Trails, Jumps, and Riders in DC Area

[SpaceJockey]

This post is to consolidate the off-road biking community within the WABA forum space, the riders, the trails, and those that build and maintain them. Why? For being the metropolitan area with the second highest ratio of parks to overall land area in the nation, there is a surprising lack of info on local dirt trails, jumps, and pump tracks within biking distance of DC.

The old wisdom of trail riders is to never let the public know where your secret stash is because then they get ruined, but if that means I have to do a road trip every time I want to hit some jumps then the meaning is lost. I would rather be riding jumps and pump track every day than having to wait for weekends, and only if the weather is good. I propose we build a network of dedicated riders that will build something new and grow the community of riders that use bikes for more than car-free commuting and leisurely pedals through the park, then maybe the rest of WABA will decide they want in on the fun

So here’s the deal, I’m going to list some well-known spots that are not secret. That being said, there are a few ground rules:
1) Be prepared to assist in the digging/maintenance of trails if you ride them,
2) introduce yourself to the other riders at the trails (don’t be shy, everyone is there to have fun!),
3) pick up after yourself, and
4) never give the location of a secret spot PUBLICLY without permission of the person that built them (usually a sponsored or professional rider).

PLACES TO RIDE:
495 Dirt Jumps, Fairfax, VA (20-30 minutes from DC) – Intermediate-Expert dirt jumps, big gaps, steep lips
Germantown Pump Track, Germantown, MD (45 minutes from DC) – Beginner/Intermediate tabletop jumps, beginner pump track
Rockburn Skills Park, Elkridge, MD (45 minutes from DC) – Intermediate/Advanced tabletop jumps, step ups, intermediate/advanced pump track
Bryce Resort, Brasye, VA (2 hours from DC) – downhill MTB – Intermediate/Advanced tabletop jumps

Anyone know where to build a pump-track within DC?

Feel free to contribute your own recommended trails, introduce yourself, post bikes, pics, videos, new locations, digging parties, etc…..

Topic

[Sunyata]

There is an awesome mountain bike advocacy group in the DC area (it seems as though you are unaware of their existence, so…).

There are called M.O.R.E. (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) and are responsible for most of the trails and trail maintenance within the DMV area.

In fact, there are lots of trail work days coming up to help fix up the trails from the ridiculously wet summer/fall we have had. Three Saturdays coming up in November at Lake Fairfax, I know a few days at Rosaryville are in the works, Wednesdays at Germantown, etc.

Here ya go:
https://www.more-mtb.org/

If you are interested in getting a pump track built in the city, I would start with getting involved with MORE and getting in touch with some land managers in DC and figuring out if there is land available for use and what would need to happen to get it developed into a pump track.

[dasgeh]

There’s a pump track in Richmond, too. I am no MTB expert, so I don’t much more than that.

We will discuss this at November’s BAC meeting (Nov. 5 7pm 2100 Clarendon Blvd). Please come.

I have some spots in Arlington in mind that seem like they would work for a pump track. — Big Walnut Park, Woodstock Park, Stewart Park, the north end of the bridge to nowhere, are what come to mind now.

[SpaceJockey]

Sounds like a plan to me. I’d like to have something local. Checking my schedule, looks to be a dark and rainy night so I will probably be there
@dasgeh 182183 wrote:

There’s a pump track in Richmond, too. I am no MTB expert, so I don’t much more than that.

We will discuss this at November’s BAC meeting (Nov. 5 7pm 2100 Clarendon Blvd). Please come.

I have some spots in Arlington in mind that seem like they would work for a pump track. — Big Walnut Park, Woodstock Park, Stewart Park, the north end of the bridge to nowhere, are what come to mind now.

[SpaceJockey]

Continuing this thread because the WABA forum appears to have significantly less spam than the MORE MTB forum…..

I attended the BAC meeting on Monday evening where there was a good turnout from the off-road community and some great ideas were exchanged (SteveO made us look official by wearing a suit too). I rode at both the Fairfax Lake facility in Reston and the Rockburn Skills Park in Ellicott, MD. I believe that Rockburn in particular is a great example of a place that offers everything a prospective mountain biker could hope for in an urbanized area. The planners and off-roaders both seemed to like the idea of a pump-track as being a small footprint investment that is also a foot-in-the-door to generate greater interest. The number one consideration in a developed area like Arlington is the availability of space and potential need for acquisition. Much of the discussion centered around parks and environmental restrictions, but my focus is primarily on space that is not currently being used, the true classic off-road spaces that may or may not have a high incidence of tents.

