 Tanasi Family Mountain Bike
Festival
Ocoee Whitewater Center
Cherokee National Forest
Saturday & Sunday, September 30 - October 1, 2000
Alternative Fall Festival
Bored with the typical southern Fall Festival? How about all the fun
and challenge of a traditional mountain bike festival but with plenty for the kids and
non-biking or beginner spouse or friend? How about introducing the kids to Llamas, or
learning basic mountain bike skills, or how does a Native American scavenger hunt sound?
Interested? Read on my friend.
Thanks to the attention that the 1996 Olympic whitewater competition
brought the area, the Ocoee River, which carves through a corner of the Cherokee National
Forest, provides exciting rafting and kayaking for thrill seekers from all over the world.
The region has appropriately developed an identity as kind of an alternative sports Mecca.
Sure the National Forest historically has been known for having exceptional hiking,
camping, and fishing. But now the region is establishing itself as an exceptional
mountain bike destination. The folks at the Ocoee Whitewater Center (highway 64)
have been building several miles of trails each year since the Olympics. To celebrate
these efforts, The Ocoee Whitewater Center is sponsoring the Third Annual Tanasi Family
Mountain Bike Festival. A whole weekend of events geared around families and individuals
that either are just learning the sport or are already accomplished riders. "The
evolving trail complex encompasses approximately 40 miles of off–road riding,"
proudly remarks Frank Lewis, the Director of the Whitewater Center. "There is plenty
of variety too, starting with a paved riverside trail which winds around the Whitewater
facility itself to the "epic rides" that wind up and over beautiful Chestnut
Mountain." Speaking of variety…this year, the folks at the Whitewater Center
chose to combine the Tanasi Festival with the Fifth Annual Ocoee River Days Celebration.
Why not? The bigger the event, the better.
The Ocoee River Days Celebration was originally set-up to commemorate
the anniversary of the Center’s opening and the end of the whitewater season (the
flow of the river is carefully controlled to allow for the water levels needed for the
whitewater recreation and to prevent flooding). Here is a partial list of the activities
planned for the weekend: Raft rides on the Olympic Course, Environmental & Historical
Interpretive Bicycle Rides, Kids-n-Kayaks, Face Painting & Costume Making (Native
American/Cherokee themes), Scavenger Hunts, Bubble Boxing & Velcro Toss, Live Music;
finally you can bet they’re gonna have some good things to eat too, or it
wouldn’t really be a festival would it? Whew! That is a lot for one weekend. Oh by
the way, the word "Tanasi" "ten-ass-see" comes from the ancient
Cherokee Indian term for this region, get it Tanasi…Tennessee. Below I have provided
the basic details. If you have additional questions you can call (423) 496-5197 or
www.chattbike.com.
Join us at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in the Cherokee National Forest for the Tanasi
Family Mountain Bike Festival and Ocoee River Days.
The Cherokee National Forest is home to some of the finest off-road bike trails
to be found...
The Tanasi Trail System is an evolving trail complex that will
eventually encompass over 40 miles of trails. From the paved riverside trails at the
Whitewater Center, a bridge across the Ocoee River is the gateway to an awesome variety of
trails that will cross Chestnut Mountain to link with the Iron Mountain and Conasauga
River trails. Along with the incredible beauty of the Cherokee National Forest, the Tanasi
Trail System has the unique feature of originating from the banks of the Olympic
whitewater course at the Ocoee River.
The weekend of the Festival, the water will be running over the Olympic course for the
last time this year. It will not be available again until spring of 2001. An added
attraction this year will be raft rides down the Olympic course. Local
Outfitters will be on hand with all the equipment and for a nominal fee you can experience
the thrill of Olympic whitewater. Children must be 12 years old and accompanied by an
adult to participate.
All proceeds from the festival will go to the Trail
Maintenance Fund.
Free primitive group camping included Friday and Saturday night.
Ocoee River Day: Family Fun!
- Raft Rides available on the Olympic Whitewater Course
- Flat water kayak fun for the kids
- Live Music
- Scavenger hunt and games
- Clowns and balloon sculpture
- Attic Treasures Sale
- Face Painting & Costume Making
- Storytelling
- Llama Petting Exhibit
Friday, September 29
- 7-9 pm - Event Registration at group campsite
- Night Ride from group campsite if requested
Saturday, September 30
- 8 am: Event Registration at Event site
- 9 am: Ocoee River Day Events Begin
- 9 am - 2 pm: Organized Bike Rides (All Ability Levels - Epic to
Beginner) - includes Scenic/Photography Ride
- 10:30: Interpretive Bike Ride on the Old Copper Road
- Mountain Bike Clinic
- 11 am - 2 pm: Lunch
- 2 pm - 4 pm: Bike Games includes Log Pull; Granny Gear Race; Huffy
Toss; Boulder Hop (Technical Handling)
- 5 pm: Dinner
- Evening: Night Rides, Music, and visit with friends
Sunday, October 1
- 8:00 am - Pancake Cookoff for Breakfast
- 9:30 am - Poker Run
- 9:30 am - 1:30 pm: Organized Rides (All Ability Levels)
PANCAKE COOKOFF: Bring your favorite pancake recipe, ingredients for pancakes
for 10 people, and a stove. Butter, syrup, plates will be provided - unless you have your
own special syrup.
Additional Information:
Daisy Blanton 706/820-1157 or DaisyBRider@cs.com
Sherry Sparks - Ocoee Whitewater Center - 423/496-5197 or toll-free 877/OWC-6050 |
