2026 GSMNP Cades Cove Adaptive Bike Ride - Volunteer Registration

Volunteer registration to support aMTB riders during the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Adaptive Program Day at Deep Creek Trail.

Volunteers must bring their own mountain bike to ride.  Support Rider Volunteers should be consistent/confident mountain bikers.

New volunteers must complete the online training. Please email shane@catalystsports.org with any questions about volunteer training. 

Join Us for an Adaptive Bike Interpretive Ride in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Discover the rich natural and cultural history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park while enjoying a scenic ride on an adaptive mountain bike. Led by a knowledgeable Ranger, these interpretive rides are designed to be short in distance with multiple stops along the way. At each stop, you will learn fascinating facts about the park's unique features and heritage. 

Please see the details below for information on the ride's distance, elevation, and profile. 

We look forward to having you join us for an educational and enjoyable adventure!

Schedule:

8:00 am: Volunteers Arrive onsite

8:45 am:  Riders borrowing Catalyst bikes should be ready to be fit to your adaptive bike at 8:45am.  This will allow time for us to fit riders & give basic instructions on operation  

Cades Cove Loop: 9:30-2:30 pm Ride:  The ride will depart at 9:30am.

Please note: due to limited resources, only adaptive athletes are able to borrow a bike for this ride. Any friends/family wishing to join in will be required to bring their own mountain bike. 

Trailhead Location:

Cades Cove Campground

Maintenance Shed Parking Area

10050 Campground Dr

Townsend, TN 37882

Yellow Circle = Staging Area

Blue Rectangle = Reserved Accessible Parking

Red Arrow = Volunteer Parking at Camp Sites C23, C24, C25, & any available overflow parking lots

Ride Route Description

Cades Cove Loop (Click Link for Route Details)

Ride Distance: 12.5 mi

Ride Pace:  Approximately 9 mph average

Ride Time:  Approximately 3.5 - 4 Hrs

While we are on a paved road in a National Park this is still a back country type experience. Due to the possibility of traffic jams caused by wildlife, unexpected mechanicals, or other potential unforeseen circumstances please note that the length of time is estimated. Please plan accordingly with extra snacks, medication needs, and leave plenty of time between any plans you make later in the evening. This is an adventure after all :)

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Trail Surface:  Mostly Paved with short gravel sections (less than 0.3 mi total gravel).  Mostly rolling hills, with several steep hill climbs and descents (approximately 0.2 mi each).  Good bike handling skills and braking skills are needed

Ride Description:  Start at Cades Cove Maintenence Yard with accessible parking & bathrooms. We will then depart as a group & ride through the campground before getting on the Cades Cove loop.  The group will stop in several spots along the way to learn about the area from a GSMNP Ranger.  

Adaptive Bike E-assist REQUIRED (All Catalyst Fleet Bikes will have E-Assist).  The Cades Cove Loop is one way traffic only.  Due to this and the long distance of this ride, riders will need to either a) use a bike with e-assist -or- b) Be confident that you can maintain a 9 mph average pace with your analog bike.  Riders should be confident with navigating steep/fast descents with turns.

Volunteer Essential Eligibility:

-  Support Rider Volunteers must provide their own Bike that are in good working order

-  Support Riders should be able to maintain an 8-10 mph average pace

- Support Riders need to be available for the duration of the ride even if it goes beyond the anticipated schedule.

-  E-assist Not mandatory, but recommended

Volunteer Camping & Parking:

-  GSMNP will provide several TENT CAMPING campsites at Cades Cove Campground on Tuesday & Wednesday for volunteers assisting with the adaptive bike programming

-  Campsites will be shared by volunteers. Please choose "camping" during registration if you would like to camp.  A Catalyst Representative will reach out with more details as we get closer to the weekend

-  Participants need to plan your own meals for the weekend.  Catalyst will provide water.

Parking:  GSMNP will provide free parking passes for all volunteers who are participating in this programming

Please email Shane@Catalystsports.org with further questions