Let’s start with Ohio.

Alum Creek near Columbus – Tight, technical and very wet. But about the only mountain biking anywhere around Columbus in the way of single track.

Denison University Nature preserve – Only certain trails, but years ago they did let you mtn bike a good portion, just stay on the trails and respect any signs, this is a nature preserve first, but the riding was open, with some good down hills and climbs. It’s located near the university which is located in Granville, Ohio.

San Antonio, Texas

My home for the past 2.5 years, there is 3 good rides right in San Antonio.

McAlister Park – open, fast, fun, and some tight technical spots, but a lot of good open single track.

O.P. Schnabel Park – is incredible. Right near our old house, and it is got a pretty nice network of trails around the park and along the creek bed. Minimal elevation, mostly quick technical up and downs, and all around lots of areas to play for all levels of single track fun. There is also the rollercoaster, which is a section that is exactly like it’s name, a sort of compact moto cross inspired network of up and downs and turns, it takes a while to learn where/how/what, but it is a lot of fun.

Government Canyon – this park has 2 main breakdowns. What they call front country and back country. The Front is a bit more like McAlister, open, faster, good intermediate single track in respect to technical manuevering. But the back country is simply a beast. Pretty new park, so not beaten down yet at all, the back country is a test of your limestone up hill and down hill skills. We are talking about short and long climbs at times, and some of which you have to navigate some serious rock garden sections. The downhills are a blast though, but this is hiking trails also, and lots of people do hike it, since it’s only open for long weekends. So be aware, there is great concern about maintaining mountain bike access here, so most riders want you to really stay in control and completely stop when you encounter hikers and do the whole smile, say hi, etc. You know make them feel like your not evil bikers trashing the land and risking their peaceful stroll kind of thing. I honestly don’t take this too far myself, I still think I have a right to have fun on public lands as well, but it doesn’t hurt to balance it out some. (Smile and wave boys, smile and wave )

Memphis, Tennesee

My best friend and a person we work with a lot lives there, so we all scope out the riding there, and surprisingly, it’s not too bad. Better then Central Ohio.

Shelby Farms – is a big multi use park, but they have a nice, decent length single track loop. It is not technical at all really. There are some fun parts, and depending on how fast and what line you take, staying in some of the ruts can make for a challenge, I personally know of crashes due to those little ruts. But it is a good ride, with some wooded twist and turns and some open climbs.

Skanky Creek – this is a gem to me. There is a section here where the local kids do some bmx jumping and such, with a small moto cross inspired area. More one jump at a time kind of thing then O.P.’s rollercoaster, but that isn’t what I enjoyed. The trails through the woods are fast and fun. Climbs up and down and plenty of fun technical spots and drop offs, and folks have kindly located some jumps and ramps throughout that make this a lot of fun. There is a couple logs with bridges over them too, and all around just a good time. I like a good curvy but fast wooded ride that has just enough technical sections to pop up and make me pay attention, and this park has it. So I highly recommend. Also there is a big log, that you ride come off of, ride up another, and then jump off a drop off. If you find it, try it, but be safe. I did it once, and couldn’t seem to conquer it again.

Moab, Utah

Wife and I have went here twice, and I hope to go back again soon. I love it there. The biking is wicked, and the town is just the kind of town and people I like.

Porcupine Rim – You google it, everyone will tell you it is epic, and hardcore. We agree. It took us 7 hours, and that is with the shuttle up. We were tired to start with, but we also acknowledge we could definately be in a lot better shape. But I would say any out of towner should expect it to take a while. There is a lot about this trail, so I won’t say much about it, other then if you ride a good amount, you should go do this, but full suspension is best. Wife did it on her hard tail, but she takes a slower/careful line through a lot of the rock gardens, if you like to see how much you can ride over and how fast, full suspension is a must.

Slickrock – we’ve only done the practice loop, we scoped out the full thing, but the wife has a big aversion to heights, and we decided she wasn’t ready yet. Hope to go back soon and do the full trail with my good friend, so stay tuned. But the practice loop is still a blast, and I don’t think the name practice gives the right idea. As a non local, I would say it should be named the short loop. Cause it’s still a challenge, with lots of fun up and downs and technical prowess needed, it’s simply shorter then the whole thing. Time crunch folks, or people from out of town should feel no shame in pounding this ride out a few times. We have done it both directions, in the same day, and let me tell you, that is not a small task. And it’s a completely different trail clockwise, then it is counter clockwise.

Circle O – a new trail, have to find a newer guide to get info about this one. All I can say is damn fun. Wife had a blast too. Full suspension is good, cause this rock is a little rougher then the slick rock trail’s. A lot more pitted, and you are on it the whole time. Nothing but fun though.

I’ll come back around and add a bit to this and some links when I can…