What’s all the hype about biking? I thought it was just a bunch of nerds in tight uniforms.

*If you are not local to Jackson, MS, it is likely you have similar groups in your area, so ask your local bike shop!

The Emergent Cycling Scene in Jackson Metro

My friends and followers on Instagram have made me realize that the cycling scene is kind of underground here in Jackson, MS. It is a little harder to cycle in Jackson proper, but there is a mountain bike trail along the Pearl River in Jackson and then the outlying cities have a host of options. Whenever I post about cycling events that I shoot or that Gabriel, Graham and (sometimes) myself participate in, folks are shocked when I say it is happening right here in town. Let me introduce you to all of the wonderful cycling options here for both young and old!

Trails + Teams

// Ride Ridgeland

Ridgeland is where most of the action is. It is certainly making its way onto the map within the larger cycling community, but the people actually living in the Jackson-area still seem to be unacquainted with all the cycling activity and community that is offered. Ridgeland’s Mayor, Gene McGee is an avid cyclist and has made the town very biker-friendly, but there are also so many residents that are the backbone of this growing cycling scene. The northwest section of Ridgeland has an amazing mountain bike trail system (Tri-County Mountain Bike Association’s Ridgeland Trails ) and great low-traffic roads for road riding (I always recommend riding with a group).

Natchez Trace Multi-Use Trail - There is an awesome multi-purpose trail that runs along the Natchez Trace Parkway that allows families to all safely walk, run and bike together. Beyond providing a safe trail, away from the road, it has gorgeous scenery to enjoy the whole way through. Photos below are from Ride Your Park Day last year ( and a few from another weekend ride). We met up with Grandma, Grandpa and the cousins to ride along NPS’s Natchez Trace Parkway! Afterwards, they had food, goodies and a Park Ranger talk thanks to Visit Ridgeland.

Ridgeland Trails/NW Ridgeland roads - The northwest section of Ridgeland has an amazing mountain bike trail system (Tri-County Mountain Bike Association’s Ridgeland Trails ) and great low-traffic roads for road riding (I always recommend riding with a group). Don’t be afraid to join or follow groups to stay in the loop on rides and events! I will list a few below (some require being a member or requesting to join):

Tri-County Mountain Bike Association Facebook Group
Ridgeland Trails Facebook Page
Jackson Metro Cyclists
Madison/Ridgeland Cycling

MagRidge BMX - I cover this more below in the Cycling with Kiddos sections, but wanted to include it on this list of riding in Ridgeland!

The multi-purpose trails are a great way to get the family out and cycle at your own pace. really do recommend riding with others if you plan to take to the road. For those of you looking to get involved on more of a fast-paced scale, there are several cycling teams in Jackson and way more cycling events than I bet you ever imagined! From road to gravel, mountain biking to cyclocross, and even BMX, Ridgeland has got you covered.

// Race Teams

If you want to push yourself and really dive into a group of fellow riders, I highly encourage you to join a race team! It isn’t as intense as it sounds. Usually they require very little of you other than participation and comradery.

Our team for racing is Velovit. The community is rad and there is a place for riders of all expertise. There are plenty of other great teams in the area, but Velovit is where we have found a home. They always come out with a big force and almost always have someone on the podium, if not a full sweep!

Check with the local bike shops, as they will soon all have their own separate teams and/or can likely point you to other teams that may be a good fit for you!

// Bike Shops

There is no shortage of cycling gear in the area and, though you may have to dish out a few extra dollars to get a bike from a local shop versus the web, the value of being fitted and guided to the right bike is invaluable! Plus, what’s better than supporting a local brick and mortar?! There are several in the metro-area:

Ridgeland, MS
The Bike Crossing (Ridgeland location) - just off the interstate in the heard of Ridgeland, The Bike Crossing is a wealth of knowledge with, in my opinion, the best mechanics in town.
Indian Cycle - Ridgeland’s longest-running bike shop with a large inventory and great customer service.

