BUMP’s IMBA Dig In Fundraiser – Success!

At the end of last year we applied for IMBA’s Dig In program to fund the design phase of a skills area at Oak Mountain State Park. We are happy to announce that we exceeded our goal of $10,000 and raised $10,684. We also qualify for an additional $2,000 in matching funds from Shimano thanks to your generous donations! The money raised here will be used to hire a professional firm to work with us and the park to produce a detailed, professional design for a dedicated skills area at OMSP. This process is just beginning, so keep your eyes and ears open for more announcements regarding this in the coming months!

Many of these Dig In proposals fail to meet their fundraising goals, so exceeding ours speaks to not only the generosity of our members and MTB community in the Birmingham area but to the excitement for a skills area at OMSP. We are all really looking forward to moving ahead with this project!

Storyteller – the new double black diamond trail at Oak Mountain State Park

Storyteller was initially planned to be cut at the same time as Thunder. Thunder as it exists now was meant to be the easier of 2 options down the mountain. The rumors circulating at the time were that only a few people would be able to ride the hard line down the mountain. Due to the cost and difficulty of the build the second line was dropped at the time and fell off the radar for several years. However, the dream was kept alive by a few people who saw how special it could be.

In February of 2021 we reflagged and resubmitted the second line for approval to the state park. Approval to move forward was granted July 2nd , and on the morning of July 17th we hit the trail at 730 am and began cutting our new trail. Over the summer numerous volunteers came out to lend a hand digging, moving rocks, and clearing brush. On October 9th, after several hundred volunteer hours and about 30 yellow jacket stings later the trail was completed. The final product is roughly 1 mile long with about 500 ft of elevation drop. This trail is the only big mountain down hill trail in the state of Alabama with numerous steep rolls, mandatory drops, and tons of off camber sections.

The Name

Storyteller Overland is a Birmingham based manufacturer of overlanding adventure vans. They have been sponsors of past Bump N Grind races, and great supporters of the BUMP mission. In their quest to promote community and the spirit of adventure, Storyteller Overland has donated generously to help us continue our work in the Birmingham mountain biking community. We are incredibly appreciative of their support and believe the name “Storyteller” is a perfect match for our new trail at Oak Mountain State Park.

/Written by Chase Draper/

Shuttle day fundraiser at Oak Mountain State Park

We will be shuttling Peavine Falls Road and the Boyscout Road from 10am-3pm on Saturday, September 18, 2021.

Entry will be $35 and will include a meal after. Chef Sean will be putting together some Mac N Cheese Bowls with your choice of topping either 14 Hour Smoked Brisket Chilli or Gojuchang Grilled Chicken Thighs. Cahaba brewing company will be providing a variety of beverages for those of age. All proceeds go to the building and maintenance of our local trails. Attendance will be capped at 100 people. Pre Registration is available at the link below.

https://bng.firstplaceracing.com/p/events/690

BUMP-N-GRIND 28

The 28th Annual BUMP N GRIND will take place on June 4th and 5th, 2022 at the Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama.

This race is our biggest fund raiser each year which allows BUMP (501c) to continue our mission to Build, Maintain, Preserve, and Ride the great trails in Birmingham. BUMP volunteers spend over 1000 hours each year to maintain approx. 50 miles of single track trails between Oak Mountain State Park, Tannehill Historic Ironworks State Park, and Trussville Sports Complex. This fundraiser allows us to keep the trails flowing, and look for opportunities to add more miles.

Saturday offers great downhill races with Super D and AIR D races along with kids races and unicycles. There are some great spectating opportunities at “Blood Rock” during the SUPER D, and of course the box drop for the AIR D race. Lace up your boots and hike in and don’t forget to bring out your cow bells to cheer the racers on. Sunday is our cross country (XC) racing. The CAT3 Junior race (12U) is 5 miles, CAT3 race is 8 miles, CAT2 is “the loop” finishing right at 20 miles, and CAT1 racers get to challenge themselves to almost 30 miles of awesome trails. With great racing all weekend you won’t want to miss this race. This is a points paying USAC sanctioned race. The learn more visit www.bumpngrindraces.com

What Would We Do Without Trails?

