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# Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance: A SORBA Chapter promoting land access, trail preservation and new trail development on the federal, state & local lands of Northwestern North Carolina.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://ridenwnctrails.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Alliance Announces New Executive Director and Lead Trail Specialist](https://ridenwnctrails.com/alliance-announces-new-ed-and-lts/): LENOIR, N.C. (August 3, 2026) -The Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance is pleased to announce the hiring of Oliver Sendall as Executive Director and Josh Taylor as Lead Trail Specialist.
- [Historic Milestone: The Alliance Co-Awarded $4.5M to Restore Trails](https://ridenwnctrails.com/historic-milestone-the-alliance-co-awarded-4-5m-to-restore-trails/): -- — The Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance (The Alliance), in partnership with the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), has been awarded a historic $4.5 million subaward from the National Forest Foundation (NFF), made possible through USDA Forest Service funding through the American Relief Act, 2025. Funded through the NFF’s 2026 Strategic Projects Initiative, the grant kicks off the “Post-Hurricane Helene Recovery Partner Coordination” project to revitalize the hard-hit Pisgah National Forest and its surrounding communities.
- [Northwest NC MTB Alliance Welcomes New Board Members for the Coming Year](https://ridenwnctrails.com/northwest-nc-mtb-alliance-welcomes-new-board-members-for-the-coming-year/): The Alliance welcomes three new board members who bring deep local roots, trail stewardship experience, and a shared passion for growing and sustaining mountain biking across the region.
- [Alliance Board Members to Ride in Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival](https://ridenwnctrails.com/alliance-board-members-to-ride-in-old-fort-strong-endurance-festival/): Two members of the Alliance Board of Directors are set to ride in the Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival on Saturday and Sunday December 7th and 8th. The event is being held to raise awareness and funding for the Old Fort Strong Fund, which aims to raise over $2 million in donations to support residents and businesses rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. Below are some details about the duo, including links to their donor pages.
- [Grandfather Ranger District reopens select trails on Friday, November 22](https://ridenwnctrails.com/grandfather-ranger-district-reopening-select-trails-on-friday-november-22/): The Grandfather District will be opening several trails and additional roads on Friday, November 22, including some in Wilson Creek, Old Fort, and other areas. This follows the road openings announced last week, and marks another update to the closure order issued after Hurricane Helene.
- [Trail Community Rallies After Hurricane Helene](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trail-community-rallies-after-hurricane-helene/): In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many of our trail volunteers have joined hundreds of others to assist those in need. Incredible work has been done in our region. While our communities are still facing challenges, significant strides toward recovery have been made. The road ahead will continue to take time. 
- [NC NICA Athletes Giving Back to Trails in ‘24](https://ridenwnctrails.com/ncicl-athletes-giving-back-to-trails-in-24/): Have you heard? NC NICA athletes from the North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League (NCICL) have big goals of giving back to local trails this year, aiming to complete over 3,000 hours of volunteer work this season. Currently they are over halfway there! Last season the league’s athletes logged over 1800 hours of trail work on local trail systems all across North Carolina. 
- [Photo Gallery: Mortimer Fall Trail Weekend 2023 Success](https://ridenwnctrails.com/mortimer-fall-trail-weekend-2023-success/): Based out of the Mortimer Campground, this event supports the the Mortimer Trails Project which has brought significant funding, new trails, and a reduced maintenance backlog to the Grandfather District Trails in the Mortimer Area.
- [Alliance Chosen as Two for the Trails Grant Recipient](https://ridenwnctrails.com/alliance-chosen-as-two-for-the-trails-grant-recipient/): We’re proud to announce we’ve been chosen as a recipient of Athletic Brewing Company's Two for the Trails grant program! Athletic Brewing Company’s love for the great outdoors is why they created their Two For the Trails program, where they donate up to $2 million annually to help protect, preserve, and maintain local trails.
- [Photo Gallery: New Zacks Fork Gravity Trails](https://ridenwnctrails.com/photo-gallery-new-zacks-fork-gravity-trails/): This past summer, over a year's worth of planning, volunteering, and contracted trail work led to completion of the Gravity Trails expansion at Zacks Fork Trails in Lenoir.
- [Schoolhouse Ridge Trail Restoration Complete](https://ridenwnctrails.com/schoolhouse-ridge-trail-restoration-complete/): This trail, rated “most difficult,” follows the historic alignment in many places, including several steep, rocky sections.
- [Old Becomes New On Yancey Ridge](https://ridenwnctrails.com/old-becomes-new-on-yancey-ridge/): New Reroute of Exit Now Open!
