Where to freeride in the area?

[gcuete]

I am starting to freeride and so far de only place I know is the 'Shad wich has 4 or 5 jumps. I've heard of a jump park in VA but never found it. What are the options around the area?

[Brizn]

I saw your other post as well.... Keep trying to hook up with folks riding the Watershed. Once you get familiar with the riders and the land..... you'll see all there is to behold. Not sure about VA. I also know RideMonkey.com has a lot of freeride discussion. Good luck.

[pirate]

I am starting to freeride and so far de only place I know is the 'Shad wich has 4 or 5 jumps. I've heard of a jump park in VA but never found it. What are the options around the area?

There is a LOT more to do at the Shed than just 4 or 5 jumps... Seriously. You really just need to meet up with someone who knows their way around. ;)

I hope this response doesn't sound dickish... It's just that all the fun stuff that Shed has to offer, isn't really supposed to be talked about in public forums.

[DKEG]

I am starting to freeride and so far de only place I know is the 'Shad wich has 4 or 5 jumps. I've heard of a jump park in VA but never found it. What are the options around the area?
Also look on dcstreet.com they can show up where the 495 jumps are.

[jeff442nc]

I live in Alexandria near the Landmark Mall. I just moved here and I'm trying to get into freeriding also. Sooooo...lemme know if you find anyplace close! Especially stuff inside the city (since the trails are all muddy this weekend).

[Mike_R]

I live in Alexandria near the Landmark Mall. I just moved here and I'm trying to get into freeriding also. Sooooo...lemme know if you find anyplace close! Especially stuff inside the city (since the trails are all muddy this weekend).

I also live right near Landmark mall (off Yoakum Parkway).

I have only lived here for 7 months now and I'm just starting to get out more on trails.

I do like to ride around Alexandria and generally dork around town. I don't know any super secret spots or anything but if you want to ride and explore the area let me know. The best place to find me is on the Ridemonkey forums. My name is Del there and you can send me a PM on that site. I am less likely to see it here than there.

[Pie]

Your best bet for trail riding (xc style) is to hit Wakefield if you live in Alexandria. There's a bunch of very big dirt jumps a few mins from Alexandria right off 495 also, hence the name 495 Dirt Jumps.

But you're pretty out of luck if you're looking for downhilling or freeride stuff within an hour from NoVA, and your best bet is Gambrill State Park / Frederick Watershed up in Frederick MD. If you're into DH the big ticket in this reigon is racing, even if you don't care about where you place. The thing is that some places only open up once a year for a DH race.

Off the top of my head I can think of a few worth hitting:

Massanutten, VA, 2.5hr drive (open only for two day DH race)
Whitetail, PA, 1.5hr drive (open for 3 day DH/DS racing)
Snowshoe, WV, 4.5hr drive (open during summer for DH/FR and host 4 races)
Wintergreen, VA 2hr drive (open for DH/FR)
Diablo Freeride Park, NJ 4.5hr drive (host 3 races and DH/FR during summer)
Wisp, MD 3hr drive (host 2 or 3 races and DH/FR during summer)
Frederick MD, 1hr drive (DH/FR stuff but you need locals to show you around)

Being almost November it's time to hop on the skinny tired bikes and train for next year. Or start your digging. This past season was a long one for me. We started riding in March and today was the first weekend I didn't ride my big bike (but I'm hurt so I have a pass).