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Reviews 1 - 5 (13 Reviews Total)
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Review Date
November 26, 2011 Overall Rating
 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a month
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Reviewed by: Bradym77
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Weekend Warrior Summary:
This is the longest trail system in NKY. They have all levels of trails and it seems everytime I come out here there's something new. They recently added a couple little fun warmup trails that definitely leave a smile on your face. The Advanced trails are getting a little worn (roots = bump city)and with me on a hard tail it's getting painful. All in all it's a fun time and my kids love the beginner trails. Recommended Route:
I haven't been on these trails lately and when I went back recently I seen they added a couple little fun trails. The first is right when you come into the park on the right. They have a small sign stating Hike/Bike Trail. It's a flowy little piece of singletrack that will take you to the concrete walking trail. I don't know how long it is but it's longer than the beginner and shorter than the intermediate. So somewhere around a mile I would guess.
Once you get to the main trail area they have a new trail named the Runaround. This is a VERY fun flowy trail leading down to the Shelter area. Lots of berms, turns and jumps.
Once down in the shelter area you have your choice of a short fun beginner trail (good for post ride cool off's), an Intermediate, I believe 3 Advanced Loops (I only do 1 and 3), and the Technical (full of switchbacks, up's and down's, and deer...last time I rode it one froze right in my path after a fast turn...totally yard sale'd). Other recommended trails in the same area:
Devou Backcountry. I cannot say enough about this trail. The hill to the top will test you. It's the price you pay for the fun that is awaiting you at the top and when you get to ride it back down. There's no way you leave this trail with anything but a huge grin and some worn out muscles because you don't want to stop riding.
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Review Date
September 28, 2008 Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
4 of 5
Technical Difficulty
4 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a month
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Reviewed by: Curlymurt
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Weekend Warrior Summary:
I agree with the other reviews. When I first rode this trail system, I was surprised at how many loops (skill level) and features this park has. The beginner loop is perfect for the beginner. I even saw a five year old out there once with his dad. The intermediate is just that, intermediate; and the advanced the same. The little play land - log mounds of difference sizes, a couple teeter totters, long thin planks, curved banks, rock garden - is so much fun to ride around on before and after you hit a trail. It can help improve your skills before you actually hit the trail. This trail system doesn't really have big climbs or down hills, but somehow manages to keep you entertained.
On the back of the first advanced loop they are adding an alternate path made up of wooden 'S' curves that bank. I can't wait til it's completed to go ride. Recommended Route:
All of them.
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Review Date
June 7, 2007 Overall Rating
4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5
Technical Difficulty
3 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a week
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Reviewed by: KD4MGE
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Cross Country Rider Summary:
First time I had EVER ridden a mtb trail was here this morning. I'm a big hiker/backpacker; I'd call it a fast hike on wheels. I did the beginner and intermediate loops; these trails were challenging but not difficult. I felt comfortable riding these trails. Most of these paths were in the bush; due to the high amount of shade, sunglasses were a detriment. The trails were very well maintained (I finally appreciate paying Boone County taxes through my old job), and it was nice that they all looped back to the starting point. The obstacle course was FUN (hehe - teeter-totter on a bike!), giving me the chance to figure out how to do some of this stuff before I ran into one on the trail. Interesting to note that on my way out of the trails I passed about a dozen or so police bikers, most likely they were going down to the trails for either a fun outing or a training/refreshing seminar. I saw Boone Co. Sheriff, Elsemere cops, and a couple of other departments which I didn't catch their twon/county affiliations. They've got all this cool equipment on their bikes - I'd like to see if I can find one of those bags that they have slung over the back wheel; that looks really useful.
I plan to memorize this trail. Recommended Route:
Only did the beginner and intermediate; both are recommended. I wouldn't have minded doing the paved loop around the park as either a warm-up or warm-down. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Haven't been on any of them, but I've found out on this site about the one in Ft. Thomas and the one in East Fork, across the river.
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Review Date
August 18, 2006 Overall Rating
5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5
Technical Difficulty
4 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a week
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Reviewed by: xxraven2002xx
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Cross Country Rider Summary:
I ride these trails several times a week. They are the best around! The intermediate trail is great for warming up before heading over to the advanced and technical loops. The advanced loop 1 has 1 short but fun little drop and 1 slow grade downhill before bridge. Many creek crossings, trees to avoid!
The technical loop is very challenging. The back half of it is a blast! Log ramps, tetter-totters, creek crossings many switchbacks and a great figure 8 section built into the side of a hill!
A must ride for anyone in the Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana area Recommended Route:
All of them!
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Review Date
May 20, 2006 Overall Rating
5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
3 of 5
Technical Difficulty
4 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Once a week
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Reviewed by: dlink72
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Cross Country Rider Summary:
This is a great trail system that has expanded in length over the past couple of years. I've been able to volunteer on a couple of builds on this system and have met most of the people involved in the creation and upkeep of these trails. They are all great people and do a fantastic job keeping these trails rideable. The total mileage on these trails is somewhere around 11 miles. The last time I rode every trail back to back I had 11.5 miles on my computer which was starting and finishing at my car. As mentioned in another post, the trails are posted with mileage, but are a little off. Here's what I have:
Beginner: .5
Intermediate: 1.7
Advanced loop 1: 1.8
loop 2: 1.5
loop 3: 2.2
loop 4: 0.7
Technical : 2.5
The ride in and out as well as the connector trail make up the rest.
To start the ride you must exit the parking lot by making a right turn on the paved trail which starts next to the covered picnic table. Go about 0.2 miles and look for the opening in the trees where you'll see the trail that slopes down a steep open field. You can take two paths, but both end up at the bottom of the hill next to 2 more covered tables.
There you'll see a map and several signs that lead to all trails. Across the bridge are several practice stunts to sharpen your technical skills. All of the trails are connected within about 0.1 miles from the bridge and are meant to be ridden in one direction. The beginner is short, smooth, and fast and is a good warm up and cool down. The intermediate is just as fast, and includes several short climbs and quick turns. Look out for people on the far east side of the loop for it briefly intersects itself on a blind corner. The Advanced loops are the most recent to be completed. They consist of 4 loops that are easily identified by signs and have a variety of climbs, quick descents, and a few wood stunts on the west side which were completed this past winter. The last is the technical loop which consists of two halves divided by the entry trail. If you're new to the sport you might wait until your technical skills develop. It has many short, steep climbing and descending switch back turns, a few drops and obstacles.
Idlewild has something for every skill level and in my opinion will only get better. The downside is that you can't ride after a rain thanks to the clay. Recommended Route:
From 71-75 take the Florence exit. Go west on 18 Until Burlington (approx 4-5 miles). Turn right at the 4-way stop onto Idlewild road. Go past the Boone County Fairground and look for England Idlewild park on the right. Enter the park and go straight until the end. Park at the end of the lot between the last two baseball fields. Other recommended trails in the same area:
East Fork.
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Reviews 1 - 5 (13 Reviews Total)
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