Mtb Guides

Guide Information & Continued Information from "Bucket List Trails"

It has happened to me more times than I can count--so excited to ride new trails in another state, and then all of the frustration of getting lost or wondering if I am hitting the best stuff.  I can stop this from happening to you.  I will guide you or help you find a good local guide for any of the following destinations in the Southeast:  

• Oak Mountain State Park, near Birmingham, AL. This is where I teach and ride the most, so I know it like the back of my hand.  Whether you like the fast and flowy, or the easy, or the technical, I can help you ride our trails in the best directions.  Few people like the extremely gnarly, technical terrain.  But If you or your group likes that kind of riding I can guide you on our "Boulder Ridge" and other technical trails at Oak Mountain.  Unless one rides these trails frequently as part of a group ride, there is no way to spot the lines we have built.  Without a guide, all that is evident are the "Strava killing" by-pass lines.  If the technical is not what interests you, then no problem.  I can show you the routes that I believe are the most fun for the type of riding you enjoy.  Oak Mountain can be ridden year around.  I have guided numerous individuals and groups over the years for free, but unfortunately because my time is so limited with groups and individuals wanting lessons, I now have to charge for guiding at the same rates that I charge for lessons.  But if you would like any tips on how to clean any of the features I guide you to, then I would be happy to share them.  Or if you would rather just be guided to the features and no tips or demos, I'm cool with that too!
•  Coldwater Mountain, Anniston, AL, an IMBA Silver Level Ride Center.  These trails handle moisture better than any other trails I can think of, and they can be ridden all year around.  Monte Sano in Huntsville, AL has some fun trails, but does not handle moisture well.  Information on each of these and other Alabama trail systems  here.
• Raccoon Mountain, Chattanooga TN.  (An inexpensive and clean place we stay when we ride Raccoon more than one day is The Crash Pad.)  I am familiar with many of the technical lines in the "Chunky Free-Ride Area" at Raccoon as well as the more traditional cross country and the newer enduro trails.  Super fun trail system!  But watch out for freeze thaw in the winter.
• My friends at Mulberry Gap in north Georgia offer some excellent guides and many other fun mountain bike adventures.  Mulberry Gap does this on some of the best XC trails in the Southeast.  Staying here and eating here has been some of the best times I've ever had on a mountain bike trip.  Their trails can be ridden year around.  And the scenery is wonderful!

Continued Information from Bucket List Trails:

Now for trails that I don't have any recommendations for guides on, but they are definitely worth it to stop and ride if you are anywhere near them.

• Missouri: My two favorites are in the Kansas City area.  The first is Landahl; the second is Swope.  Park up top by the police if you go to Swope; otherwise your car might get broken into. This is the reason why Swope is second on my list.  Also, don't try either if it is muddy.  Missouri clay will cake on your tires and destroy the trails.  Plus the rocks are super slippery when wet.
• Mississippi:  OK, so the riders in Mississippi win the award for being the friendliest and most hospitable of any place I've ever ridden.  I'm not saying that other places aren't friendly and hospitable, but they have everyone else beat.  That is reason enough to ride there.  Ridgeland Trails in Jackson is where I have led camps.  They have put in a ton of volunteer work on these trails, and the tender love and care for these trails shows.  The trails don't handle moisture as well as trails in Alabama, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page to make sure they are not closed when you are planning on riding.