Miles upon miles of mountain bike trails are trekked each year by countless bikers seeking adventure in the hills of Brown County State Park.

In two weeks, downtown Nashville will become a playground for anyone interested in the sport, of any age or skill level.

The Brown County Barn Burner and Brown County Bikes, on South Jefferson Street, are partnering with other local organizations and businesses to bring Brown County Bike Fest to Jefferson Street and to the new Lincoln Pinch Park on Johnson Street.

The Barn Burner houses overnight lodging as well as the Brown County Bikes shop space.

Clint and Kara Hammes, owners of the Barn Burner, and Danielle and Kate Nolan, owners of Brown County Bikes, all have young children. They saw that there is not a lot of opportunity for beginners to learn about the sport.

“Most of what goes on here for biking is really for people who are really advanced, committed riders,” Kara Hammes said. “My kids learn to ride their bikes in a parking lot in town or at the Yellowwood parking lot.”

This event will provide learning opportunities for locals and visitors, whether or not they have their own riding gear. Loan bikes will be available and a limited number of bike helmets in various sizes will be given away.

“Hopefully, participants can get comfortable and exposed to companies and programs to help them advance in something that people come here to do,” Hammes said.

Riders of all ages, levels and skills are welcome to join in the fun throughout the day, learning bike safety basics, participating in bike maintenance workshops, trying demo bikes and more. The town has allowed them to block off part of Jefferson Street for the event.

In addition to workshops to sit in on, learning how to fix a flat tire and more, Danielle Wolter Nolan said that they will also lead rides on the Salt Creek Trail, talking about things to look for while riding in bike lanes or on rugged trails.

Hammes is also looking forward to the pump track that will be set up for riders at the new Lincoln Pinch Park on Johnson Street. Pump tracks allow people who don’t have experience on bike trails to become more comfortable with bumps, hills and turns.

American Ramp Company will be setting up a bike track at the town park for the day. It allows a rider to move along a course without pedaling or putting their feet down on the surface. Riders only need to “pump their knees” up and down, following the contours of the track in order to move forward.

Wolter Nolan said there may even be a race or two on the track.

Organizing this free event has quite literally taken a village, Hammes said. Many local individuals, organizations and businesses have contributed in various forms.

The Brown County Community Foundation covered half the cost of the pump track.

Purdue Extension Brown County and the 4-H and Youth Development educator will teach “The 4-H’s of Bicycle Safety” (Head, Hands, Health and Heart).

Brown County State Park naturalist Patrick Haulter will bring mountain bikes and helmets that participants can use for free.

Quincy Robinson with Q’s Bikes will have a booth, as well as the NICA and GRiT riding teams at Brown County High School.

Vendors will also be set up to sell food, including Sugar Creek BBQ, Sidetrack Coffee Roasters, the Chocolate Moose and more.

Hammes said a goal was to keep the event “as free as possible,” offering services and activities to people of any means.

Volunteers and sponsors are still welcome to sign up, Hammes said, and you don’t need to be an “expert biker” in order to lend a hand. A dinner gathering will take place after the event for volunteers.

“Pieces are coming together,” she said, “and we’ll do it again in the future.”

“I’m excited to see the community come together and do something that’s fun and healthy, for the whole family to enjoy,” Wolter Nolan said.

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When: Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Brown County Barn Burner and Brown County Bikes at 185 S. Jefferson St. and Lincoln Pinch Park on Johnson Street. (Event headquarters is on Jefferson Street.)

Schedule:

• 9 a.m. Yoga with Erica of Simply Fitness, for all levels, Lincoln Pinch Park
• 10 a.m. Check-in at the Brown County Barn Burner event space
• 11 a.m. Family ride starting from Lincoln Pinch Park, Salt Creek Trail and back
• Noon Flat repair clinic, Continental, H2, SRAM Tent on Jefferson Street
• 1 p.m. Mt. Bike Basics clinic, Brown County Bikes Tent, for all levels, by Kate Nolan, Lincoln Pinch Park
• 2 p.m. Jump clinic, Lincoln Pinch Park
• 3 p.m. Maintenance clinic, cleaning, flat repair on Jefferson Street
• 3:30 p.m. Foot down competition led by Kate Nolan, Lincoln Pinch Park
• 4 p.m. Final family group ride along the Salt Creek Trail, starting at Lincoln Pinch Park

All day:

• Check in and other information at the Brown County Barn Burner event space
• Brown County Bikes, open all day
• Food and non-food vendors
• Purdue tent on Jefferson Street, 4H’s of Bike Safety

Cost: Free

Information: Check bcbarnburner.com/bike-fest for updates.

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