and wild.  just like SC100, it offers a good variety of trail and links good roads the way us locals do all the time.

not so sure about a biting off either of the bigger two routes?  come check out the SuperKitten (25 miles)!  it’s a chance for a tour of all of the “dirty south” highlights.. created to offer a shorter day but a great time for younger cats (or perhaps the most-sensible sorts).

regardless of what route you choose, the day is all about seeing what knoxville has to offer, and sharing it with friends, near and far!  come and ride, then stay and party… we will have a solid offering of snacks, drinks, and home-cooked goods to fuel you back up for the bonfire.

and if saturday is not enough, we will also do a social hair of the cat ride on sunday!  it’s a great chance to see the only area of trails in knoxville that the SC100 doesn’t hit.

all the deets and specifics will be shared via email to those who register, and please register soon! **we need a headcount to provide all the eats and good times for you**

CVTA’s 28th Annual Hill of Truth

CVTA’s Hill of Truth Festival takes place on October 24th, 2026 at the Haw Ridge Campground just down from the CVTA HQ on Old Edgemoor Road at Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge, TN.

On Saturday, October 24, the 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth mountain bike race will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m. Just after the mountain bike race gets underway, runners will start the HOT Trot trail running race, which follows the same 7–8 mile course. Haw Ridge is home to a number of trail running races throughout the year and we appreciate all of our trail users. If you don’t want to run, you can walk or bring the dog for a hike.

Free primitive camping is available Friday and Saturday evenings.​

As always we will have a free kids race at the campground. Kids and parents will meet at the event check-in at 1 p.m. on Saturday and parents must sign a waiver. There will be prizes!

​The campfire will begin on Saturday evening around dusk at the campground. This is a great time to relax and mingle with your fellow racers and spectators.

Event details are continuing to evolve, so be sure to check the event website for updates. This is a fun, family event and we are brainstorming some fresh ideas to make the Hill of Truth Festival even more fun for everyone!

Summer Season Success: Trail Blazers at Boys & Girls Club

 

Expanding access to outdoor recreation is central to AMBC’s mission, and Trail Blazers is one of the ways we’re introducing the next generation to mountain biking and the trails that make Knoxville special. After wrapping up our inaugural fall season in 2025, we began looking for new ways to bring the program to more young riders across our community. This summer, that vision became a reality through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club.

In partnership with the North Ridge Crossing Boys & Girls Club, AMBC offered a free, eight-week Trail Blazers program throughout June and July. Located at the base of Sharps Ridge, the club provided an ideal home base for introducing participants to mountain biking while exploring one of Knoxville’s most accessible trail systems. What began with eight riders quickly grew to a dozen, with even more neighborhood kids stopping by to cheer them on and see what Trail Blazers was all about. Together, they built confidence, developed new skills, and discovered the joy of riding local trails.

Each Tuesday morning, our group spent two hours outside learning, exploring, and having fun together. From on- and off-bike games and nature scavenger hunts to trail stewardship lessons, snacks with friends, and rides through Sharps Ridge, every session offered a new adventure. One of the most rewarding parts of Trail Blazers is watching participants grow — not only as riders, but as confident, curious young people who feel at home outdoors.

We’re especially grateful to volunteers Audrey Carter and Hope Parks, whose enthusiasm and encouragement helped make this summer’s program such a memorable experience for every rider.

One of the most exciting parts of this summer’s Trail Blazers program is the lasting impact we hope it will have on the neighborhood. Right next to where each session began, AMBC is collaborating with City of Knoxville and Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation to expand the Sharps Ridge pump track into a larger skills area with additional flow trails, creating an even better place for new riders to build confidence before exploring the trail system. If you’d like to be part of this project, join us and Trees Knoxville for our Sharps Ridge Work Party on December 5.

Making the program free for participating families was possible thanks to the generosity of our community. The DeBusk Family Boys & Girls Club donated more than 20 gently used bikes and helmets, while Two Bikes provided additional bikes and equipment to help round out our fleet. Those donations ensured every participant had access to the gear they needed to ride, and they’ll continue to help us expand access to mountain biking through future Trail Blazers programs and community outreach.

If you’d like to help more kids experience the joy of mountain biking, consider supporting Trail Blazers. Donations help fund our free summer program while also providing scholarships and gear assistance for our fall and spring sessions, making it possible for more families across Knoxville to get outside and ride together. Thank you for supporting AMBC and helping us connect more people to the trails they call home.

Photography by Leslie Kehmeier with The Wide Eyed World.

Joy Ride at Concord

Join AMBC’s Joy Ride for a morning at Concord Park with ride options for New Rider through Intermediate! Grab a friend or make some new ones at this event for female, female-identifying, and non-binary riders. If you are new to mountain biking, looking to feel more comfortable on dirt, or just want to try out new trails with a fun group, this ride is for you!

This event is free, but please register and complete your 2026 AMBC Waiver here by Thursday, August 13th.This helps us ensure we have enough volunteers and supplies.

Joy Ride is here to help women feel comfortable in the woods. No one gets left behind, and everyone leaves with a big smile. We make sure every rider is comfortable with the group’s pace and that no section of trail is beyond the ability level of the group. We have options for all skill levels, so come party on single track with us!

Bring your helmet, shoes, ride snacks, water, a spare tube if you have one, and a way to carry it on your ride. Please arrive at 9:00 AM for sign-in!

Meet at 11805 S Northshore Dr. Knoxville, TN 37922, which is the parking lot for Baseball Field 3 and across the street from The Cove at Concord.

WORK PARTY – SHARPS RIDGE

Come out and join AMBC and Trees Knoxville at Sharps Ridge for our monthly Work Party on Saturday, December 5th from 9am-12pm! Lunch will be provided at noon, and Creature Comforts will be hooking us up with cold beverages.

As usual, AMBC will provide the tools — just come prepared to work with sturdy shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and water. Families with kids are welcome. If you haven’t already, please sign AMBC’s 2026 Waiver before the event.

Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers!

Work Parties are the best opportunity for AMBC friends and trail users of all kinds to volunteer on the trails. We hold regular Work Parties on the first Saturday morning of most months. Join us anytime — no sign up necessary!

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