IMBA announced their list of 2011 Epic rides late last month and in case you missed it, here are the trails that made the cut. Two of the five new Epics are outside the US and, as IMBA’s Mark Eller notes, the new crop includes several backcountry trails. “For many years, the term ‘Epic’ was the only honorific IMBA used, so we started applying it beyond backcountry trails. Today, the variety of Model Trail categories provides more options, so it’s a good moment to go back to the original idea of an Epic ride.”

Brown County State Park (Indiana)

photo: MINiC.

With nearly 30 miles of singletrack, Brown County State park is a pretty solid pick for IMBA Epic designation. A couple quotes from singletracks reviewers: “the best trail system I’ve ever ridden,” and “if I could give this trail system more stars I would.” The trails are flowy and fast with rocks, boulders, and bridges to keep things interesting. And if great trails weren’t enough, Brown County State Park also offers fantastic views and scenery. As one reviewer put it prior to the IMBA Epic announcement, “I have ridden three EPIC systems and this is better than two of them!” Touché.

Kerr Scott Trails (North Carolina)

photo: plantme777.

North Carolina just bagged their third IMBA Epic trail with the addition of the Kerr Scott Trails this year. Dark Mountain was the first mountain bike trail built at Kerr Scott Reservoir back in 2002 and local volunteers have been working with the Corps of Engineers ever since to add more trails and more miles. Today, Dark Mountain is joined by the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Warrior Creek trail for a total of 35+ miles of singletrack. Sign up for next year’s BURN 24 Hour mountain bike race to get your fill of this Epic trail!

Mountain Hero (Yukon, CANADA)

Talk about a backcountry trail! Mountain Hero features 28 miles of hand-built singletrack crossing mining claims inside the Yukon, Canada’s westernmost province bordering Alaska. The IMBA description suggests bringing along bear spray if you attempt this one so bring your A-game.

Rattling Creek (Pennsylvania)

IMBA hasn’t posted a lot of info on this trail (system?) located near Lykens, PA but from the sound of it, this place is a hidden gem! There’s a 3/4 mile boulder field along the trail and riders say the trail flows well in either direction (a rare distinction among mountain bike trails). As best we can tell there are about 20 miles of trail at Rattling Creek, though we’d love some help filling in the blanks!

W2 Trail (Wales, UK)

Unlike most bike trails in the US, the W2 trail in Wales boasts a bike shop, showers, and bike wash right at the trailhead parking lot! The trail system itself features 27 miles of singletrack inside Afan Forest with a mix of tight, twisty stuff and clean jump lines. One ticket to Wales please.

For the US trails it looks like this year’s list is a sweep for states east of the Mississippi. Better luck next year left coast!

A few weeks back I had a chance to go on a road trip down to Seven Springs in Pennsylvania with my buddies. I was so stoked to pack up the gear and take that 7-hour drive from my home to Seven Springs, especially since I didn’t have to drive my car. Packing up the gear in my buddy’s pick-up took a bit of time but we had to make sure nothing moved (a lot of damage could occur just during transportation). So in the end with all the spares (shocks, springs, cranks, cables, nuts, bolts, brakes, and any other part you could possibly think of), tools, bikes (spare ride included), armor, clothing, and food, you can see that the truck got pretty full.

From Toronto the trip to to the Super 8 near Seven Springs took about 8 hours including various “scheduled” stops. Needless to say, we were baked at the end of the day. We still had to unpack the truck and basically sleep with our gear. I don’t know about you but $30,000 worth of gear open for all to see is a bit too much of a temptation. So that hour was spent for good measure. Of course after a long ride we were tired but still stoked because the next morning we knew we’d be out hitting the slopes. There was another hour or two of chatting it up and watching bike videos until finally the Red Bull / Monster concoction that we had on the drive down wore off.

Arriving at Seven Springs there was the obligatory buddy shot (*tip* take camera shots before you hit the slopes, things tend to break soon after), on the rocks which I almost overlooked; fortunately my buddy Jay saw the shot. This is where a good camera, proper lighting, and a tripod come in handy. It took a bit of running and setting up white balance as well as proper exposure to get this shot but it did turn out well.  For this shot I used a 24-70 lens with a f2.8 minimum aperture. I had fun taking the shot and playing around on the computer to change up the look of the shot.