Mountain biking has helped us all get away, clear our heads, stay healthy, and enjoy time outdoors. We suspect every mountain biker has looked down a trail and appreciated it now more than ever.
Trail stewards and advocates also matter more than ever. Protecting and maintaining the trails we all enjoy is increasingly important as we’ve watched overflowing parking lots and crowded trail heads.
Good quality trails don’t magically appear, trails happen because BUMP, our dedicated members and volunteers make them happen.

Join or renew your BUMP membership in May through June and you will be entered to win one of the 10 amazing gift packages from IMBA!

If you are a current member and renew, your membership will extend an additional year from the end date.

To join or renew click here!

We want to thank our sponsors for putting together 10 amazing prize packages. Someone will be taking them home, it might as well be you!

SLINGSHOT -BUMP’s Newest Trail at Oak Mountain

The ribbon cutting for highly anticipated new trail at Oak Mountain State Park took place on May 6, 2021.

Thank you to the many people who were involved to make this trail happen. Kelly Ezell and Oak Mountain State Park, Chad Scroggins and Shelby County, BUMP members and Board led by Jeff Rozycki, and our trail builder Barry Smith with Barry Smith Trails.

Slingshot is over 3 miles long and rated as intermediate skill level trail. It is very scenic, has fun flow, berms and a long skinny to practice your skills.

Let’s ride, it’s new trail day! Share your pictures with us by tagging them with #slingshotOM on social media.

Slingshot on Trailforks.com

New Trail Alert

NEW TRAIL Alert: As of April 11, 2021 the new trail at Oak Mountain State Park is still closed for unauthorized users. It needs time to dry and settle, riding it will damage the trail and delay the opening. Trail’s opening day is being planned with park, look for event announcement.

Another trail, Johnston’s Mountain trail is undergoing renovations and currently closed. We have heavy equipment operating on the trail and your presence will hinder their progress and create an unnecessary danger to you.

There are over 20 miles of open trails available to be ridden at Oak Mountain State Park. Enjoy your ride!

Mountain biking in Birmingham went from being a novelty to world class. How did it happen? – Bham Now

Thank you, Pat Byington with Bham Now for the article about BUMP!

Read it here: https://bhamnow.com/2021/02/18/mountain-biking-in-birmingham-went-from-being-a-novelty-to-world-class-how-did-it-happen/

These great trails are possible because our volunteers and everyone who supports BUMP. To get involved join BUMP by joining club online: https://www.bump.org/get-involved/join-the-club/

“It’s hard to imagine, but back in the early 1990s, mountain biking was not allowed on the trails at Oak Mountain State Park. According to Jeff Rozycki, the current President of BUMP, passionate mountain pedalers got together and started to advocate for access to the trails for mountain biking.

“Working with local park officials and community leaders, we were able to gain access to the trail system out there,” said Rozycki. “We signed letters of agreement that we would help build and maintain trails out at Oak Mountain in exchange for being able to use them”

Today, BUMP maintains about 30 miles of trails at Oak Mountain and is currently building a new trail. They have also gained access to the Trussville Sports Complex trail, where there is a 5-mile loop, and they’ve built and maintained about 15 miles of trail at Tannehill State Park. “

Four Virtual Challenge Rides – August 2020

Jump in on action – complete one or all four of BUMP’s virtual challenge rides taking place in August! Four challenges are actual race courses at BUMP-N-GRIND race that set for September 5th and 6th at Oak Mountain State Park.

Leaderboard resuts are posted weekly on our Strava, Facebook and Instagram pages. Challenges end on August 31st, 2020. Join in and have fun!

