Bays Mountain Park

Bays Mountain Park

	Bays Mountain Park
Location:	Tennessee
Nearest Town:	Kingsport
Directions to Trailhead:	From Kingsport take I-181 to the Meadowview convention center exit. Follow signs to Bays Mountain Park. There is a $3 fee per car. There are a couple of ways to get to the trails. One common way is to follow the road from the parking area to the bottom of the Damn. The trail head starts at the end of the damn.
Trail Description:	Mainly fire roads with some single track. Fairly hilly terrain.
Trail Length:	12.5 miles depending on configuration
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Web Link:	http://farad.xtn.net/virtual/mainmenu/www.pfbike.com/rides/baysmap.htm
Submitted By:	Fred Thompson

Kim from Kingsport, TN Date: January 3, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: There are many different routes. Maps are available at the entrance to the park. I vary my route depending on how I feel each time I ride. I've yet to find a route I didn't like. Other recommended trails in the same area: Warriors Path State Park, Buffalo Mountain, Panther Creek
Review: Fun, fun, fun cardio ride. Great place to build and maintain stamina and fitness. Great wet weather riding. When all other trails are not rideable, this trail is. You can get alot done at Bays Mountain. There are lots of fun rolling, quick fire roads with challenging climbs and quick fun descents. Most of the riding is intermediate with little technical riding. Most people find it challenging due to the amount of climbing. There is a nice "single track" called azalea. Firetower is challenging in the climb and the descent. Overall this is a great place to ride in sun, rain, snow or anythingelse mother nature has to dish out.	Overall Rating:

Eman from Tajas Date: April 8, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Race course Other recommended trails in the same area: Buffalo Mtn.(Johnson City) is pretty cool.
Review: I rode the hell out of this place when I lived near there. It has some places where you can fly. I once hit 41 mph. If you go on a weekday you'll pretty much have the whole place to yourself. There are some long climbs, cool views, a couple of technical downhills, and a little bit of flat boring crap to let you know that you are not in heaven. Overall it is a great place to ride. I love singletrack more than anything but this is some of the best dirt road riding you can find anywhere. Good parking too, you don't have to worry about some hick with no teeth busting into your car.	Overall Rating:

Tony from Kingsport, TN Date: November 29, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Just start riding on one of the fire roads (make sure it is OK for bikes). There are several routes, most people ride the race track. I prefer to start near the maintenace shed. Other recommended trails in the same area: Warriors, Panther Creek, High Knob (Va).
Review: Mostly fire roads. Not very technical, but a killer workout. Some really good climbs. I think an earlier reviewer said it best. This is a good place to train and there are some really nice views..	Overall Rating:

Eric Iversen from Johnson City TN Date: September 3, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Most people follow the race course which is a figure 8. Start at the bottom of the damn and bank right. Make another right at the next intersection (first big hill) Go right again at the bottom of the first downhill. Go left after the maintenance shed. Turn left at the TV towers. Make a sharp left at the bottom of the biggest downhill. This will take you over the flat area a second time and back to the maintenence shed. Total length is 12.5 miles Other recommended trails in the same area: Muddy hollow to Blue Trail
Review: Not single-track, but overall a pretty good workout with some killer climbs. If you can do it in under an hour -- you are race material.	Overall Rating:

mike giles from talbott,tn Date: August 18, 1999 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: directions given are good Other recommended trails in the same area: Panther Creek, Haws Ridge, Muddy Creek to blue trail
Review: I rode by the lake up the killer fire road, really will take a lot out of you. The top has a fire tower which offers a spectacilar view of Kingsport and the park. It is a beatiful place but for a guy like me who can't get enough of single tracks it is really disapointing. Not knocking the park, I enjoyed it but like I said I am a single track guy. If you have never been stop at the museum and get a sticker that is required (2$) and get a map. The park personnel are super.	Overall Rating:

Mike Simms from Bristol, TN Date: July 30, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Several routes are good. I like to run the "race track" starting at the damn. Other recommended trails in the same area: Warriors Path, Panther Creek, Buffalo Mountain..
Review: The track starts off with a level 1 mile ride by the lake to warm up. Then you are hit with a relatively steep .4 mile climb followed by a .3 mile steep decent. Turn right onto lake road and you have about 2.25 miles of rolling terain. Once you pass the maintenance building you immediately turn left (through a gate) to a steep .5 mile climb. From this point you have a couple of miles of up and down riding until you reach the fire tower. A super steep decent of about .6 miles and you turn left back onto Lake Road. 2.5 miles and you have completed one lap. This is not a technical ride, but it is really tough. You have great scenery and lots of climbing. There are several ways to ride and a couple of single tracks that you can jump on. It is a great place to train for different types of riding.	Overall Rating: