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Mountain Bikers took to the trails at Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday, July 18, for the Summer Ride and Chill event. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

Oak Mountain State Park will host mountain bikers from Sept. 5-6 to compete in the 26th annual “Bump N’ Grind” races. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

BUMP volunteers Braxton Bruce and Madelyn Roberson work on cleaning up the pump track at Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday.

By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – Bicycling enthusiasts of all skill level had the opportunity to ride through Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday, July 18 when Birmingham Urban Mountain Peddlers (BUMP) held its summer group ride.

The event, called Ride and Chill, was open to the public and started at 8 a.m. at the Dogwood pavilion, which is located at the South Trail head parking lot next to the BUMP shed. From there, riders took to the trail.

“We are advocates for the mountain biking community. We get rides to get people together from time to time,” BUMP President Jeff Rozycki said. “Since COVID-19 and quarantines have started, the number of trail users we have has doubled. People are looking for ways to get active outside.”

The ride was designed as a way to get people more familiar with the great resource that OMSP’s trails are for the community. The ride was accessible to people of all skill levels so that anyone will feel comfortable joining in.

“If we have beginners we can do a 5 mile loop, and if we have intermediate riders we have a 10 mile loop,” Rozycki explained. “For more advanced riders we can take on the full trail.”

There is also a social aspect to the trail rides. Riding in groups like this allows people to get out and safely enjoy activities outside, and to introduce them to other riders. Rozycki said that it really helps build their confidence as a person and as a rider.

Aside from hosting public biking events BUMP helps maintain the more than 50 miles of trails at the park. Their volunteers spend more than 1,000 hours helping maintain the park and they are always looking for more people to participate.

This and other events are open to the public, and only the park’s entrance fee is necessary to participate.

For more information about the event or to become a volunteer visit BUMP.org.

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