You can travel all around the perimeter of the state of Kansas and find some fantastic biking trails with great and gorgeous terrain. The state isn’t all entirely flat like the central part of its geography! This is great news to visitors from nearby states and travelers who want to give Kansas trails a try. And with trails for riders of all skill and experience levels, this state is a great place to get started in mountain biking, as well.
Not far from an old coal mine that is no longer used near Pittsburg, you can find Wilderness Park, home to some great diverse biking trails. The park itself is heavily wooded and includes some beautiful lakes, as well. The trails vary from flat areas of easy terrain to hilly areas, turns and twists to keep riders on their toes, and sections with lots of rocks and roots. One downside is that the trails aren’t all marked prominently-perhaps because many had humble beginnings as fire roads-but that gives you even more reason to go exploring in search of those challenging trails.
Jackson Park near Atchison has some fairly new trails with new stuff being added all the time. You can maps in town. These will help since not all the trails are well-marked. There are gravel sections, log climbs, and other technical things to make for an interesting ride. On top of that, the park itself is gorgeous! This area has a lot of potential.
If you don’t mind braving killer mosquitoes at Camp Horizon not far from Arkansas City, intermediate and advanced bike riders will love the network of complex trails there. Set above the Arkansas River, riders will find lots of rapid descents and drops, steep inclines to get there, rocks, ramps, and other challenges for a fast-paced, technical ride. Hint: Pack bug spray and you’ll enjoy the route a lot more!
Nine miles of fairly flat terrain at the River Trail will make speed demons ecstatic. Near Lawrence, this route is well ridden by lots of bikers, so stay alert for others, and plan to enjoy a few switchbacks, small climbs, and muddy spots thrown in for variety and good measure. If you choose not to go the complete 9-mile route, there are bail out areas along the way, as well.
Did you know that Perry State Park includes 15 miles of fantastic new biking trails-many of which overlook Lake Perry itself? Not many people do-yet! But this new area is sure to gain popularity rapidly with mounting biking fans. These trails weave through the forest and offer lots of exciting challenges-like roller coaster hills, tons of rocks, twists and turns, bone-chilling descents, and even creek crossings. With such an offering, these trails are made even more attractive by the fact that they are marked as to the difficulty and experience level riders should have before tackling each section and a great map to help you select the best route for you.
Manhattan, Kansas has some of the most extreme mountain biking anywhere in the state. The Tuttle Spillway Cycle area is no exception! This was originally designed for motorcycles and ATVs so be on the lookout for others especially on warm, sunny weekends. Otherwise, you are in for the ride of your life! The steep drops will leave you and your bike airborne again and again!
When trails are located near waterways, the odds that the trails can be eroded over time if they are ridden on when wet and muddy increases. To help ensure the continued good condition of the trails in Kansas, kindly refrain from riding muddy trails and take to the trails in earnest when the weather is sunny and the trails are dry. And have fun!
With the beginning cycler in mind, The Comfort Bike Shop has built its inventory of cruiser bikes to provide quality and durability
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