Review Date
April 20, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: gregnice ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I love this trail it is a very technical trail with something for everyone. This has it all if u love down hill,climbs and technical u will love it. I highly recommend pads (knee/shin protection) if u don't watch it u could take a nasty fall. Eat a good meal (BIG MAC WITH FRIES ) does me justice. If u can handle Cunningham most difficult that is intermediate at
Spain Ridge.
Happy Trails
PS
RIDE OR DIE

Review Date
October 12, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Paulvr4 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The trail is a lot bigger than one suspects. It's fairly close to the NYC borders and well worth the drive for others. When I first started on the beginner trail it was a bit twisty and rocky, when I jumped onto the intermediate trail it was a bit more technical for me. After 5 times riding in the park I've learned to love the trail. lots of great climbs, turns, logs, jumps, rock climbs, all within a small area of land. I highly recommend anyone to give it a try, if you are used to LI style flat out pedaling you might not be too excited, but if you are into freeriding, fun XC w/ technical sections this place is for you.

Recommended Route:
First off - go to www.wmba.org and print out a map, it'll save you a lot of headaches and confusion.

If you have never been to this trail and think about going I suggest you start with the beginner trail, the intermediate trails might discourage you.

Beginner Trail - start off in the bus parking lot. to get there you need to enter the main entrance of the park from jackson ave, go straight and through the opened gate and turn on your first right turn and park where the buses are. The trail starts at the sign opposite of the buses and is called "otter ramble"

Intermediate Trail - start off in the main parking lot. to get there you need to enter the main entrance of the park from jackson ave, follow the road, bear left and make the right into the open lot you see. park in one of those spots and the trail starts at the corner of the lot to the left of where you came in up a big hill/boulder combo. this trail is one of the main trails people start with called "north brother's loop". if you follow the map you can head north, then east, then south east and enjoy the terrain as it loops back, expect to spend 3+hrs on your first time out just to find your way around

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I heard Blue Mountain was worth the hour drive up. Never been. Graham Hills is another one that is suggested. check out www.wmba.org for maps of both.

Review Date
September 10, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: mtb14 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
It is a fun cross contry/freeride trail. some parts can get rocky. if you ride at the right spots you can hit some big drops and skinny's. over all it is a great trail to ride if you live in the city or a nearby town. it is also free. i reccoment trying it.

Recommended Route:
try every thing it is all fun

Review Date
March 28, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: jbogner ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Don't let some roadie tell you that you're a freerider just because you can ride over a 6 inch diameter log, or can make it through a rock garden, or climbing up a couple feet of slick rock. Sprain is typical Northeastern technical cross country. It's no more difficult than other trails in the Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey- Blue Mountain, Graham Hills, Ringwood, etc. No, it's not buffed-smooth singletrack like Long Island trails. Yes, there are mandatory rocky sections that require some technical skills to clean. Yes, there are alternate lines off of the big rocks all around the trail that you can ride if you're inclined toward freeriding.

I love to ride Sprain on my hardtail race bike. I love to ride Sprain on my 8" travel big bike. It's fun either way, and a great place to push your technical skills. Sprain's got it all- fast and flowy XC, technical ups and rocky sections, big freeride lines, log rides, log stacks, logs, logs and more logs. It's easy to get to from NYC, Long Island and Northern Jersey, and getting there via public transportation isn't too difficult from NYC (Metro-North to Hastings on Hudson).

Don't be put off by the "freeride" label. XC riders have been having a great time at Sprain for years and year. Give it a shot. Your skills will thank you.

Recommended Route:
If you're a beginner, start on the beginner trails on the west side of the park- they're much less rocky and easier to get your bearings with, before tackling the more difficult trails at the North and East sides of the park. Check out the map at wmba.org for trai difficulty listings...

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Graham Hills, Ringwood, Blue Mountain, soon to be built Highbridge Park trails in Manhattan!

Review Date
December 28, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Visitors rate this review
3.25 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by: Sprocketeer ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Don't let some jerkoff tell you you're not a real mountain biker unless you can ride over logs and down boulders--those folks are freeriders, and that's the only difference. Sprain has a lot of freeriding obstacles in it, but not so much that a cross-country rider wont enjoy it on a hardtail. You should try this trail and not feel intimidated because you're either a novice or don't perform well at first simply because it's whole new thing for you.

Be prepared though, as this trail will beat you up more than you're used to. First time you might feel reeeeeally frustrated, but you wont believe how much easier it seems each successive time after that. While you might walk the bike through the rock gardens (really only fit for someone on an FS bike which doesn't actually make them a better rider at all) and some twisty, difficult climbing sections, you will absolutely be blown away how the next time you do it you'll be handling more of the stuff that knocked you over before. Try out an FS bike at some point and you'll be suprised at how much more capable you are at the rough stuff simply by being on the bike that matches the challenge--it's really as much easier as it would be for a freerider to try out a hardtail on a regular XC course though they may be aerobically challenged.

Another tip for XC riders trying this trail: take the pressure in your tires WAY DOWN and it will make a giant difference. You wont notice the speed difference at all because this is not a fast trail, but you will stick to the terrain and take the turns much easier. Also, just plain relax--tensing up will make you fall over and over.

Recommended Route:
The way I get there is, I ask my buddy Jim for a ride then don't pay attention at all as we get there by GPS turn by turn directions. In fact, I don't think Jim really knows how to get there either, but the GPS does, so we're fine. Then on the way home, I buy Jim lunch and one of those rediculously expensive Starbucks custom coffees at one of the many strip malls in Yonkers to make up for the tolls and gas.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I don't think people realize that NYC riders are pretty damn good, since even our urban terrain is more challenging than the typical XC course, say, out on Long Island. So don't think you can't handle the dirt up in Westchester or over in NJ--I hear LI is dead easy though.