Trails *between* Beginner & Intermediate?

[SWriverstone]

Hi All:

I'm a new MTBer best described as a "low-level intermediate." My wife is also just getting into MTBing and is a beginner. (We're both experienced roadies though, so we're not new to biking.)

I'm not sure why this always seems to be the case...but in almost every outdoor sport I've participated in, there seems to be a big gap between easy beginner places to do the sport...and fairly challenging intermediate places. (I'm also into whitewater paddling, snowboarding, hang gliding, etc.)

While I certainly know little-to-nothing about all the MTB trails in the Mid-Atlantic (who does?)...what research I've done so far seems to suggest that most trails are either...

a) wide-open, totally smooth dirt/gravel beginner trails (like the C&O towpath)...or...

b) difficult (for a beginner) technical singletrack that's often rated (by advanced riders) as "intermediate."

So I'd love to get some suggestions from other club members on places to ride that are really between beginner and intermediate. Such a trail might look like this:

Beginner-to-Intermediate: mostly flat, maybe a few easy grades and gentle rollers (nothing really steep)...with mostly smooth dirt/fine gravel surface...interspersed with occasional short sections that are a little more technical—with a few larger rocks to ride around...some low logs to cross...but nothing that's intimidating to a beginner—just fun slightly challenging stuff to improve skills on.

Put differently...the towpath bores us to tears. But we also aren't into hike-a-biking much either. We want to gradually improve our skills without "jumping into the deep end" and having to sink or swim!

If someone could recommend some places (preferably west of DC/Baltimore), I'd be grateful!

Scott

EDIT: I've been riding trails in Greenbriar State Park...for the most part, the easier trails there fit the "beginner-to-intermediate" description...but there are still some relatively long sections that are very difficult for a beginner or "low-level" intermediate (e.g. I had to walk these sections, which was a drag.)

[jabberwocky]

I wouldn't classify the towpath as a mountainbike trail at all. You are looking for beginner MTB trails.

Wakefield Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1202) is the ubiquitous beginner recommendation. It has very little in the way of elevation gain, isn't terribly technical but is still interesting to ride. I would start there and see what you think.

[jabberwocky]

Oh, and another good recommendation is Rosaryville State Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1198). Its to the east of DC, so doesn't exactly fit your geographic preferences, but its very fast and flowy and decidedly non-technical. The only problem for beginners is the length: roughly 10 miles, but if you guys are experienced roadies than thats probably not an issue.

[Dr Phil mmkay]

If you happen to head south, Laurel Hill sounds it it'll fit your needs. Not much climbing, all buff single track, multiple loops branching off the CCT so it's easy to bail out whenever you see fit.

[Kelley]

I saw that you're in Harpers Ferry. We're in Charles Town and there's not such great mountain biking in the immediate area. You might try Schaeffer Farms. Some of it you'll probably walk, but not so much that you won't have fun. My first time on a mountain bike was at Schaeffer, and although I fell alot most of it was doable. Right outside of Winchester there's a small trail called the 3rd Battlefield. The red loop is only about 1 mile, but it's fairly easy. Look up on mbtr.com for directions and trail information. On the more interesting side (I know you didn't ask for more difficult terrain but I think this is still rideable for a beginner) there's Cacapon State Park up near Berkeley Springs. About 75% of the lower trails are rideable for a beginner, so that might be a good option for you too. You would definitely need a map so if you go there go up to the lodge and get one. We've been there 3 or 4 times and manage to get a little confused even with a map. Feel free to send a pm if you guys ever want to ride with us. My husband Mark and I are I would guess intermediate riders and the way I see it it's good for us to ride slow and work on our skills.

Kelley

[Dr Phil mmkay]

You might try Schaeffer Farms.

Jabber and I were just there this morning. It's a nice trail system, got a little bit of everything. Decent hills (not as steep as FH, but a bit more stretched out), a few tech switch backs (with some roots thrown in), and some really nice mini-bermed sweeping turns. It's also got skinnies in one section, too.

If you live close to Schaeffer, I'd definitely would ride that as much as possible as it will ready you for more intermediate trails like FH and those at Gambril. Schaeffer's actually a little more advanced than Wakefield is as the climbs are longer and the switch backs are more prevalent and tighter. I would say 95% of the trail there is natural though, not obviously armored and man-made like WF (which isn't really a bad thing, just a different flavor).

