Mountain Biking at Alexander Park

General Information

Located in a wooded buffer zone around the Buncombe County Landfill, Alexander Park is a relatively new area for mountain bikers to enjoy. The Dixie Highway Dirt Festival, series finale of the Cane Creek Cup race series, was held here the weekend of Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2000. The race marked the "grand opening" of the trail network which includes a permanent dual slalom course as well as several miles of cross-country trails.

Many more miles of trail are planned for future construction. The trails in this area range from smooth and fast (less common) to tight and twisty (more common), but in general they are rated More Difficult and are moderate in aerobic and technical challenge. Some trails follow existing roads but some have been newly constructed for the park.

There are two basic loops in the park. One loop starts at the French Broad River parking area and travels around the lower section of the park. This is the longer loop which contains the more challenging and fun singletrack and doubletrack. The other loop starts at the Special Events parking area and is short and mostly doubletrack. This one, unfortunately, is open and sunny and is not recommended on a hot summer day!

It appears that horses, dirtbikes and ATV's have started using the trails. This is causing some tread creep, muddy areas, difficult sections, and it's making doubletrack out of the singletrack.

News

A recent timeline for new trail and facility construction at Alexander Park was released by Woody Keen of Trail Dynamics in October 2005. This is great news for this venue and for mountain bikers across WNC in general! Information is as follows:

• Design phase for a new trail loop will happen after a few good hard freezes kill back the ugly undergrowth that exists at Alexander. (Done)
• Construction will happen sometime over the winter months into early spring. This will be a hybrid project with Trail Dynamics doing a lot of the work but working with volunteers doing finish work. This is required as part of a match of the grant monies (it was an 80/20 grant).
• Once the new loop is complete (and not before), a phase can begin to develop a skills area/freeride area. A $1,000 Kona/IMBA Freeride grant was awarded to get us started but we will need ideas and lots of help to make this happen. What this area develops into depends somewhat on what folks willing to put in sweat equity want to see. What is envisioned is a small progression jump area and some wood structure stuff as well.
• There will be the formation of a committee that guides that process. The committee will:
  • Rally the support from the freeride community
  • Provide the needed volunteer labor to get-r-done
  • Serve as the voice of reason and effect what should be included and what is just too out there for public lands.

Directions to Alexander Park

From Asheville, take US 19-23 North to the Marshall/Hot Springs exit. Take this exit (US 25-70) and drive to the second light. Turn left onto Monticello road and follow this until it ends at River Road. Turn right; it is several miles to the signed parking area. The parking area is on either side of River Road.