Hi Folks
As a MTBer and leader for a local group of cubs and scouts, I’m trying to get our youth out on their bikes this spring. The trouble is, some kids will be able to ride dirt, but others will need to stay on hard surfaces.
Any recommendations on locations that could accommodate a mix of wheel types, and skill levels?
Williamswood comes to mind, with the courts and the jumps.
I’m not a fan of the Shubie pump track for this group, because that place can be hazardous…
Any other ideas?
Shubie might be better than you think. If you start by the Mic Mac Mall end at the Cul de sac (at the end of Lakemist). There is a short crusher dust trail to connect you to the park and there are a few pieces of singletrack that some kids can ride and those who can’t/don’t can ride along the crusher dust to connect with those who rode the singletrack. There are 3 pieces of singletrack (maybe 4) that all connect to the crusher dust. There is even a “downhill” trail that is smooth and straight. The more adventurous might try it. It is a green trail but you can get some speed or play it safe
A good option I think
Have you heard of the Farm? Its in Dartmouth.
The system is considered “blue”
There is already a youth group and a women led group for intro riding happening there.
Great spot to develop skills for any users.
Cheers.
Macintosh has the community trail and Norrawarren, not sure if that would be helpful
Great suggestions. I like them both.
I had forgotten about the MicMac part of Shubie. I know those trails from one of the youth race series’
I’ll have to check out the Norrawarren end of MacIntosh.I’ve never ridden that bit.
Sounds like you might be in HRM? I’d echo Shubie as a good choice as it has the gravel paths as well as quick off road options, as well as McDonald Sports Park in Waverly and possibly Long Lake. With mixed skill level groups, sticking largely to gravel paths might be your best option, making biking part of the journey rather than the destination, to go and skip rocks at the lake or something.
The norrawarren end of McIntosh run is fun for beginners, however I might suggest starting on the Clark Kent End, then hiking down to check out Colpitt Lake.
Depending on Far your group is willing to travel - Irishmans road outside of Windsor, MARC trails in Bridgewater and River Ridge Common in New Germany would be fantastic day trips for a cubs/scouting group.
I don’t know what the status of the Brunello trails in Timberlea are these days, but if operational, they would be pretty fun for a kids group, although they charged 5 bucks to access.
Another out of town but not too far option that I have found good for beginners is Nine Mile River trails.
Thanks for keeping the recommendations coming! Our group is based in Armadale, so we try and keep our meetings within ~20 minutes of the roundabout.
We already spend a couple meetings a year at Colpitt Lake and Long lake, so those are well within our range. We usually have our “bike” meeting at the Oval, I’m just hoping to branch out a bit this year.
brunello is around, but there’s houses where the skill park was and the current trails aren’t getting maintenance
It’s got some flowy easier trails, and couple of harder trails if people find those too easy
McDonalds Sports Park (Waverley), small skills park, gravel doubletrack w/ some small hills. A little bit of dirt singletrack. Id say very beginner friendly. Low volume traffic. Lake to jump in after.