[SWriverstone]

Thanks for the good info everyone! (And I'll PM you Kelley.) It's not that I don't want to challenge myself---I typically get pretty good at all the sports I do. It's just that sometimes there's a lot of benefit to stepping up gradually so you have time to develop skills and let things become second-nature.

Sometimes I enjoy hurling myself at something tough---it's definitely a rush when you make it through upright! :-)

I'm still learning to bunny hop and get over decent-sized logs right now.

Scott

[snappster]

There will be a bunch of MORE peeps at Fountainhead this morning. You probably could learn alot from them. I would expect at least one casual ride and retrys at the technichal parts with help from other people on technique.

[Squirrel Girl]

It would be a serious haul for you to get to, but Cedarville is a PERFECT beginner trail. Lots and lots of singletrack. Fairly flat (not completely), and little technical. Too bad it's ESE of DC.

There's Conway Robinson in Gainesville. It's got a few very small rock gardens that you'll probably dismount for, but they're very small. It's mostly flat, mostly singletrack, but some doubletrack, too. The Forest is fairly small, but if you try and get all the trails ridden, it's fun. And not super far (relative to the other places) to HF.

You could consider Little Bennett. It does have a lot of hills, and has a little technical stuff, but not too bad.

You could try GR Thompson on the Blue Ridge. It's mostly doubletrack, but it's a lovely site, especially in the fall. You get a workout going up the ridge, but it would be a step up from the C&O, that's for sure! It'd be relatively easy for you to get to.

[Squirrel Girl]

There will be a bunch of MORE peeps at Fountainhead this morning. You probably could learn alot from them. I would expect at least one casual ride and retrys at the technichal parts with help from other people on technique.

Fountainhead is not a beginner ride in any way shape or form. We just had a thread going here about someone posting how hard it was on their first trip. And gajillions of people saying how it about killed them the first time (like it did me). If you keep at mtbing, before long, you'll love FH, but I wouldn't recommend it for a near term answer to stepping up from the C&O. On the other hand, the picnic is a nice opportunity to meet some MOREons.

Too bad I can't attend.

[crack monkey]

I'll second the Schaeffer recommendation. It's a good network with a few loops, though I don't recall which ones are the easiest. It's alsoa LOT closer to you than Wakefield/Accontink or Rosaryville.

It's crazy that there aren't more beginner-friendly networks out your way, given the abundant terrain. Greenbriar is really the only option - Gambril and the watershed area are def. not for beginners.

[SWriverstone]

Oh I'm sure there are plenty of great places to ride out here in West Virginia...it's just that nobody's found 'em yet! :D

Greenbriar is definitely good, but even there, there's only one beginner-to-intermediate loop you can ride that doesn't have some steep, crazy rock garden sections (that beginner/intermediates would have to walk).

I'll definitely try to get down to Schaeffer Farms at some point—it sounds good!

Scott

[jtauber]

By the way, here's a link you may find useful:

http://singletracks.com/

Has trail ratings and comments by state.

[riderx]

Schaeffer Farm, Hoyles Mill connector, Black Hill park and Little Bennett Park are all very close to each other and each offers some of what you are looking for. These are the closest Maryland trails to Harpers Ferry that fit your description and should keep new mountain bikers happy and entertained for quite a while.

Rosaryville will be further away but is another good place for your level if you are willing to make the trek.

[TaniaPierce]

Another vote for Black Hills. The trail is open, there are a lot of rolling short ups and downs and it's FUN.

Little Bennett to me isn't a good beginner place -- the hills are long and occasionally steep (maybe I was just on a harder set of trails). When it's easy, it's easy. But when it's not... :flushed: Only a few logs.

Schaeffer's fun, but the trail is narrow in spots (I clipped my bars more than once there when I was first starting). Plus, it's busy so you're going to get buzzed by people flying down the trail. Fair amt of roots and a handful of logs with no go-arounds. Totally do-able, but I'd hit Black Hills first.

Seneca's an exit or two down from Schaeffer on 270 and also falls on the intermediate side of beginner. Big loop around the lake so it's hard to get lost. To me, Schaeffer's a little easier than Seneca but that's because I tend to focus on the lake (OMG! The lake's right there! I might fall in!!) and not on the trail.

I think Black Hills is your best bet.

[Squirrel Girl]

There's also the other Seneca. Seneca Greenway. Though for a beginner, I think I'd recommend starting at Watkins Mill and heading west instead of Rt 355.