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.