Beginner Mountain Biking Around Indiana
Late summer 2009 I decided to try my hand at mountain biking. My wife and I had picked up a couple of Trek mountain bikes a couple years prior but the extent of our riding entailed toting the kids around the neighborhood. With my typical zeal though I did pick up Brian Lopes book, "How to Mountain Bike" and as it accumulated dust sitting in my garage, my nudge came from a friend that said, "hey, we should ride the Town Run Trail."
Town Run Trail is the most popular trail in the Indianapolis area and runs about 7 and a half miles. The trail was developed and maintained by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and they rate it as a beginner course, though I found it challenging on the easy track and looking at some of the optional obsticles made my gonads raise up a bit. We road the course a few times and it got easier each time. Also studied my How to Mountain Bike book which I found to be extremely useful and was able to apply the techniques to the course. The course is very well maintained but a downside is the crowd. Don't let that scare you away though; just be prepared to either courtiously pass or allow to be passed.
I also spent a weekend with Pancake in Muscatatuck Park and we road a section of their DINO course. I was actually feeling a little ambitious and made a jump that was just over my skill level (that's how you get better, right?). In fact, it went so well on the first jump that I figured I could do it again even better and instead got caught in a bear trap (hey, if you're gonna play use the language!). Anyway, I'm wondering if this dent in my shin is going to be a permanent reminder of that adventure. The DINO course was fun with less small obstacles than Town Run but longer climbs. It was fall and the leaves were lessening the traction on the course but all in all a good time.
In talking with cyclists I've learned that Brown County State park has some phenomenal trails rating all the way up to expert level. I've been researching the trail guides (click here) and looking forward to packing up the girls and the bikes and heading to Brown County when the weather turns nice.
