Mountain Bike Club Hosts 17th Annual Fall Fest
The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club's biggest fundraiser of the year drew riders from across the country and abroad to Knoxville's trails.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Should your city spend more public money on local hiking and biking trails?
The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club hosted its 17th annual Fall Fest, its largest fundraiser of the year. A silent auction ran throughout the weekend to raise money for volunteer programs and club staff.
Why it matters
The event supports trail development and maintenance in the Knoxville area, which preserves recreational access. Trail work also contributes to community health and generates local economic activity.
The club, founded in 2007, is one of 45 chapters across eight states in the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association and has worked on more than 100 miles of Knoxville-area trails. The amount raised by the silent auction and total attendance were not reported.
The players
Appalachian Mountain Bike Club
A Knoxville-based cycling organization founded in 2007 that builds and maintains mountain bike trails and is one of 45 chapters of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association.
Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
A regional mountain biking advocacy organization whose chapters span eight states and support trail access and rider programs in the Southeast.
The details
This year's Fall Fest offered social rides, Catalyst Sports Rides for people with disabilities, a women's-only ride, youth rides, and biking competitions. Social rides ran through Knoxville's Urban Wilderness trails, and a couple from Finland was among the attendees.
Timeline
The article about the 17th annual Fall Fest was published on November 8, 2026.
Roadmap
The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club operates as one of 45 chapters in the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, a network spanning eight states. Its trail work in the Knoxville area fits within that regional effort to build and maintain off-road cycling access.
Residents who ride can use the club's social rides, youth rides, and adaptive sessions through Knoxville's Urban Wilderness trails. Volunteer participation and donations to the club's programs directly support ongoing trail maintenance.
The takeaway
Community fundraisers like the Fall Fest show how volunteer-driven trail groups sustain public recreation spaces. Anyone interested in trail work can contact local clubs to learn how to contribute time or funds.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how local nonprofits and volunteer groups raise funds for community projects.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WATE 6 On Your Side.
Live Poll
Should your city spend more public money on local hiking and biking trails?
