Finding new MTB trails

So you're on a trip someplace, or maybe you’re new to an area. How do you find bike trails to ride?
In the age of the Internet this may seem easy to most of us, and it is. Still many beginners have no place to start, so let's take a look at a few ways you can find trails and bike parks.
First off, the map program in your phone works for this. Just center your location and type in "mountain bike trails". For well established parks this always works, but it doesn't give you much info. Sometimes you can find pictures and even reviews, but generally you won’t get the location of the entrance or the difficulty level of the terrain.
Luckily there are sites that serve as directories for bike trails. My personal favorite is Singletracks.com but there are others. This video is not an advertisement for Singletracks, so feel free to link your favorite site in the comments. Still, I’m familiar with their site, so let’s take a look how you can plan a trip by using a mountain bike trail directory.
The site detects your location and shows you all the trails that have been added by others. I see the usual suspects, but there’s one over here I’ve never seen before. West Delray. That’s not far from me at all. Apparently they have mosquitos there the size of pterodactyls.
This park is rated a 3 of 5, but ratings mean nothing without reading the reviews. I always pay attention to the date the review was written, because trails change, trees grow, and volunteers can do a lot.
In the question and answer section, you can get really useful info if you’re planning a trip, like whether or not there are bathrooms and where you can expect to find parking.
From what I’ve read, it looks West Delray is rough and sandy with lots of roots. To be honest I usually don’t care much for roots, but almost every review has the word “fun” in it. I’ve gotta check this place out and see for myself.
Thanks to Singletracks, I know to look out for the Pterosaurs. Right at the entrance, is this gem of a feature. So far, this looks promising. As stated in the reviews, West Delray has a ton of roots and rough terrain, but it’s not the annoying kind. The trail seems to leverage the roots in a strategic and intentional way.
While there’s not much elevation here, the trails are really fun. Whoever maintains this place is particularly creative, and definitely has a sense of humor. Does anyone really make it through here? I guess with a carefully planned bunnyhop you could get your bars high enough, but I’ll take the bypass-something I rarely do.
I was on the edge of my seat at every turn, eager to see what other unique features West Delray had in store. Here we have a really short 70% grade climb, with a 50% grade as a bypass. The reward is a fun little set of jumps that lead into another trail.
The dark twisty routes through the mangroves can give you some serious tunnel vision if you pick up enough speed.
We rode until it started to get dark, but I still don’t think I’ve seen all the trails in this relatively small park. Since you can’t pick up much speed on these twisty switchbacks, it takes a long time to rack up miles here. I’ll definitely need to come back, ride every little corner, and get some more video footage for a more extensive review.
I was grinning from ear to ear riding this very refreshing trail. In what is basically a swamp, some very dedicated volunteers have created a fun and challenging riding spot. So the moral of the story is, there are always new places to discover. Use the Internet to your advantage and just maybe, you’ll find a new riding spot right in your own backyard. Thanks for riding with me today and I’ll see you next time.
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www.sethsbikeha...

[@TimMcgimpsey]

I have learnt so much from your channel seth. I like how your more like the average trail rider, Unlike the pros from GMBN with their $10000 bikes. Your videos are funny and packed full of useful info. Keep up the awesome work!

[@SethsBikeHacks]

+Tim Mcgimpsey thanks! Although I still do love watching some GMBN

[@chinonian7729]

Hahaha I watch GMBN everyday and I agree with this!!

[@Ordinarysortaguy]

Tim Mcgimpsey I used to watch GMBN but it's becoming clear that they are running out of steam. I don't blame them but their most recent vid was titled 'are hardtails fast?'

[@FloridaTrailrider]

I cant imagine having any more fun than I have on my $700 bike. All I want to do is bike and film!

[@sonorangaming449]

GMBN is not a practice what they preach kinda channel

[@bkxc]

I'm up in Whistler for Outerbike and Trailforks has been fantastic. Preload your maps to your phone and you don't need a data connection to find your way on the trail, just GPS. Love MTBproject as well but they set a high bar for contribution of trails and rides, so some really good stuff is left out because people don't want to bother. I tried to do a ride guide and the amount of info you had to supply was exhausting.

[@owenmacwilliams1134]

Hey Brian

[@BikingFool12]

Seth - Thanks for the kind words about the trail. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of volunteers at West Delray, and the backing for FORCE to support them. - Gerry Kinnard

[@SethsBikeHacks]

+BikingFool12 thank you guys for your blood, sweat, and mosquito bites! Maybe next time I'll run into you guys out there

[@bloodsports94]

Trailforks is awesome and it's linked with pinkbike

[@joshuameade2448]

Love trail forks, although for Colorado it's missing some good trails, maybe they will update the map soon.