Seven Springs offers a good mix of slopes to ride, from easy blue dot trails (007) to more complex and techy diamond and double-diamond runs (Frankenstein and EC1 – upper and lower). In fact the DH runs were so much fun I found it hard to stop and get my camera out to take pics. On the second day of our trip I hung out on the collector a bit and took some shots of my friends and some other folks clearing the awesome 25ft tables.

The slopes offer good vantage points for taking great shots, especially with a fast lens like a 24-70 f2.8

The next shot is of my two riding buddies just playing in the air – with a table top jump you get a lot of hang time. It’s almost enough time to start thinking about life. The funny thing about the tables at Seven Spring is the first few times the kicker tends to buck you slightly forward. But once you got used to it you were in for a lot of fun!

At the top of the slopes at Seven Springs there are some great trail features. The Burner line has three back-to-back features which, when hit properly, are super smooth. You come in and hit a step down wooden drop, followed by a rainbow bridge about 6ft+ high in the air, and then hit a picnic bench jump. Once you land that you have a super smooth wooden berm which then merges you into trail EC1 (upper). Lots of fun.

On the lower section of EC1 there is a mandatory roll-over drop into a quick right hand berm which will make most people think twice. I did hit it and made it but it was one of those features that I had to say OK, did it, not doing it again. A bit sketchy but that’s part of the charm. I do have to give props to the trial builders at Seven Springs as they really did a great job at using what they had. With limited elevation they still managed to make some sweet fast runs. The wood-to-wood features were all well built and flowy.

Now the only thing that bothered me a bit was the shuttle up; there is a lift but only on the weekends and only when there are enough riders to turn it on. The trailer, in my opinion, did not have enough padding to keep the bikes safe. On one of my bikes the brake line was bashed hard enough to crack the inner liner and cause it to leak. They did offer to refund my money but I was more interested in getting a new line and riding. Luckily we had spare parts with us and ended up fixing the bike ourselves and continued on the day.

Lift passes cost about $30 Mon- Thurs and $35 from Fri- Sun. There are DH bikes and equipment you can rent at the resort – $85 for the full day rental on the bikes and $25 for the armor package. The bikes were Jamis BAM’s from what I saw displayed. As far as looking good, the retail side sells Oakley, Fox and Dakine gear at a decent price too.

If you’re in the area, check out Seven Springs and consider bringing the family along. Visit their website for more details on biking and other summer activities.

You may not think the residents of Philly can shred; perhaps you think their waking hours are spent honking at each other, eating dog food sandwiches cheesesteaks, acting crass at major sporting events, or feeling inferior to New Yorkers. You’d be right for thinking all these things, but for the select few who love dirt, two wheels and gnar, there are fantastic MTB options in and around the City of Brotherly Love. Let’s go down the list; priority will be given to those trails accessible by bike. Yup, we’ve got that too.

Wissahickon Valley Trails in Fairmount Park

A seriously long name for what locals call “The Wiss.” Part of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park system, the Wissahickon offers 14 miles of singletrack above the valley created by the creek that bears its name. Parallel tracks on both sides of the valley are accessed by Forbidden Drive, a packed gravel path that runs the length of the park. An added benefit is that if you live in the city, Forbidden Drive gives you access to any section of the system, no driving necessary.

Once you’re there, get ready for technical climbing, fast descents, and a well groomed new section in the north section of the park. No worries about getting lost either – you’re on a big loop with the creek down in the center and neighborhoods around the borders at the top. Shred at will, keep the water below you, and you’ll be good to go.

Belmont Plateau Mountain Bike Trail

Photo credit girlbikedog

Also in the Faimount Park system, (which covers 10% of the total area of Philadelphia!) Belmont Plateau is tighter, faster and has much less elevation change than the Wiss. This area is fantastic for a single speed 29er which is what the cool kids are riding in Philly these days.

For something like 23 years in a row, Belmont has been home to the Thursday Night Races. A dedicated group of trail wizards get there early and sort out a sweet, fresh course each week. Logs are lain, sections are shunted, and paths are chosen for highest technical challenge. Beginners do one lap, sport class does two, and the experts rip out three circuits through this wild area that butts up against Interstate 76. Those poor suckers are grinding gears to escape or enter the city on the most congested road on the planet (*citation required) while you can be turning yourself inside out mere yards away.

