9/10/25 GSMNP Cades Cove Adaptive Bike Ride - Adaptive Athlete Registration

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!

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 Descriptions

Short Loop  (Click Link for Route Details)

Ride Distance:5.3 Miles

Ride Pace:  No Drop Pace

Ride Time:  Approximately 2-2.5 Hrs

Elevation Gain:  375 ft

Trail Surface:  Mostly Paved with 1.25 miles of gravel road.  Mostly rolling hills, with several short/steep hills approximately 0.2 mi each.

Ride Description:  Start at Cades Cove Campground 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 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 RECOMMENDED (All Catalyst Fleet Bikes will have E-Assist).  The Cades Cove Loop is one way traffic only.  Due to this we recommend that adaptive riders, who join the short loop, use a bike with e-assist.  Riders should be confident operating bike brakes

Long Loop (Click Link for Route Details)

Ride Distance: 12.5 mi

Ride Pace:  Approximately 9 mph average

Ride Time:  Approximately 3-3.5 Hrs

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 Campground 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 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 who want to join the Long Loop option 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

Schedule:

8:00 am: Volunteers Arrive onsite

8:45 am:  Riders borrowing Catalyst bikes for the 9:30 am departure 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

Short Loop: 9:30-12:00 noon  Ride:  The ride will depart promptly at 9:30am.  

Long Loop: 9:30-1:00 pm Ride:  The ride will depart promptly at 9:30am.

Note:  This ride is weather dependent.  If cancellation occurs due to weather, we will delay the ride to Wednesday 9/24/25.

Essential Eligibility for Adaptive Mountain Biking

• Rider has a permanent, disabling condition

• Rider must be older than 8 years old

• Rider must be <250 lbs

• Rider can make safe cognitive decisions in a fast-paced changing environment.

• Rider can follow all safety precautions identified by the instructors.

• Rider can hold their head upright without any head and/or neck support.

• Rider can wear a properly fitted and rated bike helmet, as well as any other safety equipment appropriately.

• Rider can understand and follow multiple-step instructions from the instructors independently and in a fast-paced environment.

• Rider can transfer in and out of the bike independently or with some assistance

• Rider can remain alert and focused for the duration of the ride and can make decisions quickly in variable terrain.

• Rider can demonstrate they can independently peddle, steer, stop, start and ride the bike over, around, up, and down a variety of terrain deemed appropriate for their experience level.

If you have questions regarding eligibility criteria, please email kirby@catalystsports.org. 

Kirby will reach out directly to those who register to conduct rider interviews & answer any additional questions