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Riverbend Park Mountain Bike Trail
Hickory, North Carolina
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
2 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 2/1/08 by EZ-E |
Difficulty: ? Unknown |
| Length: 8 miles | Global Rank: #1562 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 16 | Wishlist: 15 |
| Avg. Speed: 6.67 mph | Avg. Time: 0hr 45min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +590/-387 ft |
Directions:
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Description: Riverbend Park is a federal owned park on the banks of Lake Hickory. It offers activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and of coarse mountain biking. The mountain bike trail marked with blue markers is very technical. I would not recommend this trail for the begginer. The trail has very steep and technical downhills followed by heart-pumping climbs. Sections of the trail have some big air potential and some damage potential for the bike and the body. Very scenic sections along the lake side of the park. The total milage of the blue trail is 4.5 miles, but more milage can be added by riding the green trail. This trail is has some of the best singletrack in Catawba County.
Description: Riverbend Park is a federal owned park on the banks of Lake Hickory. It offers activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and of coarse mountain biking. The mountain bike trail marked with blue markers is very technical. I would not recommend this trail for the begginer. The trail has very steep and technical downhills followed by heart-pumping climbs. Sections of the trail have some big air potential and some damage potential for the bike and the body. Very scenic sections along the lake side of the park. The total milage of the blue trail is 4.5 miles, but more milage can be added by riding the green trail. This trail is has some of the best singletrack in Catawba County.
added on October 29, 2006 by 
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by mudhunny on February 3, 2009
From the Park Ranger: We are operated by Catawba County (not federal), we no longer charge a $2 fee for riders, we are now only closed on Wednesdays, and we no longer allow horses. We are in the process of trying to improve our mountain bike trails--to suit both experienced and inexperieced riders. Any input would be appreciated!
reviewed by EZ-E on July 16, 2007
Pros: This is probably the most WELL-MARKED trail I've ever ridden. There are trailblazes everywhere along with 'mapstands'(see photos) they have maps posted along the trails throughout the park - almost like a "You are Here" like in a shopping mall! Some fun downhills, the doubletrack downhill is easy(see video) and long enough to amass decent speed and some natural erosion controls to catch air on...as for the singletrack descents, use caution on your 1st time out- there are some quick turns at the end of some hills where you can run out of trail quick. I went completely when off the trail in one spot. There are also some short but steep climbs. As for the park...nice river views, fishing, picnicing and a dog park looking out on the Catawba river just below the Lake Hickory Dam. Easy to find from I-40(see photos for landmarks), about 10-15min north...good to hit for a ride and picnic lunch, if you're passing through. First-time visitors ride for free. Cons: The trail was in disrepair in some areas(6/2007), alot of tinderwood littering the trail and I experienced a couple limbs down across the trail. The first mile or so of singletrack is tight and rooty, but it smooths out in many sections after and gets faster. The trail network does not appear to have any set route-and appears to be two-way. While the signage/maps are great out there, there are forks which may give you pause of "which way now?" If you want to do all of the trails(blue & green) this will probably require some overlap.
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