Mountain Bike Trails

Interest in mountain biking has grown a great deal in recent decades. To accommodate the demand, developers, city planners and various parks have established thousands of miles of bike trails throughout the United States. Before heading out to explore any of these mountain bike trails, you should determine whether they match your aesthetic and terrain preferences and your level of expertise.

Mountain Bike Trails Selection Criteria

Every trail has something unique to offer: specific slope changes, unique scenery or a special hill combination. Encountering these different types of terrain is exactly what makes mountain biking unpredictable, fun and sometime dangerous. That''s why the first step in selecting a mountain bike trail is to know your level of expertise. If you''re a novice downhiller, for example, you shouldn''t try to tackle an advanced downhill slope. After you''ve set some guidelines for yourself, you can start to evaluate different kinds of bike trails.

Bike trails are commonly rated by their level of difficulty (typically using the system developed for rating ski slopes) and the types of riding the trail involves. Trails with steep grades that offer fast rides are called downhill trails. Trails that have numerous bumps are for the more aggressive trail riders. By far the most popular type of mountain bike trail is cross country. This kind of trail involves a variety of terrain types, none of which is overly technical. Cross-country trails also usually have flat areas where riders can ride with little effort.

A well-designed bike trail has an average grade of less than 10 percent and generally follows a contour line rather than going straight downhill. The trail typically has a slope to encourage water runoff. In addition, frequent grade reversals prevent water from running down the trail.

How to Choose a Mountain Bike Trail

Since mountain bike trails differ in their terrain and level of difficulty, consider several factors when choosing a trail:

• Determine whether you''d like to ride on a wide path or a rock-strewn trail.
• Examine maps and trail guidebooks for information about the trails.
• Pick the kind of scenery you want.
• Select a trail according to the mileage you want to ride.
• Take into account the elevation change you''re able to handle.
• Talk to local riders and bike shop workers about good trails.

TopMountain Bike Trails

Mountain biking started in the United States, so it''s no surprise that some of the top mountain bike trails are located here. Below are five mountain bike trails that are considered the best in the world:

• Alderfer/Three Sisters: This Evergreen, Colo., collection of trails takes you to the highest summit on the list of trails. Reaching the 8,500-foot summit requires about 1,000 feet of climbing. But don''t get the wrong idea: This is not exclusively a downhill trail. Some parts offer a fairly easy ride; others are somewhat rocky. Be aware that this is a very popular trail and is now a bit worn. Be sure to grab a map at the trailhead so you don''t get lost, particularly on the Three Sisters side of the trail.

• Buffalo Creek: Located in Pine, Colo., Buffalo Creek intersects the Colorado Trail. It''s a fast-paced trail with lots of downhill sections, some that pass through water bars. Buffalo Creek winds through forests, meadows and burnt out areas and allows opportunities for awesome hikes. Some of the turns are somewhat loose with sand, and there are a few pretty technical spots.

• GreenMountain: This Denver park has won acclaim as a nice bike trail that is close to the city. The trail is essentially a loop that is easily accessible from several locations. It maintains a fairly constant elevation as it winds around the base of Green Mountain but does have a fairly steep, extended climb to the top and a quick descent to the bottom. The scenery includes cactus and scrub brush with no trees. It''s an entire network, so exploring will be rewarding. One downside is that it is often crowded with hikers and other bikers. At the tower, the view is definitely worth dismounting for.

• Palmer Park: Located in Colorado Springs, this park has trails for everyone. Palmer is surprisingly large, with trails that crisscross every section of the park. When you combine trails, you can end up with a really long ride that offers various levels of difficulty. The trails are well-marked and rated like ski slopes: green trails for beginners, blue for intermediates and black diamonds for extreme riders. Palmer offers a variety of rock, sand and scrub brush obstacles and many types of terrain, including winding sections, rock drop offs and great jumps.

• Yellow River: Newly renovated, this Stone Mountain, Ga., park is a great bike trail that is well-maintained. It''s a complex knot of trails that can be confusing to people unfamiliar with the park. The trails have signage indicating the level of difficulty, but because trails cross so often, riders can still get turned around. The now-closed creek trail offers a shorter, more difficult ride, and many riders still seek it out. The river trail offers a very scenic, easy ride.

Resource

Dirt World (n.d.). Mountain Bike Trails. Retrieved April 18, 2008, from the Dirt World Web site.