SMBC Festival celebrates riding in George Washington National Forest

In contrast to last year's nearly continuous rain, participants at this year's Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club (SMBC) festival near Harrisonburg, Virginia, experienced some of the driest conditions ever. For three days last weekend, mountain bikers from all over Virginia and beyond converged on the George Washington National Forest for some riding in the mountains among early-changing leaves. They rode on many trails and roads used in the Shenandoah Mountain 100.

In addition to three days of organized rides, other highlights included a women's clinic led by Sue Haywood (Trek / VW), rides for kids and a massive trail maintenance project on Narrowback Mountain that drew more than 80 volunteers to help during two days of work. SMBC officers are still tallying the amounts raised to support the club after a donation to the local rescue squad.