Oak Ridge Today

Windrock Park hosting Downhill Mountain Bike Nationals

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The opening round of the USA Cycling National Downhill Series began at Windrock Park this week. It started Wednesday with the Tennessee National event. There are downhill and enduro races scheduled for this weekend.

“Some of the best riders in the world will tackle one of the toughest courses in the United States in the first competition of the year for the series,” a press release said. “Huge jumps and high speed descents are expected as pros ‘ride the rock” this week.”

The press release said a Red Bull Freestyle Jam on Friday was expected to be a highlight for riders and spectators, including a big air competition with prizes for best trick and best whip.

Keynote competitive events this week include a pro downhill final at noon Saturday and a pro enduro race on Sunday.

[Read more…]

New Windrock Bike Park has first pro event, Pro Gravity Tour, in March

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Photo courtesy Adventure Anderson County/Explore Oak Ridge

Photo courtesy Adventure Anderson County/Explore Oak Ridge

 

The new mountain bike park at Windrock Park has recruited its first professional event, tourism officials said Tuesday.

The Pro Gravity Tour will take place at the the mountain bike park on March 11 and 12.

Windrock Park is north of Oliver Springs. The mountain bike park was designed and built by professional mountain bikers Neko Mulally and Sean Leader, according to Adventure Anderson County and Explore Oak Ridge. It’s laid out on 550 acres of Windrock Park and includes nine trails ranging from one to 1.5 miles long. Shuttles are available on the weekends, and riders can self-shuttle through the week.

Visit windrockbikepark.com for more information.

Windrock opens mountain bike park in Oliver Springs

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Information from WYSH Radio

Windrock Park is opening a new uplift assisted mountain bike park in Oliver Springs. The bike park features nine trails, including a new flow trail and improved intermediate terrain.

“The terrain at Windrock Park is amazing, and anyone who has ridden the mountain bike trails can see that the potential has always been huge,” said Neko Mulally, professional mountain bike rider who, along with fellow professional biker Sean Leader, designed and built the park. “When the opportunity came up to develop the trails into something bigger, I had to jump on it.”

The bike park is laid out on 550 acres nestled in the Cumberland Mountains on the Windrock Park’s property, which is a total of 72,000 acres. The park includes five trails ranging from one mile to 1.5 miles long, each dropping 1,100 vertical feet taking an average of five to 10 minutes to complete. There are connector trails to give riders the option to combine trails. [Read more…]

Photo: Officials celebrate legislation allowing ATVs on US 25W in Rocky Top

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Rocky Top Ribbon-Cutting for ATVs July 1 2016

Officials in Rocky Top and Anderson County, along with Tennessee legislators, had a ribbon-cutting to celebrate legislation that allows all-terrain vehicles to ride on Highway 25W starting Friday, July 1, 2016. (Photo by Jerry Creasey)

 

Officials in Rocky Top and Anderson County and Tennessee legislators had a ribbon-cutting on Friday, July 1, to celebrate legislation that allows all-terrain vehicles to ride on Highway 25W, or US 25W, starting this month.

The celebration included officials from the City of Rocky Top, Rocky Top Chamber of Commerce, and Anderson County Tourism Council.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation to amend state law to allow for all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, to ride on Highway 25W in Rocky Top from the intersection of Colonial Lane to the intersection at Jacksboro Avenue beginning July 1, a press release said.

“Current legislation (before July 1) allows for ATVs to be operated on State Route 116 from Beech Grove to Highway 25,” said Mike Lovely, Rocky Top mayor. “This amendment extends the riding area and allows riders from Windrock Park to access the commerce area of Rocky Top.” [Read more…]

Officials to celebrate legislation allowing ATVs on Highway 25W in Rocky Top

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City of Rocky Top Seal

Officials in Rocky Top and Anderson County will have a ribbon-cutting on Friday, July 1, to celebrate recent legislation that allows all-terrain vehicles to ride on Highway 25W starting this summer.

The celebration will include officials from the City of Rocky Top, Rocky Top Chamber of Commerce, and Anderson County Tourism Council. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday, July 1, at the “Welcome to Rocky Top City” sign located between the southbound exit ramp of Exit 129 off of Interstate 75 and the Colonial Road in front of KFC and Cracker Barrel.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation to amend current law that would allow for all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, to ride on Highway 25W in Rocky Top from the intersection of Colonial Lane to the intersection at Jacksboro Avenue beginning July 1, a press release said.

“Current legislation allows for ATVs to be operated on State Route 116 from Beech Grove to Highway 25,” said Mike Lovely, Rocky Top mayor. “This amendment extends the riding area and allows riders from Windrock Park to access the commerce area of Rocky Top.” [Read more…]

Str8 Up SxS Series is Saturday at Windrock Park

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STR8 UP SXS SERIES

The Str8 Up SxS Series is Saturday at Windrock Park north of Oliver Springs.

