After hitting a few out of area parks over the years I felt like it was time to start expanding my MTB area past the local haunts of the Wissahickon and Belmont.  These two parks offer most of the terrain you will hit in and out of area single track trails minus the man made obstacles. If you can make it up, down and around in the Wiss you should be good on 90% of the terrain out there. If worse comes to worst you can always walk.  That being said lets get involved.

4 Parks within one hour of philadelphia that are all different with a variety of terrain and difficulty.

“Named after the Lenni Lenape Indian word for slow-moving water, Pennypack Park stretches nine miles, following Pennypack Creek southeast as it runs from Montgomery County to the Delaware River.

The park covers more than 1,600 acres of woodlands, meadows, wetlands and fields.

The landscape of this rambling city park covers rolling hills, open meadow and many miles of paved and unpaved trails that are great for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding.” -Visit Philadelphia

Pennypack is accessible without any long climbs or hectic terrain.  It would be a great place to learn through a lot of tight flowing trails with obstacles constructed for ease of crossing. Gravel bike and single speed rigid ok! You won’t be surprised with any downhill rock gardens here but you can go and spend a couple hours creating your own routes through it. It’s a fun park and a good entry way into MTB.

Core Creek State Park

“7.5 – 8 miles of well maintained forest trails around Lake Luxembourg. There are 3 main loops with multiple ways to connect.
Nothing that will tax experienced riders, but beginners and intermediate riders will have a good time. All three loops can be ridden in 1 – 1.5 hrs but you can add distance by hitting the various connectors or crossing Woodbourne road.
Tends to stay wet for a day or so after rain and the rooty sections can be slippery. There are rooty sections, log overs, trail bridges, a stream crossing and a few berms and jumps if you know where to look. Moderate climbs – nothing too steep or long.
Trails are shared with hikers so keep your eyes open. There are also plenty of deer in the woods (and ticks). No hunting.” -Trail Forks

The description says it all. Real fun lines and trailways.  Go with Skip.

White Clay Creek State Park Delaware 

“Named for the clay that was once mined in the area, White Clay Creek State Park’s natural vistas, woodlands and creek with its many small tributaries span piedmont ridges and stream valleys along Delaware’s northern edge. White Clay Creek, a National Wild and Scenic River, is stocked with fish for anglers. The forest provides critical habitat for migrating and nesting birds, including the rare cerulean warbler. More than 37 miles of trails welcome hikers, bikers and runners on the most diverse trail system in Delaware. The rich history of the park, woven through natural and cultural resources, is still evident in the ruins and buildings found here, like the 1790s Judge Morris Estate and Chamber’s House Nature Center.” -Delaware State Parks

Many roots and some chunky sections! Slippery when wet! I went on a very humid hot day after some rain and slipped around a bit in the mist. Definitely working for your ride in some of these sections .  I’ll return soon, now that the weather has broke.

French Creek State Park

(There are two more spots very close but I have not hit those yet)

“Once an industrial complex for the fledgling United States of America, today French Creek State Park is an oasis for people and wildlife. Straddling the Schuylkill Highlands, the 7,730-acre park is the largest block of contiguous forest between Washington D.C. and New York City.

The forests, lakes, wetlands, and fields are a destination for the people of southeast Pennsylvania to hike, fish, camp, and bike.” Trail Forks.

Chunky, rocky, rooty challenging work. Spent a lot of time climbing and descending.  Some sections that are fairly flat, but mostly riding at an incline.

To Be Continued.

(All maps from Trail Forks)

With thanks to the Feed for supplying hydration and recovery from Skratch Labs.

mat t

david c

humidity times.

Will visit again when the temps are down.