Conservation Successes

Singletrack Mountain Biking Takes a Giant Leap Forward in Tennessee

First-of-its-kind agreement

Chattanooga , TN ( July 17th, 2005 ) - This summer, the Chattanooga Chapter of the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association (SORBAnooga) entered into an unprecedented agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority(TVA). The agreement assures public access to approximately 4,000 acres of TVA-owned woodlands overlooking the spectacular Tennessee River Gorge and surrounding the agency's Raccoon Mt. Pumped Storage Facility. Just 15 minutes west of downtown Chattanooga, the Raccoon Mt. trail system will offer everyone access to up to 20 miles of quality singletrack trail for mountain biking and hiking. Public access to the area was previously restricted to a paved 4-mile loop road. SORBAnooga volunteers have already begun work on the trail system, in accordance with TVA guidelines and using standards adopted from the International Mountain Biking Association.

This first-of-its-kind agreement with TVA was the result of extensive discussions and negotiations over the past year. The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program was instrumental in facilitating the partnership between SORBA and TVA and continues to provide technical assistance on trail layout and development. RTCA will continue to provide planning support to SORBAnooga and its "Singletrack Minds" initiative, a five-year effort to develop 100-miles of singletrack in and around Chattanooga . For more information, please contact Jeff Duncan at jeff_duncan@nps.gov or 423-266-1150.