Well, well, well, it seems to be that time of the year again. Time to break out the mountain bike, clean off the cob webs, and tune it up for another great season of biking. Maybe this year you could consider taking a trip to somewhere you’ve never experienced. There’s a mammoth amount of trails out there in the US calling for you. Let’s explore…
First things first, if your taking a trip, you have to figure out where you’re going. There’s a ton of places to go, I would recommend visiting some online mountain biking forums and see what people have to say. Word from people who have actually been there can be a huge factor in the decision process. I must say that… although camping can be fun and keep with the outdoor experience, a nice hot shower and mattriss are a great deal nicer than the ground and the creek after a day of hard riding. Trust me.
Once you decide where you’re going, it’s time to find a hotel and stock up on supplies. Most hotels along and near mountain biking trails have accommodations for bikers such as storage lockers for your bike and special wash stations and tune-up stations to clean and tune your bike. I recommend making reservations in advance as trying to find a vacant room after a long ride can get aggravating. For supplies, make sure you bring plenty of extra tire tubes and patch kits, any tools you may need to work on your bike, and extra protective equipment in case something malfunctions or breaks. Getting a local trail guide is always a good idea also.
So where are the best places in the US to go mountain biking?
No matter where you live, there are mountain biking trails in every state in the US. In essence, any scenic or rough trail that can be ridden with a bike for thrill or pleasure can be considered a bike trail unless otherwise marked. With that said… the best and most challenging trails in the US are in the Pacific Northwest, South West, and a few spots in the South East.
Pacific North West
Deschutes River Trail, Oregon- American River Bike Path, Northern California
- Black Diamond Coal Mine Trails, Washington
South West
- Colorado Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado
- National Trail, Arizona ( Experienced riders only)
- Slick Rock Trail in Moab, Utah (Experienced riders only)
For obvious reasons of elevation and terrain, the western part of the US is definitely superior for trail riding. South western areas are also gaining respect for the accommodations provided to “vacation bikers”. There are some South Eastern trails gaining popularity though, such as:
Bent Creek in Asheville, North Carolina- Blankets Creek Bike Trail in Woodstock, Georgia
- Half Moon Lake in Ocala National Forest, Florida
- Rock Springs Run State Reserve in Orlando, Florida
- Oleta River State Park in Miami, Florida
One more trail that I can’t forget to mention is The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the longest mountain bike trail in the world. Stretching from Mexico to Canada, this trail measures over 2000 miles long and passes through and over the mountains in New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming. This trail is for experts only. Considering the length and terrain, downgrades and dangerous ascents, this trail calls for top physical conditioning and expert riding skills.
FINAL THOUGHT
I have covered just a few of the multitude of options there are available for mountain biking vacations. For fellow enthusiasts, this tends to be a very enjoyable and memory packed adventure at a relatively low cost. If you’re interested…there’s plenty of spots in the US. 26,700 search results were returned for the exact phrase “mountain bike vacations” after my latest search. Enjoy your vacation.