- [Mortimer Trails Project Update: June 2021](https://ridenwnctrails.com/mortimer-trails-project-update-june-2021/): Big things are happening in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest! The dirt is really flying around, and we want to provide some updates on the Mortimer Trails Project.
- [Photo Gallery: Yancey Ridge Trail Renovation](https://ridenwnctrails.com/photo-gallery-yancey-ridge-trail-renovation/): Photos from the volunteer and contracted machine work on Yancey Ridge Trail (TR 259), starting in late 2020 and continuing through the first half of 2021!
- [USFS: Trails in the Mortimer Area of Wilson Creek improved through partnerships](https://ridenwnctrails.com/usfs-trails-in-the-mortimer-area-of-wilson-creek-improved-through-partnerships/): The public should use caution in the area and avoid active work zones.
- [Headwaters Hub Now Open at Warrior Creek](https://ridenwnctrails.com/headwaters-hub-now-open-at-warrior-creek/): On March 13 over thirty volunteers polished out new trails at the Warrior Creek “Headwaters” area at Kerr Scott.
- [Public comment period open for the Old Fort Trails Project – Trails For All](https://ridenwnctrails.com/public-comment-period-open-for-the-old-fort-trails-project-trails-for-all/): Please help advocate for these additions by commenting during the 30 day window, which opened February 24, 2021. Comments will help guide managers as they move into environmental review of the proposed trails, with a potential final decision on the trail plans this fall.
- [Grandfather District Approves the Mortimer Trails Project](https://ridenwnctrails.com/grandfather-district-approves-the-mortimer-trails-project/): We’ve got some good news for you. The Pisgah National Forest Grandfather Ranger District has approved the Mortimer Trails Project. This means that planned relocations of existing trails and construction of new trails are officially authorized to proceed, which will eventually bring over 10 miles of new trails to the system! We are very proud of our continued partnership with the Grandfather District and looking forward to working together in the years to come.
- [Santa Cruz awards The Alliance PayDirt grant for work on Yancey Ridge](https://ridenwnctrails.com/alliance-hits-paydirt/): This funding will be applied to our work on Yancey Ridge Trail in the Pisgah Grandfather District, part of the larger Mortimer Trails Project in Wilson Creek.
- [Update on Forest Plan Revision](https://ridenwnctrails.com/update-on-forest-plan-revision/): It is now time to submit comments on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan. Your comments will impact the decisions the USFS makes on how the forest will be managed for the next 20 years.
- [Trail Status Updates with Phase 1 Reopening](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trail-status-updates-with-phase-1-reopening/): With the North Carolina stay-at-home order being eased with the Phase 1 reopening, several trail systems in Northwest NC have reopened.
- [Update on Trail Closures and Alliance Activities](https://ridenwnctrails.com/update-on-trail-closures-and-alliance-activities/): Please look closely at the list of roads and trails before you ride.
- [Wilson Creek Area Trail Updates](https://ridenwnctrails.com/wilson-creek-area-trail-updates/): We are excited to provide some updates on some of the trail work in Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area of the Grandfather District. Noticeable changes are starting to occur on some trails, and this post is intended to summarize where things are to date. 
- [NICA Athletes Contributing to Northwest NC Trails](https://ridenwnctrails.com/nica-athletes-contributing-to-northwest-nc-trails/): 2019 has been a great year for the Alliance, and one of the highlights has been the strong youth participation in the maintenance of trails. Student-athletes from the North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League (NCICL), along with their families and coaches, have been out in force! 
- [Alliance Annual Meeting in Boone Dec. 13!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/alliance-annual-meeting-in-boone-dec-13/): The Alliance Annual Meeting will be in Boone, NC on Friday, December 13 at Bald Guy Brew Coffee Roasting Company (714 Old US 421 S). Doors will open at 6pm, and meeting will commence at 6:30. Drinks and Light Bites will be provided. Bald Guy Brew Coffee will be available to sample and purchase. Please carpool with others if possible, as we are expecting a big turnout. More info
- [2019 volunteer work starting off at a record setting pace!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/2019-volunteer-work-starting-off-at-a-record-setting-pace/): Although we are still in early spring, there has been a lot of trail activity in Northwest NC. Volunteers have been busy. To date in 2019, volunteers at events we have organized have contributed over 700 hours of work already!
- [See You Later, 2018!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/see-you-later-2018/): Many of our local trails will end the year under water.
- [Lake James State Park Work Day POSTPONED!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/lake-james-state-park-work-day-postponed/): With melting snow pack & rain in our forecast we're postponing our LJSP workday to Sat Jan 5 (9am).
- [Alliance 5th Anniversary Mountain Bike Raffle](https://ridenwnctrails.com/anniversary-raffle-2018/): We’re celebrating our 5th year by doing what we love; building and maintaining sustainable MTB trails for everyone to enjoy…we’re also giving away a carbon Santa Cruz or Juliana Mountain Bike!
