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Writer's pictureOutdoors Maryland

First Time Mountain Biker

Updated: Jan 14, 2021

A few years ago, I won a mountain bike at a raffle and never used it. I thought it was just an ungainly, oversized, bulky bike. Then one day, bored in a college class, I realized I should use it properly. Looking for beginner trails brought me to Schaeffer Farms in Seneca Creek State Park, but they were muddy and closed. A quick google search for the closest park brought me to Bucklodge Conservation Park, with one 2-mile multi-use loop.





To put it lightly, the trail sucked. Horses hadn’t heeded the mud warning, leaving hoof prints all over the trail. Thorns overgrew the trail that was too flat to gain much speed. I had to carry my bike over several fallen trees. I finished the loop up a giant hill and decided “this isn’t fun.” Then I went down the uphill in reverse, flying over several tiny bike jumps. I’d been scared of roots and other impacts, but I quickly realized my bike was a beast. This was much better! Gravel instead of mud, flying through the trees in crisp 45 degree air. With every bump, I figured out when to sit on the seat, and when to stand on the pedals to avoid taking shock from the bumps. With each run I grew more confident. I also learned to avoid leaf piles, where there is no traction whatsoever. While it was definitely more along the lines of hill biking rather than MOUNTAIN biking (I could see Sugarloaf in the distance), it was an encouraging start.


There will be more mountain biking, I assure you. I just have to get in better biking shape first. Let me know where I can bike in MD!

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