Cane Creek Hosting Mountain Biking Day

Your kids can learn about the Upper Cumberland’s mountain biking hobby Saturday.

The Upper Cumberland Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association will host a Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day at Cane Creek Park. The event starts across from the rec center and every thirty minutes an experienced member will lead a group of kids for a ride through the new kids loop biking trail. Upper Cumberland SORBA Event Coordinator Amy Gentry said the event is to encourage kids to enjoy the outdoors.

“We really want to build up the future generations and to encourage them,” Gentry said. “Maybe they don’t want to mountain bike but maybe they are a trail hiker or trail runners, so we are just trying to build up that future generation of kids and getting them on bikes, walking the trails, and things like that.”

Kids will learn the basics of mountain biking including safety tips and riding techniques. Gentry said it is important to grow the sport of mountain biking by teaching kids at a young age.

“I think just like any sports and hobbies when you introduce them young and start teaching them safety it’s just another wonderful outdoor activity that they can do,” Gentry said. “It doesn’t take a lot of skill. I think it’s a very accessible outdoor hobby. You don’t have a lot of equipment. A bike, helmet, and maybe some elbow pads and knee pads and you are good to go.”

Gentry said mountain biking is starting to grow within the Upper Cumberland. Gentry said they do not have as many biking trails as the organization likes but more trails could be in the works.

“We’ve seen a lot of interest from cities to have us come out and they give us an area and we see if we can cut a mountain bike trail,” Gentry said. “We try to assess it and see what we can do so it’s really just about getting more trails for the community and for those that enjoy mountain biking.”

Gentry said the event is free but kids and parents will need to bring their respective bikes. The event runs from 9a-12pm Saturday.