“The Str8 Up SxS Series will be tackling the crazy hills at the SuperATV Summernationals, the third stop in the series,” an event announcement said. “This adrenaline-pumping event will have you asking yourself, ‘What are these guys thinking?’”

Registration for the event is full, so there is a full house of 60 participants ready to race in the Unlimited and Production classes, along with 21 participants in the Bounty Series. [Read more…]

AC Events: Pickin’ in the Park, Wheelers for the Wounded, David Hall Cabin open house

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Here are three events happening in Anderson County this weekend:

Pickin’ in the Park Concert—Friday, October 2, at Norris Dam State Park

Join the Friends of Norris Dam State Park for the annual Pickin’ in the Park Concert held the first Friday of October from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. This event is an evening full of bluegrass music, barbecue, local craft vendors, laughter, and fun, organizers said.

The event is located at the historic amphitheater and tearoom on the east side of Norris Dam State Park. There is no entrance fee, but donations to the Friends of Norris Dam are strongly encouraged.

If you have any questions, call the park office at (865) 426-7461.

Wheelers for the Wounded—October 3 at Windrock Park [Read more…]

Appalachian Toyota Roundup is Sept. 4-7 at Windrock Park

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Windrock Park

The Appalachian Toyota Round-Up will be held at Windrock Park on Labor Day weekend September 4-7.

Featuring the FJ Cruiser, Tacomo, 4Runner, and more, this event is open to all Toyota vehicles.

“There will be catered food, live music, and of course, wheeling,” a press release said.

The event kicks off Friday night with a meet and greet, along with dinner and live entertainment. [Read more…]

Southern Rock Racing Series at Windrock Park this weekend

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The Southern Rock Racing Series –is at Windrock Park –north of Oliver Springs this weekend, Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8.

This is an off-road hill climb and rock crawling event, according to the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information, visit the Windrock Park website or the Southern Rock Racing Series website.

Updated: Two found after going missing on off-road ride near Windrock

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Note: This story was updated at 1:15 a.m. May 27.

WINDROCK PARK—The two off-road riders who went missing Saturday evening were found at about noon Sunday. Their sister, Kara Ferguson, said the riders were her brothers, Travis Lampkin, 27, of Knoxville, and Austin Turner, 11, of Andersonville.

Ferguson said the two left her home near Windrock Park north of Oliver Springs at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. She started to worry at about 8 p.m. because the Polaris RZR side-by-side vehicle the two were riding had a half-tank of gas.

Unable to get help from authorities, Ferguson said, she and others spent Saturday night looking for her brothers.

They later learned that the Polaris RZR had flipped on a trail known as Trail 9. Ferguson’s brother Travis Lampkin managed to get it upright again, but then a tire went flat and it ran out of gas. It also got dark, and Lampkin and Austin Turner weren’t sure where they were, Kara said. [Read more…]

Updated: Two found after going missing on off-road ride near Windrock

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Note: This story was updated at 1:15 a.m. May 27.

WINDROCK PARK—The two off-road riders who went missing Saturday evening were found at about noon Sunday. Their sister, Kara Ferguson, said the riders were her brothers, Travis Lampkin, 27, of Knoxville, and Austin Turner, 11, of Andersonville.

Ferguson said the two left her home near Windrock Park north of Oliver Springs at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. She started to worry at about 8 p.m. because the Polaris RZR side-by-side vehicle the two were riding had a half-tank of gas.

Unable to get help from authorities, Ferguson said, she and others spent Saturday night looking for her brothers.

They later learned that the Polaris RZR had flipped on a trail known as Trail 9. Ferguson’s brother Travis Lampkin managed to get it upright again, but then a tire went flat and it ran out of gas. It also got dark, and Lampkin and Austin Turner weren’t sure where they were, Kara said. [Read more…]

Spring Jamboree at Windrock to include ATVs, side-by-sides, music

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Windrock Spring Jam Mud Bog

The mud bog at a Spring Jamboree at Windrock Park. (Submitted photos)

 

This year’s Spring Jamboree at Windrock Park north of Oliver Springs will include rides and competitions for ATVs and side-by-sides, and concerts, including one featuring Janelle Arthur, a top five performer on American Idol’s Season 12.

The Spring Jamboree is scheduled from April 16 through 18.

“The Spring Jamboree is a weekend full of adrenaline-pumping fun for everyone,” said Kira Smith-Ludwig, marketing manager for Windrock Park. “The jamboree’s numerous competitive events and guided rides are geared toward ATV and side-by-side riders, but anyone can come and watch the competitions and check out the shooting range and the concert.”

The competitive events include the ATV Rodeo; Windrock Wide Open, which is a three-lap race; drag races; the Windrock Challenge, which is an obstacle course race; a mud drag; a poker run; and a dash for cash just for the ladies. The competitive event rules can be found at www.windrockpark.com under events. [Read more…]