Virtual Ride: BUMP-N-GRIND 26 Cat 3 Course

Description of the course: start at South Trail Head in front of Dogwood pavilion, up Peavine Road to Johnsons Mountain, come down Johnsons, cross to Foreplay, Toads all the way back to the road, left on road past feeding zone then left into Family, Rattlesnake, take Lake return and yes, up and over “The Hill” back to South Trail Head for the finish. https://www.strava.com/clubs/20979/posts/10917367

Virtual Ride: BUMP-N-GRIND 26 Super D Course

Description of the course: start at the overlook at the top of Peavine Road, ride down the Fire Pit, Blood Rock, and Quarry Trail finishing at Peavine Road where Quarry crosses to Johnsons Mountain. https://www.strava.com/clubs/20979/posts/11040409

Virtual Ride: BUMP-N-GRIND 26 CAT 2 Course

Description of the course: start at South Trail Head in front of Dogwood pavilion, riders go into Lake trail, cross over to Seven Bridges, up Camp Road to Garrett’s Gulch, Chimneys, Cat Dog Snake to North Trail Head, climb Red Road, blast across the top of the ridge to BUMP connector, BUMP Trail, down Blood Rock, Quarry, cross to Johnsons, Foreplay, Toads back to the road, left on road past feed zone, left on Family, Rattlesnake, Lake return then up and over “The Hill” to the finish at the South Tr ail Head. https://www.strava.com/clubs/20979/posts/11147445

Virtual Ride: BUMP-N-GRIND 26 Air D Course

Description of the course: Lightning trail down. https://www.strava.com/clubs/20979/posts/11254204

Not To Miss Event: BUMP-N-GRIND 26 Race

The annual BUMP-N-GRIND race has been set for September 5-6th, 2020 at Oak Mountain State Park and registration is open. This race offers fun and challenging ride options for novices, experts and riders anywhere in-between.

If you have not participated in a mountain bike race, this could be a great first race for you. We invite you to try our virtual race challenge for CAT 3 course as listed in BUMP Strava Club event Virtual Ride: BUMP-N-GRIND 26 Cat 3 Course

AIR D:

Air D racers will be shuttled up Boy Scout Camp Road to the top of Lightning. Air D is best time down Lightning trail.

CROSS COUNTRY RACES:

All cross country races start and finish at the South Trail Head

CAT 3 JUNIOR:

Cat 3 Junior course is for riders ages 0-12. This is approx. a 5 mile course (similar to NICA). Race will start at South Trail Head, racers will ride up Peavine and enter into Mr. Toads, ride Toads to Family Trail, Rattlesnake Ridge, and take Lake Trail back to the South Trail Head for the finish

CAT 1: (XC1)

CAT 1 course is just over 30 miles. CAT 1 does the full CAT 2 course, then back up Peavine to climb Jekyll, across Centipede, down Quarry, cross over to Johnsons, Foreplay, Toads, back to South Trail Head for the finish.

CAT 2: (XC2)

CAT 2 course is approx. 20 miles. Starting at South Trail Head, racers go into Lake trail, cross over to Seven Bridges, up Camp Road to Garrett’s Gulch, Chimneys, Cat Dog Snake to North Trail Head, climb Red Road, blast across the top of the ridge to BUMP connector, BUMP Trail, down Blood Rock, Quarry, cross to Johnsons, Foreplay, Toads, Family, Rattlesnake, and back Lake to South Trail Head.

CAT 3: (XC3)

Full CAT 3 course is approx. 8 miles. Race starts at South Trail Head, racers ride up Peavine Road to entrance of Johnsons Mountain, come down Johnsons, cross to Foreplay, Toads, Family, Rattlesnake, take Lake return to South Trail Head for the finish. Ages 13 and up. 12U can race the full CAT 3 course by choosing to CAT up.

We invite you to visit http://bumpngrindraces.com/ for detailed information. We encourage you to register by July 31st to save on registration fees. Help us make this year’s race a success, register now!

A few pictures from 2019 race:

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