Greenbrier 2x this week

[Johnny Bravo]

Just got back from my 2nd ride at Greenbrier State Park this week. I only live a few minutes away so it's very convenient for me to go there, but I'm tired of paying every time I go ($3/person this time of year). First I gotta say that I can't wait for my new shoes to get here as the old Diadora's I have are useless anymore especially on the rocky trails at Greenbrier. I took the blue trail counerclockwise (west-east) and it requires a lot of climbing so I had to end up walking a lot of it since my damn feet wouldn't stay on the pedals. :( Anyway, most of the trails are in pretty nice shape overall although I haven't ridden the whole red trail yet, but hope to hit it up next week sometime after my new shoes arrive. The weather has been fantastic lately with little rain so there really isn't any standing water or mud anywhere and the creek crossings are reasonably shallow. Overall the trails are plenty fast, but can be quite rocky in many places. It's too bad most MORE members live so far away as the trails are very under utilized and I think I've only ever encountered one other mtb'er out there in the several yrs I've been riding there.

Sadly, I forgot to charge my camera up so I didn't get any pics, but it's really nice out there this time of year. Hopefully some MORE members will make it out this way sometime soon as it would be nice to meet up with some other mtb'ers. Then again I suppose I could drag my butt down that way considering I'll be moving back to the DC area very soon :D

[stewey10]

How does Greenbrier compare to the yellow trail in Gambrill? I rode the yellow last weekend and really enjoyed it, although I had to walk several of the uphill rocky climbs.
Thanks!

[Johnny Bravo]

Wow, it's been a while since I've checked back here so sorry for the mega delay in posting a reply. It's quite possible you've already checked out Greenbrier so in that case just ignore what I say. :) But if not then here's my take on it...

Hmm, I'd say that overall the trail conditions are similar at both Greenbrier & Gambrill. Although the trails seem to be a bit narrower at Greenbrier with more roots & logs whereas Gambrill is a bit rockier. Strangely enough I've had more pinch flats at Greenbrier though so go figure. I definitely have to walk more at Gambrill than Greenbrier as the geograpy is a bit steeper, but the downhill bits are more fun because of that too. :D Then again the only time I've really bitten it hard was at Gambrill too (even tweaked my lil' left pinky; not good since I play guitar too) so I guess that goes with the territory. Comparitively speaking though I'd say the Blue trail at Greenbrier compares well with the Yellow trail at Gambrill. Great area to have two nice ridable parks so close together. :)

[Brizn]

There's free ride in access for Greenbrier. You can park at the biker bar just outside...or you can travel West past the entrance, left on Mt. Lena, then another left on Greenbrier Rd (I believe). Parking lot up ahead on your left. Look for lot and kiosk.

[tomn]

The lot I usually park at is on Mountain Laurel Road on the western edge of the park. Coming from Myersville on Rt. 40 you can either go counter-clockwise as you mentioned (pass the park entrance, L on Mt. Lena Rd, L on Greenbrier Rd, L on Mountain Laurel Rd) or clockwise (before the park entrance, L on Boonsboro Mountain Rd, R on Keadle Rd, R on Mountain Laurel Rd). I haven't seen a parking lot on Greenbrier Rd but it looks like there is a trailhead there (based on the overview trail map at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/maps/greenbriermap.html). On that trail map (even though it lacks any semblance of detail) you can see the trailhead for the lot on Mt. Laurel Rd. It's near the NW corner of the hunting area marked in red.