New Mountain Bike Pump Track Opened in Western North Carolina
Officials in Spruce Pine, located in Mitchell County, N.C., recently announced the opening of western Carolina’s newest mountain bike pump track called The Thickets.
The track opened this past Saturday, May 22, at Brad Ragan Park near Shelter #3. The grand opening event welcomed riders of all skill levels, including kids, to come with their bikes and helmets to try out the track. Plus people had the opportunity to meet biker Chris Boone, known for a record-setting Blue Ridge Parkway ride, and international cyclist Marc Poland, both of whom are Mitch County locals.
The town of Spruce Pine gave the land for the pump track along with partial funding for construction. Trail builder TJ Kearns, who will also be a special guest at the grand opening event, was able to build the track entirely with volunteer hours along with Boone and Tim Kearns, a mountain bike enthusiast and a member of Mitchell County’s Outdoor Recreation Task Force.
“We are beyond excited to see the new pump track’s grand opening scheduled,” Patti Jensen, with Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, told ABC 13 News. “This project will be the first announced since the task force began, and we are thankful for the commitment of task force member Tim Kearns towards this project. He was the driving force and energy behind its success.”
Nantahala Ranger District to Host “Kid’s Fishing Day” Event
In celebration of National Fish and Boating week, the Nantahala Ranger District will host a “Kid’s Fishing Day” event on Saturday, June 5, when kids will be able to fish for free. The event will take place at the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area at 8am and will go until 1pm.
Kids ages 15 and under are eligible to fish at this annual event, with no fishing license or experience required, though all children are required to be accompanied by an adult. The more popular events may have to adjust age and creel limits or stagger fishing times to ensure the safety of participants. The recreation area will be closed temporarily to the general public for the event that day.
“The fishing event allows families and friends to share fun, quality time together while learning about one of our nation’s favorite pastimes – fishing,” the Forest Service stated in a press release.
