Review Date
November 10, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: hardtail369 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I was at Amelia Earhart on Oct 28th. and bent the ear of the park manager before heading in (for a 1st-time ride). He told me there had been a brush fire in the back and they had to backhoe to get to the fire. Consequently, some paths were closed. The park also had to let go of several employees, so only 2-3 people manage the whole park, including these trails. I guess a local bike club needs to pitch in, and I'm sure they will.

I really liked the trails. In my opinion, they approach the joy of being at Oleta, my favorite place, but you know you're not there. For urban trails, I have no complaints. Except for one, maybe ....

An odd thing happened. The paths were overgrown, as I anticipated. I went through a particularly overgrown patch, but didn't think much of it. That is, until I felt the first intense burning sensation on my forearm. In the next second, this burning stinging sensation exploded all over my skin, where exposed. Whatever it was got under my tanktop, and my chest and stomach got attacked. What a mess! It reminded me of when I got stung by a jelly fish. I felt one sting, and the next second, I was stung everywhere.

Luckily, on the way in, I had noticed a path going straight out to the lake. In a panic now, I got back to this spot, and charged at the lake and jumped in. I had to rub my skin for a while until it calmed down. I later called the same park manager and asked him what he thought it was, and he said it was probably Elephant Grass, that tall grass that grows 7-8 feet high. He said it was either that or tree ants, but I couldn't SEE anything on me, which was so weird. I've done internet searches, but nowhere does it describe elephant grass as having this kind of effect.

If anyone has an idea of what might have happened, I'd love to know. My suggestion: cover up before riding there or bring a pair of hedge trimmers : )

Steve of Tampania

Review Date
September 19, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: kona 95 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Just moved back to florida after 10 years in California. Lets face it, the west has the best trails in the country and I have ridden, CA,NV,AZ,NM,UT, etc. I knew going back to florida, especially South Florida was going to be a let down. I let go of the full suspension rigs and built up a old hardtail. I rode Amelia and was super surprised on how fun it is. These guys did an absolutely great job. Brings me back to the days of ridding gainesville,ocala, and tallahassee. Yes it grows fast and bugs are part of it, but the trick is not to stop. I have ridden 5 days in a row and know the loop now. The trail flows and then hits you with a medium technical section and gets you pumping. good design, good flow, and they did make great use of the land. Really happy with having this within 15 minutes of where i live. If you go, grad a piece of trash and take it out. get ready for mud, but thats part of it and you can wash your bike off after, so who cares. Thanks for building it guys and good use of the recycled plastic boards for the ramps and bridges.

Recommended Route:
do the loop. Dont go backwards. the end of the trail is right near the entry so it works out.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Oleta is ok, gainesville and ocala is the best, or actually Tsali in NC

Review Date
August 8, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: FL Transplant ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The crew does a great job with the land they have. They take full advantage of every elevation change available. The trail isn't as technical as Oleta but the flow is a lot better. It's fun to go out and bang out a couple laps. The first couple miles are pretty flat, but what do you expect, it's South Florida. At least the flats are designed so you can open up rather than get bogged down in uselessly "technical" 90 degree turns. You can crank out and hold 10-15 mph pretty easy if you want to get a workout. The last couple miles are the most fun and have some more ups and downs. I'd like to see some more log jumps or rides on the flats sections. I know the trail is designed for all levels but it would be an easy matter to just have little cuts around the stunts. It would add some excitement to get the wheels off the ground. I know the builders have it in them considering the work they went through to put in moguls.

Like previous commenters have noted, the trail is not a summer trail. The rains cause overgrowth everywhere and muddy patches. If you do go expect lots of stinging plants and spiders across the trail.

Long story short, this trail is a great option if you're in Miami and don't have the time to drive further north.

Recommended Route:
Just run the full loop. I skip the first cut-off, Monkey bars I think it's called, because it's been a mud pit of late. Little Razorback has potential but it's so overgrown right now it's not really worth the time.

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Review Date
April 20, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Old Stumpy ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Decent singletrack with some technical stuff, but dont mess with it after a rain storm. Gets slushy and not in a cool way - more like a sess pool where mosquitios vacantion. The few times I went, it was well maintained for the most part, but there was a good bit of trash around the trails. It kind of gives you an urban trail feel rather than transporting you elsewhere like Oleta does.

Recommended Route:
Follow the signs - there is one way

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Oleta for those in Miami, Markham for those in Broward.

Review Date
January 3, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: ChrisMIA ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Amelia Earhart MTB trail is a "Winter" Park. It gets flooded and overgrown during the summer because the tropical plants grow extremelly fast during the rainy season and it's impossible to keep it short just by maintaining it once a month.

But, from October to June. Is very well maintained and hard packed. It has good climbs, drops, bridges, etc. And even a challenging advanced section called "Little Razorback" It has a total of 6 +- miles. I just went today and had a blast, I usually do two laps.

If you are in the Miami area, don't miss it you'll be surprised on how much fun it is. Make sure you wait a couple of days after a heavy rain.


This trail is maintained by In da House crew, those guys work really hard to keep it nice.

Recommended Route:
They have several trail sections, but you can do them all together in one 6 mile lap. Rest, and do it again.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Oleta River State Park, Markham Park and the new Quiet Waters Park.