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ScottB
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Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
04/19/18 at 5:19pm
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I scared the crap out of my oldest with a root at Beatty. Like he quit riding, after being able to do almost 9 miles in AZ and racing BMX. I am trying not to lose this little riding buddy. I am hoping to find real dirt, but smooth and not a lot of elevation change. I used to take the older one to Sherman and only do the right side (probably still too much mileage for tiny little legs), and parts of Beatty (roots...).

Anyone have any suggestions?
« Last Edit: 04/19/18 at 5:19pm by ScottB »  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #1 - 04/19/18 at 5:36pm
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ScottB wrote on 04/19/18 at 5:19pm:
I scared the crap out of my oldest with a root at Beatty. Like he quit riding, after being able to do almost 9 miles in AZ and racing BMX. I am trying not to lose this little riding buddy. I am hoping to find real dirt, but smooth and not a lot of elevation change. I used to take the older one to Sherman and only do the right side (probably still too much mileage for tiny little legs), and parts of Beatty (roots...).

Anyone have any suggestions?


What about ballantyne?
  
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Harry Balsagna
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #2 - 04/19/18 at 5:42pm
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prarie loop at anne springs
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #3 - 04/19/18 at 5:50pm
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Jetton Park mtb trail. 1 mile loop with very little elevation and not many roots or rocks. a true beginner trail. I rode it last week just to check it out and its actually kind of fun
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #4 - 04/19/18 at 5:59pm
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Ballantyne! I take my 3 yo daugther there. She's very nervous about riding, but loves that trail. Specifically the flow loop.
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #5 - 04/19/18 at 6:04pm
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The parkway loop at WWC is a nice ride.  It goes in and out of the woods a bit and largely devoid of anything scary.  I would caution the last 1/4 mile if you run it counter clockwise... that is a fun little "down hill" section that could be a problem for nervous or new riders.  You can stay to the right hand side of the woods and take the parking lot road down the hill and pick up the parkway loop there.

  
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ScottB
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #6 - 04/19/18 at 7:01pm
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thanks guys, that was fast. I will try out a couple of these.
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #7 - 04/19/18 at 7:03pm
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IMO it would be seven oaks in gastonia, green loop at wwc (not the all weather as its loose gravel and even I about eat it in the curves).
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #8 - 04/19/18 at 7:33pm
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Check out the Carolina Thread trails.  Quite a few to chose from varying from short to med distances for kids.  For an 8 year old beginner I'd say find one that is anywhere from 3-6 miles.  Some are gravel, some paved, some all dirt.  A good option for all dirt is the Phar Family Preserve trail in Mt. Pleasant off 601.  You get close to 4miles out/back (1.7 one way).  It's all dirt, not technical at all with undulating flowy terrain so it keeps it fun.  Climbs are mellow and not too hard especially if geared.  I took my boys there to get them used to the dirt when my youngest was 5 so I could avoid all the stravaheads.  It really allows them to ride at their pace without you having to worry about bikers making them nervous when getting passed.

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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #9 - 04/20/18 at 2:06pm
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I second the Pharr Family Preserve.  It's a beautiful trail along the river.  There are places to stop and take in the scenery.  Laid back, only a few people out there, and it's gets you out into the country away from everything.  It's a country adventure without having to drive too far. (Depending on where you live).   

For something slightly more challenging, there is the Buffalo Creek Trail not too far up the road, also right off of Mt Pleasant Rd (On Malibu I believe).  It has a little more elevation change, but not bad, it leads into a wooded area with a bit more of a "technical adventure" that's relatively tame, but is a slight advancement from Pharr Preserve. About 3-4 miles out & back.
  
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ScottB
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #10 - 04/20/18 at 2:31pm
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I might try the Pharr trails, and then beyond. We live in Matthews area. For the Prarie loop at Anne Springs, what part are you guys talking about, they keep changing things down there and I finally figured it out.
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #11 - 04/20/18 at 2:46pm
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You mentioned your daughter had some bmx experience. Based on that I’d start at Ballantyne due to the shorter distance. Trail is simple but has a ton of flow and will keep her rolling along nicely. Once she builds a bit of stamina I would try Ann Springs. The new trails have a very bmx light feel to them but with longer distance. As her confidence grows there are some slightly more technical sections there that can also be a launching pad for other trails like Sherman or Beatty. Might even be a good way to get your son back on the bike. Either way, keep at it as the chance to ride with your kid is one of life’s greatest gifts.
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #12 - 04/20/18 at 2:59pm
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Purser halsey is another on in matthews that is pretty kid friendly. Think it is ~1.5mi so if you are close to matthews then worth hitting. Much less roots and almost no traffic on the trail. Took my ~4yo on the strider and had a blast. Some little rollers/dips that were fun and big for him, but easy to not lose control.

Anne springs has redone the trails so significantly that the first thing I thought last time i rode rhere was that i cant wait to bring my kid here... so second that.

Also have a few friends who brought little ones to ballantyne so that might be ideal too...
  
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Re: Trail Suggestions for Brand Noob 8yo girl
Reply #13 - 04/20/18 at 3:01pm
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FourMat wrote on 04/20/18 at 2:06pm:
I second the Pharr Family Preserve.  It's a beautiful trail along the river.  There are places to stop and take in the scenery.  Laid back, only a few people out there, and it's gets you out into the country away from everything.  It's a country adventure without having to drive too far. (Depending on where you live).  

For something slightly more challenging, there is the Buffalo Creek Trail not too far up the road, also right off of Mt Pleasant Rd (On Malibu I believe).  It has a little more elevation change, but not bad, it leads into a wooded area with a bit more of a "technical adventure" that's relatively tame, but is a slight advancement from Pharr Preserve. About 3-4 miles out & back.


That was one of the biggest appeals for me with the little ones.  The trail has a couple of benches along the trail to stop, take in the view/nature and just slow it up.  It's good to just stop and enjoy the time with the little ones and have a conversation, snack, drinks.  It makes it more of an adventure than just an all out bike ride.  The Rocky River Blue Way has a boat launch at Phar Family Preserve also which makes for a nice spot to sit along the river.  After the ride right up the road on the corner of 601 and 24/27 there is an Ice cream shop (Sundae Shop) which makes for a good stop and good time with your little ones (old fashioned burgers, dogs, ice cream, shakes).
  
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