Winter is coming. Citizens wanting to get outside and stay warm should test their metal at the Ridgeland Mountain Biking Trails. Contrary to popular belief, the mountain biking scene in Mississippi is up and running. Tri-County Mountain Biking Association (TCMBA) manages these Ridgeland Mountain Biking Trails.
Located in the woods around the Spring Brook neighborhood. off North Livingston Road on 521 Giles Lane, the trails consist of 10 miles of fast-paced, single file trails that zigzag down a hill. There are lots of alternatives along the trail for those wishing to avoid expert level drop offs or beginner level lulls. The course consists of three loops rated from beginner, medium, and expert (listed as ‘Loper’s loop,’ ‘learning curve,’ and ‘the whole enchilada’).
“The City of Ridgeland was approached by a group of people—now the Tri-County Mountain Bike Association—and requested a license to use property for the mountain biking trails,” David Cook, board member and director of communications (TCMBA), explained the trails origins.
“They looked for a piece of property to build trails on and Mayor Gene McGee had a piece of property that was expected to become a landfill but eventually he allowed for the trails to be built there. We came into an agreement with the city to develop the property.”
Hiking and dogs are also allowed. There are rules posted at the entrance of the property, and they are maintained and run by (TCMBA).
The property is intended for club members and residents of the Jackson metro area and features an array of annual events. TCMBA hosts the Annual Fat Tire Festival which is the last stop on the Mississippi Off-Road Cycling Series. This two-day event consists of kids racing, short track racing, music, and finishes on Sunday with the McGee Lungbuster. Hundreds of people come out to enjoy the fun, race, or cheer on their favorite racers.
“This year, the McGee Lungbuster festival was scaled back because of Covid. So, we didn’t have the bouncy houses, but we did have a really good turnout .”
On the other hand, it seems the pandemic has driven people to start mountain biking.
“Membership is up around 50 percent due to Covid. There has been a lot of development this year, too. We’ve reworked the beginner areas and added new features for the more skilled riders. We actually had a fundraiser this summer where we raised around $13,000 in just a day in a half. We put up a new fence to view races and made other improvements.”
According to Cook, there are currently 600 TCMBA members. Many of these members volunteer hundreds of hours of their time for workdays, swap meets, and the Fat Tire Festival. Membership is open to anyone interested in hiking and mountain biking. Waivers and $3 visitor passes are available at the parking lot.
The loop trail ends as well as where it begins. At the end of the trail is a small wooden overhang, around a fireplace with lots of chairs and even a grill. Wednesday night is the official night TCMBA members to meet at the Ridgeland trails. Riding at night requires a specific light that the TCMBA recommends.
“We are able to ride at night because of the lights we use. When you come face to face with someone, it’s bright enough to think it’s a headlight.”
“Mondays are popular nights as well. I used to be able to come out here 12 years ago on a Sunday morning and the trails would be empty. But it’s not like that anymore.”
The TCMBA oversees four trails in Mississippi; Butts Park in Clinton, Noxubee Hills in Ackerman, Brandon Quarry trails—which is still being developed but open for riding on—and the Ridgeland Trails.
