Welcome to the 11th Annual Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival. In 1997 members of the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club (SMBC) wanted to host a fun mountain bike event in the George Washington National Forest for those visiting during the UCI World Cup Downhill Race at Massanutten. This event was the start of the annual tradition of riding, trail work, camping and fundraising known as the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival. We encourage you to participate in any of the events that will take place over these three days.

A major purpose of the festival is to get people involved with local cycling clubs. If you live in the Shenandoah Valley this is a great weekend to join, or renew your membership to the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club(SMBC), Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Club(SVBC) or Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club(CAMBC). If you do not live in the Valley you are still invited to join these active local cycling organizations. Most importantly think about supporting your local club wherever you call home.

We ask everyone who attends the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival to register when arriving at the Stokesville Campground. We would also appreciate you signing up for one of the many volunteers slots prior to the weekend. The fees for registration cover the many expenses associated with the festival as well as raising a significant amount of money for the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club (SMBC). SMBC is a non-profit (501C3) organization that has been the leader in volunteer trail work in the George Washington National Forest for the past decade.

Pre-Registration is now available! Click here to pre-register at Active.com or download and mail-in a registration form.

• Single Day Fee: $15(pre)/$20(site) includes rides, beverages, day campground use and a meal, but does not include overnight camping.
• Two Day Fee: $35(pre)/$45(site) includes two days of rides, food and beverages, use of campground facilities for two days and one night of camping.
• Weekend Fee (Fri-Sun): $50(pre)/$60(site) covers the whole weekend of activities starting with Friday afternoon and going through the end of the festival on Sunday. Two dinners are included, two breakfasts, two nights of camping, lunch, and a weekend of rides, activities and a bunch of fun!!
• Kids under 16 are free

Ride Levels

Easiest

All riding in the GW National Forest is difficult due to the naturally mountainous terrain. These rides will travel the easiest terrain offered in the area but nonetheless, you will experience challenging terrain and long sustained climbs. The pace is design to keep the group together.

Moderate

Mountain bike experience is strongly encouraged to tackle one of these rides, which will include technical singletrack trails and climbs of over one mile in length. The pace is designed to start and finish as a group, even though it may spread out during the ride.

Difficult

These rides will tackle some of the most difficult terrain the GW National Forest has to offer. There will be sections that a majority of experienced riders will find challenging along with steep climbs of at least 30-45 minutes in length. These rides are not recommended to those who do not know the terrain or have substantial experience riding in the mountains. Ability to ride non-stop for four hours is a must.

Extremely Difficult

These rides will be long and very hard, traveling to remote parts of the National Forest. The rides will incorporate the most challenging trails in the GW National Forest and include several long climbs and steep, mind-blowing descents. These rides are only recommended for very experience, expert riders who are used to the terrain the GW National Forest. Can you ride all day?

Friday, October 12th (Campground opens at 12:00pm)

3:00pm Festival Kick Off Ride: For those wanting a little earlier start to the Festival. This ride will head up Stribblings Springs to Dowells Draft and loop back around over Lookout. Some series climbing to start the festival, but one of the greatest downhills in the GW Forest.

• Level: Difficult / Ride Length: 3.5-4 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. __________ 2. __________

4:00pm Six Pack Downhill Ride: This weekly ride as been a tradition for 12 years and always kicks off the festival weekend. We will ride from the campground for 3 miles on pavement to the Trimble Mountain Trail, which is a 4 mile difficult loop has some of the finest tight, twisty, off camber single track in the GW Forest. Of course we will have an individual time trial down the mountain to see who wins the weekly traditional Six Pack Ride. No six pack entry this week; it is part of the festival registration.

• Level: Moderate / Ride Length: 1.5-2.5 hours
• Ride Leaders: Six Pack Crew

7:00pm Friday Dinner: Menu is still open but we will have food to fuel you up for the morning trail work.

8:30pm Grindstone Night Adventure: Enjoy the trails at night but make sure you have a good light. This loop is only about 10 miles but is either going up or down!!

• Level: Moderate / Ride Length: 1.5-2.5 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. __________ 2. __________

Saturday, October 13th

9:00am-12:00pm Trail Work: Bring some good working clothes and gloves, SMBC will supply the tools. This year.s efforts will focus on the ongoing improvement of Narrow Back, a favorite trail system for mountain bikers of all levels.

• Crew Leaders:1. Mike Carpenter 2. Chris Scott 3. Rich Edwards 4. Matthew Wikswo 5. __________

10:00am Stage One Ride: This ride is taken out of the books from the 2007 Tour de Burg. Travel the North River Trail to the super steep slopes of Buck Mountain and return via the entire Narrow Back Ridge.

