RRgmba

There are currently very limited opportunities for trail riding in the area. The options consist primarily of gravel roads and doubletrack dirt paths and are not singletrack designed for modern trail bikes. None are officially maintained for the purpose of bike travel.

There are three primary locations that are each approximately one hour away from the Red River Gorge area:

• Laurel Lake near London, KY has a long trail (a part of the Sheltowee Trace) that parallels the lake and is suitable for most riders.
• Cave Run Lake near Morehead, KY also utilizes the Sheltowee Trace for a portion of the trails as well as a series of “fingers” going out ridges.
• Sugarcamp Mountain near Prestonsburg, KY is the most technical and progressive option with very challenging trails and the option for shuttling downhill runs.

Chris Chaney added many gravel and mixed gravel/dirt segments to MTBProject years ago and this is the best easily accessible compendium of non-paved options in the area. Many of these routes are extremely muddy due to ORV use or closed, thus one should proceed with caution. Many routes and segments on the map may be almost indiscernible or impassable without copious amounts of creek crossings and mud accumulation. A sense of adventure is required. The more trafficked forest service roads within the geological area (Tunnel Ridge Road, Chimney Top Road, Indian Creek Road, and Rock Bridge Road) provide a more consistent opportunity for gravel riding and some close in the winter making them more appealing.

Powdermill Branch is the only bike-legal trail in the RRG area trail system. It is not currently suitable for bikes, but one is free to try. The two ends of the trail are not rideable and the middle, while a nice moderate grade, is often overgrown and seldom maintained. One must also cross Indian Creek (no bridge or obvious crossing) at the intersection with Indian Creek Road.

Trails within Pendergrass Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP) in Flat Hollow were developed by Chris Chaney and at one time constituted the best trail riding in the region. However, they are now unmaintained and are difficult to navigate on a bike. The policies of the land owner have prevented remediation of these trails.

The Sheltowee Trace does not allow bikes on it within the Red River Gorge area or within the State Resort Park boundary. North and south of the area, bike travel is allowed. Unfortunately, most of the nearby sanctioned sections consist primarily of paved and gravel roads. There is a short, technical section south of the resort park that traverses "The Narrows" that was closed to vehicular traffic years ago and connects to Big Bend Road. To the north, the first bike legal trail segment is the paved Corner Ridge Road.

If you have experience starting, running, or participating in non-profit work and want to take on the responsibility for creating and maintaining an official organizational presence, it would open up more opportunities by working with land owners (RRGCC, FS, private). Feel free to get in contact with the RRGMBA to discuss opportunities.

If you are willing to pick up a hoe and build trail, consider contacting the RRGMBA for consideration to be included in currently non-public projects that are in the works.