The Pros and Cons of the Flow Trail [Podcast #19]

On this Episode It seems as if mountain bikers have a love-hate relationship with flow trails and in this episode, we discuss some of the pros and cons of the flow trail. Jim Hodgson joins us and talks about how dissing on flow trails is analogous to enjoying a nice cold IPA. “If you don’t …

By Jeff Barber
November 19, 2015 Last Updated: February 3, 2021

4 comments

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On this Episode

It seems as if mountain bikers have a love-hate relationship with flow trails and in this episode, we discuss some of the pros and cons of the flow trail. Jim Hodgson joins us and talks about how dissing on flow trails is analogous to enjoying a nice cold IPA. “If you don’t enjoy the most technical trails in the world, then you’re not a true mountain biker.”

Listen in to our full conversation to hear this plus a rundown of some of the best flow trails we’ve ridden.

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Hap Proctor Florida // 2014
Nov 24, 2015

As one who started riding after retiring from employment, I enjoy a nice, smile inducing section of flowy trail. I have ridden only one machine cut trail, Alsea Falls in Oregon. It was like riding a kiddy roller coaster!
Sandy Ridge is an IMBA designated "Flow Center" but there is plenty of technical stuff there. It all looked hand made to me. Are any of the trails there machine made?

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AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Nov 24, 2015

I think it's safe to say that much of Sandy Ridge is machine made, particularly the huge rollers. However, you bring up a good point that a mixture of machine and hand building (like what went into Sandy Ridge) makes for a really fun and unique trail. During my ride at Sandy Ridge I saw volunteers hand-working a particularly rocky and rooty section.

Jim Klaas Oregon // 2015
Nov 19, 2015

Really enjoyed the podcast about flow trails. I have ridden mt bikes since the Schwinn King Sting days. All of a sudden the whole world became a playground. I now live in Hood River Oregon and have seen an increbible increase not only in the amount of trails in the area but the varity of trails. We have everything from bone crushing technical, to air force worthy gaps, right down to super flowy fun trails. I love them all. There seems to be something for everybody. There are lots of days when I want to pound out an uphill and and survive the downhill and then there are days, I need a break from work and only have an hour, thats when I hit the flow trails. Easy up and super fun rollers down. It resets a bad day's clock. I have a 14 year old son that rides it all and loves the uphill, the down and the air. I have noticed that when he wants to to take a non riding girl for an afternoon adventure he always grabs the extra Surly Fatty from the herd and picks the flow trails as an introduction to mt biking. I have gone along on several occasions....and it is awesome to watch...they always have an incredible time. My kid gets to showoff a little and the girls get to see everything from mild to wild riding riding in the beautiful Cascade Mountains. I just started listening to the podcasts a few days ago and love the discussions you are having. We are packing for a trip to Moab and will be listening along the way.

Yes, the folks have created a great spot. On my first visit (summer '14) I was totally out of my comfort zone on most the trails, but was a bit more up to the challenge this summer.

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