JohnF
Tricycle
Posts:3
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| 11/24/2008 12:30 PM |
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Hi All,
First off, I wanted to thank in advance those who respond to this post because I could really use some local trail knowledge. I will be visiting my in-laws in Shelbyville for a week in December for the holiday and would like to hit at least three of the trails near there. Looking at the KYBIKETRAILS link for maps, I see that the closest trails are Briar Hill, Cherokee Park, Waverly Park, and Capital View. Can you please provide trail descriptions, length, are they all well marked, where is parking for them. I searched the website for this info, but couldn't find it. If it is there and I just missed it, please direct me to the link. Ability wise, I would like to ride the best trails there are, expert level is fine. Also, what is the average travel bike you all ride?
For this info, I offer my thanks and my advice should any of you come to NY and want to ride on either Long Island or in Westchester. I'd even be happy to play guide should you find yourself in NY. My local trails, if you are curious, are listed at
www.climbonline.org
www.wmba.org
Thanks again and I am looking forward to putting wheels down on your trails. - John |
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scopes monkey
Big Ring
Posts:116
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| 11/24/2008 12:59 PM |
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If you look under the KyMBA logo to the upper left of this page there is link to trail maps and conditions (not sure if this is the same link as in your post).
Doubtful that Briar Hill will be in rideable condition this time of year.
Only hit Cherokee if you have someone to show you around. I would offer but would probably slow you down.
I'm pretty sure that you can hit Waverly and have a good time w/o a guide. Just start on the trail head that is connected to the end of the parking lot by the playground. I still seem to get a bit lost in the upper section but it only adds some extra ride time.
I can't tell you anything about Capital View as I've never been.
A little extra drive time will also get you to Otter Creek or Ft. Duffield. I'm not sure if the extra drive to Brown Co might not be worth it.
Be forewarned, our soil does not hold up well to rain or freeze/thaw conditions so there is a very good chance of your ride being scuttled by weather conditions. |
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RJ Reynolds
Big Ring
Posts:144
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| 11/24/2008 1:03 PM |
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| as far as bikes go most people ride a 3-4.5 inch travel bike or a hardtail. There is nothing to crazy around here that you would need anything more |
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the weak link
Big Ring
Posts:270
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| 11/24/2008 2:15 PM |
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OK. From Shelbyvlle the nearest park is Capital View. There are some tough spots there if the Bonzai Downhill still exists. I do not know how much problem freeze-thaw is there. Someone else would have to comment.
The best "all-weather" trail, so to speak, is Waverly. From Shelbyville you're probably talking of an hour to get there, more or less. The toughest in the area is Ft. Duffield, which would be another 15-20 minutes on down the road. |
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chuck_clark
Big Ring
Posts:345
Registered Users
Louisville
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| 11/24/2008 3:03 PM |
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As stated earlier, all trails in the area are prone to be muddy in December. So, if it's cold, go very early.
Capitol View is fun, but may be difficult to find all the nooks and crannies without a guide. Cherokee is the same if worse in that respect.
Considering your needs, I would vote for the following:
1. Brown County State Park (furthest to drive [~2.5 hours or less] to, but likely the most fun trail in the area).
2. Combo up Otter Creek Park and Ft. Duffield in the same day. Both are relatively easy to find trailheads and routes.
3. Waverly or Youngers Creek. The former is fun, easy to find and negoitate, if a bit short. Youngers is hard to find, can get you lost in the leaves easy, but offers a fair bit more trail and certainly a more epic experience.
I've ridden everything above on a rigid SS 29er, but most prefer mostly short travel suspension.
You are also not terribly far from Daniel Boone National Forest, but I would not want to comment on trails especially in December. Most are multi-use and you need Jedi directional skills or a good local to escort you.
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JohnF
Tricycle
Posts:3
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| 11/24/2008 4:07 PM |
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| thanks everyone. I am well aware of "treading lightly" as Long Island is subject to the same types of mud based trail errosion as you also seem to have. I am only planning to go very early morning as I am really supposed to visiting family and not out mtn biking, but everyone understands. but since I am driving, I can't resist taking a bike along as I have wanted to do for many years now. Thanks again and see you on the trails. |
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pat_collins
Little Ring
Posts:91
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| 11/24/2008 5:01 PM |
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| There is a 20 mile loop across from the Cave Run Visitor Center in the Daniel Boone that freeze thaw will have no effect on (besides a 10th mile section of bog at the very top), it has awesome views of the lake and surrounding forest and a blazing downhill to finish...From Shelbyville it would take 1:45 to get there and is well worth the drive. I would hate to see you come to KY and only ride urban parks but if it's all you have time for Waverly or Otter early early in the day would be my choices without a guide. |
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JohnF
Tricycle
Posts:3
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| 11/25/2008 10:43 AM |
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Unfortunately, the Daniel Boone will probably have to wait till next time, although there is a slim chance. Just the 13 hour drive to and from KY will be plenty for one week. But thanks everyone else for the advice. I will post again before we come and maybe we can meet up with some folks for a ride one morning. Will be down week of 12/22-26.
Thanks again for all the help. |
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BarryL
Little Ring
Posts:81
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| 11/25/2008 5:11 PM |
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John...Cherokee is a great ride. It's only 20 minutes from Shelbyville via 64. I'm 10 minutes from Cherokee and would glad to show you about any time... happypop@insightbb.com if you want to ride...
Waverly is a lot of fun, fast and furious...but as some have posted, a bit of a haul... Otter is way out there...and I rarely ride there unless I've got an entire afternoon to dedicate...
drop me a line if you want to ride... |
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Rod
Little Ring
Posts:83
Registered Users
Morehead
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| 11/27/2008 12:14 AM |
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If you ever want to ride at Cave Run let me know and I'll gladly show you around. Like someone else said we have a trail that can be ridden year round even after a big rain. This trail can be a 6 mile loop with 3 miles on the dirt and 3 back on the pavement, 10 miles off road, a 6 mile out and back, or a 16 mile loop including the fire road bog at the top if it has rained. The downhill coming off of this is amazing. I've hit speeds of 30+ mph on it. If it's frozen we can hit any trail nearby and can ride as long or as short as you want. There's a 22 mile loop with lots of climbing that kills me if you want to give it a go someday. It is definitely worth the drive to ride the Cave Run area in the fall, but I wouldn't consider it in the spring or early summer when it gets trampled by horses. Hopefully something will be done about this situation. |
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Guyfry
Tricycle
Posts:2
Registered Users
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| 12/21/2008 8:32 AM |
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There's a very nice mountain bike trail system in Versailles State Park, Indiana.
It would be a 1hr, 50 minute drive directly north of Shelbyville, Ky. Once you get to Madison, IN, it's a straight, easy ride to Versailles.
Versailles has 13 miles of intermediate trails, custom built for mtn bikers. The biggest hills are about a 200 ft climb/decent. Lots of great views of Laughery Creek, and deep ravines. The Creekside trail has a bunch of rocky sections, including a land slide area, which can get frozen over in the winter.
We've only been working on these trails for four years, so many KY mtn bikers probably haven't been here yet.......... There's a lot of sweet new trails that are going to be built in the coming years.
It's a Hoosier Mountain Bike Association project.
Like most places in the area, only ride VSP when the trails are frozen this time of year.
This map doesn't include a brand new trail, a 4 mile loop, that is on the hill above the trailhead.
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