What's the best trail for a beginner?

[jonbodin]

I'm a roadie who has just purchased a mountain bike (Stumpjumper 04). What are the best trails to get started on for a beginner? I live in the Plymouth area.

Thanks!!

[noise_is_life]

When I lived in Plymouth I liked to ride the singletrack/horse-trail that runs along the side of the Luce Line (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/luce_line/index.html) limestone trail. It's nothing too challenging, but it goes for a good distance and you might be able to ride it from your house.

The other great beginner trail is the Minnesota River Trail, check out the MORC trail review (http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/riverbottom.shtml).

When you are ready, head on down to Lebanon Hills (http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/lebanon.shtml), there is a beginner and intermediate loop, and as you improve you can check out the expert loops.

[Panman]

Plymouth eh.. it shouldn't be too much of a jont for you to go to Hillside (http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/hillside.shtml). :D Although you should get to know your new bike before you hit that trail. Well, a few good beginner trails are Lake Rebecca (http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/lakerebecca.shtml) and Elm Creek Park, both of which are Three River Park District. They are smooth, non technical cross-country ski trails. Checkout the Three Rivers Park District (http://www.hennepinparks.com/) for more info on those and as noise_is_life said, check out the trail review page (http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/index.htm).

[zerpy]

THE FARM!!!!!

Just kidding:)

I second the river bottoms. I don't know about what might be close to you that I can recommend, but the riverbottoms is a great place to start out. The west half of it is pretty flat and many of the obstacles can be ridden around. Plus it's a bidirectional trail so if you want to go back and retry obstacles you can, just watch for traffic. The east half is more challenging terrain and there are some wicked climbs, so you can take what you wish. But again, because it is bidirectional, if you decide that the hills are too much, turn around and head back.

[jonbodin]

Thanks for the ideas! My first time out was at Battle Creek (on a rigid bike!) with a friend who took me through both the easy & tough sections (scared a first timer!).

[Trevize1138]

River Bottoms. Definitely. I recommend all beginner MTBers start there because you can get comfortable with nearly all elements of trail riding with minimal risk of injury :).

The River Bottoms is a great trail in general, too. As you get more advanced the challenge becomes just how *fast* you can ride it.

Also, if you get caught riding your StumpJumper (nice choice, BTW ;) ) on the roads or paved trails for whatever reason (riding with kids, spouse who doesn't race, etc ...) take the time to practice holding a manual for several seconds and doing "real" bunny hops, as in lift front wheel THEN lift rear wheel, not both at the same time and NOT just pulling up on the clipless pedals (try bunny hopping with platforms a bunch).

The more I've ridden the more I've seen that good bunny-hopping skills account for 95% of the techniques needed to clear obstacles fast.

But, a lot of that will just take time as you get used to the mountain bike geometry. I started racing MTBs after a few years as an in-line skate racer and found that I was kickin butt on the uphills but getting passed back up in the twisty, log-ridden singletrack. You'll probably find the same thing if you try racing this year, but that will improve with time, of course.

Enjoy the StumpJumper! I love mine :).

[BrightYellow]

I have to agree with the river bottoms, it's probably the best. I'd also try Terrace Oaks and Lake Elmo park reserve, if you are near either of those areas. They are both suited for beginners.

-D

[manual63]

The River Bottoms is good, but even Leb is good. If you skip the X and XX loop, it's all pretty good smooth single track. There are a few challenges, but don't be afraid to try Leb. Now, you just need good parking skills to go there. Have you practiced your parking lately???

[fisherbikefreak]

The River Bottoms is good, but even Leb is good. If you skip the X and XX loop, it's all pretty good smooth single track. There are a few challenges, but don't be afraid to try Leb. Now, you just need good parking skills to go there. Have you practiced your parking lately???
I can solve the parking issue. Drive an old junker (mine is an old Isuzu Trooper), go bumper to bumper with a vehicle and just push them out of the way. Works for parallel parking also: your rear bumper to their front, back it out of the way and then push the car in front of you far enough to fit your vehicle comfortably.

Of course you do run the risk of a lawsuit but at least you will have the parking spot you desire for a great ride at Leb! I actually did this a couple times in college if a couple of my "friends" were parked together. Yeah, they weren't too happy. :hit:

[Trevize1138]

I can solve the parking issue. Drive an old junker (mine is an old Isuzu Trooper), go bumper to bumper with a vehicle and just push them out of the way. Works for parallel parking also: your rear bumper to their front, back it out of the way and then push the car in front of you far enough to fit your vehicle comfortably.

Of course you do run the risk of a lawsuit but at least you will have the parking spot you desire for a great ride at Leb! I actually did this a couple times in college if a couple of my "friends" were parked together. Yeah, they weren't too happy. :hit:
I love seeing the old junker vs. shiny, new, hulking SUV matchups on the streets and highways. The old junkers always win when it comes down to who really wants to risk damage to their car. Shad and I witnessed a guy in some 15-year-old Plymouth minivan vs. a brand-new Yukon. The guy behind the wheel of the Yukon was being an @zz trying to edge in front of cars with no blinker and no checking blind spots or anything.

The guy in the white minivan got cut off by the Yukon, so the white minivan siezes the next opportunity to cut off the Yukon. It was funny: fearless POS vs shiny new vehicle driven by a guy deciding between his ego and thousands of dollars in body work. :laugh:

[Tetreves]

I can solve the parking issue. Drive an old junker (mine is an old Isuzu Trooper), go bumper to bumper with a vehicle and just push them out of the way. Works for parallel parking also: your rear bumper to their front, back it out of the way and then push the car in front of you far enough to fit your vehicle comfortably.
This works especially well on all the Mini's at Leb, and if you run them over a few times, the owners just think they were stolen! :etard:

[halls]

i know i'am a little late but.........try the Pasty trils up in Cable Wis. Nice rolling single track.