By Erica Tingey — Even with access to hundreds of outdoor databases with geospatial coordinates, elevation profiles, trail ratings and conditions many of us ride the same trails over and over again. While it’s valuable to learn every nook and cranny of your favorite trails, it’s also worth expanding your horizons and skill sets on new paths. Here are some tips on how to find new trails to ride and enjoy!
Riding with others
One of the best ways to explore new trails is for others to show you the way! Ride with friends, attend group rides, and/or join local biking clubs. Ask your local bike shop or search online for local bike groups. In Park City, for example, you can find the Team Sugar rides through White Pine and Moms on Bikes through the MARC.
Social Media
In general, I advocate spending less time on screens and more time on dirt, but you can find a wealth of information on social media by connecting to local mountain biking Facebook groups.
Pro Tip: I have a Facebook Group called “Women in the Mountains – Women Mountain Biking Group” and it’s a great place to connect with other local riders. There are nearly 700 women in there now!
Find and follow your local trail network’s Facebook or Instagram pages to learn more about local trails, conditions, and closures. In Utah, check out “Utah Mountain Bike Trail Condition Network” and “MTB Enthusiasts of Utah” on Facebook.
Mountain biking websites
Websites like Singletracks, Utah Mountain Biking, travel blogs or even YouTube – simply search mountain biking and the area you are looking to ride. You may be pleasantly surprised with all the video footage available to view!
Mapping and Mobile Apps
Trail apps can easily assist you in finding new trails, seeing posted conditions, photos, videos, and trail ratings. In addition, most trail apps allow you to download their maps and navigate offline. I highly recommend downloading and using Trailforks. The small annual fee is worth the wealth of current knowledge and live tracking.
Other useful apps include MTB Project, Alltrails, and Strava. Strava can help you find local trails— whether from your fellow Strava friends or by using the Segment Explore feature.
I also love using Google Earth or apps like Gaia, to scout out trails and routes. The challenge of mapping out and linking up long mile rides can be just as fun as the ride itself (but make sure to only ride where legal).
Visit Your Local Bike Shop
Bike shop employees are usually happy to give you the beta on local trails. In fact, when I visit a new bike town, my first stop is always the local bike shop to buy any needed bike gear and chat about trail conditions, information, and recommendations. Some of our favorite rides have come from friendly bike shop chatter.
Take a Mountain Biking Skills Clinic
Have you recently started mountain biking? Are you looking for trails to ride? Join us or many other MTB coaches for a clinic and a trip to Utah and experience some of Park City’s local trails! Consider either a Fundamentals or Intermediate Clinic and Trail Ride to get the most trail action and application with your learned skills. After your clinic and time with us, ask for trail recommendations. My coaches and I have ridden all over the place and have lots of ideas for you!
I hope to see you out exploring some new trails this year, be sure to tag us in your biking adventures on social media.
