By Rick Sosebee
Traveling in to the Cumberland mountains to ride your SXS is not only an adventure but if you need a place to ride in the late spring there is a spot for some serious fun here. Brimstone Recreation has been bringing adventure and off-road riding to the Huntsville Tennessee community for many years now and this past weekend they celebrated off-road with yet another great White Knuckle Event. This three-day weekend typically lands around Memorial Day Weekend and even though it was very warm here this year it did not stop many from coming to Brimstone to ride.
White Knuckle Event at Brimstone Recreation
The White Knuckle Event combines great music, great food and some opportunities to take home your very own SXS through many contests held here. Manufacturers like Yamaha have been solid, dedicated partners in the efforts at Brimstone and this year was no different. The demo ride trailer could be found down in the main vendor area with rides going on all weekend. It’s really a great chance to try before you buy.
Yamaha Adventure Rig
Yamaha had also brought out a new adventure rig that combined the mobility of a trailer loaded with their Grizzly as well as Wolverine X2. This Nissan pick-up had an ARE camper top that was lifted by a topper lift electric lifting system. Once lifted the entire bed was transformed into a pretty roomy tent. If you need a place to stay but want mobility, I’d say this could be your set up. Yamaha’s “Realize your Adventure” mantra is even clearer with this custom rig.
Honda Talon 1000X lined up at Brimstone Recreation
Honda was also in attendance for the very first time, giving adventure seekers a chance to try out the new Honda Talon X. These demo rides would take drivers and passengers up into some of the higher points of Brimstones trail systems for a few miles. All you needed was a drivers license and protective gear. I think some of these demos even provided gear for those who were not properly equipped. The Honda Talon and the Yamaha Wolverine X2 are both great machines for exploring this region.
Yamaha Demo Rides
Although the previous years have seen some great SXS obstacle course racing, for 2019 the Vanderpool area stage had been set for the Nitro Circus stunt team. These guys are obviously missing two wheels and without turbo power, but we cannot hold that against them.
Nitro Circus
Last year a Nitro Circus driver launched his Polaris RZR skyward in an impressive yet almost terminal jump attempt. Phil Smage was the driver during that jump and was in attendance at this year’s WKE2019 well on the road to recovery. These two-wheel guys have incredible guts and watching a professional back flip a motorcycle is something worth respect.
Can-Am Display
Brimstone captures not only large brands like ITP, GBC, Can-Am, Super ATV and others but it brings in local vendors as well. Some shops at the event sold used parts and many had supplies that a common trip into the wild woods would require. Even things that you might not realize you want like homemade ice cream became a crowd favorite.
“A Thousand Horses” opened for Brothers Osbourne
The nighttime at the WKE was filled with music and bands like the Marshall Tucker Band, A Thousand Horses, Hardy and Brothers Osborne. These national groups helped keep the good mood rolling well into the night.
Yamaha Wolverine X2
It was on Saturday night that a man from Camp Point Illinois became the proud new owner of a Yamaha Wolverine X2. Jeff Hughes had played his game well in the Wild Mountain Rampage contest and came out on top. Hughes family was there with him to accept the incredible prize.
White Knuckle Event Vendor Area
If you need a place to get away and stretch the legs on your own SXS, be sure to look up the Brimstone Recreation riding area. There is plenty of terrain varying from rocky mountain sides to hardpack low country riding and if you are in the neighborhood in the fall, Brimstone has yet another great event called Brimstone Paragon with more of the same adventure!
Brimstone Recreation
Brimstone Recreation in Huntsville, Tennessee, is a premier off-road adventure destination spanning over 19,000 acres of rugged Appalachian terrain. Renowned for its extensive trail system, Brimstone offers more than 300 miles of diverse off-road trails, catering to UTVs, ATVs, dirt bikes, and 4×4 vehicles. The trails wind through dense forests, steep climbs, and scenic overlooks, providing a thrilling experience for riders of all skill levels.
Brimstone is not just about off-roading – it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in the natural beauty of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau. The area frequently hosts large off-road events and festivals, such as Paragon, Camp RZR East, SxS & ATV Roundup and White Knuckle Event, drawing off-road enthusiasts from across the country for group rides, live music, and competitions.