[@NailzOfficial]

This is where I first got started riding. With the recent improvement they've made I like this place way better then quiet waters....which is close range to me as well since I live in boca. The gap between the trees is actually easy to do....you don't even gotta hop it I just tackle through it lol

[@korpel]

pressing F5 everyday untill new vid of you shows up, by far the best MTB vids out these like that you cover even the smallest details which can make huge differences over all

[@johnmay330]

Thanks Seth. It seems like in every video now that you publish is with a friend or two. Video quality is still top notch!

[@SethsBikeHacks]

Thanks John!

[@RyanMarcyesOutdoors]

Yes, Singletracks is a killer site and app. I just got back yesterday from a 10 day camping trip through GA,TN and NC. I must have used the app almost everyday. Great video, keep up the great and fun work!!!

[@tajah4149]

i cant thank you enough i kept looking for people who ride but they said that there is a track were i already know about but thankyou now i can expand on my mountain biking skills and techniques obviously learnt from u i really appreciate the hard work and effort you put into your videos thank you and keep doing what your doing, you are by far the best channel i have found on youtube :)

[@ianciborowski2983]

I love how you subtly place into your video your stickers, WAIT YOI UAVE STICKERS?!?!!

[@topdsm0138]

The volunteers of West Delray are the great men & women from F.O.R.C.E. Florida Off Road Cycling Enthusiasts. They have been really helpful and nice to my son and I in their trails. 👍👍👍

[@sflsingletrackers6397]

Hey Seth that's my home trail! FORCE MTB is who maintains that. Hit me up if you're going to ride there again

[@downsouthoutdores8481]

I found your Chanel watching bmx videos and then sore your mountain bike ones and that started a hole new hobby for me ✌️👌😁

[@mitchypoo117]

"MTB Project" is my go to! Its free, user friendly and provides helpful pictures, reviews, trail conditions and directions to trailheads.

[@rossthomas2885]

Your bunny hopping technique is so clean. So magestic

[@Thejulianocarvalho]

I would like to see you teach the bunny hop on a road bike

[@SethsBikeHacks]

+Juliano Oliveira That could happen...

[@Thejulianocarvalho]

+Seth's Bike Hacks, Thanks for answering me! I will look for more bike classes! I'm from Brazil, Piaui, Parnaíba. Country of the Olympics! Hugs, I'm your fan!

[@finhouston7500]

Seth's Bike Hacks whens it going to happen

[@macmurfy2jka]

Hell yeah! Singletracks for the win so many more parks and trails hear in NJ.

[@Dangerousrobb]

I live about 15 minutes from there. Flew my planes and shot archery in the park, but never knew about the trail there! I'll have to catch you out there one of these days!

[@Paul.Kramer]

Love your channel! Informative and fun for a newbie. Just got a Norco Storm 7.2 XC and I'm having fun getting out there trying new things I see one here. Winnipeg, Canada

[@Nono-hk3is]

Seth you have the best attitude about MTB.

[@albertagt]

Hi Seth... I like all your videos, they are VERY informative but the best feature is you Jazzy music witch allows me the keep going for more plus the real sounds of the scenario, keep going, I hope to find you one day at Markham or Amelia...

[@saltlifelex4658]

I recently been riding this trail when I get off work and boy has it changed in 6 years crazy

[@santiagohills3321]

Another great video, making the most of the Florida terrain. Not ready to pack the bike on my next trip out there though. Stop by Santiago Oaks and say hi if you are ever in California...

[@nathansmith3989]

Oh wow, there's actually quite a few MTB tracks in my area lol... Singletracks is an awesome website. Thanks Seth!

[@martialsunwalk9955]

great review and tips as always, with my kind of perspective, I'm new to everything mtb related but I know I'll love it when I get out there on the trails, thanks to you seth

[@Trapb564]

Thanks to you seth, I just used the single tracks app and found a MTB trail less than ten minutes from my house!

[@michaellaura1231]

West Delray had changed a lot since this video. You should check it out again. Sweet place for your RC Rock Crawlers also!

[@mesk412]

Love your videos. You should consider a single speed mtb for your next rig (or maybe convert one). With your BMX background I'll bet you would really love it. I'd love to see a Seth's Bike Hack's video on the joy and simplicity of riding SS.

[@SethsBikeHacks]

+Andrew Beswick Stay tuned...

