Fun Bike Trails in Alabama

Alabama bike riding can be slow rolling hills, steep mountain downhills or hiking through thick forest. The breath of available riding makes Alabama great for any skill level. Riders of all ages and skill will find something worthwhile in Alabama. Here are a few of my favorites.

Mobile has the South Alabama Trails which are perfect for all skill levels. You can pick up speed on one of the many rolling hils or check out the technical switchbacks, whichever better suits your skills. The trail is over fifteen miles with a smaller seven mile connected. It is very well maintained and popular with the locals so it can get pretty crowded in the summertime months.

Oak Mountain State Park has some of the very best riding in the state of Alabama. Theres something here for everyone. Its located near Birmingham and does require a small admission fee. There are lots of trails ranging from tight and technical to roller coaster downhill sections in the parks 20 miles of track. Advanced riders will want to look for Blood Rock. This is the most technical part of the track.

Wetumpka, Alabama has the Swayback Bridge Trail. It is a small twelve mile loop that can get pretty tough to climb but is a fantastically fun ride. The rocks and exposed roots will keep you on your game but the speed you can get will make you feel like a kid again. You may want to enjoy the early morning at Lake Jordan and show up in mid morning after the other bikers have battled the spider webs that sprung up overnight.

Near Cullman is the Hurricane Creek Park which is only eight miles of trails but they are all technical and steep. Bring your full suspension bike for these bumpy advanced trails. The deep canyon provides a lot of freestyle opportunities and will be worn out after a day in Hurricane Creek. If you need a break during the day the landscape scenery is enough to rejuvenate anyone, just bring lots of water.

Montesano State Park is over thirty miles of incredible, twisty, bumpy, rolling biking heaven. There are family trails for easy riding and also some advanced trails you will want to leave the kids behind on. Some aren’t meant for bicycles so be careful not to enter these loops. The fun downhills and family focus make this state park an attraction for the whole family.

Near Huntsville, Alabama there is the Colonial Hills ORV. This area is loved by bike riders and dirt bikers alike. You will need to look out for the long limbs reaching across the fifteen miles of trails. The rocky technical climbs are tough but worth it for the radical descents.

These are a few of my favorite trails in Alabama. Thanks to the mild winters of the American south, you can pretty much ride these trails all year long. The summer will be a little more crowded, humid and buggy so I recommend the fall for conquering Alabamas trails. Remember the water and to have a good time.

July 28 2009 | bikes | No Comments »

Child’s Bike Seat – Having Them On Your Bike May Not Be Enough!

Parents, who are anxious and curious to know about getting their kids on their cycling trips are already geared up on the prospect of taking their kids on childs bike seat mounted on their bicycles. Well, one thing is for sure – These seats do allow the tot to enjoy the ride, while not having to worry about him getting injured. If you thought the deal was sealed and it is time for you to speed away on the roads, think again. There are some things you may want to know of even now.

It is important for you to cover all aspects of safety of your child while you ride the bike. In that regards, merely having a childs bike seat may just not be enough for you to guarantee the safety of your kid.

Here are few safety tips while you ride with your kid on the childs bike seat

Even before you start riding, make sure that the kid has all the safety gear worn. Of course, the tot would be too small to understand the safety gear and its importance, so you might have to take the effort to put them on your kid. Note – Kids get slightly hassled with all the new things on them, but we believe being a parent you can sort this problem out.

One of the most important safety gears is the helmet. The kid should in all cases wear a helmet, even if he is not riding the bike.

Don’t drive too fast with your kid in the childs bike seat – Well, over-speeding almost never helps, and with your kid on the childs bike seat, it could almost certainly invite trouble. Remember one thing before pedaling too fast – Your kid may not be in a position to maintain his balance in case you braked too fast. In such a scenario, he might fall of the bike seat causing severe harm to himself.

Follow safety rules at all times – Well, if nothing helps, following safety rules could almost certainly come to your rescue. You never know how the approaching vehicle is with the safety norms, but it will certainly help you if you do your bit well.

Never travel on overcrowded roads – The thumb rule on driving with your kid on the childs bike seat is – Don’t take to overcrowded roads either. Staying in your locality, we are sure you would know of the traffic conditions on the roads. If it needs you to travel through crowded roads to reach the market, you are advised to keep your kid home.

There is no reason why parents should feel these safety rules are complex, because they really aren’t. All of them are simple enough for you to understand and implement. Remember – Your thought of having fun while riding and including your kid in the fun is well appreciated, but you obviously don’t want the fun to end up in an accident. Make sure you follow these safety rules for a safe riding experience.

June 13 2009 | bikes | No Comments »