9/15/24 GSMNP Forge Creek Adaptive Mountain Biking - Volunteer Registration

Volunteer registration to support aMTB riders during the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Adaptive Program Days- Saturday September 14th at Deep Creek Trail. Volunteers must bring their own mountain bike to ride.

New volunteers must complete the online training and attend an in-person training from 9-10am before the event. Please email kirby@catalystsports.org with any questions about volunteer training. 

Join Us for an Adaptive Mountain 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!

Participant registration for Great Smoky Mountains National Park Adaptive Mountain Biking on Sunday, September 15th, 2024.

Forge Creek

Ride Distance: 4.7 miles total (Dependent on group progress & speed)

Elevation Gain:  350ft

Trail Surface:  Gravel Road

Ride Description:  Start at the Cades Cove Visitor Center with accessible parking & bathrooms.  Catalyst Sports will be onsite to fit you to an adaptive bike & provide instruction on how to safely operate the adaptive bike.  We will then depart as a group & ride along Forge Creek Rd.  The ride will follow Forge creek Road.  This is a rolling gravel road that follows a creek & passes by several points of interest.  Once at the end of the road, the group will turn around and ride back to the parking lot for a total ride length, just under 5 miles.
SEE RIDE PROFILE HERE

Schedule:

8:30 am : Volunteers arrive onsite

9:00 am:  Riders borrowing Catalyst bikes for the 10am depature should be ready to be fit to your adaptive bike at 9am.  This will allow time for us to fit riders & give basic instructions on operation

Note:  Cades Cove is a one lane road through a popular area of the park.  This often leads to traffic delays.  GSMNP has recommended that riders plan to arrive at the visitor center 1.5 hrs before your ride time. 

10:00-12:00:  The ride will depart promptly at 10am.  

12:00 noon:  Riders borrowing Catalyst bikes for the 1pm depature should be ready to be fit to your adaptive bike at 12 noon.  This will allow time for us to fit riders & give basic instructions on operation

Note:  Cades Cove is a one lane road through a popular area of the park.  This often leads to traffic delays.  GSMNP has recommended that riders plan to arrive at the visitor center 1.5 hrs before your ride time. 

1:00 - 3:00:  The ride will depart promptly at 1pm

Camping & Parking:

-  GSMNP will provide several campsites at Deep Creek Campground on Friday 9/13 for volunteers assisting with the adaptive bike programming

-  Campsites will have to be packed up & cleared out before our Sunday morning programming (Likely campsite departure 7:00am)

-  Campsites will be shared by volunteers.  Please indicate below if you would like to camp.  a Catalyst Representative will recah 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 & gatorade throughout the weekend

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

Please email Kirby@Catalystsports.org with further questions