Trail Flow is a roundup of all the mountain bike trail related news of the week including new trail builds, advocacy, and planning. Do you have trail news? Email [email protected] for possible inclusion.
SIMBA opens new 5-mile ‘Potato Peeler’ trail
Versailles, Indiana
The Southeast Indiana Mountain Bike Association (SIMBA) officially opened a new trail at Versailles State Park recently. The 5-mile-long Potato Peeler trail brings the total trail system mileage to 30.
New Hampshire mountain resort opens first bike park trail
Keene, New Hampshire
Granite Gorge Mountain Park, just outside of Keene, New Hampshire opened its first lift-accessed bike trail this week and the park says there are many more to come. The trail is almost a mile in length and pays homage to the Nickelodeon show Rugrats with its name, Reptar. The trail is rated green, but is said to be fun for all levels of riders, with jumps, ladders, and more. The resort’s website says they have a multi-year plan to build their park out with more mountain bike trails.
Malheur National Forest temporarily closes some trails
Malhuer National Forest, Oregon
The Malhuer National Forest in Oregon has temporarily closed bike trails near Magone Lake due to thinning activity. The thinning is meant to reduce and mitigate wildfire risks to communities, landowners, and improve habitat concerns for some species. The Back of Beyond, Beyond, and Lake Butte trails will all be affected.
Mountain bikers rescued by Maryland State Police after injuries on trail
Two mountain bikers who were injured separately on trails in Howard County, MD and Tucker County, WV were rescued by Maryland State Police aviation crews this past weekend. The riders were both in need of assistance and due to the difficult terrain, so responders used helicopters to help them.
Bikepacking Roots fundraiser
USA
Bikepacking Roots is “he only national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking,” and the group works to create routes while advocating for conservation. This summer they’re raising funds to support that mission with some great prizes including a Salsa Cutthroat, bikepacking gear, and even guided trips. For every $25 donated supporters get an entry into the raffle, which ends August 15. Click here to donate and get more info.
Utah resort also starts new MTB trails
Brighton, Utah
Not to be outdone by another new Salt Lake City area bike park Powder Mountain, Brighton Resort announced they’re starting mountain bike trails, though they didn’t clarify if the trails will be lift-served or not.
“We are starting on our first ever Brighton Mountain Bike Trail,” the resort said on Instagram, adding that they plan to implement an entirely new trail system in the coming years. The first trail build is just being started and it’s likely it’ll open next year, but there’s a chance it’ll open in the fall.
Plans and funding announced for bike park in Westside Park
Atlanta, Georgia
Urbanize Atlanta reports that officials are planning mountain bike trails and a pump track in Westside Park that should “rival almost anything in the country.” An anonymous donor has agreed to fund construction, and officials are looking to Bentonville, Arkansas for inspiration. Westside Park is one of the largest and newest parks in the city, located just west of downtown at the site of a former rock quarry.
