Club News: Southeast

IMBA Trail News
Volume 15, Number 1
Spring 2002

The Northeast Tennessee Mountain Bike Association (NTMBA) is working with the Cherokee National Forest to curb recent unauthorized trailbuilding. NTMBA, which has an excellent relationship with the USFS, is striving to ensure that unsanctioned trail construction doesn't undermine its partnership. More info: www.ntmba.org. Speaking of renegade activities, a new problem is emerging in Georgia: gate jumping. Cyclists and hikers have been reported jumping parking lot access gates at trailheads near Macon, Gainesville and Atlanta. Trails are officially closed in Georgia when access gates are shut. Thanks to work by the Southwest Association of Mountain Pedalers (SWAMP), the Tampa, Florida, area has some of the best urban mountain bike access in the country. More than 100 miles of trail are within easy driving distance of downtown. The highlight of the system is the Croom Trail - a 35-mile all-singletrack loop. More info: www.swampclub.org. Important mountain bike connector trails may be in jeopardy in North Carolinaıs Pisgah National Forest. In question are areas known as "linear wildlife openings," which are old roadbeds that are revegetated to feed animals. These openings are actively supported by hunting organizations. The national forest is now considering closing these corridors to trail users, which would be a departure from the districtıs long-standing access policy. The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club (BRBC) is monitoring the situation. More info: www.main.nc.us/BRBC. BRBC is also hosting an IMBA Trailbuilding School in Dupont State Forest, April 5-7. More info: dupontforest.com/trailschool.asp.