- [Trail Prom Success!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trail-prom-success/): Trail Prom 2018 is a wrap! Thanks to the Town of Blowing Rock, our hosts, as well as all the volunteers, sponsors & attendees who made it a really special night out.
- [Ribbon cutting ceremony planned for Hickory mountain biking trails](https://ridenwnctrails.com/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-planned-for-hickory-mountain-biking-trails/): The City of Hickory and the Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance invite the public to attend a ribbon cutting for the Lake Hickory Trails on Friday, June 1, at 11:00 a.m., at the beginner loop trail head.
- [So you just bought your first real mountain bike, now what?](https://ridenwnctrails.com/beginners-guide/): Whether you are a seasoned veteran, or getting ready for your maiden voyage, here are some awesome resources that will have you "trail ready."
- [Freeze/Thaw Cycles Explained](https://ridenwnctrails.com/freeze-thaw-cycles-explained/): When is it okay to ride without doing permanent damage to the trail? How would you know if it's OK to ride before you get to the trail?
- [November News from the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/november-news-from-the-alliance/): Here’s a quick roundup of recent news from the Alliance.
- [October news from the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/october-news-from-the-alliance/): Chilly mornings and evenings with fall colors in the woods make for some of the best riding in Northwest NC!
- [Lake Hickory Trails Selected for National “Dig In” Campaign](https://ridenwnctrails.com/lake-hickory-trails-selected-for-national-dig-in-campaign/): This national campaign from IMBA is putting dollars directly toward 68 active, approved mountain bike projects in 31 states.
- [September news from the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/september-news-from-the-alliance/): Fall is just around the corner. Hopefully you are enjoying some great riding in the woods as temperatures start to cool!
- [2nd Annual Trail Prom Success](https://ridenwnctrails.com/2nd-annual-trail-prom-success/): Trail Prom 2017 is a wrap! Thanks to Dooley’s, our hosts, as well as all the volunteers & attendees who made it a really special night out.
- [22 Google Employees Lend a Hand at Zacks Fork](https://ridenwnctrails.com/22-google-employees-lend-a-hand-at-zacks-fork/): Alliance members in Lenoir hosted volunteers from Google's Lenoir data center who helped put some much appreciated labor on the trails at Zacks Fork.
- [Summer news from the Alliance!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/summer-news/): The recent Solstice signals the beginning of summer in Northwest NC and brings long days for more riding! Click to learn more about the Alliance happenings as we head into Summer!
- [Gallery: Bell Joy Ride Kickoff at Rocky Knob](https://ridenwnctrails.com/gallery-bell-joy-ride-kickoff-at-rocky-knob/): Alliance member and Bell Joy Ride Ambassador Lauren Hutchins leads the program in our area.
- [Welcome Spring, you could win a free bike from IMBA!](https://ridenwnctrails.com/welcome-spring-you-could-win-a-free-bike/): Tis the season for some beautiful Northwest NC weather and excellent riding. This newsletter is sent to our members and all contacts we have acquired at events or through IMBA. We hope that you will enjoy these updates and meet us out on the trails!
- [The Alliance and Lake James State Park Continue Successful Partnership](https://ridenwnctrails.com/lake-james-state-park-west-wimba-reroute-complete/): The Alliance is stoked to announce several new details for the MTB trails at Lake James State Park.
- [Gallery: Dark Grind Race at Dark Mountain](https://ridenwnctrails.com/gallery-dark-grind-race-at-dark-mountain/): The Southern Classic Mountain Bike Series returned to Kerr Scott on April 9 for the annual Dark Grind and we've posted 101 photos of the epicness!
- [Bell expands 2017 Joy Ride women’s mountain bike program, announces ride program ambassadors](https://ridenwnctrails.com/bell-joy-ride/): New ambassadors include Alliance member Lauren Hutchins from Boone!
- [OVT Work Party Postponed Due To Storm](https://ridenwnctrails.com/ovt-work-party-postponed-due-to-storm/): Rescheduled to Saturday, January 28th.
- [Temporary Closure Affects Woods Mountain Loop on Grandfather Ranger District](https://ridenwnctrails.com/temporary-closure-affects-woods-mountain-loop-on-grandfather-ranger-district/): The closure will impact hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians accessing the Woods Mountain Loop.
- [Rolling into 2017](https://ridenwnctrails.com/rolling-into-2017/): The Alliance is closing out 2016 with this post, and here are some updates!
- [2017 Women’s Group Rides](https://ridenwnctrails.com/2017-womens-group-rides/): The Alliance announces two scheduled Women’s Group Rides that will take place this winter.
