Pump Track Closed for renovations: BUMP is giving the Pump Track at Oak Mountain a facelift with the help of Barry Nobles, Oak Mountain State Park, and Shelby County.
We are really “pumped” about this project and are looking forward to the end result. Construction of the improved pump track started on June 11th, with final touches expected the week of June 22nd. Please stay off of the Pump Track during this work, and stay tuned for exciting news about the grand re-opening event coming soon. Watch our social media accounts for updates.
Thank you to the small but dedicated BUMP crew that helped show Tannehill State Park trails some love. Volunteers got to run the chainsaw for about 5 hours while clearing downed trees and some “widow makers”. They took care installing a drain on washed out section of trail, deberming sections of trail, put in some new signage and repaired some of the old signage.
We appreciate each volunteer who took time to come today and work on improving the trail system:
Roger Lucas
Jeff Rozycki
Christopher Gruil
Stacey Harris
Nathan Harris
Blake LeCroy
Ken Blackwood
Reagan Pennock
One more downed tree was reported right as group finished the workday. Jeff drove up access road, then rode into Never Never Land to knock it out and of course, leave the signature mark.
If you are interested to be part of the next Trail Workday, contact us and request to be added to the Trail Workday email list. We would love to have you!
Lightning trail at Oak Mountain State Park received several much-needed improvements in the Spring of 2020 thanks to BUMP, Will Abner and Barry Nobles, and the volunteers who helped to carry this project through. Essentially the goal was to resurface the eroded features on the trail and add a few new features along the way. We received different perspectives from riders of all skill levels to make sure the new sections would be fun for “pro” level riders as well as those who are relatively new to the sport.
Everything was built to help riders progress into the features. Some of what has been revamped may look intimidating, but everything has been crafted to be friendly to all skill levels. We hope riders can use this opportunity to help develop their riding.
Lightning now has properly shaped lips on many of the jumps, rebuilt berms and so much more variety, all with a principle of progression applied so you can learn safely. Because of the improvements the character of the trail has changed, and it is also faster. Get familiar with the trail, it’s features, and learn to ride it safely using progression and good judgement.
Lightning is an expert level trail so know your limits as well as your bikes limits, always stay within them, and ride it at your own risk. Control of your bike and your speed is a must.
Get to know the trail features by watching the great videos below:
Part 1:
Part 2:
If you are interested in volunteering to help in future maintenance please refer to our future work days. The more help BUMP gets maintaining trails, the more time a BUMP can spend doing revamping the current trails.
Next time you are riding Lightning, please keep in mind:
FEATURES YOU WERE ONCE FAMILIAR WITH HAVE BEEN ALTERED.
AS ALWAYS, LOOK FOR CHANGING CONDITIONS ON THE TRAIL.
IF YOU STOP ON THE TRAIL, PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THOSE PASSING THROUGH AND GET OUT OF THE WAY.
RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
Approximately 50 volunteer hours have been spent revamping Lightning. We hope you enjoy the improvements while learning some new skills.
Please Donate to or Join BUMP to help us continue to Build, Maintain, Preserve, and of course Ride the great trails in the Birmingham area.
If you are interested in volunteering to help BUMP with future trail maintenance projects, please email us at [email protected] to be added to the trail workday email list.
It is hot, it is humid and it is another summer of mountain bike races in the Birmingham metro! Fuel up, bring electrolytes and have a great time participating in these fun events. We will see you there!
Our BUMP volunteers came out and worked hard on May Trail Workday at the Oak Mountain State Park that took place on May 9th, 2020. Work was done to address several pressing issues and improve the following trails:
Garrett’s Gulch
Lake
Lightning
West Ridge
Boulder Ridge
Fire Pits
A section of the Lake Trail got a new re-route…. you can’t miss it when you ride there, it is looking as sweet as it is to ride.