[@mesk412]

Seth's Bike Hacks Nice

[@mateutorrento4454]

Congratulations for the awesome channel !!!!!

[@maxedleston5190]

i really like trail forks, its a cool website and even has an app and also show the elevation and cool stuff like that:)

[@adamheckl5477]

You should come up to Jacksonville, and ride the Hanna Park trails. They're more tech trails then anything else, but still very nice and fun.

[@alexandercase5049]

Using the strava app is also pretty good. Just by using the map feature and searching around your area you can see where people are clocking in routs. Real easy way to discover great new places to ride.

[@alexandercase5049]

Routes*

[@MarshMello00]

Yeah, Strava is very good for people like me in the UK, as non of these sites have any near by.

[@tayosborne6489]

hey Seth, tbh i just noticed this channel yesterday after noon and since then I have pretty much watched everything u have done, rlly enjoy these videos! do u think u could do a video and MTB at a skatepark but make it longer bc that was one of my fave ones but it wasn't very long

[@hardushelm6268]

No

[@Gamebit450]

That place looked fun as hell!

[@huntermlmfao2778]

i loved this i really enjoy your videos great camera clean speaking really enjoyable also i really liked this trail hope to go to it soon

[@MrAlcmj]

as a kid stumbling across a dirt jump was magical

[@jamonit2463]

Another excellent video. Thanks Seth...

[@jackotodd3489]

awesome trail forks is a good one to

[@robh7418]

That really narrow spot that Seth rode around may indicate the age for the trail. There is a feature on one of my local trails called V Tree, two trees sharing the same trunk. With the wider bars everyone has I don't many people ride it any more

[@orthZ]

I use Trailforks which is kinda like MTBProject. You can even store offline maps onto your phone if you can't get service.

[@ogbikes9762]

+Seth's Bike Hacks Where can I buy your shirt! Also keep up the great work and just as a suggestion I think you should try Alafia Bike Park. I know it's far for you but it is a very flowy, rocky and fun collection of trails.

[@Ed_Gilbert]

For beginners Sherwood Pines green,blue and red trails are very good because I have tried them all and they are fun apart from they are in England but it is very good quality and anywhere where there is hard stuff there is a small route to miss it if you don’t want to go on the hard stuff

[@AndrewBergeron]

I am going mountain biking this summer at Hat Creek campground in Old Station, CA

[@andrewcantin275]

Those cars at the end are one of my hobbies

[@rockford016]

dat relaxing background music till the end.... :)

[@putrariskiadi1906]

ooohh man its always fun to watch your video

[@cartunerph4827]

3:45 Where Seth’s RC addiction started

[@mooo_2021]

I was just about to comment the exact same thing

[@jonathanwinnett644]

how on earth do i get one of your stickers?

[@Sean-zm3dp]

I guess we will never know

[@John_D2]

Seth , you should come up to Lakeland and Plant City..we have loyce e harpe park , alafia river state park and balm boyette. you will need two or three days. I guarantee you will love every trail we have. All three are old phosphate mines , plenty of ups and downs.

[@SethsBikeHacks]

+Flatzout already been making plans!

[@John_D2]

good deal !

[@josephmckinney8802]

Looking forward to see those videos. I love riding those trails.

[@corbinjohnson2793]

just realized how close u are to me lol but sweet video. it really helped cause i have only known about the Pinehurst trail. i guess now i have to try west Delray 👍

[@thebudgetgamer5935]

honestly i miss the trek 4900 and i would love to see another video with it like a throwback or something :) anyways gj seth you never dissapoint

[@arnokhodaverdi488]

nice bunny hop i really liked this video you should really make more

[@alexlew1990]

i need one of your logo stickers 😀 brilliant video yet again !!

[@DoWorkChopper]

We need to get this man to Trestle!

[@kenanschoon8585]

Yeah i use trail forks and it’s also good because it has trails for every country in the world

[@brentlane4688]

I use the trail forks app. It's a must have for any mountain biker.

[@gushollen6303]

i love the rc track at the end

[@yaboiskinnypen2040]

For Washington State we have a thing called evergreen mountain bike alliance that has a bunch of trails in Washington and you sort them based on technical difficulty and other things. IDK if other states or even countries have these but i'd bet they do. it'd probably be worth looking up some sort of mountain bike alliance for where you live

[@lancemcmendra5951]

you have to come to Colorado! there is a trail every mile, no joke.😃😃 great video though!!

