CHARDON, Ohio — Mountain bikers will now have a new trail to break a sweat on in Geauga County. The new 2.05-mile trail is now open in Geauga Park District’s Big Creek Park.
It’s the county’s first single-track mountain bike trail. Hikers will share the trail for just over a half-mile. The direction of travel will change daily to create even wear on the trail. Signage will be available for bikers.
"Big Creek’s new trail would be considered a traditional trail with some modern touches,” said Mike Ryba, treasurer of the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA), “meaning there is minimal disruption of the natural resources, so the rider gets to see the best Nature can offer. Difficulty-wise, it would be considered on the easy side of intermediate.”
Ryba said his team surveyed the land multiple times to identify key points of the trail that should be highlighted as well as areas that should be avoided.
“Then you are trying to connect the dots while avoiding wet and flat areas,” he said. “Natural surface trails are sensitive to compaction and erosion, so we try to stay high and dry, all the while creating a trail that’s fun to ride at both slow and faster speeds in either direction.”
The mountain bike trail is located at Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon.
