Beginner's Trails throughout Indiana?

[Catrin]

I've been trying to chase down the location of all beginner/less-technical intermediate trails throughout the state. Here is a list of the trails I am aware of and/or ridden. Are there others that should be added to my list? I am returning from an injury and putting together a list of all of my riding options  I love BCSP but it is nice to have options!

BCSP: Pine, Limekiln, NT Connector and NT Loop (ridden all outside of the NT Loop - and have ridden a portion of that)
Fort Ben: Camp Glen Trail (ridden)
Avon?: Beginners trail?
Rangeline: Novice trail (haven't seen this trail yet)
Versailles? Beginners trail?

Added from comments:
Southwestway: less technical-intermediate

[SariiBearii]

I love, love, love, Rangeline. That's the trail I learned on.    Highly recommend!

[gt ss]

I would consider SWW less technical intermediate.

[getsometrail]

There are some beginner trails at Washington Park in Avon but unless you know your way around you could easily end up on an advanced trail.  There is also not that much milage if you have to travel to get there.
 
+1 for Rangeline, it has a novice and intermediate that makes for nice step up in difficutly from one to another, not to mention a skills park area where you can practice riding log skinnies and other obsticals with little penalty for failure.
 
Versailles has a few miles of beginner to intermediate level single track.  Very similar to what you've ridden in BCSP.

[Catrin]

...
 
+1 for Rangeline, it has a novice and intermediate that makes for nice step up in difficutly from one to another, not to mention a skills park area where you can practice riding log skinnies and other obsticals with little penalty for failure.
 
Versailles has a few miles of beginner to intermediate level single track.  Very similar to what you've ridden in BCSP.

I had heard that Rangeline has a novice trail, but not the skills park - that would be good for me. The photo gallery for the park looks quite interesting, I am going to have to check this park out after the women's clinic, thanks for mentioning this!

[lovefamily2005]

This past Sunday I went to Brown Co with my Best friend to ride the trails b/c we heard that Pine Loop was an easy trail. I normally ride at SWW. I really didn't like Brown Co to much for a beginner b/c oh my goodness I had guys and gals that you can tell are advanced fly past me and I thought I was going to fall off my bike lol. Is there anything you can do so they know your less experienced? I'm sure they are using those trails to get to the more advanced ones. One gal was nice enough to let me know that going up hill I had the right away b/c we were having to stop up hill to let advanced ppl come down lol


Any suggestions?
I've been riding for about a year but mostly all last year was SWW and did Westwood once *which I love b/c you can only go one way, however wow it's hard. Walked the bike up hills a lot lol*


April

[Range_Rider]

Town Run in Indy

[Matt E.]

There are some beginner trails at Washington Park in Avon but unless you know your way around you could easily end up on an advanced trail.  There is also not that much milage if you have to travel to get there.
 
+1 for Rangeline, it has a novice and intermediate that makes for nice step up in difficutly from one to another, not to mention a skills park area where you can practice riding log skinnies and other obsticals with little penalty for failure.
 
Versailles has a few miles of beginner to intermediate level single track.  Very similar to what you've ridden in BCSP.

You can make a very good loop of about 4-5 miles of non-technical trails in Avon. I typically try to shoot for a 5 mile loop everyday I'm out there. I do however agree that some sections will be a little bit intimidating on the skill level range, but you can avoid most of that and still get a good bit of riding in. The southern half is more of a flat SWW feel. Has a couple of log crossings and have a few possible technical spots, but they can be walked until you feel comfortable with your skills to cross them.

If anyone wants a little help navigating around Avon, I'd be more then gladly to show them around.

[tony]

There's a new .5 mile beginner-friendly trail behind BGI North.  Along with some other trails that head north along the river that are also pretty eash

[Adim_x]

Brown County can be a pretty busy place.  I met a lot of people there yesterday who seemed more concerned about their own pace than yielding to uphill riders, or even being kind in general. 
 
I would recommend Fort Harrison, it is not real busy yet, and I think it is one direction only, counter clockwise.  There are only a couple spots that are real tricky, and nothing is wrong with walking.  The climbing is also very reasonable. 

Adam

[Catrin]

As a beginner I love BCSP trails, and yes they can be quite busy. I ride either early morning or wait until mid-afternoon - those seem to be good times to hit the beginner trails there. I prefer to ride at BCSP as there are multiple trails at my level from which I can choose. Each one challenges me in a different way so it depends on what I want to work on that day.


For me Ft. Harrison (original trail) is too difficult, but one of these days that will change 

[Traci]

Harmonie State Park has a great trail system for beginner MTB.....it is not very rocky at all(no rocks except for the section man made) and is fun and fast. Of course if you are in the Northern part of Indiana, it is pretty far....but worth it if you do. They offer camping at this state park as well.

[gt ss]

I had guys and gals that you can tell are advanced fly past me and I thought I was going to fall off my bike lol.

I absolutely hate it when people do that. I am NOT a beginner in any way and ride with beginners often so I come in contact with those people at their worst.

They seem to like using Pine Loop as a warm up in their pace lines for North Gate trail instead of leaving it to beginners. Just because you and your friends are fast does not give you the right of way.

As far as yielding to uphill traffic, I find many riders seem to pull over, no matter uphill or down, if they see an oncoming rider that looks "serious". I will not yield to a downhill rider unless I feel like they will run me over

[htrdoug]

I had guys and gals that you can tell are advanced fly past me and I thought I was going to fall off my bike lol.

I absolutely hate it when people do that. I am NOT a beginner in any way and ride with beginners often so I come in contact with those people at their worst.

They seem to like using Pine Loop as a warm up in their pace lines for North Gate trail instead of leaving it to beginners. Just because you and your friends are fast does not give you the right of way.

As far as yielding to uphill traffic, I find many riders seem to pull over, no matter uphill or down, if they see an oncoming rider that looks "serious". I will not yield to a downhill rider unless I feel like they will run me over

I realize it's not proper but I always yield to downhill riders,let 'em have some fun! Jeez,it's not like I can't get going uphill again.

[dhorner]

I had guys and gals that you can tell are advanced fly past me and I thought I was going to fall off my bike lol.

I absolutely hate it when people do that. I am NOT a beginner in any way and ride with beginners often so I come in contact with those people at their worst.

They seem to like using Pine Loop as a warm up in their pace lines for North Gate trail instead of leaving it to beginners. Just because you and your friends are fast does not give you the right of way.

As far as yielding to uphill traffic, I find many riders seem to pull over, no matter uphill or down, if they see an oncoming rider that looks "serious". I will not yield to a downhill rider unless I feel like they will run me over

I realize it's not proper but I always yield to downhill riders,let 'em have some fun! Jeez,it's not like I can't get going uphill again.

 
I'm all about having some fun, but it is a great deal easier getting started for someone going downhill than someone going uphill.  Many people (my wife included) have a difficult time starting up a hill, especially if there is loose terrain.  The people that are going to have a harder time climbing these hills are the rookies that are already intimidated by how fast everyone else is, and running them down on a hillside is not the most productive way to keep these people involved in the sport.