Review Date
July 27, 2010

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Shawn Bruderly ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I thought Sell's Park had some vertical climbs that were good for hiking up, but not for moutain biking. The is not much flow on these trails. There are decent descents but the climbs out of the valleys are longer and harder, making the payoff for the short downhills not worth it.
The climbs need some switch backs because they are steep and sinisterly peppered with roots, rocks, and washout debris.
The Stroud's Run State Park portion of the trails needed upkeep and were heavily overgrown, especially Athen's and Hickory Trail.
Sundown was a good trail with some cool scenery on the descent down to Dow Lake, but that is the best leg of the 6.6 trail, accounting for perhaps 1.5 mi.

Recommended Route:
Ride clockwise.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Don't wast your time here. Go to Lake Hope State Park. Granted you won't see rock gardens there, but the LH has the best Ridge Riding around and excellent euphoric flow.

Review Date
March 19, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: ao140505 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Now that sundown, a new trail, is completed, this place is a much more attractive place to ride. There are about 16 miles of trails available to mountain bikers. These trails are more technical than the trails at Lake Hope. The place can really challenge your bike handling skills. For example, the trails are tight and twisty, there are brief rock gardens, and steep climbs with shelves. It's a good place to grow because as you improve and go faster, the trails continue to challenge you.

Recommended Route:
If you are visiting for the first time, I suggest printing a map off of www.athenscyclepath.com. The map shows that there are several good places to park. If you're local, the bike path gets you very close to the trails. My favorite trails are thunder bunny and sundown. They are the most challenging trails. I like to do a loop by starting at sells park and riding rockhouse, athens trail, finger rock, thunder bunny (optional), and sundown. You can complete the loop by riding della drive to the bikepath and back to town or your car.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lake Hope State Park. Mountwood (Parkersburg, WV).

Review Date
July 24, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: farley ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I'm not here to post a full review or description, I merely want to update and clarify some contradictory information in earlier reviews regarding the legality of these trails. As of this writing (July 2007) these trails are perfectly legal for cycling. At this point there doesn't seem to be much reason to think that will change in the foreseeable future. There was a time, not too long ago when these trails were illegal. However, in the past couple of years, the Athens Trails Conservancy has done a lot of trail development in Sells Park as well as the adjoining state park (Stroud's Run). We (mountain bikers) are fortunate to have been included in this and there are now many trails in this network open to bikes, including 2 trails specifically built for bikes. There are hiker-only trails out there, but they're well marked. The multi-use trails are also seeing a lot more hikers, so tread lightly, share, play nice, and all of that.

Recommended Route:
If you're a first time visitor (or if it's been a while since you've been there) I'd recommend starting at that trailhead at the end of Avon Place (off of East State Street). There's a kiosk with a good map and trail descriptions. Enjoy the ride.

Review Date
March 12, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: rngrchad ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Like stated before, if going Eastbound on Route 33, get off on the state street exit, then go left. Drive to the Meyers, or is it Kmart? Anyways, find the trailer park( there is only like 10 trailers at most). I park at Meyers and then ride across the road past the trailer park into the entrance. There are no signs posted there at all. Don't be afraid, nobody has ever said anything to me after the years of riding there. Also, this is an area littered with beautiful boulders. IF you climb pack your chalk and shoes. Many many boulder problems have been put up recently. Chalk marks abound the area. It's really good bouldering too!

Recommended Route:
From Lancaster, take 33 eastbound to Athens. Get off at state st. Go left. Find WallMart, the trails are across from wallmart next to a bank and a small trailer park. Good luck!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lake Hope, Behind Hocking College(if you can avoid the horrible Horse destructed trails)

Review Date
December 29, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: bmyers ,  Downhiller

Summary:
i don't live by the trail anymore. and that dude has no idea who i am. this trail is a city park that is not bike friendly. the state park is also off limits. it is a great! trail but not worth the risk. i have ridden many times since '93 and the ranger at the park will ream your ass if he finds you riding. still blows my mind that they don't delete rides that are off limits.

Recommended Route:
anywhere that your actually allowed to ride without worrying about shotgun toting locals who don't like the city kids barging in on their time in the woods.