A big “Thank You” goes to each one of the volunteers who came out and put the work in to keep our trails fun to ride:
Eric Hagan
Bruce Martin
Leo Henry
Ken Blackwood
Mark Muro
Jacob Ingram
Braxton Bruce
Eric Tinney
Zac Frowine
Ethan Tinney
Brandon Sanford
Christy Sanford
Tonia Mora
Nick Spain
Vaughan Casey
Reagan Pennock
Will Abner
Jeff Rozycki
Blake LeCroy
If you are interested to be part of the next Trail Workday, contact us and request to be added to the Trail Workday email list. We would love to have you!
Are you going to be riding next year? The following year? The one after? Of course you will be! Your support now means that more and better trails will be there for you when you need them.
Keeping trails fun to ride takes effort, time and resources. BUMP depends on our club members and volunteers. We hold monthly Trail workdays in addition to our designated volunteers cleaning out fallen trees in between the workdays.
When you join BUMP, the majority of your membership dollars are distributed and applied directly to the local efforts through IMBA. Your voice drives national progress and your commitment helps new trails come to life where you live and ride. We would love for everyone who rides local trails that are maintained by BUMP to show your support and appreciation by joining and becoming a member. All it takes is $39/year or $5 per month.
Progress for trails is still happening, even now – be a part of our success.
Spring 2020 Membership Drive; Trails Need Us All Today
Join or renew BUMP membership today and you will be entered to win one of the 16 amazing prize packages from IMBA provided by our amazing sponsors.
Good quality trails don’t magically appear, trails happen because our dedicated volunteers make them happen. Your support of BUMP is essential to continue our work of creating and enhancing more trails close to home.
We understand that there are many uncertainties with the economy right now; even chipping in as little as $5 a month can make a difference for our trails, or a yearly contribution of $39. Stepping up and being a great steward for your trails has an added benefit during our extended membership drive in May and June; you will be entered to win one of the 16 amazing prize packages.
Trails close to home are helping many of us get through this national crisis. More people than ever are realizing the physical and mental health benefits that trail experiences provide. Trails are critical infrastructure.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) creates, enhances and protects great places to ride mountain bikes. It is focused on creating more trails close to home to grow the quantity and quality of mountain bike trail communities across the U.S., so everyone has access to close-to-home rides and iconic backcountry experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been the worldwide leader in mountain bike advocacy and the only organization focused entirely on trails and access for all types of mountain bikers in all parts of the U.S.
As per Governor Ivey’s newly issued Safer at Home order effective on April 30th through the May 15th, 2020, we will be able to host group events limited to 10 participants and while keeping 6 ft minimum distance between participants. Summary of Safer at Home order can be viewed here.
Even with all that’s going on regarding COVID-19 around this country, and around the world, we hope you have a chance to get outside and ride. Please continue to use good practices regarding social distancing and personal care. Be mindful of other trail users, maintain the distancing, and if you don’t feel good stay home. Use good judgement, and we will all get through this together.
BUMP MTB Ladies Tuesday Night rides will resume on May 5th, Trail Workdays will resume on May 9th. To be added to the Trail Workday group email list or the MTB Ladies group email list, email us at [email protected] Check our calendar for upcoming events.
When you come across a fallen tree, we ask that you report it so it can be properly removed.
See a tree down on trail? To help us find the downed trees on the trails, please use the TrailForks app and write a trail report. Really easy to use and it provides GPS coordinates for us to find it. Please take a picture of the tree (with location services on) with you or your bike next to it so we can tell the size of the tree as well.
Open TrailForks app, click yellow > sign, click write report, select trail add condition, and add picture from the app.
We want to get to know our club members better and learn what you would like from the club. When you get 5 minutes to spare, please answer our 2020 Questionnaire. Help us to learn how to better serve you, our members, by answering 10 questions.
Link to the 2020 Questionnaire was sent to all current members by email on April 10, 2020. If you are a current club member but did not receive our email, please contact us and let us know. Questionnaire will close at the end of April.
