good MTB trails in Indiana (or surrounding area)?

[Catrin]

Hi everyone,
I got married last week , and our wedding gift to ourselves was new (our first) mountain bikes. I got a Specialized Myka, he got a Giant Talon 29er w/Disc breaks. We're having lots of fun, and we are now on the prowl for more trails within a 2-3 hr drive of Lafayette, IN. I've been a roadie for years, but am totally new to off-road. Any suggestions?

Brown County State Park!!!!

It might be a little longer drive, but it has some of the sweetest single-track in the country. There are close to 30 miles of single-track and there are several beginner trails, intermediate, advanced and very advanced.

I live in Indianapolis and while there are trails in town, I choose to drive to Brown County State Park most of the time - it only takes me about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there.

Indianapolis has a brand new beginners trail at Fort Harrison State Park - the beginners loop is very easy, easier than the beginners trails at BCSP. I really think it is better for someone who has never been on a mountain bike trail before - shifting really isn't required, totally flat, just some twisty-bendy stuff through trees and a couple of very, very low bridges.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

[Catrin]

I didn't see Indy's reply before mine, I suspect we were typing at the same time and then I got distracted before posting it.

http://www.hmba.org/ is the website for the Hoosiers Mountain Bike Association, it is state-wide and they do an awesome amount of work. You can find information on the various trails through the forum.

BTW, if we didn't mention it, head to Brown County State Park

[trbl_mkr]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think we will hit Brown County in a few weeks!

[indysteel]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think we will hit Brown County in a few weeks!

You'll love it down there!

Before heading out to any of the MTB trails in Indiana, be sure to check trail conditions on the HMBA website first. You might save yourself a trip. On the HMBA homepage, you'll see trails marked as red (trails are unrideable), yellow (rideable with some caveats) or green (go ride). There are also ongoing discussions in the HMBA forums as to more specific trail conditions for the more popular trails. These are offered by local riders based on their own personal observations. They also report things like downed trees so that HMBA volunteers can tend to the trails as needed. If you ever spot a problem, that's where to report it.

Even if a trail is noted as green or yellow, you should always exercise some independent discretion. For instance, at Brown County, some trails get wetter than others after a rain. The beginner trail called Pine Loop is more soupy than most other trails, so after a rain, it's the trail you really need to be most patient with. Of course, the trails are so dry right now that rain hasn't been a problem...but it likely will be as we move into fall.

Since it sounds like you're both new riders, you might benefit from a local clinic offered in Brown County every June. It's primarily a women's clinic, but they do have a men's session on Saturday. Several of us here have taken the clinic, and it's a good place to start for a new rider.