Our Mission
The Appalachia Outdoor Adventures Club promotes recreational outdoor adventure sports to enhance the quality of life within our community.
Appalachia Outdoor Adventures strives to support, develop and participate in physically demanding outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking, climbing/rappelling, cross country skiing, orienteering, paddling and trail running.
Although our levels of skill and intensity of participation range from high to low, we all work hard and play harder ever mindful that in most cases pain is only temporary.
Our History
AOA was Founded in 2000 by 8 members, and now has 50 members and over 300 supporters.
AOA has established and continues to support 5 trail systems including approximately 50 miles of trails in and surrounding Muskingum County (see map):
- The Wilds (2000)
- McGraw Park (2000)
- Dillon State Park (2001)
AOA helped to form and was and active member of OMBA (The Ohio Mountain Bike Association) in 2001, which unified Ohio mountain bike clubs as a non-profit entity with more lobbying power.
In 2012, OMBA was disbanded and AOA became a chapter of The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) in order to gain support with membership and insurance necessitates and to gain the backing of a national organization for our endeavors.
AOA is dedicated to providing, maintaining, and promoting access to trails for outdoor recreation in east central Ohio.
AOA members represent a diversity of skill sets and are trained in many aspects of trail construction and engineering. We have deep-rooted ties to the community and are capable, responsible, enthusiastic, resourceful, and dedicated.
AOA’s primary activities over that past 20 years have included:
- Hosting various types of mountain bike rides for the community on a regular basis throughout the year such as beginner and fun rides.
- Regular trail maintenance and building of trails (the Wilds, Dillon State Park, McGraw Park) primarily for mountain biking, also for XC skiing and trail running.
- Hosting MTB events, including AOA races and partnered events with groups such as OMBC, 331, Tri-tech, Eco-tour, Ragnar Racing and WVES.
- Charitable fundraising events for other groups such as Peloton for Pets for The Animal Shelter and injured rider recovery support.
- Annual AOA fundraising festival (The Mayhem MTB festival) to create revenue for purchase of new trail equipment and maintenance materials.
- Putting in over 1000 volunteer hours per year since tracking began in 2010