The Thursday races draw some of the fastest dudes and ladies from the Philly area, so think about who’s behind you before you stack up the pack dismounting to clear that log (they can probably clear it, make way).  And lest you witness the wrath of the wizards, don’t wear down the carefully maintained trails by being a “skidiot” (you know who you are.) After the races there’s usually drinking, merriment and telling of tales, so bring 6 of you favorite brew and share with the crew.

White Clay Creek Mountain Bike Trail

Sweet baby monkey I love this park! I’m not ashamed to admit why either: it’s easy. It’s a short drive down I-95 from Philly, it’s in Delaware, and it’s pretty flat. Nothing super technical, no lung-busting climbs, just cush, groomed, flowy singletrack. As the review in the title link says it’s “Like flying!” Damn right it is, and wicked fast to boot.

1. Get yourself a lightweight, snappy hardtail (like the Breezer Lightning pictured that I had the privilege of helping bring to market), 2. eat plenty of Wheaties before you head out, and 3. shred for hours.  Spring, summer and fall, White Clay has something for everyone and can get a bit crowded on the weekends. This is one place worth playing hookie for. I’ve spent many a weekday with my bike, my camera, and a few energy bars hitting the majority of the 24 miles of trails. Not one of them is a dog and as a bonus they threw in a skills course with teeter totters and raised sections with enough potential for cracked ribs and contusions that I’m recommending you ride with proof of insurance. Walk it before you ride it.

Fair Hill Mountain Bike Trail

Fair Hill is in the neighborhood of White Clay. The trail shares many of the same high points: fast, flowy, and well looked after. You’ll find more technical sections than White Clay, but we’re not talking double black diamond stuff.  Bike Line hosts a sweet race here in conjunction with the Mid Atlantic Super Series which is a great way to start the season if you’re interested in racing.

Grab a trail map and get exploring. There’s 80 miles (!) of dirt to explore so you may never hit the same combo of trails twice. It was a favorite of mine and my #1 riding buddy Jim (pictured) when we could line up a full day away from work. Pack a lunch, ice some coldees for after the ride, and if you’re riding with a thrasher like Jim, pack some gauze.

Camden County College Mountain Bike Trail

Photo credit: LWC

I was introduced to these trails by friend and coworker Brian. It was his local spot (he’s a Jersey dude, but way too cool for such labels) and it became our regular after-work shakedown. As a matter of fact, I’ve never been on these trails in the daylight. Those were the salad days of my Magicshine and man did I put all other lights to shame. It didn’t last, but that’s for another post…

Like Belmont Plateau these are tight, twisty trails in a relatively flat setting. Carry your momentum up and down the quick pops and climbs, be careful on the roots if it’s damp or misty, and don’t bog down in the few sandy spots – it is Jersey after all. The trails weave in and out of stands of pine that scent the air as you tear through. If you see a boulder tagged with the LWC logo don’t be alarmed – this singletrack is revered and looked after by Lone Wolf Cycling and they mark their territory like… you get the picture.

CCC has a tangled network of overlapping routes so go with a local if you can. You’ll be glad you did. Plus you can brag that you rode the informal testing grounds for bikes and gear under development by a Big Deal Bike Company.

IMBA’s April newsletter is chock-full of new trail news from across the country:

Oregon: An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to help fund a “destination bike park” on a 35-acre plot in Portland between I-84 and I-205. The land is between two interstates and near a former jail (remember what we said about MTB trails being built on crappy land?). No matter, $1 million can go a looong way toward building sweet trails and the early plan is for free ride and skills stuff in addition to cross-country style trails. Apparently this is a large project because it is estimated to take 3-5 years to complete.

Photo from Raystown.org.

Pennsylvania: Raystown Lake just got 30 miles of brand new, purpose-built singletrack thanks to IMBA Trail Solutions and 6 other trail building firms. The grand opening for the Allegrippis Trails is set for May 9 with group rides, demo bikes, and food. Trails are rated from beginner to expert so it sounds like there’s something for everyone!

California: Paradise Royale just got a $600,000 grant to expand the mountain bike trails in the King Range National Conservation Area. Bike magazine claims that Paradise Royale “might be America’s best new trail.” With a name like Paradise Royale it better be – those are big shoes to fill

So many new trails, so little time. I gotta update my ride wishlist…