Tarrywile Figure 8

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E-Bikes Unknown

Some excellent trails here, though the technical challenges can break up the flow. It's a great place to hone skills or hike-a-bike, for most riders it'll be a combination of the two.

Head to the Tarrywile Parking lot at the north side of the park.

Ride up to Parks Pond on the Grey Trail (Pond Loop). This is the hub of the park and you can hit a number of trails from here. The loop itself is not terribly interesting, mostly doubletrack, and possibly some hiking traffic.

I generally start with the Hay Field Loop aka Red Loop, which you can pick up by cutting left (east towards Long Ridge Rd. ) You'll head through the field for about a quarter mile before hitting the loop, which can be ridden in either direction. This is fun singletrack, not very technical, and a good warm up for the rest of the figure 8 (blue loop and yellow trails).

Ride the red loop and return to the pond to pick up the Grey Trail (Pond Loop). Then ride down to the south end of the pond, find a nice steep rock to ride down (or up). From here, you'll pick up the Blue Loop to Fire Pond. The Blue Loop has some classic singletrack, difficult at times, rocky, loose, and may require some diligence or hiking-of-ye-bike. You can remain on the Blue Loop for a shorter ride, or head out on the Yellow Trail and head up for a steep tech climb to Mootry Peak Lookout and Beacon, then back down.

The yellow trail is the most difficult section at Tarrywile, with rocky, steep sections of singletrack and variable trail conditions. Riding this section cleanly is a real accomplishment - even more so if you manage it on your first ride.

For most mortals, it will take some practice and a few sessions to ride many sections. It can be either a fun set of challenges or massively frustrating depending on your idea of a good mountain bike ride. The most difficult riding is uphill, but the rolling nature of the terrain makes this section not for the faint of heart.