A short documentary about the creation of Windrock Bike Park. Owners/Operators Neko Mulally and Sean Leader tell the story of how they built a shuttle access downhill mountain bike park in the Southeastern United States.
Click here to find out more about the park
https://windrockbikepark.com/
Source: Suspended Productions
Windrock Bike Park is a downhill mountain bike park near Oliver Springs, in the hills of East Tennessee in the United States. It opened in 2016, and it was created by professional downhill racer Neko Mulally together with co-owner Sean Leader. In the short documentary above, the two explain how they turned a mountain known for off-road driving into a place built for gravity riding.
Windrock Bike Park does not use chairlifts. Riders and bikes are carried to the top in shuttle trucks, and then everyone rides back down on purpose-built trails. The park is known for steep, rocky downhill tracks, but there are also flowing trails for riders who are still building their skills. You can read more about the opening in this local news story from 2016.
Most European bike parks use gondolas or chairlifts to carry bikes uphill. Shuttle parks like Windrock Bike Park work differently: a truck or minibus takes you to the top, which suits hills where a lift would be too expensive to build. In Europe, BikePark Wales runs a similar minibus uplift, while parks such as EPIC Bikepark Leogang and Les Gets BikePark are served by lifts.
Looking for your next park? Browse all bike parks on MTB Guides, with lift info, trail grades and day-pass prices in one place.
Tips for your first day at a downhill bike park
Whether you ride Windrock Bike Park or a lift-served park in the Alps, a few simple habits make your first gravity day safer and a lot more fun:
- Wear the right gear. A full-face helmet, goggles, gloves and knee pads are the minimum on most downhill trails. Many parks rent protection if you do not own it.
- Start easy. Ride the easiest trail first, even if you are an experienced rider. It helps you get used to the dirt, the speed and your bike setup.
- Look before you leap. Stop and look at big jumps, drops and rock gardens before you ride them. Trails change during the season.
- Check your bike. Brakes, tyre pressure and suspension settings matter much more on steep terrain than on your local loop.
- Take breaks. Most crashes happen late in the day when arms and legs are tired. Stop before you are exhausted.
Riding with a coach or guide on your first day is one of the quickest ways to build confidence. They know which lines suit your level and can give you instant feedback on your riding position, braking and cornering.
Your first day at a big bike park can be a lot to take in. A certified local guide or coach can show you which trails match your level, help you with jumps and steep sections, and make sure you get the most laps out of your day. Find a certified mountain bike guide near the park you want to ride, and contact them directly with no booking fees.