BALDWIN COUNTY, Ga. — Baldwin County is on the cusp of a major boost for local biking enthusiasts with the upcoming opening of a new 5-mile bike trail, set to become a significant addition to the area’s recreational offerings.
Tom Glover, a passionate advocate for mountain biking and member of Bike Walk Baldwin, has spearheaded this exciting development. Glover, along with Kenny Griffin from the Georgia Cycling Association, has successfully raised $30,000 to fund the project. This amount includes a $15,000 contribution from each of them, matched by additional donations.
The vision for the trail began over a year ago when Glover and Griffin, in collaboration with Baldwin County Manager Carlos Tobar, sought to bring this project to fruition. The chosen location, near Walter B. Williams Park on Highway 22, was selected due to its high traffic and central position within the community, making it an ideal spot for the new biking trails.
“Our aim is to promote mountain biking and encourage more children to get outdoors and enjoy nature,” Glover explained. “The location’s accessibility and visibility make it a perfect site for this new trail.”
Glover’s personal journey with mountain biking began with riding alongside his daughter, an experience that profoundly impacted him and led to his commitment to coaching young cyclists. After over a decade of coaching, Glover is now driven to expand biking opportunities in Milledgeville, with aspirations of aligning the trails with the standards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
“To achieve IMBA Ride Center status, we need 50 miles of trail,” Glover noted. “With our current plans, we will have approximately 27 miles of trail once the project is completed.”
The new trail, measuring 5 miles in length, is expected to open this weekend, offering a new recreational outlet for the community. Both Glover and Griffin emphasize the life-enriching benefits of mountain biking, from physical fitness to the development of essential life skills for young riders.
Griffin, who shares Glover’s enthusiasm for the sport, reflects on his own experience: “Mountain biking from a young age taught me core principles that have stayed with me throughout my life. I hope this trail will inspire the next generation in the same way.”
As the community eagerly anticipates the trail’s debut, the collaboration between Glover, Griffin, and Tobar marks a significant milestone in enhancing Baldwin County’s outdoor recreational landscape.
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