Fortunately, I think I found such a space in a central Arlington location that I will scout out on foot, and from satellite does not appear to interfere with anything:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18558[/ATTACH]
Note: Where N Glebe Rd and Route 66 intersect in Ballston.
Bonus: It is attached to the Custis Trail

Thoughts? I’d be happy to get digging if there is adequate drainage.

[dasgeh]

Thanks for coming out to the BAC.

And to anyone interested in seeing MTB, cyclocross and pump tracks in Arlington, the time is now to comment on the Parks’ Master Plan.

Instructions and talking points in this FB post.

[consularrider]

My offroad singletrack route in the Volkspark Niddatal got a new “jump” while I was back in Arlington.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18569[/ATTACH]

[SpaceJockey]

@dasgeh 182601 wrote:

Thanks for coming out to the BAC.

And to anyone interested in seeing MTB, cyclocross and pump tracks in Arlington, the time is now to comment on the Parks’ Master Plan.

Instructions and talking points in this FB post.

For incorporation into the plan, this is the land I was looking at, the “Ballston Pond Park” (depicted in the 2011 proposal).
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18659[/ATTACH]

For the environmentally conscious, the Arlington County website states the following:
“The Ballston Pond was originally designed and constructed as a stormwater detention facility to collect and slow stormwater runoff from Interstate 66 when the highway was built. Over the years, the pond has been filling up with sediments deposited by stormwater runoff, which slows down when it reaches the pond. The Ballston Pond is no longer functioning as originally designed, and its water quality benefits are limited due to water flowing straight through the pond instead of taking a more circuitous route. In addition to invasive plants, trash is a continual issue.” https://projects.arlingtonva.us/projects/ballston-beaver-pond-restoration/

^^^ It seems to me this is a perfect location, directly adjacent to the Custis Trail that is easily accessible via car, metro, and pedestrians from its central location in Arlington. Arlington County was already interested in its development based on past survey and the pond also provides water for terrain feature upkeep. Furthermore, with proper stewardship the biking community can ensure this land remains protected and trash from I-66 is removed according to County wishes. This will be a boon for business and local bike shops……I see a big win-win……

[cmj7gh]

I live in Ballston and would go all the time if we could ride there.

I have a buddy who works in one of the office buildings right by there and his office window overlooks the pond. He’s been trying to work with the county to get permission to organize a cleanup effort, but last I heard (several months ago) he wasn’t making much progress. I’d be happy to reach out to him and see if there are any updates. If that’s something you’d be interested in – shoot me a DM

[dasgeh]

We’re pretty close to there and would take our kids there ALL.THE.TIME. This is a great idea.

Arlington pleads poverty at the moment — any change MORE or another outside group could help with things like a feasibility study?

[hozn]

+1 — sounds like a great location. I’d definitely use it.

[SpaceJockey]

@dasgeh 183739 wrote:

We’re pretty close to there and would take our kids there ALL.THE.TIME. This is a great idea.

Arlington pleads poverty at the moment — any change MORE or another outside group could help with things like a feasibility study?

The great part about this land is that the county has performed the legwork, including blueprint proposals and past surveys with conclusions, they just know it’s a problem spot and want SOMEONE to take stewardship. I don’t see why this should be a dollars-and-cents issue because most often the funding comes AFTER mountain bikers build something and use is demonstrated to the town. All we really need is for the town to tell us “Between A and B is an acceptable location for you to build any terrain features you see fit if first approved by X accordance with Y standards.” <- ie I think it is best we be given land and an approved process rather than a top-down dictation that would limit the project's potential. I believe we discussed at the meeting that in terms of feasibility there is the example on Bentonville, AR where they will support city planners of other cities to learn the impacts from such a project, and in their case argued revenues in the $Hundreds of Millions. https://www.visitbentonville.com/bike/ (there are even bike-friendly hotels listed!)

Initial actions: I think the likely nexus of players in discussion will be MORE, Arlington County Board, Bentonville, and WABA due to proximity to existing commuter routes. I believe MORE should be able to obtain a template feasibility study from Bentonville and amend certain portions to fit Arlington’s resources. Another potential avenue is to start the social media buzz and begin fundraising for the effort if the county is amiable to it. What do you think? Can MORE support?

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