Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Mountain bike group building world class riding center in Birmingham area
Reading time: 3 minutes
Big news for mountain bike enthusiasts in Birmingham—and around the country! Local nonprofit Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) is leading an initiative to elevate North Shelby County’s mountain biking infrastructure to IMBA Silver Level Ride Center status—a big deal!
Read on to learn more about BUMP and its plans to create one of the South’s premier riding destinations.
About Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP)
Founded over 30 years ago, BUMP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit trail advocacy group that aims to “build, preserve, maintain and ride trails in the Birmingham and surrounding areas.” Since 1994, BUMP has built miles of new trails at places like Oak Mountain State Park, Tannehill State Park and the Trussville Sports Complex.
Creating a regional trail system in North Shelby County
As part of Innovate Alabama’s strategic mission to attract and retain highly skilled workers in Alabama, BUMP is leading a new initiative to elevate North Shelby County’s mountain biking infrastructure to International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Silver Level Ride Center status.
According to the IMBA’s website, the Ride Center designation represents “recognition of large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider.”
BUMP’s proposed ride center would create a comprehensive network of diverse riding experiences at four major area parks:
- Double Oak Park
- Cahaba River Park
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
In order to meet IMBA’s Silver Level requirements, BUMP has developed a plan with several key components:
- Trail Expansion
- Add three new 1+ mile gravity trails
- Develop a new 3+ mile technical trail
- Construct a backcountry-style connector trail linking the Belcher Property to Oak Mountain State Park
- Skills Park Development
- Progressive dirt jump trail area
- Progressive skills development
- Paved pump track
‘These three gravity trails are going to be unlike anything else in Alabama. They are over a mile along, wide, smooth jump trails—those just don’t exist yet in the state. It’s going to be a big hit for tourism in the area.”
Chase Draper, President, Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP)
How you can help BUMP elevate Central Alabama’s mountain biking infrastructure
Want to lend a helping hand to BUMP? The group is hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, March 8 to construct the new Advanced Gravity Line.
BUMP will provide all necessary tools for volunteers and host a post-work lunch—all you need to do is show up and help!
The volunteer workday begins at 8AM at Oak Mountain State Park’s North Lake Parking lot.
Have you used one of BUMP’s trails? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