- [Lake James State Park Closed as Wildfires Continue](https://ridenwnctrails.com/lake-james-state-park-closed-as-wildfires-continue/): Update: LJSP is back open. Check their website for trail conditions.

## Pages
- [Jobs](https://ridenwnctrails.com/jobs/): The Alliance will be adding full-time paid staff positions soon in Spring 2026. Watch this page for job postings.
- [Ticket Purchase Confirmation](https://ridenwnctrails.com/raffle/confirmation/): Thank you for supporting the Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance.  An email receipt is on it's way!
- [Alliance 2023 Spring Fundraising Raffle](https://ridenwnctrails.com/raffle/): 2023 NWNC MTB Alliance Spring Raffle
- [Timeline: The Alliance’s Relationship with Wilson Creek](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/grandfather-district/wilson-creek-timeline/): Highlights of our work in Wilson Creek and the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest
- [Volunteer and Build Trails with The Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/build/): Sign up here to know when and where we're digging! This form can also be used to update your contact information.
- [Privacy Policy](https://ridenwnctrails.com/about-the-alliance/privacy-policy/): This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their 'Personally Identifiable Information' (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.
- [My account](https://ridenwnctrails.com/my-account/)
- [Checkout](https://ridenwnctrails.com/checkout/)
- [Cart](https://ridenwnctrails.com/cart/)
- [Alliance Shop](https://ridenwnctrails.com/shop/): The NWNC MTB Alliance supports the trails you ride in Northwest NC! When you buy goods from our shop, those sales build more trails!
- [Contact The Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/about-the-alliance/contact/): Drop us a message, or subscribe to our newsletter
- [Riverbend Park](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/riverbend-park/): Catawba County NC
- [Mountain Bike Trails in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/grandfather-district/): Pisgah National Forest
- [Kerr Scott Trails](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/kerr-scott/): Wilkesburmo
- [Lake Hickory Trails](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/lake-hickory/): The Lake Trails are a local favorite for a great weekend loop or after work spin.
- [Rocky Knob MTB Park](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/rocky-knob-mtb-park/): Boone's Mountain bike park
- [Zacks Fork Trail](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/zacks-fork/): Lenoir
- [Lake James State Park](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/lake-james/): The trails at Lake James State Park provide a back-country experience with an open feel and solid mileage for any level of rider.
- [Board of Directors](https://ridenwnctrails.com/about-the-alliance/board-of-directors/): List of volunteer board of directors who help shape the direction of The Alliance.
- [Trails Supported by the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/trails/): We are very fortunate to have more public lands and trails in Northwest North Carolina than most places in the Southeast!
- [News](https://ridenwnctrails.com/news/): What's happening in The Alliance
- [Support the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/donate/): Your tax deductible donation to The Alliance helps to continue the mission of great mountain biking.
- [Join the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/join/): Help us build more mountain bike trails in NWNC!
- [About the Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/about-the-alliance/): The Alliance is a SORBA Chapter – promoting land access, trail preservation, and new trail development on federal, state, and local lands of northwestern North Carolina.
- [Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance](https://ridenwnctrails.com/): The Alliance promotes land access, trail preservation & new trail development on the federal, state & local lands in our region.

## Events
- [2026 NPLD Work Party at Kerr Scott](https://ridenwnctrails.com/event/npld-work-party-at-kerr-scott-2026/): Join the Alliance for National Public Lands Day at Kerr Scott. We will be meeting at the Visitors Assistance Center near the main OVT trailhead at 9am. From there we will divide into groups and cover several maintenance items along the OVT and adjacent trails. Bring sturdy footwear, work gloves, and water. Tools will be provided. Please fill out the Trail Volunteer RSVP form so we can plan ahead.
- [Lake Hickory Park Trails – Community Workday and Ride Saturday 10/24/26](https://ridenwnctrails.com/event/lake-hickory-park-trails-community-workday-and-ride/): Please join us for a Community Trail Workday at the Lake Hickory City Park Trail Network on Saturday morning October 24th!  We need your support to keep our trails running great!  Meet at the Lake Hickory Park MTB parking lot. Please bring a daypack with water & snacks. We will provide some tools & trail crew leaders, but we welcome you to bring flat shovels and leaf rakes. No experience required. We will be performing maintenance on several different trails, focused on clearing drainages of debris to help reduce erosion on the trail in preparation for the rainy winter season. Sturdy footwear, personal water, gloves & safety glasses are strongly recommended.
- [Mortimer Fall Trail Weekend 2026](https://ridenwnctrails.com/event/mortimer-fall-trail-weekend-2026/): The Mortimer Spring Fall Weekend is returning in 2026 with a Halloween edition on October 30-31!