[@garrettknorr5025]

we have some amazing mtn bike trails here in colorado. I feel bad for people trying to mountain bike in florida; It's kinda like going to colorado for a beach vacation

[@lancemcmendra5951]

+garrett knorr so true!! I'm in steamboat, so I live by so many trails

[@RedWingsninetyone]

Love the info. I know they were looking to put in a mountain bike trail near me that, when finished, will supposedly be one of the best in the country. Problem is, it's hardly getting any funding for construction right now. It also hardly has any press at the moment. Any advice to spread the word or anything like that? The proposed trail would be about 47 miles total around the Hardy Pond in Michigan.

[@jamiewinkfield5242]

Really good video, I enjoy your trail videos !

[@spidermanation]

great video and great information for a beginner thanks a lot

[@Roman88571]

you should start a series where you review different bike parks wherever you want

[@hugocharneca7651]

Looks like a sick trail

[@trevor6743]

You would love what they’ve done with this place place is a blast

[@butterguitar3978]

I like the trail forks app it's really useful

[@Leolpzz]

Its cool to know seth lives close to me xD

[@yannicbrose]

I currently use Outdooractive in Germany... free, app with offline maps, record and post new tracks, stats and so on. :)

[@davidcordero517]

Nice videos Seth! Come check out some here in central Florida. Santos was Great! I ride there try out loyce Harpe park in Lakeland you be disappointed! It's surrounded by water most of it. While your here check out alafia and boyette. Those are my rotation in trails here. Each one of them are awesome!!!!!

[@originalchristianvogt]

2:30 To fit through there you need a Fixie-Bar.

[@xXGeekSquadXx5]

Seth make a video of all the gear you use when riding and why you ride flats instead of clipless etc...

[@davidcordero517]

will not be disappointed in loyce Harpe park

[@joshbolt9754]

Please visit Baker Creek Preserve it is so much fun!!!

[@nestorrivera6557]

Quiet waters in Deerfield beach is great

[@snowflakezzonPC]

Love your vids man!

[@mattfrankman]

Everybody get trailforks! It works offline, I think it's got some connection to pinkbike and its got cool extra info!

[@harharhar6525]

i use single tracks too, it is awesome

[@MelbourneBikeBagRentals]

Today I found some new trails really good on single tracks.com that are near my house.

[@TheSalPic]

Is anyone doing as much for Florida MTB as you? Another great vid.

[@tillman40]

look up Clint Gibbs on YT

[@XCBen]

@@tillman40 Guess not. lol

[@outdoorsmtb1341]

A little RC car foreshadowing here

[@bamkils2]

I was just wondering if you had any videos in lower priced but durable bikes to use for this type of trail riding. Not the Walmart style I have one and I away a tear them up. Looking for a fun activity/ sport but need the right equipment

[@toddh3157]

Hey Seth, I couldn't help but notice those fine looking stickers next to your keyboard. How could I get my hands on some of those?

[@trailwomanrc]

I just tried singletracks and found trailforks had WAY more trails. I was hoping to find a new trail or two but not locally.

[@famous636]

How to ride over log piles would be a cool video.

[@chrisz.9974]

Trailforks is sick.

[@danielweinacht9219]

For people on Long Island CLIMB is pretty good

[@elliotsakimoto7026]

hey seth, nice video. i use singletracks as well. BTW, where's that video on best bikes to start out with that you said you would make when you replied to my comment around 3 weeks ago? thanks

[@daxward8008]

A mobile app is called MTBproject, it works great and shows the distance and difficulty.

[@zevi2000]

Seth, get a folding bike just for fun! Do something crazy! I own a $500-600 folding bike owned by Mini! I'm continuously sucking at wheelies, I think it would be entertaining!

[@hedemalmcarl]

Trailforks is the only one showing my local ones

[@LukeGoesOutside117]

wow those trails look awesome

[@saksittichompoo3583]

I wish I have this app in Thailand. Trail riding is rare here. People go for road cycling as it seems a kind of trending. Let me know if you visit Thailand, I will take you to my favorite trail.

[@MTB-oy8ls]

I use Trail Forks. It's a free app that shows you every mountain biking trail in the US

[@ryand1072]

MTB project is good as well and they have an app you can install on your phone!

[@anirudha9570]

I am a really fan of you I also like mountain biking but I don't have a bike

[@seattlefk]

for anyone that live in Washington state, I recommend checking out evergreen mountain bike alliance.

[@riverdeme4159]

Yea Trailforks is epic it even has the dificalty level

[@churrorod]

If you want elevation, you should def check out Mount Dora.

[@evanbierman2030]

I highly recommend the app MTB project

[@robertrowe5184]

Thx for the tips, again