Originally Posted by
swampboy62
It's a great sport. Started in my late early 40's, and still going strong more than 10 years later.
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I'd suggest heading up to Alum Creek, where they have a nice mtb trail system. Phase 1 is the easier, with Phase 2 being for more advanced riders. Here is the state park brochure with the trails
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Check out your local club - COMBO. They may have group rides focusing on new riders.
Good luck.
Steve Z
Great info, Steve, thanks! I definitely am aware of Alum Creek although I've only ever driven past (a very few times) and never visited. When I'm ready I will definitely go there and check the two Phases out. I believe COMBO maintains the trails, I will look into joining them for classes or rides when I have a suitable bike.
Overall I don't know that I need or want to progress past Blue trails; the whole freeride and DH stuff doesn't appeal to me much as a potential rider although it is kinda fun to watch on YouTube. (Or not...I think I ran across too many nasty crash videos involving badass jumps gone wrong.) Seems like there is a lot of suitable trail in beautiful (and largely flat) Ohio according to mtbproject.com, although Alum Creek Phase 1 will probably be
plenty for me to chew on for a good long while. I don't mind keeping all my rubber on the rocks all the time, or as close to it as I can.