Where do you ride?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris Baggott on February 28, 2008 at 5:45pm

I'm exclusive to Brown County State Park :-)

Permalink Reply by Jim Brown on March 1, 2008 at 10:03am

I just started riding last year and love it. Being from Columbus originally, one of the first places I rode was Brown County, and I love it. Definitely looking forward to a little bit warmer weather, to get the bike back out.

Permalink Reply by Jim Cota on March 2, 2008 at 8:28am

Yeah, I remember the time Chris and I spent several hours in lost on trails in there with Chris saying, "I think it's this way..." at every fork. Me thinking, "Uh... we just came from that way!" Fun times...

Permalink Reply by Paul Arlinghaus on February 29, 2008 at 2:28pm

Hi Brian,

Currently, Town Run is the only mtb trail in the Indy Metro Area. The good news, is that we are in the final stages of getting approval to build trails at Fort Ben. Look for news on this later in the year.

HMBA does how ever have a number of other trails throughout the state.

Range Line in Anderson: about 8 miles of trails with beginner, intermediate, and expert options. This is a fun trail and it has a completely different feel than Town Run. Where Town Run is fast and lets you rail the turns. Rangeline is much tighter and technical (esp on the expert loop). There are several places that will test your skills and may make less technical riders walk. (No Gate Fee)

Avon (West of Indy): has about 4 or 5 miles of trails. A couple of trails have some technical spots. Overall its a fun but short trail. (No gate Fee)

Westwood is about an hour east near New Castle. Westwood was the 1st trail HMBA built completely from scratch. It is a 10 mile loop around a lake. It doesn't have any one climb that stands out, but it is constantly climbing and descending. Great views of the lake while getting a great work out. (Park has its own fees. There is an annual pass, and and extra charge for bringing in bikes, but HMBA members get the bike fee waived.)

Brown County State Park (BCSP). This is the trail system that we dreamed of building when HMBA started. I can really describe this park as well as pictures can tell the story.

http://www.alexmtb.smugmug.com/gallery/3915495_B8yTZ#227246453

We are in the middle of and RTP grant project, which provided $150,000 to build world class trails. The HP to Campgrounds trail was the first part of this. Construction is currently ongoing on expert and beginner trails. Our 10 year plan is to have 40 to 50 miles of trails here. (State Parks have a daily fee $6 or a session pass 30ish. The State park annual pass really is a non brainer)

Versailles State Park BCSP steels the headlines, while Guy and his band of trail builders have built their own gem at Versailles State Park. It takes and extra 20 minutes to get to Versailles from Indy, so this trail doesn't get the traffic that BCSP gets, but this trail ranks right there with BCSP. Another loop is nearing completion, and this trail is a must hit trail for your summer riding plans.. (State Parks have a daily fee $6 or a session pass 30ish. The State park annual pass really is a non brainer)


Ferdinand State Forest: Southern Indiana along I-64. This trail trails started as a series of brutal fall line climbs. HMBA has been working will local trail builders to slowly replace the fall line trails with contour trails, which add distance to the trails and make they more fun to ride. (State Parks have a daily fee $6 or a session pass 30ish. The State park annual pass really is a non brainer)


Our friends up North (NIMBA) have just opened a 6 or 7 mile loop at Potato Creek (near South Bend). (State Parks have a daily fee $6 or a session pass 30ish. The State park annual pass really is a non brainer)


While 5 years ago, most park managers were gun shy of letting mountain bikers build trails on their property, our success's at BCSP and Versailles have turned the tide. We expect to start construction of trails at Fort Ben, O'Bannon State Forest, New Harmonie, and a trail in Lafayette in 2008. There is also positive movement on Charlestown State Park and South West Way.

There are some other, non HMBA trails throughout Indiana.
Portage (NW Indiana)
Valley Branch and Gnaw Bone (Brown County): private properties with for more adventurous outings
Nebo Ridge. Back in the day, this was "The Trail" in Indiana. With BCSP a closer drive for most, it gets less mountain bikers. It also is part of Hoosier National forest which has its own pass system, you can get ticketed for riding ther

Permalink Reply by Brian Conradt on February 29, 2008 at 4:57pm

Wow! Thanks for the info. This is all worth tons to me and will help out a lot while planning my summer!

Permalink Reply by Jim Cota on March 2, 2008 at 8:29am

Paul, hearing that they're going to open some of the trails at Ft. Ben is the best news I've heard this week. I rode there some when it was transitioning from base to park, and there are some beautiful spots in there. I encountered deer, fox, and a whole flock of blue heron. Can't wait to be able to ride there legally.

Permalink Reply by Scott Cunningham on March 9, 2008 at 6:17pm

I agree with Chris. Bloomington has over 60 miles of trails in the brown county state park. 45 minutes there, rarely see more than a half dozen people on the trail in a 1-2 hour ride. Great ups and downs.

If you ever get a chance to travel. Go to Downeyville California. Awesome riding down single track mountain trails. Brevard, North Carolina (outside Asheville) has a large number of trails at various skill levels in the Pisgah Forest. Take a guide so not to get lost and be in shape. There is no forgiveness once deep in the trails.

Permalink Reply by Paul Arlinghaus on April 1, 2008 at 4:07pm

HMBA 2008 current schedule

April

April 5th (Saturday): Clean up Town Run Day (9:00AM)
April 17th (Thursday): IMBA Ride at Ferdinand State Park (5:30PM)
April 19th (Saturday): IMBA Trail Care Visit at New Harmonie State Park (9:00AM)
April 20th (Sunday): IMBA Trail Work Session at New Harmonie State Park (10:00AM)
April 21-25 (Week of): IPD MTB Police Conference (Town Run, Westwood, Avon)



May
May 3rd (Saturday): Pisgah Adventure Race
May 17th-18th (Weekend): DNR Trail kick off at O’Bannon S.P. (Tentative)
May 24th (Saturday): Lilly Club Ride at Town Run

June
June 6th (Friday): HMBA Trail Building Training at Brown County S.P. (6:00PM)
June 7th-8th: HMBA Trail Building Weekend at Brown County S.P. (Guys only)
June 7th-8th: HMBA Women’s Clinic at Brown County S.P.
June 21st (Saturday): Dino Kids Clinic in Indianapolis
June 26th (Thursday): DNR Trails Advisory Board Meeting at BCSP

September

September 7th (Sunday): Town Run Time Trial

October
October 4th (Saturday): Take a Kid Mountain Bike Day
October 11th (Saturday): Brown County Break Down Expo
October 12th (Sunday): Brown County Break Down