Madison/Gluckstadt, MS
Bicycle Revolution - Mississippi’s one and only bicycle cafe! I am ashamed to say I haven’t made it out there yet, but Graham says it is great and I hear wonderful things about it. It is North of Jackson in Gluckstadt.

Flowood, MS
The Bike Crossing (Flowood location) - same great folks as in Ridgeland, but they also have a location to serve those in the Brandon/Flowood and beyond area.

Cycling with Kiddos

There aren’t many of us whose childhood didn’t include a bike. There is just a natural marriage between kids and bikes for those who are able. You don’t have to join a club or team, although it really is an awesome alternative to team-sports like baseball or soccer. I love taking Emory in our bike trailer and riding alongside Gabriel on the multi-use trails or driving out to the Ridgeland Trails to let Emory wander around in the woods as we watch Gabriel ride on the trails. We can do this on our own time and we always have a FREE good time.

If you are looking for a way for your kids to get involved in a community, but they aren’t interested in teamsports, both BMX and MS Cyclocross Project are such good organized cycling groups with amazing communities. So, let me get introduce those a little bit here, but please feel free to reach out to me if you have more questions!

// Cyclocross

This is what I post in my stories and my DM’s blow up with questions from other parents. The best thing to happen to us as parents of a bike-loving toddler was finding out about the Mississippi Cyclocross Project. He hasn’t been quite old enough to actually do the practices, but this year he will finally be of age (4)! He has enjoyed getting to do all of the fun races, though. Since he was 2 and just riding a strider bike, he has pushed and pedaled along with the older kids. There is literally no other community like this one. The races they host are also awesome for adults that want to dip their toes into racing cyclocross! It is the most supportive crowd ever and there is a healthy mix of cyclocross and mountain bikers. Make sure to check out that clickable link above, though, to see if it may be something for your kiddos!

I will do a whole blog on this group and its amazing founder later, but I just wanted to introduce it today and provide you with the link to get more information.

// BMX

Mag Ridge BMX is another absolute favorite of ours. They allow strider riders, too, so Gabriel has been tearing up their track. He uses his pedals now, but he was one of at least 5 other 2-4 year olds that rode strider bikes. I still don’t have a handle on what nights practices are, but I don’t think it’s actually that complicated. They are great about letting you know if practices or races are canceled due to rain if you just get on the text alert. It is another very family-friendly group and kids will absolutely love it.

Gravel

Gravel is kind of becoming the front-runner in the cycling scene today, but I know it is probably the least familiar to my friends and readers here, so I wanted to be sure to introduce it and make sure you know about an awesome cup series going on right now.

Everyone seems to be trading in the road tires for gravel. Fortunately, Mississippi is keeping up and really putting on some awesome gravel rides! Graham couldn’t stop raving about what an amazing job the facilitators of the MS Gravel Cup Series did this past weekend at the 2nd race of this year’s series in Hattiesburg, MS. There are two rides left in this series, but every one has sold out weeks in advance, so boogie on over and sign up!

The boys and I couldn’t make it to Hattiesburg, but we got to catch the end of the Deadman Gravel Grind here in Ridgeland at the first of the year, which was put on by The Bike Crossing and local racing lord, Scott Kuppersmith. Graham didn’t race, but we got to hang out and watch the finish and it was so much fun. They really did a great job and it was perfect for folks to gear up for the MS Gravel Cup Series across the rest of the state, as well as others through the year.

All in all, Jackson has got it going on with cycling, you just have to tap into the well! Ridgeland isn’t the only place with great trails and teams in the area, it is just where the majority of it ends up happening and is in our neck of the woods. Brandon, Gluckstadt and Clinton also have some great trails and communities of cyclists! You will make amazing friends and it is such a great way to get moving and enjoy the beauty of the area, with or without kids. Check out some of these groups and locations I mentioned and don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of these groups!