Review Date
October 8, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Dr. Crasher ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Very nice trail system. Lots of cars in the parking lot but I only saw a few other riders on the trail on account of the length of the ride. Many different loops you can take, all are well marked and color coded. Also a very well maintained trail, with well built bridges and signage. Not very technical or difficult, but a great aerobic workout since you can go just about as fast as you want and make as many loops as you want. Ripping though the corn fields is fun, just watch for riders coming the other way. There a few stream crossings, logs, and quick drops and climbs to get the heart rate up, as well as more slow paced level sections. Can't wait to hit it again!

Recommended Route:
All loops are fun, but I especially liked the red and orange since they offered the biggest challenge.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Patapsco-Avalon
Rosaryville
Greenbrier

Review Date
July 16, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Charlie Bikes ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Just wanted to chime in quickly on the Farm...my normal destination close to home is Patapsco/Avalon. I work near Shaffer, so I try to get by when I can. While it has been a year or so since my last visit, I have to say that it doesn't disappoint. Can it get crowded, yes, but the "crowd" has not presented a problem. Still, the trails are a lot of fun - very different from my normal haunt, so I welcome the change. It's hardpack and fast. MORE did a great job in laying the trails out and keeping it interesting. Beginners should find this trail network a blast and experienced riders can let it all hang out. The trails are never one thing for too long - your up, down, left, right, off camber, roots, logs, streams, bridges - good times. I think the posted overall rating doesn't do the network justice. Perhaps if you ride here all the time, you want "more", but I find it a refreshing difference that most anyone can enjoy.

Recommended Route:
Doesn't matter - I typically make the broadest loop I can first, then wind back through the connectors. Trails are well marked and mapped at intersections.

Review Date
June 15, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: crapaccount ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
i love this trail. i moved out to cali, but i still miss this trail mainly because i hate climbing, but love the obstacles and everything there. props to the guys who built up the logs and trials style obstacles...i wish there are more of those built! the one post is right, you can pretty much ride it all in your middle chain ring...but it's fun and that's what it's about.

Recommended Route:
from the parking lot, i hang a left and go around that loop. then when it hits back up to the main trail i hang a left and go around the rest. i don't go out to where everyone does way out the yellow (?) trail...i think it's boring. that first loop has log crossings, and some fun trials obstacles. there's a fun log ride at the start of that yellow trail that goes up between the trees, i don't know why people keep moving that ramp that goes down out of the way (hint hint!).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
frederick watershed but you'll never find the good stuff unless you know people...don't even try it on a cross country ride. everyone talking about gambrills must be riding something else, cuz i see more people walking their bikes there than riding...maybe it's cool to talk about riding gambrill. the rock gardens there are insane and you need to have your chops together.

Review Date
October 30, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: BansheE66 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Great and fun trail, can be difficult enough if you have a heavier bike. Has plenty of logs, creeks, and hills to keep you entretained. Orange trail is one of the funnest ones to me because its seems to have the most logs and technical stuff around. I ride here at least 2 times a week maybe more and i have never been disapointed, always go a different way.

Recommended Route:
All trails are fun, just connect them all and you'll have a fun day riding.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Gambrill's, the watershed, patapsco.

Review Date
March 16, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: eggraid101 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This trail was a lot of fun, but not aerobically challenging. It is not as technically difficult as many trails in the MD/WV area, making it a great place for those just starting out. The trails are really a lot of fun, and it was very well designed, I guess by mountain bikers. the trails are well marked and there are plenty of maps posted to find your way around - rare on most trails. It is mostly singletrack, and winds through the woods into wide, open fields. The one thing it lacked was a good, long climb. It could be named "Middle Chainring at Schaeffer Farms" because that's all you really need. It does have many fallen logs and small creek crossings to keep you on your toes, too. Be sure to check out the orange trail where there are some fun whoop-dee-doos through a ravine. I'll be back, that's for sure!

Recommended Route:
Most riders could easily ride the whole system in a few hours.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Gambrill State Park in Frederick, MD is far more technical.