• Level: Extremely Difficult / Ride Length: 5-6 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Trevor Graham 2. Joel Maynard

10:30am Burley Trailer and Tag-a-long Ride:Bring your kids, dog, or whatever you please along for a mellow group ride. All with burley-type trailers or tag-a-longs welcome for a conversational ride on a mix of local roads and fire roads.

• Level: Easiest/ Ride Length: 1-2 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Paul Johnston 2. 

1:30pm Super Steep Camp Todd & Chestnut Ridge: There is a reason the 100 miler does not go up Camp Todd to get to Little Bald, and it is steep! This ride will travel a large portion of the Wild Oak Trail with Grindstone, Grooms and Skidmore all great options at the end.

• Level: Difficult / Ride Length: 4-5 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Chris Scott 2. Kyle Lawrenece

2:00pm JMU Cycling Club Ride: You don.t have to be a student to enjoy this adventure . all are welcome on this ride led by the JMU Cycling Club. This two-part ride features an opening, easier section on Narrow Back Mountain, and then, if you still want more riding, continue up the super steep slopes of the Sandsprings trail to the Timber Ridge Trail, known to the locals as Heartstone Ridge. Four years of undergrad might be easier than this ride, but it will be just as much fun.

• Level: Easiest/Moderate / Ride Length: 2.0-4.0 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Chase and JMU Crew (members TBD) 2. __________

2:30pm IMBA's "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day": We are a week late for this annual IMBA national event, so we will have our own kids' ride. Mountain biking is fun for all, so help introduce the sport to the next generation. All are welcome for this ride. There will be a Burley trailer kid.s ride, and two other options for those ages 10 and up.**A group will ride to the Narrow Back Trail head but there will also a shuttle group to the trail head.

• Level: Easiest/Moderate / Ride Length: .5 hour-3 hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Dick Heerschap (non-Burley adult leader) 2. __________(adult leader) 3. Seth (young leader) 4. Jack (young leader)

3:30 pm Women's Clinic: Ladies, come practice some skills that will help you become more comfortable and proficient on the bike. After the campground-based clinic, we'll head out for a short ride. There will be plenty to learn in this comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. All women welcome.

• Clinic Length 1.5-2.0 hours / Level: All women welcome.
• Ride Leaders: 1. Sue Haywood 2. Sue George 3. Jenni Banning 4.  Marcia Lamphier 5. Amy Potter 6. Amy Potter 7. Michele Co

6:30pm Dinner: A buffet style Mexi meal will fuel everyone up for the next day's activities.

8:00pm Slide Show: A slide show of the sport we love. Always a good time afterwards around the campfire, bring some extra coins to help keep the kegs flowing.

Sunday, October 14th

9:30-1:00 Trail Work: SMBC lets you sleep in an extra ½ hour on Sunday!! Come join in the ongoing improvement of Narrow Back Mountain.

• Crew Leaders:1. Mike Carpenter 2. Rich Edwards 3. __________ 4. __________ 5. __________

10:00am Women's Adventure Ride: We tried it last year, but the weather gods didn't co-operate, so we'll try again! Unlike years past, this group women's ride will travel deep into the GW National Forest. We'll also have a bail-out / moderate option, too, for those with a bit less endurance in their legs.

• Level: Moderate through Extremely Difficult / Ride Length: 3-5 Hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Sue Haywood (the biggie) 2. Sue George (short option) 3. Jenni Banning 4.  Marcia Lamphier 5. Amy Potter 6. Amy Potter 7. Michele Co

10:30am Dowells-Braleys Connection: Two of finest downhills offered? That is what some will say about this ride. This loop is large but there is a cutoff point at the bottom of Dowells Draft for those needing to return sooner.

• Level: Difficult/ Extremely Difficult / Ride Length: 5-7 Hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Kirby Walke 2. Matthew Wikswo 3. __________(optional cutoff)

1:30pm Trimble Mountain and Grindstone: Trimble is always a great all singletrack loop, but it is a four mile ride to the trailhead, too. For those wanting to travel another mountain on the way back to the campground, there is Grindstone Mountain, too.

• Level: Moderate/Difficult / Ride Length: 3-4 Hours
• Ride Leaders: 1. Mike Carpenter 2. __________(optional second leader)

2:30pm Festival Closing Ride on Narrow Back: This ride has become a tradition at the festival. A chill paced ride on moderate trails on Narrow Back Mountain. Enjoy the chance to admire our weekend's handiwork!

• Ride Length: 2-3 Hours / Level: Easiest / Moderate
• Ride Leaders: 1. Mike Fornecker 2. __________

6:00pm Campground Closes: See you next year!

The Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival is 100% volunteer organized. We ask you to please consider volunteering a small portion of time during the weekend to make the festival run smoothly. We are always looking for ride leaders, set up and tear down help, cook & clean crews and registration folks. Below is a list of needed volunteers. Call Thomas 540/434-9943 or email tj@shenandoahbicycle.com for more information.

Ride Leaders

Must have knowledge of area, map with you and count as high as there are riders. Make sure no one gets lost and has a time of their life. See above schedule for rides that still need ride leaders.

Preparation

Be able to bust-a-move and lift at least 220lbs with one arm.

• Wednesday: Trailer Prep and Food Shop (6-8pm)
  • 3 Volunteers: 1. Thomas Jenkins 2. Paul Pineo 3. __________
• Thursday: Campground Set up (7pm-10pm)
  • 4 Volunteers: 1. Paul Hahnson 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. _________

Meal Help

Be able to wash hands, stir and know the difference between a fork and knife.

• Friday Dinner Help: 6pm - 8pm (Head Cook + 3 Volunteers)
  • 1. Dick Heerschap 2. Seth Heerschap 3. Peter Heerschap 4. __________
• Friday Dinner Clean Up: 8pm - 9pm (Head Clean-up + 4 Volunteers)
  • 1. The Neary Family 2. __________
• Saturday Breakfast: 7am - 10am (Head Cook + 3 Volunteers)
  • 1. Justin Wimpey 2. Dirk Heerschap 3. Basil 4. __________
• Saturday Breakfast Clean-Up: 9:30am - 11am (Head Clean-up + 3 Volunteers)
  • 1. __________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________
• Saturday Dinner: 4:30pm - 7pm (Head Cook + 6 Volunteers)
  • 1. Thomas Jenkins 2. Kristin Wilson 3. Steve Rossi 4. Justin Wimpey (grill master) 5. Read Brodhead 6. Matt Day
• Saturday Dinner Clean Up: 7pm - 8:30pm (Head Clean-up + 6 Volunteers)
  • 1. Marshall 2. Marcia 3. Basil 4. __________ 5. __________ 6. __________ 7.__________
• Sunday Breakfast: 7am-10am (Head Cook + 4 Volunteers)
  • 1. Chris Hoy 2. Kari Carpenter 3. Kate Morris 4. __________ 5. __________
• Sunday Breakfast Clean-Up: 9:30am-11am (Head Clean-up + 3 Volunteers)
  • 1. __________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________
• Sunday Lunch: 12:30pm - 2:30pm (Head Cook + 3 Volunteers)
  • 1. Leetun Family 2. Basil 3. __________ 4. __________

Registration/Information

1 volunteer for each time slot, to register people, answer questions, keep supplies flowing and most importantly keep the music going.

• Friday
  • (2pm-4pm) __________ (7pm-9pm) Sue Haywood
• Saturday:
  • (8am-10am) __________ (5pm-7pm) __________
• Sunday:
  • (9am-11am) __________

Festival Break Down and Clean Up

Be able to bust-a-move, overfill a truck with supplies and scrub at 420 rpms.

• Sunday 4:30pm - 6:30pm Campground Break Down and Truck Loading
  • 6 Volunteers: 1. Pat Miller 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________ 5. __________ 6. __________
• Monday Trailer Clean Up (in Town)
  • 5 Volunteers 1. Trevor Graham 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________ 5. __________

The Stokesville Campground is a private campground that is only open during the Shenandaoh Mountain Bike Festival and the Shenandoah Mountain 100 and SMBC is very lucky to have access to such a beautiful facility. Please respect the property and leave your campsite in the better condition then when you arrived. There are over 50 available campsites and a large covered pavilion which serves as a meeting place, dine hall and dance floor. Toilets are available on site as well as a primitive shower.

From Interstate I-81

Take exit 240 and Follow Rt. 257 west to Bridgewater. Take a left on Rt. 42 south, cross the bridge leaving Bridgewater and turn right onto Rt. 727. Follow to T and turn left staying on 727. Follow to stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 730, and follow to Stokesville. At next stop sign turn left on Rt. 730 and cross over the Iron Bridge. The Stokesville Campground is immediately on your right.

From Harrisonburg

Take Route 42 South 5 miles to Bridgewater. Cross the bridge leaving Bridgewater and turn right onto Rt. 727. Follow to T and turn left staying on 727. Follow to stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 730, and follow to Stokesville. At next stop sign turn left on Rt. 730 and cross over the Iron Bridge. The Stokesville Campground is immediately on your right.