TANASI CHALLENGE
Mountain Bike Festival and Race
Ocoee Whitewater Center
Cherokee National Forest

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 12-14, 2002

Alternative Spring Festival

Bored with the typical southern Spring 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 animals from the Tennessee Wildlife Center with fun activities, or learning basic mountain bike skills. Then how about topping it off with a fully sanctioned mountain bike race? 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 Fourth Annual Tanasi Challenge Mountain Bike Festival and the Third Annual Tanasi Challenge Mountain Bike Race are being combined into a weekend to be remembered. A whole weekend of events geared around families and individuals that either are just learning the sport or are already accomplished riders.  Along with all the activities are a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and the Pancake Cookoff for breakfast on Sunday. Also, group camping at Thunder Rock Campground is included with the festival fee. Thunder Rock is a short ride from the Whitewater Center.  "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." Several new sections of trail have been added to the existing trail system resulting in a challenge worthy of the experts. All proceeds from the Festival go to support the Tanasi Trail System.

About the Race

The Tanasi Challenge Mountain Bike Race, on April 14, is part of the TBRA Championship Series with categories for riders of all abilities. You don't have to be a pro, just show up with your bike and helmet according to the schedule included and have some fun. Or better yet, come early and join in on all the festivities and fun of the festival including camping and meals for just a small additional fee. All proceeds from the race go to support the Tennessee Wildlife Center. The course is approximately 11 miles per lap. Each lap consist of tight twisty single track, double track with a really fast descent, and some forest service road. It will also include some recently completed trails. Overall the couse is both challenging and rewarding to riders of all abilities.

Join us at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in the Cherokee National Forest on the weekend of April 12-14 for the Tanasi Challenge Mountain Bike Festival and Race.

Start times and laps

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. Nearby, along the banks of Parksville Lake is Chilhowee Mountain with a trail system that will rival Tsali for some of the best single-track mountain biking in the Southeast. After checking out the several new sections of trail just completed, one of our local 'expert' riders commented that he can ride 20 miles of trail without riding any of it twice. He says the Tanasi trail system is now his favorite place to ride.

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 (706) 820-1157or DaisyBRider@cs.com about the festival or (423) 267-0821or kallen@CSTCC.CC.TN.US about the race.

All proceeds from the festival will go to the Whitewater Center Trail Maintenance Fund - proceeds from the race will go to the Tennessee Wildlife Center.

Check out the ONLINE REGISTRATION!

Group camping Friday and Saturday night at Thunder Rock Campground included in the registration for the festival.

The festival will include: Guided rides all three days (from easy to challenging) on the Tanasi Trail System - including several new sections of trail added this year - and the trails at Chilhowee on Sunday Interpretive Ride on the Old Copper Road Various night rides for riders of all abilities MTB Games: Log Pull; Granny Gear Race; Huffy Toss; Boulder Hop Team Peggy: Drag Race Kids Race Commemorative T-shirt and Goody Bag Prizes and swag Continental Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Saturday Pancake Cookoff Sunday Tanasi Challenge Mountain Bike Race on Sunday Some activities for young kids Mountain Bike Clinics by Team Peggy Group camping at Thunder Rock Campground Discount on Friday night meal at a nearby restaurant Music

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:
Festival: Daisy Blanton 706/820-1157 or DaisyBRider@cs.com
Race: Kenny Allen 423/267-0821 or kallen@cstcc.cc.tn.us