Bald Eagle Mountain Bike Association

06/05/2026

BEMBA Ride & Picnic Sunday, 21 June 2026
McCalls Dam State Park Rides Start at 9:30 AM
Ride Routes - previously we posted the routes for the rides as Strava links. In response to people who do not have (or want) a Strava account here are the same ride routes as links to Ride with GPS.
All rides are expected to be completed in 2.5-3.0 hours.

The Moderate-paced group will probably be large so we are breaking it up into 2 trail rides - similar difficulty, different trails:
Moderate 1 13 miles, 1150' climbing https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55509337
Moderate 2 15 miles, 1250' climbing - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55509336

The Faster-paced group will ride the same route as Moderate 1 and willl add 2 other trails 18 miles, 1600' climbing - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55509338

The Gravel Road ride will be 28 miles, 2550' climbing - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55509335

06/02/2026

Sunday, June 21, 2026 BEMBA Ride & Picnic
McCalls Dam State Park
Rides start at 9:30 Arrive 8:45-9:15 and check in at the BEMBA tent

We expect a large turnout of riders so we will offer 2 different Moderate-paced rides, plus 1 longer ride with a Faster Pace, and a Gravel ride. All the rides are no-drop and designed to be completed in 2.5-3 hrs. Picnic to follow the rides.

Check out the Moderate rides so you can decide which one you want to ride.
Moderate 1: https://www.strava.com/routes/3487230973476175350
Moderate 2: https://www.strava.com/routes/3447553355680211148

The longer/faster ride will ride the same trails as Moderate 1 and will add 2 more trails: https://www.strava.com/routes/3487227213795507702

The gravel route is unknown as of today but I'll post it as soon as it is developed.

In the next update I will talk about the Picnic Food and Gear Raffle.

If you have trouble viewing the Strava routes let me know. -Thom ([email protected])

05/26/2026

BEMBA Ride and Picnic
Sunday, 21 June 2026 (Father's Day)
McCall's Dam State Park
Anyone is welcome to join us for a trail ride or a gravel road ride followed by a picnic. There will be 3 different trail rides.
More details will be posted as soon as we confirm a few things but here are the basics:
Rides will start at 9:30 AM and the picnic will follow, probably at 12:30.
BEMBA will provide Jon's smoked pulled pork, Chris will be grilling 'dogs, and riders are asked to consider bringing some food to share. Provide your own beverages.
As part of the picnic we will hold a raffle to give away some bike related stuff.

05/16/2026

Weather is looking great for Sunday's Ride.

Arrive 9:30AM and be ready to ride at 10AM.

Meet at the “lower lot” off PA-54 just south of Natalie.

Trailhead Location:

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

05/05/2026

BEMBA’s Natalie Trail Ride - Save the Date: May 17

One of BEMBA’s most popular rides is coming up.

Join us Sunday, May 17, 2026 to explore the singletrack at Natalie in Weiser State Forest. If you haven’t ridden here before, this is a great time to check it out. Local riders have built an awesome network of trails and features.

We’ll meet at the “lower lot” off PA-54 just south of Natalie. Check in at the BEMBA tent between 9:30 and 9:45, with wheels rolling at 10:00 for a 2.5 to 3 hour ride.

Trailhead Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RXAaQc36ZmZ3L9dq7

The main ride will be a moderate, no drop pace. We’ll split into groups if needed, and there will be a faster paced option for those looking for more of a challenge.

We’ll hang out after the ride, so bring food and drinks, and maybe a little extra to share.

Come ride Natalie with BEMBA.

04/12/2026

Trail Work Update: BEMBA has been busy getting trails cleaned up in BESF and I have received a few new messages from other riders letting me know where trails are blocked. If you encounter anything while riding that you cannot clear, please send me ([email protected]) a message with enough details so that I can easily find the problem area. I've been told that trees are across the trail on Railroad Run Tr, Top Mtn Tr, and Halll Mtn Tr (near the group campsite). If you get out there before we do, have a go at removing them, please.
BEMBA has 2 current bigger projects: building a link trail from White Deer Creek Tr to Greene's Gap Tr & opening a long unused 'no name' trail near Spring Mtn Tr.
Heads Up: Cowbell Hollow Tr, east end, is a mess from erosion and DCNR plans to reroute that section to control the erosion and make the trail have a bit more flow.

04/10/2026

It’s time for the first group ride of the season! We’ll kick off the year on Sunday, April 19th, at R.B. Winter State Park with both a gravel ride and different trail rides available. The yet-to-be determined gravel route will be on nicely graded scenic forest roads. For those riding trails, we often start as a group and break into smaller groups based on pacing and distance. Most trails are intermediate+ so expect uphill travel, roots, and rocks. All rides are ‘no drop,’ meaning no one is left behind. Both trail and gravel rides will take approximately 2 - 2.5 hours.

We’ll meet at 9:30 AM at the RB Winter MTN biking lot which is just west of the park's main entrance off Route 192. When you enter the lot, we’ll park on the far right side (gravel area) and have a BEMBA pop-up tent set up. Wheels will start rolling at 10 AM. Afterwards, we’ll gather for a social so feel free to bring a snack to share and BYOB. New riders welcome and don’t forget your helmet! Hope to see you there!

Lot location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aKtTuefLp6EGy9PJ6
Coordinates: 40.99498527023368, -77.19045863248034

★★★★★ · Parking lot

04/08/2026

March 22, 2026 BEMBA held a Trail Work Day to restore a short trail that had been damaged by recent logging activity. DCNR had asked BEMBA if we would tackle this project, known as the White Deer Creek Extension Trail (near McCall Dam SP). With the strong effort of 22 BEMBA Members we opened the densely overgrown section, removed logging debris, improved the trail tread, re-aligned the trail to have better flow, and created a visible path through the barren part where heavy logging had occurred. Hard work and solid effort produced a rideable/walkable trail that now awaits regrowth of vegetation and the wear-in of many riders.
Photos from the day's activities can be seen at https://photos.app.goo.gl/FSgW8jk55udaeo4m6

04/08/2026

Update: BEMBA Trail Maintence in Bald Eagle State Forest (BESF)
During the early part of March 2026 BEMBA members rode/walked many of the more popular trails (in a large radius from RB Winter SP) to locate where work would be needed to open trails for Spring riding. During the next few weeks some BEMBA members removed large trees that had fallen across trails and cleared brush where it was encroaching on the trails.
We encourage riders to Ride-and-Clean when possible. Carry a folding saw or a small pair of pruners with you and when you find something blocking a trail please stop and clear it. If the problem is too large to handle then notify BEMBA ([email protected]) and we will get someone out there to clear the trail.