By AUBREY SITZMAN
Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau

NASHVILLE — Typically known for its beautiful fall foliage, Brown County has been gaining notoriety lately for its world-class mountain biking trails as well. Combining the best of both worlds, the Brown County Epic Mountain Bike Festival not only will showcase Brown County’s exceptional trail systems, but also will provide the perfect opportunity for admiring its colorful scenery.

Bikers, spectators, enthusiasts and everyone in between will be able to experience Brown County’s famous autumn season and some of the best mountain biking in the Midwest during the Brown County Epic Festival Oct. 9-11.

Presented by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, the festival will take place in the Brown County State Park, providing plenty of gorgeous scenery and mountain biking trails galore. With 25, 50, 75 and 100-mile routes, including some trails not typically open to biking at any other time, this festival is a mountain biker’s dream come true.

More than biking alone, the Brown County Epic also will include a wide variety of cycling inspired events, demos, camping, food trucks, a beer garden, group rides, games, a kids zone, raffles, live music, a post-ride BBQ and more.

A good time for everyone, the Brown County Epic Festival will benefit HMBA, who has been hard at work building and maintaining the trail system in the State Park since the early 2000’s.

Kicking off Friday, Oct. 9 with registration, an afternoon group ride, a beer garden sponsored by Quaff On Brewing Company, food trucks and live music, the festival will continue into the evening with a Nite Ride and optional camping in the Brown County State Park.

Festivities will be back in full swing bright and early Saturday morning as riders hit the trails for a day of biking. Product and bike demos will be ongoing throughout the day, along with live entertainment and food on site as well. The beer garden also will re-open Saturday just in time for bikers and festival-goers to enjoy a cold brew with their dinner.

The festival’s post-ride BBQ cook out, catered by Big Woods Brewing Company, will hit the spot after a full and fun day on the trails. Dinner will be served up with a side of live music, which will continue for the remainder of the evening. Guests are encouraged to kick back, relax, soak in their beautiful Brown County surroundings, and even stay the night.

Wrapping up on Sunday, more demonstrations are slated for the day, as well as group rides and a kids zone.

Everyone, both riders and non-riders, are welcome to attend. Online registration is available for all events. Those biking and camping are encouraged to register prior to the festival. Prices for the festival’s events vary for each individual activity. The cost for adult bikers participating in all rides and events is $115; $50 for youth riders. Admission for those only riding in Saturday’s Epic Ride is $50, which does not include a t-shirt and the BBQ dinner.

Additionally, there will be a $15 charge per person for the BBQ dinner for non-riders and Saturday-only riders. Tent camping is $15 per person per night. All proceeds, as well as donations, raised from the festival will directly benefit HMBA.

Recently designated a Bronze Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, biking in Brown County is hard to beat, especially during the beautiful fall season. Experience some of the best trails around and enjoy autumn’s stunning colors during the Brown County Epic Festival, Oct. 9-11.

For more information on the Brown County Epic and to register, please visit www.browncountyepic.com.